Reading Level: Early Elementary

Fish Feud!

Squizzard is a little squid with a big personality. He loves telling jokes, scarfing sardines, and hanging with his best friend Toothy. But the thing he loves most is being in charge. When Squizzard makes up games, he is always the hero and Toothy is always the sidekick. Squizzard never listens or admits when he’s wrong. One day he pushes Toothy too far and his bossiness causes a rift in their friendship the size of the Mariana Trench! Can Squizzard convince Toothy to give him a second chance? Or is he doomed to be the loneliest kid at Deep Reef Elementary? 

During show and tell, Toothy is presenting when Squizzard pushes him out of the way and calls Toothy’s presentation boring. Toothy gets angry and yells, “You never listen to me. All that matters to you is you!” This sets up the conflict for the rest of the story—Toothy has decided not to be friends with Squizzard. Squizzard tries to show Toothy that he is sorry by writing a poem. However, the poem needs work because it’s “creative, but it’s still all about you.” Toothy eventually forgives Squizzard, but only after Squizzard learns how to be less bossy and less self-centered.  

Fish Feud! will appeal to young readers because of its fun design. As a graphic novel, it has easy-to-follow paneling and artwork that supports text comprehension. Squizzard’s ocean world comes to life in bright colors and cartoonish illustrations that show exaggerated facial expressions to help readers understand the characters’ emotions. The story is broken up into six chapters and each page has two or more simple sentences. Fish Feud! is perfect for beginning and newly independent readers aged six to eight. 

Readers who love the Crabby Book Series by Jonathan Fenske will love Fish Feud because both books use humor to teach about friendship. In Fish Feud! Squizzard isn’t perfect. For example, for show and tell Squizzard draws a duck with a butt and shows it to the class to lots of laughs, but his teacher isn’t amused. Squizzard’s outrageous behavior will leave readers giggling, but the book also teaches how to be a better friend, the importance of forgiveness, and provides faces about coral reefs, barracudas, what lives in a conch shell, and more. 

Kevin Sherry has a knack for writing ridiculously silly stories that will engage readers. Like many children, Squizzard struggles with being bossy and selfish. But in the end, he shows Toothy that even though they don’t always agree, Toothy is still “my favorite dude. For you, I’d go to any end, if you’ll be friends with me again.”  

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

  • A fifth-grade fish bullies Squizzard. The bully says, “In fact, you need to start paying the guppy toll. You’ve got to give me something nice and shiny every week . . . or else!” Then the bully fish rips up Squizzard’s poem. Squizzard uses ink to get away from the bully.   
  • The next time the bully appears, he brings two of his cronies. The bully threatens Squizzard and his friends. The bully says, “We eat shrimp like you for breakfast. Now give us a sand dollar. . . each.” Toothy chases the bullies away.  
  • During lunch in the cafeteria, Squizzard accidentally starts a food fight. This fight is illustrated over two pages. 

Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

  • OMG is used twice. 

Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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Disney Moana: Moana’s New Friend

When Moana and Pua make friends with a sea turtle named Lolo, the three have fun playing in the sun and swimming in the ocean. Lola “lays eggs in a nest. There are baby turtles inside!” But before the babies are hatched, a big storm knocks a tree on top of the turtle’s nest! Can Moana help the baby turtles? 

Moana’s New Friend is part of the Step into Reading Level Two Series, which targets preschoolers through first graders who are just learning to read independently. Each page features one to three short sentences in large font, making it an easy read. Many of the pages have full-page illustrations that show Moana’s island as an enchanting world. Readers will recognize characters from the movie, including Pua and Moana’s grandmother.  

Moana’s New Friend will draw readers to the story because of the Disney characters, and readers will quickly get caught up in Moana’s fun-filled days. When the turtle babies need help, Moana and her friends work together to save the babies. Readers will cheer when the cute baby turtles hatch and head towards the ocean. Moana and her friends continue to help the turtles by protecting them from a hungry seabird. Moana’s experiences show the wonder of the ocean as well as the importance of protecting sea life. Readers who love Moana can learn more about her world by reading Disney Moana: Pua and Heihei by Mary Tillworth. Other sea-inspired books that children will love include Camille’s Mermaid Tale by Valerie Tripp and the Purrmaids Series by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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Giant Squid

The giant squid is one of the most elusive creatures in the world. As large as whales, they hide deep within the sea, forcing scientists to piece together their story from the clues they leave behind.

An injured whale’s ring-shaped scars may indicate an encounter with a giant squid. A piece of beak broken off in the whale’s belly; a flash of ink dispersed as a blinding defense to allow the squid to escape— these fragments of proof were all we had . . . until a giant squid was finally filmed in its natural habitat only two years ago. 

The mystery of the giant squid hasn’t completely been unraveled. However, Candance Fleming brings squids facts to life using beautiful imagery. Because the giant squid is so elusive, some answers cannot be answered. This is why the book uses many questions such as, “Who are the giants of the dark seas? How do they hunt? How do they eat? How do they breed? It’s a mystery.” The questions will engage readers and leave them wondering about the mystery of the squid. 

