IMWAYR is a weekly blog hop with kid lit co-hosts Jennifer from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers. The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It’s a great way to share what you’re reading and get recommendations from others. We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs each week.
It sounds like a winter storm is heading our way, so I’ll have some time to read for fun this week. I am ready!
Physical Books: I have a stack of picture books to read – some I never got to in 2021, and I picked up The Last Cuentista (the Newbery Medal Winner by Donna Barba Higuera!) last weekend at Brain Lair Books.
Libro.fm: I’m listening to Frankie & Bug by Gayle Forman and I love it! Stockard Channing narrates, and I picture her sitting in the room with me, reading aloud.
NetGalley: It’s so exciting when your friends create something new and you get a sneak peek. It happened to me again. Gae Polisner and Nora Raleigh Baskin have collaborated to create Consider the Octopus, which stars two 12-year-olds on a research ship at the edge of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. I love that this friendship story includes a deeper “consideration” of our earth, its animals, and natural resources. I have hope that we can count on our current middle schoolers to save the planet in the future. Reading about topics like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch will help kids to become aware and advocate for a better world. (Due April 2022 from Macmillan)
It’s Monday! What are YOU reading?
Reading Teacher Writes 
January 31, 2022 at 9:18 PM
I’m so happy to learn about Consider the Octopus, Jennifer. And what fun to watch personal friends do something like this! Thank you for letting us know about it – I’m definitely adding it to my list. I hope you enjoy The Last Cuentista! I just finished it and whoa. I think it’s such fun when a book wins that so few people have read. I keep hearing about people being shocked, but it was such a great story! I have several of Donna Barba Higuera’s books marked as “want to read” but this was my first real exposure to her writing. I hope you have a wonderful reading week!
February 1, 2022 at 12:17 AM
I just downloaded The Last Cuentista and am looking forward to getting to it this week. Consider the Octopus sounds like a brilliant book. Thanks for the heads up.
February 1, 2022 at 10:26 AM
I have The Last Chentista on order but need to go pick it up before the snow today! I’m glad to read your review of the new Gae Polisner and Nora Raleigh Baskin book. It’s on my list! Have a great week ahead!
February 3, 2022 at 10:35 PM
I really want to try The Last Cuentista, for obvious reasons, so it’s wonderful that you’re reading that! Frankie & Bug looks like a great read too, and Consider the Octopus is one I expect I’ll see more of soon. Thanks so much for the wonderful post, Jennifer!
February 4, 2022 at 3:58 PM
I have The Last Cuentista on my list as well. Consider the Octopus is a great title and looks like a great book.