Get in the Game--Read!

Upload a video to thank the teacher who changed your life

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:40:00 +0000

PARENTING'S "MY AMAZING TEACHER" VIDEO PROJECT: Upload a Video to Thank the Teacher who Changed Your Life Today!

Parenting magazine's Mom Congress and the National Education Association are teaming up to let teachers know the positive impact they've had on students' lives.

Join New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and others in showing appreciation for your favorite teacher by uploading a video thank you-note to the "My Amazing Teacher" project here.

Post your video to Facebook (tag @Parenting) and Twitter (hashtag #myamazingteacher) to encourage friends and family to post their own videos--and who knows? Your amazing teacher may even see it!

Like Mom Congress on Facebook for breaking education news,
advocacy resources, and exclusive offers!

Young readers will devour this like a box of Crackerjack

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:21:00 +0000

I had the honor of interviewing author David A. Kelly for the release of his book, Babe Ruth and the Baseball Curse (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)) two years ago here at Get in the Game Read! That's why when I found out that he was going to be the author of an upcoming baseball series, I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy! The series is called The Ballpark Mysteries and as you can probably guess, it combines mysteries and some of the most famous ballparks across the United States! Talk about a great combination!

The first book in The Ballpark Mysteries, Ballpark Mysteries #1: The Fenway Foul-up (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)), takes place at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. Mike Walsh and Kate Hopkins are cousins and since Kate's mom is a sports reporter, they get great seats and not to mention, all-access to the ballpark. What kid wouldn't dream of that? However, as they watch batting practice, they discover that the bat of Big D, the Red Sox's best hitter, is stolen! Mike and Kate set off an adventure to uncover the clues that will solve the mystery.

I really enjoyed The Fenway Foul-up and can see how any 6- 9 year old baseball fan would step to the plate and devour this book like a box of Crackerjacks! Kelly intersperses the perfect mix of sports action, crime-solving and facts about Fenway Park. For example, young readers will be fascinated to learn that Fenway Park still uses a hand-operated scoreboard and the initials of the former owners are even hidden on the scoreboard. Dugout Notes at the end of the book provide more fun-filled baseball facts and you can catch a glimpse of Book #2, The Pinstripe Ghost--can't wait for this one!

To learn more about the series, please visit the official website, which even contains a personal blog from Mike Walsh himself.

Additional Information:
Reading level: Ages 6-9
Paperback: 112 pages
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (February 22, 2011)
ISBN-10: 0375867031
ISBN-13: 978-0375867033
Source of review copy: Publisher

Disclosure: Some of the books I review are received from publishers , PR agencies, and authors, but it does not sway my opinion of the book. I maintain affiliate accounts with Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you purchase a book through one of my links, I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you). You can support this site by originating your purchase via these links and I appreciate your support of Get in the Game--Read!

Cal Ripken Jr. launches new baseball series

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 22:26:00 +0000

About the book: Connor Sullivan is an All-Star shortstop on his Babe Ruth team, the Orioles. He can hit and field with the best of them, but he's got one big problem: his temper. When he strikes out or makes an error, he's a walking Mt. Vesuvius, slamming batting helmets and throwing gloves. His teammates are starting to avoid him, even his best friend Jason. His coach is ready to kick him off the team.

To make matters worse, things aren't much better at home. His dad is having trouble finding a new job after being laid off. Money is tight. Connor's dream of attending the prestigious Brooks Robinson Baseball Camp this summer seems like just that now-a dream.

When the sports editor of the school paper threatens to do a big story on his tantrums-complete with embarassing photos-Connor realizes he has to clean up his act. But can he do it in time to regain his teammates' trust and help the Orioles win the championship against the best team in the league?

Watch the video...

An all-star story about the first woman inducted into the baseball hall of fame

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 13:32:00 +0000

Want to read an all-star of a story about the first woman inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame? She Loved Baseball: The Effa Manley Story will have you inspired by the courage of one woman who was determined to fight for what was right.

When Effa was in first grade, she was scolded for playing with "those Negroes in the schoolyard." But "those negroes" were Effa's brothers and sisters. While Effa's skin was light, like her mother's, her siblings were dark and Effa was taught that discrimination was just the way things were.

But after high school, Effa moved to New York City and set out to live the big life she dreamed of. Effa enjoyed Yankee's games and met a kind, fun-loving man, Abe Manley who adored baseball. But when Effa went out on the town with Abe in Harlem, she realized that discrimination was still rampant as most businesses were owned by white people.

Effa, determined to change things, organized the Citizen's League for Fair Play, a group of community leaders who urged Harlem's largest department store to hire black salesclerks. Before long, hundreds of black people were working. Just as the business world was changing, so was the world of baseball. Abe and Effa married in 1935 and started a team in the new Negro National League. Effa had never organized schedules or ordered equipment, but Effa ended up handling almost all of the team's business. Most owners protested, stating that baseball was no place for a woman, but Effa persisted, fought for her players and became the first woman ever to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Audrey Vernick, the author of Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten?, profiles an amazing woman who fought hard for what was right and proved that she loved baseball. Not only will young readers get an introduction to civil rights, Negro Leagues, and women's rights, they'll also be inspired that anyone can create change.

Additional Information:
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Collins (October 19, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0061349208
ISBN-13: 978-0061349201
Source of review copy: Publisher

Disclosure: Some of the books I review are received from publishers , PR agencies, and authors, but it does not sway my opinion of the book. I maintain affiliate accounts with Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you purchase a book through one of my links, I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you). You can support this site by originating your purchase via these links and I appreciate your support of Get in the Game--Read!

