Formerly titled BarnstormersAuthors: Loren Long and Phil Bildner
Plot Summary: Three siblings mourn the loss of their father as they try to carry on the tradition of earning money by barnstorming with a traveling baseball team. They are assisted by a mysterious magical baseball. We are introduced to some historical details related to the history of baseball.
Comments: This would be a good book for third through sixth graders, especially boys, who are very interested in baseball. I was particularly interested as it took place in my hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati was also knows as Porkopolis because of the meat-packing industry in the early 1900s. Although the details about baseball are interesting, the story is a little hard to follow and definitely requires, and encourages, the reader to continue with the series.
Extensions:
1. Develop a timeline of historical events in baseball such as the first games, the 1919 World Series involving the Chicago White Sox, the formation of the Negro Baseball league, Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier, and Pete Rose's lifetime ban from baseball. This could be one of a number of books used to illustrate a series of events over time.
2. To illustrate word etymology, the student would pick five of the baseball terms listed in the book and describe how they evolved in to the terminology used today.
Themes/keywords: baseball, brothers and sisters, supernatural, Cincinnati, Ohio,
Age/Reading Level: 3 - 6; ATOS 4.5; Follett 4.4; Lexile 720
Standards:
(Includes similar standards for 5th and 6th grade)
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.
ELA4W1 The student produces writing that establishes an appropriate organizational structure, sets a context and engages the reader, maintains a coherent focus throughout, and signals a satisfying closure.
ELA4W2 The student demonstrates competence in a variety of genres.
ELA4W3 The student uses research and technology to support writing.
INFORMATION PROCESSING SKILLS GOAL: The student will be able to locate, analyze, and synthesize information related to social studies topics and apply this information to solve problems/make decisions. #7 - Interpret timelines
Publisher's Info: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York. 2007
ISBN-13: 978-1-41691-863-9
ISBN-10: 1-41691-863-9
Awards/Review Sources:
Booklist (April 1, 2007 (Vol. 103, No. 15)
Horn Book (Fall 2007)
Publishers Weekly (February 5, 2007)
Kirkus Review (February 1, 2007)
School Library Journal (April 1, 2007)
Genre/Dewey: Fiction
Websites:
Baseball Almanac - http://www.baseball-almanac.com/
Author's website
National Baseball Hall of Fame
Notes for Booktalk:
Vocabulary: Book includes vocabulary that explains the origins of baseball terminology including words that are no longer used.
Comments