A Couple of Reviews and an Award Too!

So I've finished both trips to Boston for the summer and both went well. The weather could have cooperated a little more, but the kids were troopers and didn't mind their raincoats and sweatshirts. When I returned this time I saw a comment that informed Karen and I that we have been chosen as one of the Top 50 Teacher Blogs by a website called Teachercertificationdegrees.com We didn't start this for awards, but it's nice to be recognized especially when some of our blogging friends like A Year of Reading and Raising Readers and Writers are also included, so, thank you.

Before I left I finished two short novels that I liked, not only because they are short, quick reads, but also because they are well done. The first is an early chapter book called The Golden Ghost by Marion Dane Bauer. Delsie wants a dog in the worst way but her father is allergic to all animals, including ground hogs, so all she can do is wish. As the summer winds down, she and her best friend Todd are bored and looking for something to do. In her desperation for adventure, Delsie throws out the idea of exploring the "ghost houses" on the edge of town. The houses are nothing more than abandoned company homes, but kids start stories and soon they are known as the ghost houses. Even though they aren't supposed to go in, Delsie and Todd do and Delsie senses a presence in one of the houses that appears to have had someone living in it recently. As the story continues the drifter who lives there appears and so does a sparkling being that resembles a golden retriever, but Delsie is the only one who can see it. Young readers will enjoy the mystery and ghost of this story. There is just enough suspense to keep them interested and just enough ghost to make it a young reader thriller.

The second book was Hothead by Cal Ripken, Jr. and Kevin Cowherd. Cal Ripken is a legend, not only for his streak of games played, but also because he played the game the right way. Who better to write a baseball book than a genuine baseball hero. In Hothead, Connor Sullivan is the star of his baseball team. In true Cal Ripken fashion he is humble and an ultimate team player. When things at home start getting tense due to his dad's job loss and money problems. It affects Connor's play and attitude and he begins to lose his cool on the field earning him the nickname Pshyco Sully. His old school coach pulls him from the big game and the school reporter threatens to do a tell all article in the school paper if he doesn't get himself under control. Connor is forced to take a look at himself and figure out how to channel his energy into performing better on the field. I was a big fan of Matt Christopher books growing up, and, even though those books still hold up today, I've been on the look out for some books that today's kids will relate to. Hothead fits the bill and I can't wait to introduce it to my kids next year. It's well written, less than 200 pages, and the beginning of a series by Cal Ripken, Jr. which automatically gives it sports credibility. I found this cool related website with some batting tips from Cal Ripken, Jr. himself.

The Broolyn Nine is a Fascinating Read

While recently look at James Preller's blog, I found a post where he listed his favorite baseball books. He mentioned that he wasn't as familiar with kids' titles and readers began throwing out titles. I saw this book mentioned, and while at my local library in Hilliard found it on the new book table. I picked up and once I got around to opening it, I couldn't put it down. The concept hooked me from the first chapter...uh...inning.

The idea is that the story is told in nine innings instead of chapters. The book opens with the story of German immigrant Felix Schneider playing an early form of baseball in New York in 1845. He stowed away on a ship to come to America to make his fortune and bring his family over from Germany. Felix lives with his uncle, a tailor and runs materials to and from the buyers. He is fascinated with baseball and finds himself watching the New York Knickerbockers team of fireman playing ball wishing he could be part of their game. When fire breaks out he gets involved fighting it and is injured so badly he can't run and play ball any longer. As he recovers, Felix cuts apart what is left of his burned shoes and sews together a crude baseball.

The next inning has his son, Louis, fighting in the Civil War carrying the home made baseball as a good luck charm. The ball is traded for a bat owned by a soldier from Louisville, Kentucky...hmmm...I've heard of that somewhere. Inning three is the story of Arnold Schneider who meets one of baseball's early superstars King Kelly The family saga continues until 2002 when Snider Flint is given a box of baseball memorabilia that includes a crudely sewn baseball and a bat that may have belonged to one of baseball's great early sluggers. Since Snider is recovering from a broken leg experienced while escaping a house fire he has plenty of time to investigate the history of each item for his uncle, an antiques and collectibles dealer.

Alan Gratz does a masterful job of weaving the Schneider family tree into a baseball time line. He follows them through the years of discrimination against Jews in New York when the name changes from Schneider to Snider, through a grand daughter playing in the women's leagues during World War II and a little league baseball game in Prospect Park with a young man struggling to pitch a perfect game. The detail is incredible, and the reader is drawn into this human drama from the first pitch to the last. When I finished the book, I thought of the extra innings that I wish Alan Gratz would have included because I enjoyed his writing style so much.

When the story is over, there are historical footnotes about what is historical in each inning fascinating information, that is woven seamlessly throughout the story.

I'm not sure if I'll put this in the library, there are some themes that may be a bit mature for an elementary school, but I'll definitely recommend it to the better fifth grade readers for their summer reading lists. I completely enjoyed The Brooklyn Nine a Novel in Nine Innings.

Baseball Great is Good Suspense

Last year one of my fourth grade boys, I'll call him Connor, asked if I had read Tim Green's novel Football Genius. I hadn't but I'm always on the look out for a new sports author so I checked it out. I have to give him credit, Connor found a good one, so I put I bought one and put it on the shelf and it's not in very often.