Ripken to write middle grade baseball series

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:03:00 +0000

Disney Book Group recently reported that they've signed a deal with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. for a middle-grade baseball series that will be co-authored with Baltimore Sun sportswriter Kevin Cowherd.

The first book in the series—Hothead—will be published in Winter 2011 under the Disney-Hyperion imprint. It centers on all-star third baseman Connor Sullivan, who has a big problem: his temper. The story was inspired by Cal’s own struggle with frustration as a young player. Additional books will follow every year.

Disney-Hyperion editorial director Stephanie Owens Lurie did the deal for world rights with Ian Kleinert of Objective Entertainment.

“Working with Kevin and the team from Disney has been a pleasure,” said Ripken in a statement. “Connor is a character that I was able to help develop with Kevin based on my experiences as a kid who struggled with his emotions. I hope that the kids reading it find it to be fun and take away a few lessons from it.”

“Cal Ripken Jr. is a living legend, of course, and in his work with kids he has demonstrated a commitment to being a positive influence,” says Lurie. “We are thrilled to have this opportunity to share Cal’s love of baseball and his can-do outlook with young readers.”

Ripken also authored The Longest Season (April 2007), in which the all-star shares the ups and downs of the Orioles’ record 21-game losing streak, and reflects on the rewards of hard work, regardless of what’s on the scoreboard.

Stone Arch Books Announces Sports Star Contest Winner

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:18:00 +0000

Capstone imprint Stone Arch Books, recently announced the winner of its Create Your Own Sports Star nationwide contest, inspired by the publisher’s partnership with Sports Illustrated KIDS. The winner was selected from more than 23,000 total votes cast from kids nationwide from March 20 through April 11.

Receiving more than 70% of the votes, Justin Cox, a 4th grade student from Timmerman Elementary School in Pflugerville, Texas, was selected as the first place winner. Justin’s fictional character, Dash the Flash, will be the featured character in a Sports Illustrated KIDS Graphic Novel available Jan. 1, 2011, in hardcover and paperback formats. Justin, along with his school, will be included in a page at the back of the book.

“We’re so proud of all of our finalists. They each created exciting characters that will thrill readers!” said Lori Benton, General Manager/Publisher of Capstone Fiction. “Kids came out in full force, casting their votes for their favorite characters and we now have a clear winner. We couldn’t be happier to start production on FULL COURT FLASH, a graphic novel starring Dash the Flash.”

Vote For the Next Character in a Sports Illustrated Kids Graphic Novel

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 20:34:00 +0000

Capstone imprint Stone Arch Books, a children's fiction publisher, announced the top five finalists in its Create Your Own Sports Star nationwide contest, inspired by the publisher’s partnership with Sports Illustrated KIDS. The contest invited students in grades 3-6 to create their own fictional sports super star to be the featured character in an upcoming Sports Illustrated KIDS Graphic Novel.

The five finalists were selected from the more than 840 entries featuring 57 different sports. Descriptions of the finalists’ characters, as well as professionally-illustrated sketches are available at www.CapstoneKids.com. Kids are encouraged to visit the site and vote for their favorite character. Voting runs through April 11, 2010, with the winner revealed April 15.

“We learned so much about these kids through their writing and the underlying themes of their stories – family struggles, being an underdog, mean girls, fierce competition, and the quest to succeed,” said Lori Benton, General Manager/Publisher of Capstone Fiction. “Now it’s up to our young sports fans to decide. Kids can voice their opinion, vote for their favorite character, and choose our winner!”

The winning character will appear in a Sports Illustrated Kids Graphic Novel book available Jan. 1, 2011. The winning student, along with his/her school, will be included in a page at the back of the book.

Contest finalists are:

· Brock, a 3^rd grader from Sycamore, Ill.

· Emily, a 6^th grader from Carver, Minn.

· Emily, a 5^th grader from Newington, Conn.

· Jane, a 6^th grader from Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.

· Justin, a 4^th grader from Pflugerville, Texas

Step up to the plate at your library

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:32:00 +0000

Season five of Step Up to the Plate @ your library is now open for librarian registration. The American Library Association (ALA) and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s Step Up to the Plate program teams up two American classics – libraries and baseball – to promote information literacy and the library as an essential information resource.

Librarians can now start the spring training season by visiting the program’s Web site to register for free promotional tools to help promote the program locally. Step Up to the Plate launches to the public on Monday, April 5, to coincide with the start of the 2010 baseball season.

Tools include program logos in both English and Spanish, a downloadable poster and bookmarks and a toolkit that includes sample press materials and programming ideas. The first 100 libraries to register will receive a Jackie Robinson “History Lives” poster from ALA Graphics.

Step Up to the Plate @ your library encourages people of all ages to use the print and electronic resources available at their library to answer a series of trivia questions designed for their age group (10 and under, 11-13, 14-17 and 18 and over). One grand-prize winner will receive a trip for two in October to the Hall of Fame’s World Series Gala event in Cooperstown, N.Y., including a behind-the-scenes tour of the library and archives. The program will run through Sept. 4, 2010.

This year, Step Up to the Plate @ your library celebrates the history of baseball and the preservation of our cultural heritage, as a tie in to ALA’s first Preservation Week. For more information on Preservation Week, visit www.ala.org/presevation.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a partner in the Campaign for America’s Libraries (www.ala.org/@yourlibrary), ALA’s public awareness campaign that promotes the value of libraries and librarians. Thousands of libraries of all types – across the country and around the globe - use the Campaign’s @ your library® brand. The Campaign is made possible in part by ALA’s Library Champions, corporations and foundations.

