Archive for 2013

Miracle Mud: Lena Blackburne and the Secret Mud that Changed Baseball

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Written by David A. Kelly

Illustrator by Oliver Dominguez

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Miracle Mud: Lena Blackburne and the Secret Mud that Changed Baseball written by David A. Kelly is the story and history of how Lena Blackburne’s mud went from a riverbank to the major leagues and all the way to the Hall of Fame! It is a story anyone interested in baseball facts and trivia would enjoy and is for readers as young as first grade to those in their senior years. I see this as a perfect book to be read to young readers by an avid baseball fan in that young reader’s life such as a mom, dad, uncle, aunt, or grandparent.

Lena Blackburne never became a famous ball player, but he did contribute to baseball in a major league way by unveiling a secret recipe to break in new baseballs. His recipe was so successful that baseball teams have been buying his tubbed mud for close to seventy-five years. In fact, Lena’s mud is the only thing that’s allowed on major league balls.

Readers are sure to appreciate Oliver Dominguez’s life-like illustrations that make you feel like you are on the baseball field ready to play ball with the touch and feel of Lena’s mud on your hands. Baseball history buffs will especially enjoy Kelly’s author note at the end.

Sports fans will also enjoy other books by David A. Kelly such as early reader title, Babe Ruth and the Baseball Curse or Ballpark Mysteries, a series aimed at those at the first to fourth grade reading level and is about two cousins who travel to Major League ballparks across the country with Kate’s sports-reporter mother watching games and solving mysteries.

  • Miracle MudTitle: Miracle Mud: Lena Blackburne and the Secret Mud that Changed Baseball
  • Author: David A. Kelly
  • Illustrator: Oliver Dominguez
  • Publisher: Millbrook Press
  • Reviewer: Annemarie O’Brien
  • Hard cover:  32 pages
  • ISBN: 978-0-7613-80920-4
  • Genre: picture book, biography, sports
Posted in 2013, History, Nonfiction, Sports

Breezier, Cheesier, Newest, and Bluest: What are Comparatives and Superlatives?

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Written by  Brian P. Cleary

Illustrated by Brian Gable

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“’Tall’ is a describing word, and taller is comparative.  Tallest is superlative.  You following my narrative?”  An enterprising teacher can turn the text of this book into a rap that is sure to not only grab children’s attention, but to stay with them so that they catch themselves rapping about comparatives and superlatives on their morning drive into work….at age thirty.  The illustrations are beyond cute and give an added ‘BOOM’ to the text.

While the title may imply that this is just an informational text with cute illustrations to appeal to third grade children, it is actually much more.  The sing-song rhyming text makes this book so much fun to read.  Students get an advanced lesson on rhyming, a step up from cat and hat to cheesiest and queasiest.   The words comparative and superlative are repeated so many times throughout the book so that comprehension of these concepts happens almost without the child’s realization.  Not only is this book a joy to read, it can serve as a classroom resource that children will enjoy.

“But sometimes, you don’t add e-r.  Instead, you reach for “more,” as in more tired…”.  More and words like good that have a total change for its comparative and superlative forms fit right in to the rhyming good time that children will have when reading this book.

The text is wacky and fun.  Very few lines run in a flat line and the font has different sized letters.  This might prove a little distracting to a new or struggling reader.  However, when used in a guided reading setting, a child’s reading skills could definitely be improved.  This book rates two thumbs up and is a definite must for any upper elementary classroom library.

Fun activities, games, interactive books and more can be found at www.brianpcleary.com .

  • BreezierTitle:  Breezier, Cheesier, Newest, and Bluest What are Comparatives and Superlatives?
  • Author:  Brian P. Cleary
  • Illustrator:  Brian Gable
  • Publisher:   Millbrook Press
  • Reviewer:  Sandi Waymire
  • Hardcover:  31 pages
  • ISBN: 978-0-7613-5362-1
  • Genre:  nonfiction – language

 

Posted in 2013, Contemporary, Nonfiction

Mallory and Mary Ann Take New York

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Written by Laurie Friedman
Illustrated by Jennifer Kalis

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Mallory and Mary Ann Take New York is a fun chapter book for 3rd grade level readers. It appeals to girls and gives an exciting story about fashion, designing, and fun places to visit in New York. It also combines a problem for two best friends. Mallory wins a contest and that includes being on a favorite television show and she has promised her best friend she will be on too. How will the girls pull off this promise when only one girl has been invited to model the winning outfit on television?

