This Week's Teacher Tested ... Kids Approved Book Stack! #IMWAYR #Booklove #Bookaday #LandriganLiteracy

Unsettled - a beautiful middle-grade book in verse by Reem Faruqi. I had to read this powerful story in one sitting. This is a great choice for readers who love to get to know characters in depth and readers who want a strong plot - this book has both. The small group I read it with needed to pause after the chapter when Nurah’s brother is physically attacked. This is an intense chapter that the group wanted to discuss and take time to respond to with one another. This book club also wanted to respond to the book by writing their own Have You poem (see page. 19 of the book) and think about 8 words that might change their life or the life of someone they know. Here is an interview with the author: https://diversebooks.org/qa-with-reem-faruqi-unsettled/

Noah’s Seal - A lovely story of a nana and grandson and a day on the beach. This simple story is filled with imagination and ends with a bit of magic! It will inspire some adventures on the beach for readers and ideas for writers this fall.

We Wait for the Sun - This is a beautiful lyrical text based on a true story. The imagery is gorgeous. The endnotes give background information for the reader.

Something Stinks - Laugh out loud! Kids love when they know what’s happening in the story when the characters don’t. The kids were shouting out to the characters as I read it. This is definitely one you want to add to your classroom library!

Dial A For Aunties - I am not great about reading adult fiction. This one was recommended to me and it was exactly what I needed! Entertaining, funny, and light! Highly recommend it if you are looking for a quick weekend read.

Clare Landrigan