Other partners are Carnegie Corporation of New York, Dollar General, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), Univision Radio, Verizon and Woman's Day magazine.

Experience the most celebrated moments in sports

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0000

I don't know about you, but the Winter Olympics always get me in sports mode. It's easy to find myself glued to the TV, cheering for the United States in everything from hockey to ski jumping to snowboarding (Yay, Shaun White!).

Just in time for the Olympics comes The Greatest Moments in Sports by veteran sportscaster Len Berman. But you'll find much more than the Olympics. Len Berman has covered just about every major sporting event, including Super Bowls and World Series.

What's interesting about this book is what Len Berman states in the introduction, "What were the greatest moments in sports history? Ask 25 sports fans, and you may get 25 different answers." Throughout the book, Berman offers up some stories, stats and pictures to help spark your next debate on this very topic. Consider the greatest play in Super Bowl history...when David Tyree leaped into the air, with defensive back Rodney Harrison draped all over him. He somehow held on to the ball for an absolutely amazing 32-yard play down to the Patriots 24-yard line. Or how about when Wilt Chamberlain scored a double triple-double? What about when Cassius Clay beat Sonny Liston. Phew--pretty tough, right?

What I like about this book is that not only are the highly recognizable sports stars like Jordan and Woods highlighted, but so are Roger Bannister and Nadia Comaneci. What's also cool is that the book comes with a CD that contains the live broadcast audio of a dozen incredible moments chronicled in the book, including the U.S. Olympic hockey team's miracle on ice and Michael Phelps breaking Mark Spitz's Olympic swimming record. Just what you need to relive those magical moments and send chills up your arms.

So what would you call the greatest moment in sports?

About The Author:
Len Berman is a veteran sportscaster and creator of “Spanning the World,” a monthly collection of sports bloopers, which was a 20-year staple on NBC’s Today Show. Berman is the recipient of eight Emmy Awards and is a six-time winner of New York Sportscaster of the Year. His daily Top 5 email is featured in The Huffington Post and is received by thousands around the country.

Additional Information:
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 144 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky; Har/Com edition (November 11, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402220995
ISBN-13: 978-1402220999
Source of review copy: Publisher

Disclosure: Some of the books I review are received from publishers , PR agencies, and authors, but it does not sway my opinion of the book. I maintain affiliate accounts with Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you purchase a book through one of my links, I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you). You can support this site by originating your purchase via these links and I appreciate your support of Get in the Game--Read!

You Never Heard of Jonah Winter

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:59:00 +0000

You never heard of Jonah Winter?! Jonah Winter is THE author of You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?!, Muhammad Ali: Champion of the World, and Dizzy. He is also the author of Diego: In English and Spanish, a biography of Diego Rivera, and Frida (English Language Edition), about artist Frida Kahlo, which was hailed as "a grand accomplishment, worth celebrating" by the New York Times Book Review and named a 2002 Parents' Choice Gold Medal winner.

The poet and amateur opera star has written picture-book biographies on everyone from Gertrude Stein to Barack Obama. Born in 1962 in Fort Worth, Texas, Winter spent most of his childhood painting pictures, playing musical instruments and writing poems. When he wasn’t doing these things, he was either collecting baseball cards, studying his baseball cards, or trading his baseball cards. Today, Winter still likes poetry and painting, but also focuses on writing children's picture book biographies sure to entertain, educate, and enlighten young readers.

Winter’s striking picture book biography on Sandy Koufax shows how Koufax experienced discrimination as one of the only Jewish players in the game and is a Sydney Taylor Honor Book for Young Readers. The Sydney Taylor Book Award is presented annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience. Presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) since 1968, the Award encourages the publication and widespread use of quality Judaic literature.

In addition to taking home the recognition as a Sydney Taylor Honor Book for Young Readers, the book has also garnered the "Top of the List" award from Booklist as the best children's non-fiction book of 2009. It was recognized as a Booklist "Editor's Choice," and was also selected by Kirkus and Parents Magazine as one of their "Best Children's Books of 2009." Oh, and did I mention it was just announced as an ALA Notable?

I'm jumping up and down that the Sydney Taylor Book Award blog tour brings Jonah Winter to Get in the Game--Read! So without further ado, let's dive into some questions...

What kind of icon is Sandy Koufax in Jewish culture and why were you inspired to write about him?
What kind of icon is Sandy Koufax in Jewish culture?!? He's right up there with Moses, as far as I can tell. Or at least, that's the sense I've gotten from conversations I've had with Jewish audiences at various presentations I've done for this book. He's huge. And the reason for that is mainly due to the stance he took during the 1965 World Series, when he refused to pitch Game 1 because it fell on Yom Kippur, the most holy of Jewish High Holy Days. He took this stance at a point in American history wherein our society was still plagued by a lot of blatant anti-Semetism, and announcing one's Jewishness to the world was by no means something that anyone would have taken for granted. What Koufax did with this one act was tantamount to a game-changer, in terms of Jewish pride. This one act spoke volumes, but mainly it said, "I'm Jewish -- and I'm proud to be Jewish." What an example he set! Here's this incredibly successful, incredibly talented, incredibly handsome man... using a national spotlight to announce his Jewish pride to the world. The fact that he wasn't particularly religious was irrelevant. The fact that he was the most dominant pitcher of the 1960s during his 6-year span of glory, however, was extremely important. Had he been a mediocre player, this act would not have meant anything. In 1963, he had made the cover of Life Magazine for his pitching prowess. He was already a baseball/pop-culture icon. His decision to sit out that World Series game placed him in the highest echelon of Jewish American icons. What interested me about him, though, was the oddity of his career -- a career that began with 6 mediocre years... followed by the most amazing 6 years any pitcher has ever strung together, and then ended abruptly when he was still quite young. It remains to this day a head-scratcher. The fact that he is the J. D. Salinger of baseball also interested me -- there is something undeniably intriguing about someone who doesn't want to be known, whose life presents a mystery.

