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Tag Archives: Kwame Alexander


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IMWAYR: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Edition

It’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, so I’m home from school, but I’ve been rereading many of my favorite books that encourage action and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision for our country. I read that we should “Remember, Celebrate, and Act” and what better way to ACT than to READ and SHARE our dreams with each other.

It’s Monday! What are YOU reading?

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.

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IMWAYR: Happy New Year!

It’s the second day of the new year already, and I AM going to keep up with my reading! My “One Little Word” is CULTIVATE, and I am taking action and nurturing my reading life with care and excitement. There were so many excellent books published in 2022, and many more to come in 2023. This week I plan to read some titles I didn’t get to in ’22.

Physical Books: Love From Mecca To Medina by S.K. Ali and A Planet Like Ours by Frank Murphy, Charnaie Gordon, and Kayla Harren are both on my desk.

NetGalley: If you know me, you know I’m bad at keeping up with NetGalley, but with my intention to CULTIVATE more time for reading, I’m off to a good start this year (I know; it’s only day 2!). I’m reading A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga. I’m usually interested in the moon, but Mars and the Mars Rover stories have been intriguing to me since the news reported on them recently.

Libro.fm: I’m currently listening to Apartment 713 by Kevin Sylvester and finishing The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty (which is not a children’s title, but the author is from my city). I love it when authors are also the narrators of their own audiobooks.

Extra! Bonus! Happy Book Birthday, Kwame Alexander! An American Story publishes tomorrow! This is the first of my “Picture Books are Perfect for Middle School” titles for 2023. It’s not like anything Kwame has ever published, and you NEED to read the story of America…the ACTUAL American story of slavery. Dare Coulter’s vivid illustrations are like paintings – so beautiful and haunting all at once. History and social studies teachers everywhere should acquire and read this book with their students. Families should share this book with each other. I cannot recommend this one highly enough.

Happy New Year! It’s Monday! What are YOU reading?

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a weekly blog hop I co-host with 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. We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up below, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs.


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IMWAYR: Rereads, Review Copies, and Relaxing

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.

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This week the weather turned to true autumn. It’s a nice, relaxing time of year when the nights are just cool enough to want to sit under a blanket with a cup of tea or hot cocoa and read. What a fantastic week!

I received the physical ARC (Advanced Readers Copy) of A Breath of Mischief. It’s so beautiful! To hold it in my hands and turn the pages is an after-dinner treat along with that hot cocoa.

“Sublime” — that’s Emily Henry’s one-word review of In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner, right across the top of the paperback. I had to reread this heartsong book this week while I hosted Jeff Zentner in town. I was honored to hang out with Jeff (and Cash and Delaney, the main characters). Our evening at Brain Lair Books was a bonus!

Lucky me, I’m growing a collection of books from Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (Thank you, Amy Storey). I already had Building an Orchestra of Hope, Different, and A Head Full of Birds. I loved Yellow Dog Blues, by my friend Alice Faye Duncan and the amazing artist Chris Raschka. I added The Box by Isabella Paglia and Paolo Proietti today. What fun! You know I think “Picture Books are Perfect!”

We celebrated a special book birthday last week with Kwame Alexander’s The Door of No Return. It’s unlike his previous verse novels for middle schoolers and high schoolers, but this one still has all that you expect: playfulness, intrigue, family matters, and a couple of unexpected twists that will leave you breathless. You’ll have to read it to find out for yourself. I would say this is one of the most important books of the year.

It’s Monday! What are YOU reading?


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Book PREview: The Door of No Return

In The Door of No Return, Kwame Alexander introduces the reader to 11-year-old Kofi and his tight-knit family. Kofi is smart, friendly, and a strong swimmer, showing off in the waters of the Offin River, the fastest of all his friends. Kofi dreams of water and wonders what his dreams mean. Nana Mosi, his grandfather and the village storyteller, warns Kofi, “The water is not your friend, at night…” Kofi wonders about all Nana Mosi’s sayings and stories but pays attention. Kofi knows his dreams and his grandfather’s teachings will keep him alert to the changes in the village. He will need every ounce of this knowledge in the future.

Kofi’s story weaves the reader in and then untwists the mind and heart as the plot moves forward. Hope builds, then curtails as the reader gasps for a breath before each new chapter. This novel-in-verse is a perfect collection, examining several forms of poetry through the pages while examining human existence. As the water of the Offin drifts, the reader’s expectations roll along, waiting for the next wave. (This book is the first in a trilogy.)

Thank you to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and the author for the early copy of this fabulous tale and the expanded education for all readers. (Expected publication on September 27, 2022)


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IMWAYR: Happy New Year! Let’s Read!

