Monday Reading - Poetry, too!

Monday Reading, Poetry too!

created by Leigh Anne Eck
at A Day In The Life 

         Many Poetry Friday bloggers are beginning challenges for the month, and others offer invitations to write along with them. I may join them sometimes during the month, but my goal is to work hard to write haiku and haiku-related poetry this month. See my latest below. 
           I'm also happy that some of us also are supporting each other, sharing on twitter with the hashtag #DigiPoetry, created by Margaret Simon, of Reflections on The Teche.You're welcome to join us. Find the many Poetry Month offerings rounded up by Jama Rattigan at Jama's Alphabet Soup. If you want to see some lovely poetry, go to Jama's post to see everyone's plans.

5)

April’s word party -

celebrate the poems

on lined pages

Linda Baie © All Rights Reserved

         After celebrating, then link up with Jen at TeachMentorTexts and Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders. and Sheila at Book Journeys.  Come visit, and tweet at #IMWAYR. Thanks to Jen, Kellee, and Ricki for hosting!

The Martian - written by Andy Weir

            My friend talked me into this one, then I discovered that many of the boys in my classroom had already discovered and read it, some of them twice! It’s taken me about three weeks to read, and I was doing much other reading during that time, blogs and assignments, etc. Is it great? Not to me, but I was compelled to keep reading, to try to understand the copious amounts of science (all kinds) included in it. I think that’s why the boys loved it so, and that it’s the ultimate survivor story. You’ve got to love a character that figures out how to live on Mars for about a year and a half, and mostly on potatoes and ingenuity using what equipment was left behind. This reminds me of MacGyver that old TV series when the character could seem to do anything with what’s at hand. Well, so does Mark Watney, the main character, the one left on Mars. Along with the help, sometimes, of some characters at NASA, and those on the ship that left him for dead, Watney does some amazing things. You’ll have to read the book to see how it all ends!

The Bus Ride - written and illustrated by Marianne DuBuc

                It seems easy to read this book, then one must start again, and then again. Too many interesting things are happening on this special bus ride when young Clara is traveling, for the first time alone, to see her grandmother. Hmm-who is sleeping most of the time? Where did those cookies go? And what’s with the fox? Is Clara in danger? In the wider world, is this book a metaphor for society and stereotypes? Terrific book, beautifully illustrated.

Walk On The Wild Side - written and illustrated by Nicholas Oldland

            I’ve discovered this is a part of the “Life in the Wild” series with the three characters, a bear, a moose and a beaver. This time, the three want some more adventure and decide to climb a mountain. Mishaps occur because the beaver has turned the walk into a race. Luckily beaver also saves the day when scary things occur. Then all three realize that taking time to enjoy the walk has an added bonus, they don’t have to race, but can enjoy just walking and being together.  It’s a clever short tale, with simple and enjoyable illustrations. Isn't that just the cutest cover!

Home - written and illustrated by Carson Ellis

             I love books about home, have a beautiful poetry book titled Home also, but it’s filled with nostalgia for adults. This book is for children, home after home is shared, presented in full lovely color, alive with animals and people, both imaginary and real. There are real homes, frame ones in the country, three masted ships, wigwams and palaces. Then there are shoes, yes, SHOES! And this gave me the chance to teach the nursery rhyme “Old Mother Hubbard” as I was reading. There are RVs and houses in Atlantis, and real people from countries all over the world, like a blacksmith from Kenya. It’s a wonder of a book that can be examined over and over.

NEXT: I'm reading Cormac McCarthy's The Road in a book group, and 'finally' one of my "MustReadIn2015" list, The Year I Discovered Poetry by Marilyn Nelson. It'll be a good week! Happy Reading everyone!