How did you research and prepare to write "You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?"
Given the fact that Mr. Koufax is such a private person, who has not encouraged biographers to delve into his personal life, research was a challenge. I relied heavily on the recent biography by Jane Leavy quite a bit, just to get a sense of what he was like as a person, but truthfully, his baseball record is a matter of common knowledge. The Ken Burns baseball documentary was useful for watching film clips of his pitching, which of course was at the heart of the story. My picture book biographies are generally 32 pages long, with just a couple of sentences per page, and geared towards an extremely young readership. I don't intend for them to be full-length adult biographies, exhaustive in their details, or packed with huge amounts of information. My task is to take the basic story of someone's life... and then see how much information I can eliminate. The point is to tell a good story. If you're just presenting a long list of facts about the subject's life, you will lose your readership -- that is, if you're writing for what I like to call the Attention Deficit Disorder Set, i.e., young children. It is possible to tell an interesting picture book story about someone without knowing volumes of information about that person. At least, that seems to be the case with this book, given the positive response it's gotten!

Many of your nonfiction books make brilliant use of voice to bring your subjects to life. For example, Dizzy, uses a beatnik, beat-poetry voice and "You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?!" uses old-school Brooklyn slang. How do you find the voice of your subjects?
I let the subject itself lead me to the voice. As far as finding the right voice to narrate a kids' book on Dizzy Gillespie goes, the Beatniks loved bebop, and they had a playful way of expressing themselves which I thought children would dig, Daddy-o. They were inspired by this jazz and they often gave readings accompanied by live jazz. Those were the days! Nowadays, poetry readings, most of them anyway, just consist of narcissistic losers, fresh from some graduate school creative writing factory, reading incomprehensible garbage in a monotone while other narcissitic losers listen on, hoping to advance their "careers" somehow by their presence at said readings. But I digress.... My recent book on Gertrude Stein uses a Gertrude Stein voice (a voice which has been imitated and parodied for generations): No-brainer. Finding the right voice for the Koufax book was tougher. But the more I thought about how inscrutable this guy is, the more I started heading in the direction of a sort of Ring Lardner voice. Lardner often used "old-timey" voices, with loads of personality, to tell his sports stories. Once I hit on that, I knew it was the right way to go -- it definitely fit the subject matter. Voice is important to me. In my poetry for adults, practically all of my poems are told from the vantage point of some persona -- and many of them are dramatic monologues. I really don't see the point of writing or reading poems that lack a distinctive voice. And that has definitely affected how I write for children.

I read that you still have all your baseball cards from when you were a boy. How did you avert such disasters as your Mom throwing away your prized collection?
Why would my mother have thrown away my baseball cards? She's not a sadist! I guess there are some people who, upon becoming adults, leave their cards in the attics of their parents' homes. Well, not this pig. I've always carried them around with me in my 1980 census bag (my first job out of high school was as a census taker), hauling them from one residence to the next, all 28 domiciles! (I've moved around a lot. In fact, that's what inspired me to write my book The 39 Apartments of Ludwig van Beethoven. I still have 11 to go...!)

Many agree that "You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?" isn't just a tribute to Koufax, but a tribute to old-time baseball. We've seen a majority of sports books for children focus on baseball. Why do you think that is?
Well, geez, I guess all my baseball books are a tribute to old-time baseball, given the fact that they're all about baseball history. I must admit, I (like many other people) am disheartened by the current state of things in baseball, though I must also admit that I do still like to catch a game now and then. No matter how much baseball has been perverted through money and steroids and corrupt billionaire owners, it still retains much of its original beauty when it's being played. Once you become addicted to baseball and to baseball history, to that continuum that started back in the 1800s, it's hard to ever kick that addiction. Baseball has inspired writers for generations -- it's a sport which is very easy to wax poetic over. And even if it has been overtaken by football and basketball as America's most-viewed pastime, I don't think it has been usurped by those sports as the most important sport of writers. And writers are the ones who write the books, both for kids and adults. And another thing: Baseball, regardless of the afore-mentioned modern taints, is still pretty innocent and accessible, as far as games go. There's not a lot about the game itself that you need to protect children from. Football and hockey, on the other hand, are absurdly violent sports. And basketball (from high school to pro) is a sport played mainly by the very tall. Plus, basketball, football and hockey are very expensive sports to attend. Baseball, though, attracts a variety of body types, it's not generally violent, and the Major League games are generally affordable to attend. It's one of the great things besides jazz that America has created. Why shouldn't there be lots of books on baseball for kids?

------

Thanks, Jonah for stopping by and congratulations! Thankfully, there are lots of books on baseball for kids, including You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?!

Be sure to check out the entire schedule for the Sydney Taylor Book Award blog tour. There are so many wonderful books, authors and illustrators highlighted-- if you don't check them out, that would be like never hearing of Jonah Winter. Gasp!

Books Inspire Sports Super Star Contest for Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:53:00 +0000

Capstone, the leading publisher of children’s books in the U.S. education market, has partnered with Sports Illustrated KIDS, the award-winning sports magazine publisher, to create a new line of high-interest nonfiction and fiction sports stories for elementary and middle school grades, especially for struggling and reluctant readers.

