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.

I had such a great time at #LibLearnX23 and I learned so much about books, authors, stories, and awards. This week I start a new phase of reading I named “The Aftermath of LibLearnX.” Don’t worry! It’s a GOOD thing! I have more to read and share!

Since I cannot read EVERYTHING all at once, I chose a few books this week that I know I need right now.

Physical books:

We are Here by Tami Charles and Bryan Collier (Orchard Books, 2023). A beautiful companion for All Because You Matter.

This is a Story by John Schu and Lauren Castillo (Candlewick Press, 2023). This is a School author and illustrator, and my friends, team up again for this heartwarming story.

I Am Ruby Bridges by Ruby Bridges and Nikkolas Smith (Orchard Books, 2023). Ruby Bridges is a legend and Nikkolas Smith illustrated the picture book, The 1619 Project: Born on the Water. Perfect!

When Things Aren’t Going Right, GO LEFT by Marc Colagiovanni and Peter H. Reynolds (Orchard Books, 2023). Peter H. Reynolds is known for his art and positive spirit and this new picture book is FABULOUS. I love the endpapers here.

(You know me: “Picture Books Are Perfect for Middle School.” I will be sharing these with students this week…and beyond!)

You: The Story: A Writer’s Guide to Craft Through Memory by Ruta Sepetys (Viking, May 2023). This will be perfect to share with our middle school writers who are working on narratives right now.

Opinions and Opossums by Ann Braden (Nancy Paulsen Books, May 2023). I cannot wait to read another story by Ann Braden! We loved Flight of the Puffin and this one looks just as good. Don’t you love the cover?

A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat (First Second, February 2023). I finished this and I’m telling you, this one will win awards. This book fully embodies the youth experience: a perfect commentary on middle school, travel, and life itself. (And now I want some Fanta Draft Root Beer.) Newbery 2024? (Colby Sharp, my Nerdy Book Club friend, is predicting already.)

NetGalley: I’m still reading Frozen Peaches — I’ll finish it tomorrow. I love this series by another Nerdy Book friend, Erin Soderberg Downing. I think I would love the Ice Hotel in Sweden, even though I don’t like winter.

Libro.fm: I’m not listening to anything right now, but I downloaded Finally Seen by Kelly Yang and I’ll start that soon. She’s an amazing storyteller and a lovely human.

It’s Monday! What are YOU reading?