For those of you that aren't familiar with his story, Tim Green is a former professional football player from the Atlanta Falcons so he knows what he's talking about when he writes football. In fact, the plot of Football Genius involves the Atlanta Falcons. So I was a bit surprised when I saw a baseball book written by Tim Green on the new book shelf at my local library. Since March Madness is over, it is officially baseball season and I like to find at least one baseball book to introduce in the library each year and this one is it.

Baseball Great is the story of a 12 year old baseball phenom named Josh whose father has had success in the minor leagues, but never made it to the big leagues. Early in the book he is let go by his most recent team and the plan is to cover up the firing with a retirement celebration during the season. Due to his frustration, Dad pulls Josh from the middle school team saying it's not good enough and if Josh wants to develop into the pro that everyone predicts he needs to play for a better squad. Josh tries out for and makes the local travel powerhouse called the Titans, even making the team that is two years older than he is. It's convenient also that Josh's father gets a job working for the sponsor, a former body builder Rocky Valentine, that has all of the boys lifting weights and drinking his own supplement, Super Stax.

It's not long before some of Josh's older team mates are introducing him to the pills they take to get stronger, faster. Immediately, Josh is suspicious and invites his friend Jaden, whose father is a doctor, investigate what is going on. Torn between wanting to please his father by becoming the best player he can be, and doing what's right, Josh is forced to make choices that are not easy for an adult, let alone a 12 year old kid.

Tim Green writes sports novels in a way that make them tough to put down. Baseball Great has some exciting baseball action, but the suspense, mystery and drama will keep the reader's attention to the end. Just when I thought I had predicted what would happen, Tim Green threw me a curve to keep me interested.

I'm anxious to share this one with the fifth graders.

Looking for Newbery - Day 27

A post I did last April called "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" included James Preller's Six Innings, a great baseball book that I paired with Mike Lupica's The Big Field.

Six Innings is a story told through the course of a little league championship. Each inning features a different player's performance on the field and his life off of the field. As usual James Preller does an amazing job of developing the characters in this book. It's already received some praise and recognition by being named to the New York Library Top 100 Children's books of 2008. It's a great story that many of my students have already enjoyed. I can't wait to hear more about it when James visits us in March.

More Reviews:
Fairrosa's Reading Journal
Semicolon
The Reading Zone

A Girl Named Dan

This picture book, A Girl Named Dan, by Dandi Daley Mackall, and illustrated by Renee Graef, was actually a reread for me. I'm not sure why I didn't blog about it the first time, but in a historic year when one woman campaigned to be President, and now, another woman could possibly be a heartbeat from the Presidency, this book reminded me of how far women have come, and how much all of this can show young girls nowadays about reaching for what you want. The sky is the limit whether you are male or female, and regardless of the color of your skin.

Based on the author's note at the beginning of A Girl Named Dan, and the About the Author info on the back jacketflap, one would assume this story is nonfiction and based upon the author's life.

Dandi was a young girl who loved the Kansas City A's baseball team and loved to play ball herself. At recess, she was the only girl who wanted to have outside recess. She would play baseball with the boys, and was very good at it:

"I may not have been a fence-buster, but I could 'hit 'em where they ain't' every time. And I had good leather in the field, with speed for showestring catches."

But there came a time when the boys told Dandi she couldn't play anymore; it would be "boys only" from now on. That meant she had to do things other girls did: talk about movie stars and swing on the swings -- all things she hated.

But then, an opportunity of a lifetime presented itself. There was going to be an essay contest to get batboys for the Kansas City A's. Dandi was so excited, until a boy pointed out to her that in the rules, it said "For Boys Only". That didn't stop her. She entered an essay (beautifully written) under the name of Dan Daley, and she won!!

Unfortunately, when the men representing the team came to her door and found out she was a girl, they took her winning away.

The rest of the story deals with how Dandi handles her disappointment in a way that all students will be able to relate to.

So, I like this book because it shows a strong female character, it dabbles with injustice, it has some beautiful language throughout, and I especially love that the winning essay was the start of a lifetime of writing for this author. As you can see, there are many reasons to share this book with children. A Girl Named Dan can point out the possibilities for all of us!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

With summer right around the corner, 30 days, but who's counting, I thought I'd check out a couple of new baseball books. I'm excited to add them to our collection and recommend them to our students. I just hope I don't say something corny like, "It's a beautiful day for baseball, so let's read two!" but I probably will.

The first is by sports writer Mike Lupica, The Big Field. I have read several by Lupica, both kids and adult sports books. He is one of today's best sports authors. He always does a great mix of describing the sports and creating believable characters. The Big Field continues the formula. Hutch is the star shortstop for his American Legion team trying to make it to the big baseball stadium for the championship game. Everything seems to be on track until he has to give up his favorite position to the new kid Daryl, an aloof, natural who clearly doesn't have the same love of the game as Hutch. Add in Hutch's father who was the star shortstop for the same American Legion team in his day, but doesn't want to encourage his son's dreams for fear of him getting hurt, and you have the classic Lupica sports novel. The drama is well written with enough young teen humor to break it up and make this an enjoyable sports read. For another review see Fuse #8.