Greatest Sports Stars, The Science of Sports, and Sports Illustrated KIDS Graphic Novels debut this month under the publishers’ imprints Capstone Press and Stone Arch Books. Capstone had access to Sports Illustrated KIDS’ extensive collection of photographs, resulting in compelling books packed with exciting sports action photos.

Inspired by its partnership with Sports Illustrated KIDS, Stone Arch Books is sponsoring a nationwide contest which invites students in grades 3-6 to create their own sports super star. Kids can enter for a chance to have their fictional character featured in an upcoming Sports Illustrated KIDS Graphic Novel. The first place winning student, along with his/her school, will be included in a page at the back of the book. Online voters will choose their favorite sports character from the top five entries posted on the contest website www.CapstoneKids.com

“We’re inviting kids to use their imagination and create a strong character critical to any story’s success. We’re looking forward to finding some really creative characters,” said Lori Benton, General Manager/Publisher of Capstone Fiction. “Kids have a chance here to vote on who they really want to read about. Their votes will ultimately decide the next character in our series.”

The top 50 entrants will receive two free Sports Illustrated KIDS Graphic Novels, one for the student and one for the school library. Contest runs through March 1, 2010.

The Sports Illustrated Kids books are available at www.CapstonePub.com or by calling 800-747-4992.

Todd Pinkston supports Books for Tots

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:04:00 +0000

It's that time of year to think of giving and what's better than giving the love of reading?

WAPT.com recently reported that former Philadelphia Eagle and Southern Miss player Todd Pinkston gave the love of reading by appearing Monday at the Eudora Welty library in downtown Jackson, all in an effort to bring some extra attention to Books for Tots.

"Books for Tots" has been recognized at the national, state, and local levels as filling a vital need. Chances are libraries in your area have a collection box. Books for Tots does more than provide books to needy children; it also demonstrates the caring, compassionate nature of people and it promotes literacy. The program gives children the joy of having a book of their own and can truly make a difference in the life of a child.

Pinkston said, "If I didn't know how to read, I couldn't get an education."

To find out more about contributing books for the holidays, please visit your local library and visit the Toys for Tots Literacy Program. Every $1 donated to the Toys for Tots Literacy Program provides the gift of a book to a less-fortunate child. One-hundred percent of your tax-deductible donation goes to support community literacy programs. Nearly $900,000 has been contributed to the program since its inception, helping to deliver nearly 900,000 books to children across the country.

Books a Million is currently offering a 20 percent discount on Books For Tots purchases.

Court of Honor

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:49:00 +0000

It's not often you find a book that covers the gamut from romance to on-court action. But no look further. Paula Blais Gorgas brings you Court of Honor, an intriguing read for young adults.

Becky Walden is a sixteen-year-old who can hang with the boys. She dreams of becoming an all-state basketball player and finding the boy of her dreams. It was going to be her big year. She had finally earned a starting position on the basketball team at Glenview High, one of the biggest schools in Missouri, and had a good chance at a college scholarship. But all that changes when she moves to a small town in southwestern Missouri. The whole situation is awful because on top of that, when she meets a special boy named Matt McRae, she's sure he'll never remember her.

Becky tries out for her new school's basketball team, but the fact that she plays forward may cause problems. Because Jane Logan already plays that position and just happens to have a dad who's very influential in town. Becky begins to learn that small-town politics play a large role in Summit and playing time is determined by having the right name and the right connections.

But Becky's a fighter and as she begins to spend more time with the boy of her dreams, Matt McRae, she realizes she must stand up for what she believes is right. After all, she's the best forward on the girls' team and Matt is the best player on the boys' team. So why are they both sitting on the bench?

Becky decides that she'll confront the school board, but Matt is convinced it won't do any good. Is Becky making trouble for herself for no reason and by standing up for what's right, will she lose the two things that mean the most to her--basketball and the boy of her dreams?

This young adult novel confronts some of the corruption that exists in local sports and sends a powerful message of sticking up for what's right despite what's at stake. Young readers will cheer for Becky as she fights small-town politics and tries to keep her first romance alive.

To learn more about Paula Blais Gorgas and read an excerpt of Court of Honor, please visit her official website.

Additional Information:
Author: Paula Blais Gorgas
Reading Level: Young Adult
Paperback: 138 pages
Publisher: Dragonfly Publishing, Inc. (August 15, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0984098011
ISBN-13: 978-0984098019
Source of review copy: author

Disclosure: Some of the books I review are received from publishers , PR agencies, and authors, but it does not sway my opinion of the book. I maintain affiliate accounts with Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you purchase a book through one of my links, I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you). You can support this site by originating your purchase via these links and I appreciate your support of Get in the Game--Read!

Joe Louis, my champion

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:23:00 +0000

Everyone's had a favorite sports hero at sometime in their life--somebody we all look up to that is hardworking and passionate about his/ her sport. Joe Louis, My Champion captures that spirit we all experience when we root for our heroes.

It’s the spring of 1937, and anticipation for the heavyweight title fight between Joe Louis and James Braddock is at a fever pitch. Our main character, Sammy can hardly contain his excitement. He knows his hero, Joe Louis, will soon be the boxing champion of the world.

Sammy dreams of being a boxer, just like Joe Louis. But when he has a hard time throwing a punch, he fears he'll never be like Joe. Sammy's father and friend explain to him that "Joe's had to fight something else, too"--prejudice. They explain that's why Joe Louis means more to them than boxing.