The suspense of how the two girls make this happen is the crux of this 3rd grade level book and it keeps readers turning the page. The characters are well developed making them lovable and offering the 3rd grade reader new friends on the page. The material is challenging, but easy to comprehend, making the 3rd grade level reader enjoy independent reading success when reading the book alone.

While the book offers excellent language and comprehension for the 3rd grade reader, most boys will shy away from the book because the main protagonist is a female. There may be boy characters that show up on the page from time to time, but most 3rd grade level boys will not find enough action or interest to keep reading this book, making it a less than stellar choice for mix gender reading group work.

Third grade girls however, will love the book and the rest of the books in the series about Mallory and Mary Ann. The books give 3rd grade readers excellent examples of friendship, honesty, and critical thinking. The entire series are wonderful additions for the classroom because the interest level will encourage girls to read the next book in the series helping them to master their reading skill.

  • MalloryTitle: Mallory and Mary Ann Take New York
  • Author: Laurie Friedman
  • Illustrator: Jennifer Kalis
  • Publisher: Lerner Publishing Company
  • Reviewer: Terri Forehand
  • Hardcover: pages 155
  • Genre: Chapter Book, Juvenile fiction
Posted in 2013, Contemporary, Fiction

About Habitats – Wetlands

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Written by Cathryn Sill
Illustrated by John Sill

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What exactly is a wetland?  It is a place that is covered with water.  Some wetlands are wet all of the time while others may dry up sometimes.  Other wetlands may look dry but the ground is really very wet and soggy.  Even the plants that grow in the wetlands are different.  Some have are rooted in the dirt.  Some of these grow under the water while others grow out of the water.  There are even some plants that just float around on top of the water.  Grass, shrubs, trees and even human food grow in wetlands.  Did you know that rice and cranberries are grown in wetlands?  These plants also provide a way to clean our water before it soaks back into the ground.  Wetlands provide protection from flooding because they can soak up extra water.  These are good reasons why we need to protect our wetlands.
Too often we think of informational texts as dry and boring.  That is not the case with this book.  While it is considered to be on a third grade reading level, it provides easy reading and comprehension in the main section for lower level readers.  The back of the book provides more detailed information for each of the illustrations that can be used for more advanced readers or for teaching information.
Written by a former elementary teacher and beautifully illustrated by her husband, this book would make an excellent resource for third grade, early research skill building.  The author has included a glossary as well as other books and websites for further research.  This book is just one in a series of other books by the same author and illustrator about different habitats.
  • WetlandsTitle:  About Habitats Wetlands
  • Author:  Cathryn Sill
  • Illustrator:  John Sill
  • Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
  • Reviewer:  Sandi Waymire
  • Paper back:  unpaged
  • ISBN: 978-1-56145-689-5
  • Genre:  nonfiction – science/environmental
Posted in 2013, Contemporary, Nature, Nonfiction, Science

Emily Windsnap and the Land of the Midnight Sun

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Written by Liz Kessler

Illustrated by Natacha Ledwidge

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The fifth book in the beguiling Emily Winthrop series plunges readers into the mysterious world of a deeply distressed Neptune. The Lord of the Oceans is disturbed by nightmares. And it is not just nightmares, he explains to Emily and Aaron. “Every night in my sleep, I have been plagued by terrors, by images, feelings.” His feelings affect the terrestrial weather patterns, creating short-lived, but violent storms. What disturbs him more though, is an absolute certainty that he is experiencing not dreams, but memories.  Old memories are awakening again, bringing warnings of impending disaster, he explains. The Ocean Lord seeks help from the half-human, half-mer Emily and Aaron.

After some debate they agree, convincing themselves and their parents that this is an all-paid-for vacation to accomplish an easy task. But what begins simply becomes dangerous and very, very complicated. In the frozen north, Emily and Aaron discover mysterious crystals, and frozen statues that appear to be reawakening. Young readers will enjoy the challenge of  figuring out the path through the many twists and turns the story takes. Nothing is what it seems to be. Who is friend and who is foe? A narwhal turns out to be a loyal friend, and Neptune’s trusted advisor may not be worthy of his trust after all.

Many reading activities can be created around the issues of trust, loyalty and friendship that are so simply presented. Above all the story is a great adventure yarn for 3rd graders. This book, and the whole Emily Windsnap series, would be a worthwhile addition to any reading list.