Happy New Year, fellow readers! In an attempt to be more organized about my reading this year, I’m trying something new (we’ll see how long this lasts). Each week I’ll read physical books, listen to an audiobook, and read a NetGalley book, and then share my thoughts. This week I’m still working on 2020 titles while diving into my already-growing 2021 TBR list. NetGalley Reading: I finished Booked: The Graphic Novel by Kwame Alexander, with art by Dawud Anyabwile. This dynamic duo already wowed me with The Crossover: Graphic Novel Adaptation in 2019 and now they are back to retell the story of soccer player, Nick Hall. I LOVED the story all over again and I can’t wait for students to see this one on January 4, 2022 (yes, we have to wait another year). Physical Book of the Week: Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson Libro.fm Audiobook: Rent a Boyfriend by Gloria Chao It’s MONDAY! What are YOU reading? 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.


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Book PREView – Becoming Muhammad Ali by Kwame Alexander and James Patterson

Becoming Muhammad Ali is a long-awaited look at a legend, written by legends James Patterson and Kwame Alexander. Cassius Clay was young, charming, and funny, and his friends loved him. His family loved him. He loved himself! Full of swagger, Cassius seemed to succeed at anything he tried. Backing him up with words of wisdom and enough discipline to keep him humble, Momma Bird, Mr “Cash” Clay, and Granddaddy Herman made sure that Cassius was an upstanding citizen and at least a “B” student. As he grew stronger, Cassius became more sure of himself — walking into the path of famous boxers and trainers who would eventually lead him to “the greatest” career he could ever hope for.

“Lucky” (Lucius), Cassius’ best friend, tells the story to the reader, adding his own flair to the fire that was Chicago’s Golden Gloves championship boxing in the late 1950s and early 60s. Alternating with poems signaling Cassius’ voice, the story is also a series of flashbacks to those early days of the boy who would become “The Greatest” and most loved boxer of all time.

Patterson and Alexander are a perfect pair for this book, inspiring all sports fans – especially kids who believe in their own destinies. With historical notes and a bibliography, the life of young Muhammed Ali is here for a new generation of dreamers to read. This book is for middle grade readers up to adult. The publishing date for Becoming Muhammad Ali is set for October 5, 2020 by Hachette Book Group. Preorder this one now!


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IMWAYR: Stay-At-Home Guidelines and Reading

It’s been a rough start this week. Monday, Monday…we are still under stay-at-home orders and there’s lots of time to read, but I’ve also been stuck. Three authors have stuck with me so far, and have made reading time more comfortable in the discomfort of this COVID-19 virus outbreak.

Kwame Alexander is reading The Crossover aloud on Instagram Live each morning this week. Today we started with the first part of the book, where we meet “Filthy McNasty”, his twin brother, and his family. What an excellent book! Listening to Kwame read is making my re-read so much more fun. Kwame, we love you! Thanks for reading to us.

Jeff Zentner has generously given his time to read The Serpent King aloud every other night on Instagram Live. As a bonus, he gives insights and notes about his writing process, plus some music, and even jokes. I love laughing again. Hey! “Since we are all home anyway…why not?” Thanks for your time, Jeff!

One more author on my mind is Tomie DePaola. We lost a great literary genius and a really nice person today. RIP. We already miss you so much!

It’s Monday! What Are YOU Reading?

This meme is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover your next “must-read” book!

Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and Kathryn decided to give “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Celebrate reading with your loved ones this week while you’re stuck at home. Wash your hands! Stay safe and healthy.

 


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IMWAYR: New Book Birthdays!

It’s another big week for reading! Fall Reading is Fabulous this year!

I decided to focus on graphic novels this week, since they are getting a hit from teachers across the country (again). Reminder: READING GRAPHIC NOVELS IS READING! These are some good stories, too, so let the kids read! (Teachers, you can read them, too!) I also HAD to have Jacqueline Woodson’s new book, even though it’s an adult read. (Yes, sometimes I read adult books, especially when my author friends write them.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s Monday! What are YOU reading?

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover your next “must-read” book!

Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and Kathryn decided to give “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.


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IMWAYR: Can’t Talk! Busy Reading!

With only one week until summer school, I’m reading like a bookworm! Here’s what’s up for this next week…

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga (from last week’s list)

The Paris Project by Donna Gephart

Give and Take by Elly Swartz

Anthem by Deborah Wiles

(These three are publishing in October 2019. Preorder your copies now.)

 

 

 

My friends at #booksojourn passed these books to me. Do you think I can read all these in one week? I’m trying. I’m planning summer school experiences with inspiration from Kwame Alexander and Pam Allyn (and Monica Burns), too. Thanks for helping me out, friends!

It’s Monday! What are YOU reading?

 

 

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover your next “must-read” book!

Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and I decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.