Joe Louis proves victorious against Braddock, and Sammy continues to struggle with the fact that he'll never be a boxer, never be a champ. By the end of the book, Sammy realizes the significance of Louis' wins and realizes he can be a champ. Maybe he'll never be a boxer, but he could be good at something else--perhaps fighting for poor people, helping sick people, or teaching kids in school. And by carrying around a picture of Louis, Sammy is reminded that he can be the best.

An afterword gives a brief bio of Joe Louis, who was the first African American to achieve hero status for all Americans--an honor previously reserved only for whites. Joe Louis, My Champion is a heartfelt tribute, not only to Joe Louis, but all of the sports heroes whose baseball cards are carried around in pockets, and whose posters hang above sports fans' beds. Their determination and perseverance should certainly inspire us all to achieve our dreams.

Additional Information:
Author: William Miller
Illustrator: Rodney S. Pate
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Lee & Low Books (May 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1600604269
ISBN-13: 978-1600604263
Source of review copy: Publisher

Disclosure: Some of the books I review are received from publishers , PR agencies, and authors, but it does not sway my opinion of the book. I maintain affiliate accounts with Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you purchase a book through one of my links, I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you). You can support this site by originating your purchase via these links and I appreciate your support of Get in the Game--Read

November 2009 Book Brawl

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:55:00 +0000

The 2009 Hockey Hall of Fame class, which features a star-studded cast of four players and one front office stalwart, was inducted Monday. Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull, Brian Leetch and Luc Robitaille were the players inducted, while current New Jersey Devils CEO, president and general manager Lou Lamoriello was inducted in the "builder" category. All of these players had remarkable careers, not to mention seeing their names on the Stanley Cup. Want to introduce your young readers to the fast-paced and physical sport played on ice? Check out these two amazing titles...

Dino-Hockey (Carolrhoda Picture Books)

What could be more fast-paced and physical than an NHL game? A hockey game where the Meat-Eaters are pitted against the Veggiesaurs, of course! Wheeler has written a rhyming, action-filled, jam-packed, hockey game sure to captivate the youngest of fans. Loaded with hockey terms and action, the book puts you right on the ice and the illustrations will delight any dinosaur fan.

Additional Information:
Author: Lisa Wheeler
Illustrator: Barry Gott
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Library Binding: 30 pages
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (October 1, 2007)
ISBN-10: 0822561913
ISBN-13: 978-0822561910

Z Is For Zamboni: A Hockey Alphabet Edition 1. (Sleeping Bear Press Sports & Hobbies)

I'm a huge fan of these alphabet sports books by Sleeping Bear Press. The rhyming text is fun, the illustrations are absolutely beautiful and they're chock full of great information related to each sport. In Z is for Zamboni, you'll find everything you need from "A is for Arena./The game is played in here,/a building where the fans all gather/to clap and boo and cheer" to "-Zamboni for Z-/a machine that cleans the ice,/ensuring for tomorrow's game/a surface smooth and nice."

Additional Information:
Author: Matt Napier
Illustrator: Melissa Rose
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press; 1 edition (November 17, 2002)
ISBN-10: 1585360651
ISBN-13: 978-1585360659

Ding, Ding, Ding!

Be careful because the blows come fast and furious in the Get in the Game--Read Book Brawl!

And the October. 2009 Book Brawl Winner is...

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:11:00 +0000

Our October Book Brawl has officially ended. And the winner is...

H Is for Homerun [H IS FOR HOMERUN]
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press; 1 edition (March 19, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1585362190
ISBN-13: 978-1585362196

Sports enthusiast Brad Herzog has hit it out of the park with this amazing alphabet book. What I love about this book is that it's not only geared to the youngest pre-readers, it will also satisfy the older set. The book can be read as a fun rhyming text that rolls right off your tongue: "B is for the best--Babe Ruth, the New York Yankee great who batted balls toward bleachers at a then-unheard-of rate." Or it can also be read as an informative non-fiction book with tons of information about America's favorite national pastime.

This is one of my favorite sports picture books and I highly recommend it. You'll discover something new each time you read it and the illustrations are breath-taking.

About Book Brawl:
Each month, we'll pit two similar books against each other in the upper right hand sidebar. All month, it's up to you to vote for your favorite. (You'll find the poll in the top right sidebar) Let's keep it friendly, but in the comments section, please feel free to explain the reasons for your vote. What did you like about the book you chose as the winner? What didn't you like about the book you didn't vote for?

At the end of the month, the bell will ring, we'll tally up the results and declare a winner! If there are two books that you would like to see pitted against each other, let us know in the comments and your big match-up just might be our next Book Brawl.

Louis Sockalexis Native American Baseball Pioneer

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:54:00 +0000

Chances are if you ask anyone who the first African American baseball player was to play in the major league and break the color barrier, they'd say Jackie Robinson. However if you asked that same person who the first Native American baseball player was to play in the major league, they probably would have a blank stare.

Louis Sockalexis: Native American Baseball Pioneer , is a warm picture book tribute to a historic sports star.

Growing up, Sockalexis faced difficult times. Native Americans did not have the same rights as white Americans and were forced to live on reservations. He often worked alongside his father, but dreamed of becoming a major league baseball player. In the spring of 1897, Louis packed his suitcase and boarded a train to Cleveland after being offered a role in the majors. But just like Robinson, life in the major leagues was difficult. Just as Robinson would trot on the field to calls and boos, Sockalexis trotted to the field amongst Indian war cries.

Louis knew he was not only playing for himself, but all of his Penobscot people. When he smacked a homer against the Giants in 1897, Louis had won the fans' respect.

