I'm a wee bit behind on bedtime reports. It's been hectic few weeks with work stuff, kid stuff, one kid's graduation stuff, fractured ankle stuff, and so on. I've made time to read but not to write about what we've been reading.
So, to start, we finished two more Zoey and Sassafras books. I wrote about these in Bedtime Report #1 but suffice to say that the kids and I have enjoyed the next two books in the series just as much as the first. I REALLY liked the science angle in books five and six, and we're excited to be starting the next book tonight. Here are the next three Zoey and Sassafras books:
Over the past week or two, I also finished two middle grade novels that I heartily recommend, the first to anyone who loves modern epics blended with mythology (along the lines of anything Rick Riordan) and the second for those who enjoy a darker edge served chilled with a side of shivers (like Katherine Arden's Small Spaces and Deadly Voices, and Lindsay Currie's books, all of which I also recommend):
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia (The audio version is excellent!)
Hide and Seeker by Daka Hermon (I'm afraid to listen to this one in audio!)
That brings us to picture books.
The kids loved this quirky title (and its fabulous art): The King's Golden Beard by Klaas Verplancke.
My favorite sweet, quiet read of the week: I Am a Bird by Hope Lim and Hyewon Yum
An exciting, beautifully illustrated nonfiction journey into the ocean: Giant Squid by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann
Several wonderful biographies:
A great story based on a real story: The Floating Field: How a Group of Thai Boys Built Their Own Soccer Field by Scott Riley, Nguyen Quang, Phùng Nguyên Quang, Huỳnh Kim Liên and Kim Lien
A sad but powerful story, also based on real events, which both my kids loved: Ida, Always by Caron Levis and Charles Santoso
So worth the illustrations but also just a wonderful tale: Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse by Marcy Campbell and Corinna Luyken
A lovely story about friendship and change: Evelyn del Rey Is Moving Away by Meg Medina and Sonia Sanchez
Two simple but deep reads that brings the feelings within to life in meaningful ways:
A delightful superhero story told in comic book style ... in a favorite setting: Lyric McKerrigan: Secret Librarian by Jacob Sager Weinstein and Vera Brosgol
Definitely one of my favorite reads this week, an imaginative adventure, which my 5yo asked for multiple times: The Hideout by Susanna Mattiangeli and Felicita Sala
Another favorite, about embracing people as they are: When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff and Kaylani Juanita
And this one, which my son said was wonderful and asked for again: The Starkeeper by Faith Pray
We love everything Peter H. Reynolds and Susan Verde, and this one was no exception: I Am One: A Book of Action by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds
A super-creative and visually compelling book: Violet and Victor Write the Most Fabulous Fairy Tale by Alice Kuipers and Bethanie Murguia
A wonderful sibling story full of pretend play: Zoe's Jungle by Bethanie Deeney Murguia
Finally, we loved the new Bruce book from Ryan T. Higgins, so we read them a few of them all over again. I sure hope he has a Halloween title coming one day. If you haven't read these, you should:
I know I'm missing something, but maybe I'll remember next time ... Happy reading!