It's Monday - Books With Wonderful Stories for All Ages

              Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they've been reading, along with others who post their favorites.  Your TBR lists will grow! Happy Reading!
          Share with the hashtag #IMWAYR

        Thinking of all of you during this challenging time, hope you are doing well and finding joy in your lives every day. This continuing challenge is so hard for everyone. I'm trying to help where I can by supporting those who are virtually closed, still offering carry-out, etc. 

Thanks to Candlewick Press and
Walker Books for this advanced copy!

       I'm not sure that I am the best audience for this new young adult book by Laura Myracle. It's a book that's honest about teenage boys, what many think, say, and dream about, mostly sex. The story follows Paul Walden, "this boy", through his four years of high school. He thinks he's handsome but in a nice way, likes his swag, has a decent relationship with his mom (parents are divorced), wants a girlfriend. No, he wants his best friend Roby's girlfriend. There are problems and Paul works them out, sometimes. I'm telling this because it seemed pretty normal and as an adult, I was both glad to read about some boys and what they think and do, and as the story moved on, not so glad. You'll understand when you read it. I suspect teen boys, maybe girls, will like the story, maybe connect, maybe learn? 

Thanks to Candlewick Press for
a copy of this book!

           Yesterday started a very special time, National Library Week! Here's a link to all that is happening online during the week!

          It was fun to meet these friends again in a library adventure. It certainly couldn't be more timely because I imagine, like me, you all are missing your libraries very, very much. Every Saturday, Houndsley, Catina, and friend Bert are excited because it's the day they go together to the library. Each has plans there, but first, they have a muffin (or two) at Catina's. When they arrive, Trixie, their special librarian, isn't her usual fun and helpful self. In fact, she disappears. That's when they notice the sign on the front door: the library is closing because Trixie is retiring. And there is no one to replace her! When finding out more information, the friends realize that no one can replace Trixie, but there may be a solution not previously thought of, a fun surprise. James Howe's stories and Marie-Louise Gay's delightful illustrations have created still another adventure that's filled to the brim with friendly talk and feel-good problem-solving, trying something new and supporting friends.

          These are some of my last library picture books, so I've been savoring them. I don't know when I'll get back to it for more! 

         It never occurred to me that a friendship story could emerge between a snail and a group of ants, but luckily Corey R. Tabor thought so. He has created the happiest story of friendship between these unlikely creatures. A snail spies a cabbage "across the road" and slowly with persistence, it begins. What happens in this journey holds fun surprises, some scary moments, and a very happy ending. With Corey's full-page imaginative illustrations, even of the "inside" of the snail's home, readers will laugh and clap all through the story, but especially at the ending. 

          

       Full of color and hilarious, excited expressions found in the illustrations by Brandon Todd set this "staged" tale by Dev Petty beautifully. The smaller animals plan to create a marvelous, over-the-top production for all the forest. Bear has no interest in being on stage but is a great friend who writes everything down and helps with all the preparations. There's just one very necessary thing that's left out. And that makes both an alarming and a happy ending. I would love reading this aloud and wonder if any listeners would start to guess what's being forgotten. Terrific book!

What's Next! It's time to choose another of my #MustReadin2020 books. And I have a few more ARCs to read, too. 

Happy Reading, everyone!