An afterword goes on to explain that Louis was one of the most versatile players in baseball. Being the first Native American to play in the major leagues, Louis paved the way for other Native American and minority players. The story of Louis Sockalexis is one of dignity and grace --a man who fought back to show that it doesn't matter if you're black, white, hispanic or Native American, the love of baseball stretches far beyond race.

Additional Information:
Author: Bill Wise
Illustrator: Bill Farnsworth
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Lee & Low Books (May 30, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1600604285
ISBN-13: 978-1600604287
Source of book: Publisher

Disclosure: Some of the books I review are received from publishers , PR agencies, and authors, but it does not sway my opinion of the book. I maintain affiliate accounts with Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you purchase a book through one of my links, I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you). You can support this site by originating your purchase via these links and I appreciate your support of Get in the Game--Read!

Remembering Old and Celebrating New

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:10:00 +0000

The new Yankee Stadium is already making its own history, but a true Yankee fan will never forget The House that Ruth Built. New York Times Bestselling author Ray Negron brings us One Last Time: Good-bye to Yankee Stadium with a foreword by Reggie Jackson.

Old Yankee Stadium was the place for many memorable moments and plays and this is the book for parents to share those moments with their young fans.

The book kicks off with a phone call to the Yankees locker room. The Boss, George Steinbrenner is calling, but it's not one of the players he's looking for. He's looking for a batboy named Ray and the players wonder what the boss wants with him.

The Boss, George Steinbrenner addresses Ray and let's him know his plans to tear down Yankee Stadium. Ray reacts just as any Yankees fan would and says, "Tear down Yankee Stadium? You can't! Where will the Yankees play?"

Steinbrenner reassures Ray that Yankee pride and tradition will continue and even though the stadium will be moving across the street, it could never change the history that took place in the old stadium. So Ray the Batboy and the Boss summon some of the greatest players who have worn the pinstripes to this hallowed field for one last game.

Laura Seely's illustrations add to the emotion of this tale of a legendary home and the realization of moving on. But as the Yankees proved this season, the new stadium will be home to its own future heroes.

About the Author:
Ray Negron is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Boy of Steel and The Greatest Story Never Told: The Babe and Jackie. He currently works with the New York Yankees as a personal consultant to George Steinbrenner. In addition, he is also director of community relations for Spalding, America's oldest baseball company.

Additional Information:
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (March 17, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061471623
ISBN-13: 978-0061471629

The World Series

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:48:00 +0000

Is tonight the night? The Yankees have spent the past five seasons trying to erase losing their 3-0 lead to the Red Sox in the 2004 American League Championship Series, and they have their chance tonight.

There's nothing more important in each sport than grabbing the championship at the end of the season. And the World Series is an event anticipated by millions. It's not just a game, but part of our culture, which is why DK Eyewitness Books brings us World Series (DK Eyewitness Books).

Young readers can see a program from the 1930 World Series, relive the moment when the Miracle Mets took to the field in victory, and count the flags on the World Series Trophy. But what truly makes this book unique are the classic photographs from the archives of the MLB and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

Additional Information:
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 64 pages
Publisher: DK CHILDREN (September 6, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0756602564
ISBN-13: 978-0756602567
Source of book: Library

This Week in Sports Books: October 30, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:45:00 +0000

Max Elliot Anderson at Books for Boys takes a look at two new books for boys:
Touchdown Trouble (Fred Bowen Sports Story Series) and Soccer Team Upset (The Fred Bowen Sports Story Series)

"I’m happy anytime I find books that will appeal to boys, especially reluctant readers, since that's where my books are focused. Author Fred Bowen is writing just such books, published by Peachtree Publishers in Atlanta, Georgia..."

Becky at Young Readers takes a look at The Girl Who Threw Butterflies

"In The Girl Who Threw Butterflies, Molly tries out (and makes) the boy's baseball team. Can playing baseball heal her broken heart? Can it mend the pieces of her broken family? What can she learn from the game that will help her in life?"

Fast Break to Reading tracks more than 1 million minutes

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:31:00 +0000

Thanks to the Children's Literacy and Reading News Roundup, presented by The Reading Tub and Jen Robinson's Bookpage for pointing out that congratulations are in order for the National Center for Family Literacy and the Women’s National Basketball Association.

Starting in June, the national literacy initiative encouraged young students to read throughout the WNBA season and track their minutes online in their "Fast Break to Reading" program. They recently announced that youth across the country collectively read more than 1 million minutes!

Ten WNBA teams participated in the Fast Break To Reading program: the Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Detroit Shock, Indiana Fever, Los Angeles Sparks, New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, Seattle Storm, and Washington Mystics. Each team tipped off a local program in June in collaboration with a local literacy organization. The teams also worked with Pitney Bowes to hold Reading Timeouts with area youth to read and speak about the importance of literacy and education.

National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL) helped raise awareness of literacy and education, encouraged young students to participate, and offered tips for families on how to make reading more fun and effective during the season.

Congratulations to all!

Visit the Fast to Break to Reading YouTube channel to watch videos of WNBA players reading to children.

Get your young readers excited for game one

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:23:00 +0000

The 2009 World Series kicks off tonight and is the 105th edition of Major League Baseball's Championship Series. The Phillies are seeking to become the first team to repeat as World Series champions since the Yankees did so from 1998–2000, while the Yankees are seeking to extend their major-league record with a 27th World Series championship. Even your youngest readers can get excited about the game with New York Yankees ABC my first alphabet book

This is the ultimate alphabet book for every young Yankees fan! Children can learn their ABCs with photos of baseball objects and their favorite team - A is American League, M is Monument Park, Y is Yankee Stadium. It's a board book cut in the shape of a baseball jersey. And since it is a sturdy board book, it will withstand the chewing and biting that comes along with the nervousness of The World Series and it will also withstand being thrown across the room when a play doesn't go your young fan's way-- a must for any young Yankees fan!

Additional Information:
Board book: 28 pages
Publisher: Michaelson Entertainment; Brdbk edition (July 27, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1607300079
ISBN-13: 978-1607300076
Source of book: Bookstore copy

Disclosure:
Some of the books I review are received from publishers , PR agencies, and authors, but it does not sway my opinion of the book. I maintain affiliate accounts with Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you purchase a book through one of my links, I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you). You can support this site by originating your purchase via these links and I appreciate your support of Get in the Game--Read.

A True Story About Jackie Robinson + FREE Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:42:00 +0000

MaryAnn over at Great Kid Books has a fantastic giveaway at her blog today. The publisher of A True Story About Jackie Robinson (Testing The Ice) has agreed to give away 5 copies of this book, a wonderful, stirring picture book by Sharon Robinson and Kadir Nelson that shares the story of Jackie Robinson.

About the book:
When Jackie Robinson retires from baseball and moves his family to Connecticut, the beautiful lake on their property is the center of everyone's fun. The neighborhood children join the Robinson kids for swimming and boating. But oddly, Jackie never goes near the water.

In a dramatic episode that first winter, the children beg to go ice skating on the lake. Jackie says they can go--but only after he tests the ice to make sure it's safe. The children prod and push to get Jackie outside, until hesitantly, he finally goes.

Like a blind man with a stick, Jackie taps on the ice's surface, when suddenly howling and roaring sounds come out of the lake! It is only then that Sharon realizes why she's never seen her father in the water -- Jackie doesn't know how to swim! But her horror changes to relief as Jackie bravely taps his way to the middle of the lake -- and declare it safe!

In a stunning metaphor for Jackie Robinson's legendary breaking of the color barrier in Major League Baseball, Sharon Robinson honors her extraordinary father's memory with her warm graceful storytelling. Two-time Caldecott Honor Book artist Kadir Nelson has created richly rendered paintings that radiate with the beauty and spirit of one of America's finest heroes.

If you'd like to win a free copy and read MaryAnn's review, just head on over and leave a comment.

Huddle up with the Mannings

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:30:00 +0000

Every writer has heard the phrase, "Write what you love." Peyton, Eli and their father, Archie, have done just that in their new children's book, Family Huddle. It's widely known that family and football have always been a big deal in the Manning family, which are the two biggest components in Family Huddle.

Family Huddle is about three young brothers growing up in Louisiana. They learn to support and encourage each other while playing football under their parents' encouraging eyes.The book is set in New Orleans and Mississippi when Eli was 8, Peyton 13, and their brother Cooper, 15. The brothers load up into the car to visit their grandparents with their dad, former NFL star Archie Manning, at the wheel, and mom Olivia at his side. The boys joke around and play football at every opportunity, running fun plays like the buttonhook, the quarterback sneak, and the hook and ladder.

Madsen's (The Adventures of Thor the Thunder God) digital illustrations are striking and the colors are vibrant, stirring up your own family memories of playing football in the backyard.

What's great about this book is that it doesn't talk down to young readers. I'm always amazed at the wealth of sports information children have, which is why this book is for them. Not only are plays such as the buttonhook and quarterback sneak referenced, but they're also diagrammed at the end of the book. Not only will the Mannings win over sports lovers, but they'll also convey the importance of family-- 'As long as you look out for each other, you will always be on a winning team.'

The book is part of "Classrooms Care," a program motivating kids to read, that will donate up to a million books to participating schools when classrooms reach the 100 book a classroom quota for reading books.

Click here to read an excerpt from "Family Huddle".

Additional Information:
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press (September 8, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0545153778
ISBN-13: 978-0545153775

October 2009 Book Brawl

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Calabrese) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:39:00 +0000

Each month, we'll pit similar books against each other in the upper right hand sidebar. All month, it's up to you to vote for your favorite. (You'll find the poll in the top right sidebar) Let's keep it friendly, but in the comments section, please feel free to explain the reasons for your vote. What did you like about the book you chose as the winner? What didn't you like about the the other book(s)?

Major League Baseball's last game of the year takes place this month (yup--the World Series!), so gather your stats, and cheer on your favorite team as we take a look at these two baseball alphabet books:

H Is for Homerun [H IS FOR HOMERUN]
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press; 1 edition (March 19, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1585362190
ISBN-13: 978-1585362196

Sports enthusiast Brad Herzog has hit it out of the park with this amazing alphabet book. What I love about this book is that it's not only geared to the youngest pre-readers, it will also satisfy the older set. The book can be read as a fun rhyming text that rolls right off your tongue: "B is for the best--Babe Ruth, the New York Yankee great who batted balls toward bleachers at a then-unheard-of rate." Or it can also be read as an informative non-fiction book with tons of information about America's favorite national pastime.

B Is for Baseball: Running the Bases from A to Z
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books; Library Binding edition (March 4, 2009
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0811860965
ISBN-13: 978-0811860963

The Chronicle Books staff has put together this alphabet book that runs the gamut of baseball terms. What makes this book unique are the incredible vintage photographs from the world-renowned American Baseball Hall of Fame. You'll feel as though you stepped into history, along with learning the number of stitches on a baseball to the three historic players who are known to have been the perfect infield combination.

Ding, Ding, Ding!

Be careful because the blows come fast and furious in the Get in the Game--Read Book Brawl!