Each illustration focuses on part of the squid, which helps the reader imagine the squid’s large size. By using dark blues and black for the pictures, the illustrator not only gives the reader a glimpse of the squid’s natural habitat but also shows why the squids are so mysterious—they can quickly escape into the dark depths of the ocean. Each two-page spread has one to eight sentences. Even though Giant Squid is a picture book, it will need to be read to a child because of some of the difficult vocabulary such as barracuda, murky, impress, and pinpoints.

Giant Squid received the Robert F. Sibert Book Award which is given to “distinguished informational books.” Fleming’s non-fiction book gives interesting facts about the squid using imagery and alliteration that will capture the reader’s attention. The middle of the book has two foldout pages showing the giant squid’s huge size, and the back of the book includes more information about “The Mysterious Giant Squid.” Anyone who wonders about the creatures that live in the ocean should read Giant Squid because it’s educational while still highlighting the creature’s mystery. To learn more about the giant squid, read Tentacles! Tales of the Giant Squid by Shirley Ray Redmond. For an imaginative look at another sea creature, the octopus, read Octopus Stew by Eric Belasquez.  

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • Several pages are devoted to a giant squid eating. “The tentacles seize their prey. . .They launch on with powerful sucker-studded clubs. Row after row of suckers. Suckers ringed with saw-like teeth that rip into skin and hold on tight.” The illustration shows a fish caught in the tentacles, but there is no blood.  
  • The squid’s “bone-hard” and “parrot-like” beak helps break up food. “And inside the mouth? A terrifying tongue-like ribbon of muscle covered with sharp, tiny blades that slice. . . grind. . . file the food into a pasty sludge easy for the giant squid to digest.” The illustration only shows a squid’s beak, not what it is eating. 

Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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Polar Oceans

The extreme climates of the North and South Poles make the polar oceans unlike any other bodies of water on Earth. Despite the severe conditions, an amazing diversity of wildlife thrives in the Arctic and Southern Oceans, depending on these bodies of water for survival. In Polar Oceans children will learn about similarities and differences between Arctic and Antarctic waters, how polar ocean creatures have adapted, polar ocean food chains and food webs, permanent ice and ice formations, interconnections among polar oceans and other seas and oceans, and the global consequences of environmental changes. 

Polar Oceans packs a lot information into short sections that clearly break up the text by topic. Because the book’s intent is to teach readers about oceans, the text uses many words that readers may not be familiar with. This will make it necessary for adults to read the book to younger children, rather than them reading the story on their own. Many of the polar ocean terms are bolded within the text; however, the glossary is only half a page and many of the bold words do not appear in the glossary. Despite this, the book will appeal to many readers because of the large and colorful pictures that appear on each page. In addition, the book includes many pictures of the polar animals as well as a diagram of the food web.  

Any child who wants to learn more about life in both the Arctic and Southern Oceans will be fascinated by the information in Polar Oceans. In addition, readers will be amazed at the diverse life that lives in the freezing ocean water. Polar Oceans introduces children to the wonderful world of the polar regions. While readers will be drawn to the book because of the cute animals, the book ends with a list of websites readers can investigate to learn more about how to help protect the polar oceans, polar animals, and polar ice.  

To learn more about ocean animals, Polar Oceans can be paired with Otters Love to Play by Jonathan London. Odder by Katherine Applegate is also a beautifully written story that focuses on one otter’s misfortune in order to show how scientists are working to save injured otters. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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Tentacles! Tales of the Giant Squid

For centuries, sailors have handed down stories of the giant squid. They say this mysterious monster of the deep chases ships and battles whales. They say it can weigh up to 1,000 pounds and its eyes can be as big as a human head! Are these stories fact or fantasy? 

Tentacles! Tales of the Giant Squid begins by telling stories about the dangers of the giant squid. According to many sailors, the squid could attack a ship and pull it under the sea. However, it turns out that none of the sailors’ stories are true, highlighting their lack of knowledge about the squid. Even today, scientists do not know much about the giant squid because “it only comes to the surface when it is dead or dying.” Tentacles! Tales of the Giant Squid story reveals what scientists do know to be true about the squid and includes several pictures of giant squid that washed to shore after their death.  

Since giant squid lives deep in the ocean, scientists have not yet uncovered every secret about this sea creature. However, the book includes information we currently about the large squid, the parts of its body, and its eating habits. All of this information is known from when “scientists study these dead giants.” The giant squid caused fear in many sailors, but learning more about the squid allows readers to see that giant squids are not monsters to be feared.  

Tentacles! Tales of the Giant Squid is part of the Step into Reading Level Three Series, which targets readers in first grade through third grade. With three short chapters, Step Three books are both longer and slightly more difficult than Step Two books. Each page has three to seven sentences and a large illustration as well as several photographs. This level includes some more challenging vocabulary and concepts, though the meaning is made clear through context and illustrations.  

