It's Monday, What Are YOU Reading? 3/5/12

This week I am sharing two weeks worth of reading. I was very busy last week and did not gt around to posting (sorry!).

I have been reading a LOT of picture books. Both in my search for quality picture gooks for middle grade students, as well as in my attempt to accomplish the Caldecott Challenge. Here are the ones I have read over the past two weeks:

I also read two chapter books:

Inside Out and Back Again is the story of a Vietnamese family's journey to America as refugees from the Vietnam War. It tells the story of their highs and lows as they adjust to the way of life in the United States, through verse and the eyes of a young girl. Based on the author's own experience, Inside Out and Back Again is a wonderfully written story about strength, courage, and finding your place in a new world. 

Bigger Than a Bread Box by Laurel Snyder (a favorite Twitter author of mine) is the story of 12 year old Rebecca and her family coming to terms with looming possibility of divorce. When Rebecca's mother decides to pack up the kids and head for her home state of Atlanta, Rebecca is understandably resentful. She spends her first day sulking in the attic of her grandmother's house. There, she discovers a collection of bread boxes, but one in particular catches her eye. It isn't until later that she discovers it has the power to grant wishes...as long as they aren't bigger than a bread box. Rebecca also learns that for every wish you make, there is a consequence. I loved this book because of its realness, but also its qualities of mystery and fantasy. The kids are already lined up to read it!