 

Additional Resources: 

About Arctic Norway: http://www.visitnorway.com/us/What-to-do/Attractions-Culture/Nature-attractions/Arctic-Norway-is-the-kingdom-of-light/

Author Website: http://www.lizkessler.co.uk/

The Life of a Glacier: http://nsidc.org/cryosphere/glaciers/life-glacier.html

  • Emily WindsnapTitle: Emily Windsnap and the Land of the Midnight Sun
  • Author: Liz Kessler
  • Illustrator: Natacha Ledwidge
  • Publisher: Candlewick Press
  • Reviewer: Anjali Amit
  • Hardback:  272 pages
  • ISBN: 978-0-7636-5824-3
  • Genre: Fiction/Novels
  • Lexile Score: 740
Posted in 2013, Contemporary, Fiction

Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball

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Written by John Coy

Illustrated by Joe Morse

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In 1891, James Naismith took over a gym class with trepidation.  It was a rowdy class of young men, so rowdy that two teachers had already quit.  But he was determined to make it work.  The young men were bored of the same old exercises, Naismith realized, and they needed something fun.  He tried established outdoor games but they were too rough for indoors.  He needed something new.  » Read more

Posted in 2013, Contemporary, History, Sports

Farther

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Written and Illustrated by Grahame Baker-Smith

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“Then the dream spoke to me, and I took up the old wings.” These words from the cover of Farther sum up the book nicely. This stunning book speaks to its readers about dreams and carrying on a family legacy. Grahame Baker-Smith won the Kate Greenway Medal, which is a British literary award for “distinguished illustration in a book for children;” and it is no wonder, for the illustrations manage to be both modern and enchanting. They boast detail and whimsy. This book sparks imagination for what is possible in the pictures alone. The text is dreamy and a little forlorn; evoking reflection. After reading this book, a class of third grade students may explore what exactly calls the narrator’s father away, both figuratively and literally. The illustrations are crucial for students’ comprehension, so this book may be better suited for a solo read, but the text is rather poetic for reading aloud.

As a possible pre-reading assignment, students may look at the illustrations only and journal about their guesses about the story-line. After reading the book, students could journal about how their guesses matched up with the actual content. This book also offers a good place to start discussions about students’ dreams and hopes for the future, or about family heritage. Whether this book is used in a unit on family or dreams for the future, this book is a charming addition to any classroom.

Farther
Title: Farther
Author/Illustrator: Grahame Baker-Smith
Publisher: Templar Books (Candlewick Press)
Reviewer: Sharon Schulte
Hardback, 38 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-6370-4
Genre: fiction/inspirational
Lexile: 730

Posted in 2013, Contemporary, Fiction

Becoming Babe Ruth

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Written and illustrated by Matt Tavares

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Very few Americans, even those not interested in sports, have never heard of Babe Ruth. So what makes this volume unique and valuable? The story focuses on Ruth’s early life and how he became the great baseball player rather than on his stats and behavior as a grown man. The phenomenal illustrations show not only the illustrator’s passion for baseball and for Ruth, but they also show Ruth’s passion for everything, including kids and eating. Ruth was sent to Saint Mary’s Industrial School for Boys in Baltimore when he was seven. He was considered incorrigible. He learned to pitch and bat at the school and he learned to work hard to attain his goals. Even after he was no longer an inmate, Ruth did a lot to help the boys at Saint Mary’s. In 1920, the school’s band traveled with the team. The reader gets a glimpse of life in the early twentieth century as well. The street and game scenes are particularly vivid and also show the physical attributes in the cities he played for.

Because of the enthusiasm shown, third grade readers will be drawn into the tale of Ruth’s young life on the street and in Saint Mary’s. This book has already appeared on several reading lists, including receiving a Booklist starred review. The publisher’s website, www.candlewick.com, contains a lot of information about the author and about the book itself. As part of their “We Believe in Picture Books” campaign, the publisher is also posting videos by readers on www.readingstartshere.com.