Readers who are curious about the creatures that live in the ocean will enjoy learning more about the giant squid. Tentacles! Tales of the Giant Squid uses a blend of made-up stories and facts to show that the giant squid is not a man-eating monster, but rather a mysterious creature that stays hidden deep in the ocean. The book leaves the reader with this thought: “Maybe someone like you will grow up and unlock the secrets of the giant squid.” 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

  • Sailors used to tell stories of the giant squid “chasing sailing ships. They said it could stretch its arms around a ship. Then it could pull the ship down into the sea.” 
  • In the 1930’s, a magazine reported “that a giant squid attacked an oil freighter.”  
  • Another story tells of a squid that “tried to wrap its arms around a freighter . . . The squid slid off. It was killed by the ship’s propellers.”  
  • Sailors said that “a giant squid pulled a man overboard. He was never seen again.”  
  • The giant squid eats fish by holding “the fish with its arms. . . The teeth sink into the fish.” 

Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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Vivi Loves Science: Sink or Float

Vivi loves science—and experimenting! In this I Can Read Level 3 title, Vivi and her classmates visit an aquarium and learn about the creatures living in the big display tank. Why do some fish swim while others bury themselves in the sand? Vivi will have to experiment to find out! 

Sink or Float explores swimming, sinking, floating, and density. During the school field trip, readers will learn fun facts about the fish Vivi sees at the aquarium. When Vivi wonders why fish float, Dr. Fisher explains why some things float and others do not. The concepts of sinking and floating are explained in easy-to-read text. In addition, Dr. Fisher draws a diagram and Vivi and her class complete an experiment that explains the concepts further. Bright illustrations accompany the text, giving readers another way to understand the concepts. After reading Sink or Float, readers will be eager to try the experiment included in the book. 

As part of the I Can Read Level 3 Series, Sink or Float has challenging vocabulary and a complex plot that will engage independent readers. Each page has brightly colored illustrations that showcase a diverse group of children and includes two to four sentences of text. Sink or Float will appeal to readers who love science as well as those who love fish. The conclusion includes of list of Vivi’s questions about fish. For example, Vivi wonders: “Do fish get sunburned? Is a seahorse a fish?” Dr. Fisher answers all of Vivi’s questions.  

Introduce your child to science by having them read Sink or Float. Vivi’s love of all things related to fish is apparent. Plus, Dr. Fisher, a marine biologist, plays a prominent role in the story, which shows readers that girls can love science. With an engaging plot, fun illustrations, and a scientific lesson, Sink or Float is the perfect book to add to your child’s reading list. To introduce more scientific topics to your young reader, add these books to your reading list too: Charlotte the Scientist is Squished by Camille Andros, Jada Jones Sleepover Scientist by Kelly Starling Lyons, and Otters Love to Play by Jonathan London. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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Hungry, Hungry Sharks

Did you know that there were sharks on Earth even before dinosaurs? Nothing is more exciting than sharks, and this story is packed with amazing facts about these fearsome undersea predators. And now it’s even more exciting, with dynamic new cover art to attract a whole new generation of early readers. 

Hungry, Hungry Sharks is full of interesting facts about different types of sharks—small ones and gigantic ones, fierce ones and gentle ones. Readers will also learn how shark babies are born and “as soon as they are born the pups go their own way.” Baby sharks feed on fish and crabs but must “watch out for puffer fish. The puffer fish can blow up like a balloon. If a shark eats it, its spines get stuck in the shark’s throat. The shark will die.” The book also includes sharks’ eating habits and the strange items that have been found in a shark’s stomach. Plus, readers will learn why humans are a danger to sharks. 

Hungry, Hungry Sharks is part of the Step into Reading Level Three Series, which targets readers in first grade through third grade. Step Three books are both longer and slightly more difficult than Step Two books. Each page has two to eight sentences and a large illustration. This level includes more challenging vocabulary and concepts, though the meanings are made clear through context and illustrations.  

Anyone who loves sharks will want to read Hungry, Hungry Sharks because of the pictures of different types of sharks and the interesting facts. While some children may be afraid of sharks, the book shows how humans are more dangerous to sharks than sharks are to humans. Readers who can’t get enough of sharks should also read, Ultimate Shark Rumble: Who Would Win? by Jerry Pallotta and The Great Shark Escape by Jennifer Johnston. However, if you’d like a story with a gentler shark, dip into the sea with these picture books: Clark the Shark by Bruce Hale and Shawn Loves Sharks by Curtis Manley. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

  • A group of blue sharks smell blood and “they find a dead whale. The blue sharks tear off big chunks of whale meat. Now the water is full of biting sharks. If one shark gets hurt, the others turn on it. They will eat that shark too.”  
  • A hammerhead shark swims towards a group of dolphins and tries to “catch one of the young dolphins. . . the dolphins fight back. One dolphin dives under the water. It comes up and hits the hammerhead. The shark flies up in the air. It falls back on the water.” The dolphins hit the shark until it died.   

Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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Mia Mayhem Rides the Waves

Mia goes on a super surfing family vacation, but her fun is interrupted when the tide goes out and leaves a trail of trash. Mia is afraid that the seagulls and other animals will mistake the trash for food. But this time, she can’t use her super-hero powers to solve the problem. Can Mia come up with a solution to save the beach? 

When it comes to cleaning the beach, Mia tries to get the seagulls to help pick up the trash. The seagulls add humor to the story, especially since “seagulls are not easy to talk to—at all.” In the end, Mia’s father uses his animal-talking skills to communicate with the seagulls. The seagulls pitch in and begin picking up trash which allows Mia and her family to clean the beach much faster. 

Mia is upset that her family vacation doesn’t go according to plan. However, her dad reminds Mia that “unexpected things happen all the time.” At one point, Mia gets discouraged that her animal-talking and surfing skills aren’t as good as her dad’s. However, with her mother’s help, Mia realizes that when it comes to any new skill you have to practice and fail as part of the learning process. 

In the eleventh adventure of the Mia Mayhem chapter book series, Mia reminds readers of her superpowers. For example, Mia thinks, “Ever since I got my superpowers, my five senses have sharpened. And I have to say, in times like this, super-hearing comes in handy. But it’s not so much fun in the bathroom at school, if you know what I mean. Pee-Yew!” The constant reminders of Mia’s superpowers slow the story’s action since she only uses one power—talking to the seagulls. 

Young readers will enjoy the book’s format, which has oversized text and black-and-white illustrations on every page. The large illustrations are often humorous, and they help readers follow the story’s plot. Mia Mayhem Rides the Waves has an easy-to-understand plot that is perfect for emerging readers. However, some important facts are left out of the story, which could cause confusion. For example, Mia’s father makes everyone on the beach freeze and then immediately unfreeze. Readers are left wondering what happened when the people were frozen. 

Mia Mayhem Rides the Waves will appeal to readers who have already been introduced to the series. Readers who are unfamiliar with the Mia Mayhem Series should start with book one in the series. Unfortunately, Mia Mayhem Rides the Waves has several plot points that need to be explored in more depth. Despite this, readers will appreciate Mia’s love of the ocean and her desire to help the sea animals.  

The story ends on a positive note that shows that anyone can make a positive impact. Mia reflects, “But here’s what this trip taught me: You don’t have to be an actual superhero to be a hero—sometimes being a hero is being responsible for yourself and doing the right thing. Whether that’s taking care of your beach, your neighborhood, or your school.”  

Adults who want to reinforce the importance of keeping the ocean clean should pair Mia Mayhem Rides the Waves with the picture book Rocket Says Clean Up! By Nathan Bryon. For a fiction story that is filled with fun facts, The Secret Explorers and the Lost Whales by SJ King would be another wonderful addition to your reading list. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • The seagulls start “acting out. They were knocking down castles, umbrellas, and chairs, and even scaring some of the other kids!” Mia’s father orders everyone to freeze and they literally become frozen in time.  
  • One picture shows how the trash hurts sea animals. 

Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

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Supernatural 

  • Mia has superhero powers such as super-hearing, super-strength, and being able to talk to animals. Mia can also fly. 
  • Mia’s father uses his animal-talking superpower to talk to the seagulls.  

Spiritual Content  

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The Mermaid with No Tail

Paralympic champion swimmer and gold medalist Jessica Long celebrates the importance of dreaming big and the power of being different in The Mermaid with No Tail. As a baby, Jessica was adopted from a Russian orphanage. Her legs were amputated below the knee when she was 18 months old. Despite this, Jessica has become a world-class swimmer and one of the most decorated athletes of all time.

Dive into this illustrated picture book based on Jessica’s story, where Tatiana, a mermaid with no tail, decides she wants to compete in the Mermaid Games. The other mermaids make fun of her for being different. But her adoptive turtle parents are supportive and encouraging, and her shark coach, Phelpsy, teaches her to swim using her arms instead. Tatiana trains hard, maintains a good attitude, and eventually wins the games. 

Young readers will fall in love with Tatiana, who enjoys watching the mermaids swim in the Mermaid Games. The other mermaids tell Tatiana that she can never compete in the Mermaid Games. When the other mermaids are mean to her, Tatiana thinks, “I wish my tail could grow back like starfish arms do when they break off.” However, with her parents’ support, Tatiana and her fish friends go in search of a coach and find Phelpsy, who tells her, “Think about what you do have instead of worrying about what you don’t have.” Readers will cheer for Tatiana as she races the other mermaids and smiles when Tatiana earns her first-place medal. 

The heartwarming story is paired with adorable illustrations that bring Tatiana’s ocean world alive. The mermaid’s bright colors are contrasted with the soft blues of the sea. The sea life is captivating and readers will fall in love with Tatiana’s fish friends and her coach, a shark who wears glasses and a whistle. Even though Tatiana is different than the other mermaids, her self-confidence as she swims is apparent. While most of the pictures focus on Tatiana, the other mermaids’ skin tones are varied.  

