The RAHM Report for 8/28/17

Last week, I participated in Bout of Books. Today's post rounds up everything I read during the 7-day read-a-thon, plus what I'll be reading next!

Finished Reading: 

• Eugenia Lincoln and the Unexpected Package by Kate DiCamillo (ARC)
  This series never disappoints. This one struck me as especially funny.
• Just Dance by Patricia MacLachlan (ARC)
  This is another of those introspective and descriptive short novels of which MacLachlan has written so many. It was well-written, but not my favorite of hers.
• Best Buds Under Frogs by Leslie Patricelli (ARC)
  I was really curious about this first novel by board book and picture book author/illustrator Leslie Patricelli. I was pleasantly surprised by how refreshing and different it was.
• Swing it, Sunny by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm (ARC)
  I enjoyed this graphic novel as much as the first one, but it felt short to me. I could have read 100 pages more at least.
• Dear Fahrenheit 451: A Librarian's Love Letters and Break-Up Notes to the Books in Her Life by Annie Spence (ARC)
  This was a fun diversion for a former librarian. I liked the letters, but not so much the book lists in the second half of the book.
• Patina by Jason Reynolds (ARC)
  The voice in this one is not as strong as that of the main character in Ghost, but otherwise it was everything I wanted the second book of the series to be.
• Did You Carry the Flag Today, Charley? by Rebecca Caudill
  I am reading ahead a little bit for the Old School Kidlit Reading Challenge, which will focus on school stories in September. This was a sweet story about a mischievous Appalachian boy's first experience with school. I loved the writing style.
• Here Comes the Bus by Carolyn Haywood
  I also read this for the Old School Kidlit Challenge. I would have loved it as a kid because I didn't ride the bus and was always curious about what it was like.
• The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser (ARC)
  This heartwarming family story set over Christmas is reminiscent of kids' novels of the 50s and 60s as well as the Penderwicks series. This one's not even out yet and I'm already eager for the sequel, which is due out in 2018. 
• A Picturesque Tale of Progress: Beginnings II by Olive Beaupre Miller
  I told myself I was going to read all 8 volumes of this set, and I'm regretting that decision a little bit. There were a lot of names in this, and I found it hard to retain any information. I did like the treatment of Biblical history, however.
• Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury
  I enjoyed this book differently this time than I did as a teenager. I'll have a lot to say in my review.
• Beware the Fish! by Gordon Korman
  I ended the read-a-thon with this quick read. I'm hoping to finish the series and review it for the Old School Kidlit Reading Challenge as well. 

Currently Reading: 

• Raising Demons by Shirley Jackson
  I made some good progress on this book this week, but since I save it to read at night, it's always going to be a slower read than the others. I may try to finish it this week, but I make no guarantees.
• Butternut Summer by Mary McNear
  I barely touched this all week. It's on my phone so I can sneak in a chapter here and there, but it's quicker and more satisfying to read kids' books, especially during a read-a-thon.
• The Ghosts of Greenglass House by Kate Milford (ARC)
  I am loving this, but it's a long one. I'm about a third of the way through.
• The War with Mr. Wizzle by Gordon Korman
  I just borrowed this from Open Library since it comes right after Beware the Fish and I'm trying to get through the rest of the series. I've only read the first page so far. 

I'll be linking up today with Bout of Books to report on my progress for the last time, and with Unleashing Readers/Teach Mentor Texts and Book Date for It's Monday! What Are You Reading?