T and I went to see Coco last weekend. As we’re watching, I lean over to her and say, “This reminds me of the picture book by Matt de la Peña that I read yesterday.” Her eyebrows rose as if to say, “really?” and then we went back to watching the movie.

Fast forward to Wednesday. We have 10 extra minutes in my first hour class, so I decide to read them a picture book. Naturally, I pick Miguel and the Grand Harmony by Matt de la Peña because I read it and thought it was beautiful.

Before I can even start one of my students hollers at me, “So you’re going to read us a story of Coco?”

Yeah. I missed a text feature. At the bottom of the cover, there’s the Coco logo. The kid said it was the first thing that he saw. And then I felt foolish.

But I read the story to them. You want to see a group of eighth graders completely enthralled? Read them a picture book. As much as they say they’re too old to be read to, they enjoy it every time.

Here’s this week’s bookstack. I have a couple of repeats, but they should be finished early in the week. What are you reading this week?