The Mermaid with No Tail is a must-read because it teaches that “the thing that makes you different is your greatest gift.” Instead of allowing her missing tail to slow her down, Tatiana’s determination allows her to win the Mermaid Games. Young readers will not only enjoy reading the story again and again, but they will also want to spend time looking at the fun illustrations. Tatiana’s story will inspire readers and help them appreciate how they are different than others. Mermaid-loving readers can learn more positive life lessons by reading Camille’s Mermaid Tale by Valerie Tripp and the Purrmaids Series by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code

Meet Grace Hopper: the woman who revolutionized computer coding. An ace inventor, groundbreaker, and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, she coined the term “computer bug” and developed the program that taught computers to recognize words rather than just endless 0’s and 1’s. Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code tells the inspirational story of this brilliant woman who had a passion for science and math, and held a firm belief that new solutions to problems are never found by those who said, “We’ve always done it this way.”  

As a child, Grace loved to take apart gadgets and learn how they worked. “When Grace’s mother discovered the many jumbles of clock parts scattered around the house, all she could do was laugh. After all, Grace was just being Grace.” With her mother’s encouragement, Grace went to Vassar College and studied math and physics instead of “Husbands and Wives” and “Motherhood.” Grace eventually went to work for the military and her brilliant mind made groundbreaking advancements in computer coding. Her life’s work is not only motivational but highlights the importance of exploring questions.  

Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code has cartoon-style illustrations that are full of color and interesting details. Many of the pages have a large quote and a graphic element. For example, one quote says: “Faithfulness in all things. My motto is you see: The world will be a better place when all agree with me.” Even though Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code is a picture book, young readers may have a difficult time sitting through a single reading of the book. Each page has three to six sentences and many of them are complex. In addition, the book uses advanced vocabulary that may need to be explained to younger readers. 

Using a motivational tone, Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code will inspire readers to delve into something they love. Grace didn’t allow society to dictate who she could become. Instead, she followed her heart, which allowed her to make a difference in the world. Her story also imparts important advice such as allowing your brain to consider new ideas, and how unconventional thinking is key to solving problems. While Grace was an amazing woman, she was not perfect. In fact, because she failed Latin class, Grace had to watch “her schoolmates as they left for college without her.” 

Grace’s curiosity and quirky behavior will draw readers into the biography, while her dedication and innovation will motivate readers to question their world—and find solutions in unexpected places. Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code is a must-read for anyone interested in computers and coding. However, everyone can benefit from reading about Grace’s extraordinary life.   

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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The Greedy Gremlin

Eight-year-old Violet and her new fairy friend Sprite are ready to send more pixies back to the Otherworld! When a tricky fairy named Jolt traps Violet’s cousin, Leon, inside a video game, things get dangerous. And while Violet and Sprite try to trick Jolt, another fairy named Spoiler gets in their way. Will Leon be trapped in the video game forever? 

Jolt is a mean gremlin who enjoys causing trouble. When Sprite first confronts Jolt, the gremlin isn’t afraid because “Sprite is the worst Pixie Tricker in the Otherworld. He failed all of his classes.” Despite learning this, Violet still has confidence in Sprite’s abilities. However, the only way to send Jolt back to the Otherworld is to make him read a book.  

When all of the main characters — Jolt, Sprite, Leon, and Violet — are transported into the video game, Jolt gets stuck in a maze. Leon hands Jolt the video game guidebook to try to help him, but when the gremlin starts to read it he magically gets sent home. In the end, Leon unknowingly “tricks” Jolt, while Sprite and Violet do little to send the gremlin back to the Otherworld.   

The story uses easy-to-read text and a fast-paced plot with lots of fairy mischief. Black and white illustrations appear on every page, which will help readers visualize the characters and understand the plot. While the gremlin looks and acts mean, he isn’t portrayed in a scary manner. The gremlin’s bad behavior adds conflict and suspense to the story and readers will cheer when the gremlin is finally sent back to the Otherworld.  

Violet’s cousin, Leon, plays a large role in The Greedy Gremlin. However, like the gremlin, Leon is mean. Violet even admits that she doesn’t like spending time with Leon. When Leon is put in the video game, Violet says, “I don’t always get along with Leon, but he’s family. And families stick together.” In the end, Leon’s bratty behavior makes him an unlikable addition to the cast of characters. Despite this, readers will sympathize with Leon’s conflict and cheer when he defeats Jolt. 

Even though The Greedy Gremlin’s plot is not unique, the story will entertain readers with fairy mischief. Violet is a likable character who encourages Sprite when he doubts himself. While neither Violet nor Sprite are responsible for tricking Jolt, they bravely follow Jolt into the video game so they can help Leon. The ending will leave readers wondering which fairy will be causing problems in the next book, The Pet Store Sprite. Readers who like Pixie Tricks can follow another brave protagonist by reading The Last Firehawk Series by Katrina Charman.  