The second is a book called Six Innings by James Preller. It brought to mind the older baseball book I used to read aloud each spring, Hang Tough, Paul Mather. Preller takes one little league game, six innings and creates an incredible story. The action of each inning is described in awesome baseball detail. Intertwined with the boys playing are stories of their lives off the field. The stories come to light as each boy bats or makes a great play in the field, or in one case announces the game from the press box. One boy is the son of a police officer killed in the line of duty. Another has been diagnosed with osteosarcoma, bone cancer. One player's father supports his little league fun, but constantly reminds him that he shouldn't take it seriously. The catcher for the team has an injured arm, but won't tell is father the coach it hurts to throw. This is a great book for lovers of baseball. Kids will relate to most of the players and will thrill to the realistic baseball action. Preller has taken great care to make it realistic by combining the action from some well known actual major league games.

Two fun, action packed baseball books to start the summer that most 4th and 5th graders can read and enjoy. It makes me want to buy some Crackerjack, hot dogs and put the Cleveland Indians on the TV! PLAY BALL!!

Linda Sue Park is Keeping Score

Non Fiction Monday has been temporarily interrupted by 15 inches of snow (see pictures at A Year of Reading) we now return you to your previously scheduled blog. If you wish to see Non Fiction Monday, please go here.

In keeping with the accidental theme of baseball here at Literate Lives, Keeping Score by Linda Sue Park uses the lost art of scoring a baseball game as the catalyst for a story of growing up, baseball, and war tragedy set in 1950s Brooklyn.

It's great when award winning authors go a completely different direction when writing a book. A Single Shard by Park is one of my all time favorite Newbery winners. I was very excited to see this new title from her on my library shelf.

A Single Shard takes place in ancient Korea. Keeping Score is set in 1950s Brooklyn, a time when baseball really was America's past time and the people of New York had three teams to cheer for, the dreaded Yankees, the Giants and the favorite of Maggie-o and her brother, the Dodgers, affectionately known as Dem Bums.

Maggie's full name is Margaret Olivia which her father, a Yankees fan, shortens to Maggie-o a form of DiMaggio, one of his favorite players. Maggie's father is a firefighter who is now stationed at a desk job due to an injury. Maggie continues her friendship with the guys at her father's old station which is just down the block. When a new guy, Jim, reports for duty at the station Maggie strikes up a friendship with him even if he is a fan of the Giants. Both are baseball lovers and even though Maggie isn't allowed to play (she's a girl, it's the 1950s) she knows as much about the game as any of the boys on her block. Jim teaches her to keep the score sheet while listening to games on the radio. Maggie is instantly hooked by the "secret code" of the baseball score book even if it means she has to listen to the Giants.

When Jim gets drafted and sent to Korea, Maggie writes him faithfully and he responds faithfully until a battlefield incident leaves him with battle fatigue syndrome and he stops communicating with everybody. In all honesty, this is the part of the story where things bogged down for me a bit. Not that I need for everything to end happy and wonderful, the whole story just seemed to drag through this part. It comes out the other side in fine form, and the end of Keeping Score is realistic and satisfying.

I really liked the portrayal of 1950s America with its innocence and love of baseball. I loved the multicultural community that was Brooklyn. Maggie's dad is Italian and her mom is a first generation Irish immigrant. Park creates this setting so the reader can get lost in it, and wish for a time when kids could be free to walk to the corner store and buy some good candy for a dime, or spend time with friends in the park without adult supervision all of the time. Overall, I liked this book and will recommend it to my better fourth grade readers and all fifth grade readers.

I may even brush up on my baseball scoring this summer as I watch my Cleveland Indians, another "wait 'til next year" team just like Dem Bums!

Barnstormers Game 3 Surprise Find

Don't you just love the small independent bookstores? I recently visited my favorite one, Cover to Cover to Cover Bookstore in Columbus, Ohio and found several things I wasn't looking for, and one I didn't expect to see for several more days. I was very excited to find Game 3 of the Barnstormer series by Loren Long and Phil Bildner on the shelf. If you're not familiar with this series, it involves the Payne family, Griffith, Ruby, Graham, and their mother Elizabeth. They are traveling with a barnstorming baseball team around the turn of the century. The players all served in Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders along with the Mr. Payne who died under some mysterious circumstances. Each book involves a different game in a different city that played an important role in the beginnings of baseball. Game 1 is in Cincinnati, Game 2, Louisville, and Game 3, Chicago. Each book includes history, not only of baseball, but also the cities in which they are played.

The team is being followed by the mysterious Chancellor for reasons that are not completely clear yet. Magical things happen during each game that also reflect the history of each city and have something to do with a mysterious baseball with a hole in it that the children possess. All in all, great stories, outstanding illustrations and enough suspense to keep you reading.

I found the series while looking for some good chapter books for second or third grade boys, but these books can be enjoyed by all elementary kids. I can't wait for Game 4 coming sometime in the spring of 2009. Hopefully I'll spot it earlier than expected too, on a future visit to my favorite bookstore.