Reading Teacher Writes

Sharing a love of literacy with fellow readers and writers

Tag Archives: Tara Lazar


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IMWAYR: 2022 Is Off To A Great Start!

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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It’s great to be back in the habit of reading daily. I love that I can pick up a book, enjoy it, and pass it along to other readers. My position as a school librarian gives me the opportunity to share books with students and help them to get to know authors, time periods, themes, and characters — it’s wonderful!

Physical Books: This week I’m reading Blended by Sharon Draper, Absurd Words: A Kids’ Fun and Hilarious Vocabulary Builder for Future Word Nerds by Tara Lazar, and Hide and Geek by my former colleague (and long-time friend), T.P. Jagger. All of these are amazing! I also read The Year We Learned to Fly by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López. Wow! (I love the colorful butterflies and the characters’ joyful faces the most; this story will stay with me for a long time.)

Libro.fm: I’m enjoying African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History by Tracey Baptiste. This is read by Karne Chilton, who has a distinctive voice that enhances the stories of these leaders we should all know, but don’t. I’m learning so much, and I shared it with our social studies teacher today. He will be teaching African history soon and he can’t wait to help students learn these people’s names.

NetGalley: I’m SO BAD about checking my NetGalley account; maybe if I add my titles here, I’ll be more responsible. This week I downloaded Sofia Acosta Makes a Scene by Emma Otheguy. I love this cover and description (and Emma!) and I’m starting this one tonight.

Have a great week! It’s time to read!

It’s Monday! What are YOU reading?


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Book Review: 7 Ate 9, by Tara Lazar

I just love using picture books for my middle school classroom! This book will help both math and reading teachers spread the book love. This is 7 Ate 9: The Untold Story, by Tara Lazar, and illustrated by Ross MacDonald, and it is comic genius in picture book form. 

Private I tells the story of his newest case: 6 banged on the detective’s door, scared that 7 is coming to get him. Private I took the odd case and started looking for the root of the problem. But 7 cannot be found for questioning. There are a number of suspects, and quite a few witnesses to interview, too. Private I’s work seems to multiply as the case moves forward. Can he solve the case in time, or will the numbers be subtracted, one by one?

If you’re looking for a twisted mystery, Tara Lazar provides the narrative. If you’re looking for some math vocabulary to add to your lesson plans, this book is a positive addition to your library. If you want to read a beautifully-illustrated picture book during your child’s bedtime routine, Ross MacDonald serves up the cake — I mean, pi.

Have fun reading 7 Ate 9 soon!


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IMWAYR: Math and Reading Come Together

I just love using picture books for my middle school classroom! This book will help both math and reading teachers spread the book love. This is 7 Ate 9: The Untold Story, by Tara Lazar, and illustrated by Ross MacDonald, and it is comic genius in picture book form. 

Private I tells the story of his newest case: 6 banged on the detective’s door, scared that 7 is coming to get him. Private I took the odd case and started looking for the root of the problem. But 7 cannot be found for questioning. There are a number of suspects, and quite a few witnesses to interview, too. Private I’s work seems to multiply as the case moves forward. Can he solve the case in time, or will the numbers be subtracted, one by one?

If you’re looking for a twisted mystery, Tara Lazar provides the narrative. If you’re looking for some math vocabulary to add to your lesson plans, this book is a positive addition to your library. If you want to read a beautifully-illustrated picture book during your child’s bedtime routine, Ross MacDonald serves up the cake — I mean, pi.

Have fun reading 7 Ate 9 soon!