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • Jolt, a gremlin, is playing a video game. “Violet reached out to take the controller from Jolt. . . A tiny electric shock stung her hand.”  
  • While in the video game, Leon “almost got flattened by giant boulders. And bitten by snakes. And drowned in quicksand.” 

Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

  • Jolt says drat twice. 

Supernatural 

  • The gremlin Jolt comes into the human world. Jolt “had blue skin, and his blue eyes were streaked with red . . . His silvery hair stuck straight up on top of his head.” Gremlins “love to mess up games and gadgets that use electricity.”  
  • When Violet’s cousin Leon won’t stop playing video games, Jolt gets angry and sends Leon into the video games. Later, Jolt also jumps into the video game.  
  • Sprite uses pixie dust to take himself and Violet into the video game. When Violet goes into the game, “She felt weird. Like she was flat.”  
  • While in the video game, Jolt gets stuck in a maze. To help Jolt, Leon gives Jolt “a small book: Action Kingdom Guide. . . The greedy gremlin flipped through the guide. . . Then he stopped. A strange wind started to whip around the gremlin.” Jolt disappears and the kids return to their world. 
  • Sprite uses pixie dust to transport himself and Violet to other places. When Sprite puts pixie dust on Violet, her “skin tingled. . . Rainbow light sparkled all around then. Then the light faded. Violet blinked” and is in a new location. 
  • While at the library, Violet collects books to take home. One of the books begins floating and “landed on the roof of the library!” More books fly out of Violet’s hands. Then a fairy named Spoiler appears. To get rid of Spoiler, Sprite tells Violet to “say Spoiler’s name backward with me three times. It won’t trick her. But it will get rid of her for now.”

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

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

When James Naismith takes over as the new teacher of a rowdy gym class, he quickly realizes that he needs a new strategy to handle the energetic group of boys. Forced to find a game with less physical contact and more skill, Naismith develops his own game with a soccer ball and two peach baskets. Naismith introduces the new game of basketball to the gym class, but he worries that the boys won’t accept it. Will basketball become the next exciting thing or yet another failed sport for Naismith?  

Set in 1891, the story follows James Naismith and his journey to invent the game of basketball. Naismith is portrayed as a thick-skinned, determined protagonist whose many failures to find the right sport for his gym class only push him to continue to try new things. Naismith’s fortitude and willingness to never give are very admirable, and his determination to succeed will inspire others.  

The story presents an enjoyable account of the real-life invention of basketball, and the plot details the creation, the execution, and the impact of basketball in a clear, fluid manner. From the start, the book is filled with energy and excitement, and the progressing storyline only enhances the appeal of basketball for both young and old readers. While the historical accuracy may be overly simplified, the story’s core is its main lesson of never giving up. Even when Naismith “felt like giving up” because of repeated failures, he remained motivated and “stayed up late thinking about the new game.” 

The book highlights the historical components of the story with colorful, page-full illustrations that enhance the plot and keep readers invested with a unique, watercolor art style. Even though Hoop Genius is a picture book, the story is intended to be read aloud to a child, rather than for the child to read it for the first time independently. Each page features a short paragraph of text, but the advanced vocabulary will be challenging for younger readers. Nonetheless, older readers will still enjoy the book’s simplicity and illustrations. At the end of the book, an Author’s Note and a historical document about the early rules of basketball also provide an in-depth look at the real-life details of basketball. Overall, Hoop Genius is an entertaining yet informative tale about the creation of basketball that basketball fans won’t want to miss. To learn more fun facts about basketball add Swish!: The Slam-Dunking, Alley-Ooping, High-Flying Harlem Globetrotters by Suzanne Slade to your reading list. 

Sexual Content 

  • None 

Violence 

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol 

  • None 

Language 

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None

Spiritual Content 

  • None 

Sticks and Stones

From renowned author and illustrator, Patricia Polacco, comes a touching true story about her first year in a new elementary school. This was an exciting opportunity for Patricia at the time. She was unpopular at her previous school, and her then-undiagnosed dyslexia made it difficult for her to participate in assigned readings. Patricia hopes that this school will be a needed change.   

However, on the morning of her first day, Patricia wakes up with red rashes all over her face. She is quickly teased by the school’s bullies, who laugh at her and call her “cootie.” Patricia fears that this school will be another disaster until she is greeted by two classmates, Thom and Ravanne. These two are fellow targets of bullying, but they have formed a close and supportive friendship to help them through their conflict. Although this new school has bullies, Patricia finds herself with the two closest friends she has ever made. 

