Adventures in Learning: It's Monday! What Are YOU Reading?

I'm participating in the meme "It's Monday! What Are You Reading?" sponsored by Book Journey and Teach Mentor Texts. I don't have a lot this week, as I've been working in my classroom (school starts this week!) and packing my own home (we're moving this week!). I did manage to squeeze in a few reads, though. Enjoy!

PICTURE BOOKS:

Ballet of the Elephants by Leda Schubert, illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker

This was about one of the Ringling's bringing 50 some elephants together in a circus and training them to perform together. He solicited help from Igor Stravinsky (a composer) and a famous choreographer (also from Russia) to create the show. Interesting to learn about the people of the circus and to see how much the elephants loved the people. I would have liked to have known more about why the elephants were adopted by the circus. This one was a little over Natalie's head, even though she claims she loved it. ;)

My Great Aunt Arizona by Gloria Houston, illustrated by Susan Condie Lamb

I loved this book about a young girl from Appalachia that grew up to be a teacher. She dreamt about traveling to far-away places and never got there, but inspired a love of learning, reading, and dreaming in her students. A great book for any teacher!

EASY READERS:

Mercy Watson Something Wonky This Way Comes by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen

Yet another fun addition to the Mercy Watson series. Mercy goes to the movies with Mr. and Mrs. Watson and can't resist the smell of buttery popcorn. She escapes from the car and hilarity ensues as Mercy heads to the cars of everyone else at the drive-in to help herself to their popcorn.

YOUNG ADULT:

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Narrated by Rebecca Lowman and Sunil Malhotra

This is my favorite book of the summer! I listened to this (and I had to wait in the middle of it because it was due back to the library and I couldn't renew it--but I got it back two weeks later; it was painful!). The narrators should be awarded! This is a heart-breakingly wonderful book of two teenagers falling in love, but so much more than that! Eleanor moves to Omaha to live with her mother and step-father, Richie. Her step-father is abusive and Eleanor gets taunted at school. Park befriends her on the bus and they soon fall for each other. A mesmerizing story of teenage angst, love, and abuse. This should be required for all teens. I loved it!!!

CURRENTLY READING: