The weekly post where I recap some of the KidLit books I’ve been reading. Ocasionally, I’ll also talk about some adult fiction books as well.
Be sure to check out Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers to see what other Kidlit readers are reading. Because, you know, we can never have too many books in our TBR piles.
A Quick Note
Last week I did a quick review blurb of Adam Rex’s Fat Vampire. I did so when I had less than a third of the book left because I felt like I had a good beat on the book and could give my honest opinion. Unfortunately, the ending of the book completely changed how I felt about the book as I felt like it had some negative and damaging stereotypes. I did update my review (warning–it does contain spoilers now) but I wanted to let those who saw my post last week know that my feelings had changed.
Currently Reading
Just Finished
written by Jonathan Emmett
illustrated by Poly Bernatene
(Macmillan, 2016)
I very much enjoyed this take on a classic story. I thought that it was clever in that it isn’t just a “I don’t need a prince” story. Both my daughter and my son were engaged while reading this one aloud.
by Elise Gravel
(HaperCollins, 2016)
We have enjoyed many of Elise Gravel’s other books and were excited to check this one out. Any parent can relate to their child wanting a new pet. This is a fun and humorous way to show that those cute little kittens and puppies don’t stay little forever.
by Mark Crilley
(Little, Brown BFYR, 2021)
I wasn’t entirely sure what I was expecting with this graphic novel, but I absolutely love it. I thought that it felt realistic and heartfelt. Content-wise it wasn’t too bad-some language and drinking-I would have been comfortable with my 11-year-old reading it) Despite the book starting out with the main characters much younger, it is definitely geared towards the older teen who is on the cusp of venturing out and starting their own life.
Sloth Reads 
Prince Ribbit & My Last Summer with Cass will go on the list! And how great to change your review of Fat Vampire for everyone! Dark Waters will be one I’ll check out, too! Thanks for all!
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Monster stories are so much fun. I’ll have to add “I Want a Monster” to my TBR pile. The idea of monsters and kids being friends reminds me of a couple of other picture books: “I Need My Monster: by Amanda Noll and “How to Catch a Monster” by Michael Yu. Both great books. It’s also great to see more graphic novels for teens and younger readers. Thanks for sharing!
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Dark Waters is in my tbr stack. I love Elise Gravel’s illustrations. So fun!
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I’ve used Prince Ribbit in school and students always enjoy it. Thanks for sharing about the vampire book about your altered opinion.
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Oh, what a bummer about Fat Vampire! It’s always so disappointing when you find stereotypes like that in a book by an author you otherwise like. 😦
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I’ve added Prince Ribbit and I Want a Monster to my list. So sad about Fat Vampires.
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Woah—I just went over to your updated review of Fat Vampire, and what was the author possibly thinking with that?????????? I’m so sorry it seemed like it was so good, and then the ending went so dramatically off the rails that I’m still unsure how that even got published. I appreciate your thoughtfulness in making sure to go back and warn us about it!
Prince Ribbit looks like a lot of fun, and I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed My Last Summer with Cass—it keeps dropping down my TBR radar, but I should move it back up! Thanks so much for the wonderful post!
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Last Summer with Cass looks very interesting. Thanks for the reviews
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