Sticks and Stones is a heartfelt story about the importance of embracing your differences. Although Patricia, Thom, and Ravanne are relentlessly teased for their differences, the trio support and encourage each other’s unique interests and talents. Thom is a gifted ballet dancer, but he keeps his passion a secret. With the support of Patricia and Ravanne, Thom works up the courage to perform a graceful dance at the school talent show, leaving even his fiercest bullies speechless. Likewise, Ravanne possesses an extraordinary talent for textile design. She wows her friends with beautiful kites and Halloween costumes. Although initially shy about her talent, the support of Patricia and Thom encourages Ravanne to find a dressmaking apprenticeship by the end of the school year. 

Polacco brings her story to life with beautiful, hand-drawn illustrations that utilize a wide range of colors. For example, Ravanne’s kites are painted in vibrant, watercolor shades while Thom’s dance is drawn with a completely black background, leaving only Thom standing in the spotlight. While these illustrations help readers navigate the story, the book’s narration is particularly wordy, with some pages featuring up to 20 sentences of small text.  

If your reader is worried about making friends at a new school, Sticks and Stones is a memorable story that shows how being yourself will bring the best and truest friendships. To teach more about bullies, pair Stick and Stones with The Pout-Pout Fish and the Bully-Bully Shark by Deborah Diesen, Clovis Keeps His Cool by Katelyn Aronson, and Not Quite Snow White by Ashley Franklin. 

Sexual Content 

  • None 

Violence 

  • The trio’s bully, Billy, pushes Thom to the ground “so hard his glasses flew off.” 

Drugs and Alcohol 

  • None  

Language 

  • Patricia, Thom, and Ravanne are called several names throughout the book, including sissy boy, cootie, her ugliness, and priss. 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content 

  • None 

Jasmine Toguchi, Super Sleuth

It’s a big weekend for Jasmine Toguchi! She’s excited to celebrate Girl’s Day—a Japanese holiday honoring women and girls—with her sister, mother, and best friend, Linnie.  

On Friday after school, Linnie comes over to plan their outfits for the Girl’s Day celebrations, and Jasmine’s neighbor, Mrs. Reese, lets them search through her old clothes for the perfect accessories. But the clothes are in her dark garage, which is kind of scary. And then Linnie decides to go home early, which is kind of weird. Plus Jasmine’s big sister, Sophie, doesn’t seem to want to join in the Girl’s Day fun this year, which is kind of confusing. WHAT is going on?

As her big weekend plans start to unravel, Jasmine must use her sleuthing skills to spot the clues around her. Then maybe, just maybe, she can put everything back in order before Girl’s Day is over! 

Jasmine Toguchi, Super Sleuth explores the topic of friendship with a relatable conflict between Jasmine and her best friend, Linnie. Jasmine and Linne play dress-up at their neighbor Mrs. Reese’s house. Afterward, they do not have time to properly clean up. Jasmine tells Mrs. Reese that it was Linnie’s fault that the clothes weren’t put away right. This upsets Linnie, who then tells Jasmine’s mom that she wants to go home. When Linnie explains why she is upset, Jasmine thinks, “Linnie was snitching on me! She was not a good friend at all.”  

After Linnie goes home, Jasmine “was afraid Linnie would be mad at me forever. I was afraid she would not be my friend anymore. I needed to make things right.” Jasmine realizes that even though she tries to be a super sleuth, she “missed some important clues” that prove Linnie is a super friend. In the end, even though it’s difficult, Jasmine apologizes and the friendship is repaired.  

The story is accessible to fluent readers who are ready for a book with multiple plots. Black and white illustrations appear every two to three pages and show Jasmine’s daily life. Many of the illustrations show the characters’ facial expressions, which will help readers understand the characters’ emotions. Another positive aspect of the story is that difficult words are explained within the text. For example, Jasmine’s teacher asks the class what a detective is. Jasmine answers, “A detective is someone who solves mysteries by using clues. Another word for detective is sleuth.”  

Even though Jasmine Toguchi is a series, the books do not need to be read in order because each book focuses on a new storyline. And for even more fun, the back of the book has directions on how to make origami paper dolls. 

Young readers will enjoy the engaging plot of Jasmine Toguchi, Super Sleuth. With relatable conflicts, positive adult role models, and a kind protagonist, Jasmine Toguchi, Super Sleuth will please young readers and their parents. One of the best aspects of the story is how Jasmine uses her powers of observation to solve a mystery and understand others. In addition, the story has positive life lessons about friendship, communication, and dealing with changes. Jasmine’s mom says, ”Change doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Growing up. . . is a part of life. Just make sure you’re doing things because you want to, not because of what others might think.” Jasmine Toguchi, Super Sleuth will appeal to many readers, especially those who love to imagine themselves as super sleuths. For another educational and entertaining mystery, check out King & Kayla and the Case of the Secret Code by Dori Hillestad Butler. 

Sexual Content  

  • None

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • Jasmine’s friend, Linnie, celebrates Hanukkah. However, the holiday is not described. 

