It's Monday! What are you reading?

It's Monday!  What are YOU reading?

I'm participating in a meme created by Book Journey and Teach Mentor Texts.  I'll be reviewing children's literature and adult literature.

INTERMEDIATE GRADE BOOKS:

Zebra Forest by Adina Rishe Gewirtz

Annie and Rew live with their grandmother (Gran) in the town of Sunshine. Annie and Rew have been told their father was killed by an angry man several years ago. However, after a riot at the local prison, Annie, Rew, and Gran are "visited" by Andrew Snow--Annie and Rew's father. Set against the backdrop of the Iranian Hostage Crisis, Annie and Rew are held hostage by their father. Over the course of the next three weeks, the truth about their family unravels and they must learn to deal with the lies they've been told until now.

The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. by Kate Messner

I loved this book by Kate Messner! Gianna is a 7th grader who is learning to deal with her grandmother's memory loss. Nonna has episodes where she doesn't know anyone or know where she is. Gianna is forced to be the only family member in the doctor's office when Nonna gets evaluated and early-onset Alzheimer's is expected. It's a lot for a 7th grader to shoulder and Messner does a superb job of getting the language and feelings correct for a junior high girl. I'm excited to use this as a book group book with my fifth graders for our family theme topic unit.

CURRENTLY READING:

Unlocking Complex Texts by Laura Robb

Reading in the Wild by Donalyn Miller

ON DECK:

Bellman & Black by Diane Setterfield

(I'm really hoping this is our next book club book.  We have our meeting tonight, so we'll see!)

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

I'd love to know what you're reading this week, too!