Author/Illustrator: Jonah Winter/Andre Carrilho
Plot Summary: The highlights of Sandy Koufax's life and career are all included in this beautifully illustrated book. Known as the "man with the golden arm," Sandy Koufax lived history playing baseball as "the greatest lefty who every pitched the game of baseball" from 1955 until 1966 including being a teammate of Jackie Robinson's when he broke the color barrier in baseball.
Comments: The cover is an eye-catching hologram showing Sandy Koufax pitching a baseball. The illustrations are fabulous and I think this book is an prime example of a new generation of "knowledge" books.
Extensions:
1. Interesting historical themes for linking sports to history such as the integration of baseball, Satchel Paige - a Negro Leagues Pitcher, and the color barrier. It would an interesting read aloud to help history come alive to students(especially boys).
2. This biography could be included in a study of heros as Sandy Koufax was a hero to many baseball fans, leftys, and American Jews.
3. This book could also be a supplement to studying about anti-antisemitism and prejudice. Students could listen to a variety of books about real-life examples of prejudice and then write about their own experiences, what they can do in their own life to not show prejudice, or how the person or character handled themselves when they felt prejudice.
Themes/keywords:Koufax, Sandy, baseball players, Los Angeles Dodgers, Jewish
Age/Reading Level: Interest Level - 1 - 5; ATOS 4.5(Follett - 3.7); Lexile - 830
Standards:
SS5H8 The student will describe the importance of key people, events, and developments between 1950-1975.
ELA1R6/ELA2R4/ELA3R3 - The student uses a variety of strategies to understand and gain meaning from grade-level text.(Comparable standards for 4 - 6 grades.)
ELA1W2/ELA2W2/ELA3W2 - The student writes in a variety of genres, including narrative, informational, persuasive and response to literature.(Comparable standards for 4 - 6 grades.)
ELA4LSV2 The student listens to and views various forms of text and media in order to gather and share information, persuade others, and express and understand ideas.
ELA4R1 The student demonstrates comprehension and shows evidence of a warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and informational texts.
ELA4R2 The student consistently reads at least twenty-five books or book equivalents (approximately 1,000,000 words) each year. The materials should include traditional and contemporary literature (both fiction and non-fiction) as well as magazines, newspapers, textbooks, and electronic material. Such reading should represent a diverse collection of material from at least three different literary forms and from at least five different writers.
Publisher's Info: Schwartz and Wade Books, New York. 2009
ISBN-13: 978-0-375-83738-8
ISBN-10: 0-375-83738-8
Awards/Review Sources:
Wilson's Children 07/01/09 | School Library Journal starred 02/01/09 |
| Booklist starred 12/15/08 | Book Links starred 03/01/09 |
| Publishers Weekly starred 01/05/09 | Horn Book 03/01/09 |
| Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 02/01/09 | Kirkus Review 01/15/09 |
Genre/Dewey: Biography/Non-fiction - 796.357
Websites:
How cool is it to watch Sandy Koufax pitching: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm8oHYRS6hA
Another great video from 1965 - a perfect game - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uozLFsEPu8&
feature=related
Baseball Hall of Fame - http://web.baseballhalloffame.org/index.jsp
Notes for Booktalk:
Sandy Koufax and his life is a good example of what it is like to be a professional athlete as opposed
to some of today's examples.
Vocabulary: Great glossary of terms including some key baseball terms.
Comments