  • Babe RuthTitle: Becoming Babe Ruth
  • Written and Illustrated By: Matt Tavares
  • Publisher: Candlewick Press
  • Reviewer: Sue Poduska
  • Hard Cover, 40 pages
  • ISBN: 978-0-7636-5646-1
  • Genre: Picture book, Sports
  • Lexile Score: 710L
Posted in 2013, Contemporary, Nonfiction, Sports

How To Clean A Hippopotamus: A Look At Unusual Animal Partnerships

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Written and Illustrated by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page

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Eew! That smell of dirty socks? It’s actually the hippopotamus hiding in the closet. Quick, how do we clean the hippo and get rid of that smell? Now we have a book that tells us. Young readers will be enticed by its unusual title: of course they want to know how to clean a hippo, and in reading the book they’ll learn all about symbiosis in the natural world.

The back matter tells us that there are many kinds of symbiotic relationships in nature. In this book we learn about mutualism: a partnership which benefits all the animals involved. The hippo, for example, spends most of the day in the water. Algae and water plants make its skin slimy. Enter the African helmeted turtle who nibbles away at the slime. In return, the cold blooded turtle rides on the hippo’s back, warming itself in the sun.

The book is filled with fascinating facts. Clownfish and sea anemone have a symbiotic relationship. But we learn how, to begin with, the clownfish are not immune to the sea anemone’s toxin. They build that immunity over time, slowly exposing themselves to the stinging tentacles till their body adapts to the toxin. Do they become immune to all sea anemone? No. Only to the anemone they interacted with. And if they are away from the anemone for more than 45 minutes they have to start the process of building up immunity all over again.

Third graders, even middle schoolers, will be enchanted by this collection of facts. Teachers can schedule reading activities and reading games — the graphic novel format lends itself to many activities. The book is rich in resources: in the back matter the authors provide additional information (size, habitat and diet) about all the animals mentioned in the book.

 

Additional Resources:

Fascinating look at book making: http://www.stevejenkinsbooks.com/makingbooks.html

  • Clean a HippopotamusTitle: How To Clean A Hippopotamus: A Look At Unusual Animal Partnerships
  • Author: Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
  • Illustrator: Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
  • Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
  • Reviewer: Anjali Amit
  • Paperback:  32 pages
  • ISBN: 978-0-547-99484-0
  • Genre: Picture Book/ Non-Fiction
  • Lexile Score: 950GN
Posted in 2013, Nature, Nonfiction

The Adventures of a South Pole Pig

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Written by Chris Kurtz
Illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt

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Flora the pig is descended from a long and reputable line of porcine adventurers/philosophers. Just goes to show that dogs, smart and loyal as they are, are not the only non-human species with human-like thoughts and desires.

Flora, like Jonathan Livingstone Seagull, feels that there is more to life than searching for food. When Luna the cat comes by Flora is awestruck. Here is a creature who has seen the world beyond the confines of the pen. Flora badgers her for stories, and translates the stories into games she teaches her siblings.

Circumstances conspire to set Flora off on a grand adventure. The title reveals where Flora and her ‘team’ are headed — the South Pole! This book is a wonderful read aloud, a chapter at a time. It can lead to discussions about the South Pole and life in that remote frozen land, and talks about the adventures and misadventures of the famous explorers who journeyed to the Antarctic.

Flora is equal parts adventurer and philosopher. “Why aren’t farm pigs in control of their lives?” she asks Luna, her friend and mentor-cat. She is willing to learn, to ask questions. “Is that some kind of special blanket?” she asks, when she sees the men spread a square of canvas on the snowfield.

Things become as bad as they possibly can. Intrepid Flora rounds up her ‘team’- Sophia the cat, who had explained that cats are solitary creatures and do not work in teams; Oscar the lead sled dog; and Aleric the human, to effect an incredible rescue. “The Captain’s Gratitude” says the lettering on the special crate that the captain has ordered for her. The last illustration shows Flora facing the wind — “and all her adventures to come.”

Jennifer Black Reinhardt’s black and white line drawings add just the right note of whimsy. A great addition to any reading list.

Additional Resources:
Author Bio: http://www.chriskurtzauthor.com/About/index.html
Illustrator Bio: http://www.jbreinhardt.com/biography/

  • South Pole PigTitle: The Adventures of a South Pole Pig
  • Author: Chris Kurtz
  • Illustrator: Jennifer Black Reinhardt
  • Publisher: Harcourt Children’s Books
  • Reviewer: Anjali Amit
  • Hardback: 278 pages
  • ISBN: 978-0-547-63455-5
  • Genre: Fiction/Novels
  • Lexile Score: 760
Posted in 2013, Contemporary, Fiction, Humor
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