Hot Rod Hamster

At noon at Four Paws Speedway, there will be a hot rod race. Gruff dogs in large, flame-painted cars will compete for first prize. Joining them on the finish line will be a racer who, despite his tiny size, stands out among the others. It is this little hamster’s dream to win the race. However, if he is going to stand a chance against his competitors, he will need to build a hot rod that is faster than all of his competitors. The morning of the race, Hamster visits his friend Dog, who lives in a junkyard full of car parts. With Hamster’s customization and Dog’s mechanical skills, the two build a hot rod capable of winning the race.  

Hot Rod Hamster presents young readers with a fun and light-hearted story that shows the importance of following your passion. Hamster’s competitors say he is too small to win the race. Despite this, with the support of his friends, Hamster listens to his heart and takes a risk that pays off. While the story is enjoyable on its own, it is Lord’s narration that makes the book truly unique. A former elementary school teacher, Lord employs a rhyming scheme that makes the process of reading fun for young readers. With each car part Hamster chooses, Lord asks the reader which choice they would make. For example, when Hamster decides on the model of his hot rod, Lord narrates, “Old car, new car, shiny painted blue car, rust car, clean car, itty-bitty green car. Which would you choose?” This allows the reader to feel like an active part of the book. Along with this, each page contains only one to five simple sentences. 

Derek Anderson, a prolific illustrator of children’s books, draws the pictures. If Hamster’s unwavering passion and determination are not enough to attach readers to the character, they are sure to be won over by Anderson’s cute and fluffy portrayal of the book’s protagonist. Anderson’s effort and attention to detail are apparent on each page. For example, Dog’s junkyard is filled with shiny engines, rusty cars, and cracked windshields, while each car in the climactic race is painted with vivid and eye-catching colors. 

Hot Rod Hamster is an entertaining book that moves along at a fittingly quick pace. If you are looking for a quick and charming story that your young reader will have fun reading, Hot Rod Hamster will not disappoint. Young readers who love trucks can meet more loveable trucks by reading Bulldozer Helps Out by Candace Fleming and Go, Go, Trucks! by Jennifer Liberts. 

 Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

Digger the Dinosaur

Digger wants to play baseball with his friends, but he isn’t allowed to go out until he’s cleaned his room. Digger starts cleaning at top speed, but the faster he moves the messier his room gets. His big tail and big feet aren’t helping! Will Digger win the race to tidy his room and get to the game on time? 

As part of the My First I Can Read Series, Digger the Dinosaur is perfect for emergent readers. The story uses basic language, word repetition, sight words, and full-page illustrations. Each page has one to three simple sentences. To add humor, on most of the pages Digger misunderstands what someone is saying because of rhyming words. For example, Stego tells Digger to “put your coat on the hook.” However, Digger thinks Stego said “book.” These silly misunderstandings add suspense as well as make the story fun to read.  

A full-color illustration covers every page. The illustrations use dark blues and reds, but Digger appears in green. Readers will enjoy the simple illustrations that show Digger and his friend cleaning Digger’s bedroom which has many of the same items that you would find in a human home—coats, hats, and cats. 

Digger the Dinosaur will appeal to young readers who love dinosaurs. The story teaches the importance of cleaning up your mess. As part of the My First I Can Read Series, the story will help build reading confidence in emergent readers. Adults who want to encourage children to read should add Haggis and Tank Unleashed: Digging for Dinos by Jessica Young and Danny and the Dinosaur in the Big City by Syd Hoff to their reading list. 

 Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

The Library Fish

It seemed like an ordinary day until Mr. Hughes the librarian found a fishbowl on the library steps. Mr. Hughes didn’t hesitate. He welcomed the fish into the children’s room, gave her a home in his world of books and stories, and named her Library Fish. 

Then one morning, when a snowstorm closes the library, the Library Fish decides today is the day she will leave her fishbowl and see the library and its stories up close—at last!

The Library Fish’s title doesn’t capture the imagination and fun that is hidden in the pages of this book. From Library Fish’s point of view, young readers are introduced to children enjoying the library. As Mr. Hughes reads to a group of diverse children, Library Fish imagines herself in the pages of books. The illustrations perfectly capture Library Fish meeting a superhero, going to a distant planet, and having other adventures. One page shows that everyone can find a book since there are books about poetry, meerkats, puppies, graphic novels, and even books in Spanish.  

While Library Fish loves it when the library is full of children, a snowstorm allows her to explore the library on her own. But first, Library Fish needs to find a way out of her fishbowl. After several failed attempts, Library Fish uses a story for inspiration and finally is able to “blast off” like a rocket ship. Readers will cheer when Library Fish can explore the library, but the best part is the magic that happens when Library Fish shares a story with a friend. 

Even though The Library Fish is a picture book, the story is intended to be read aloud to a child, rather than for the child to read it for the first time independently. While some pages have no words, other pages have up to seven sentences. Most of the words appear in blocks of text, but when someone is speaking the text appears in quote boxes. Most of the story focuses on Library Fish, but the illustrations also showcase a diverse cast of people with different skin tones, and one child is in a wheelchair.  

The Library Fish shows readers the magic that is hidden inside books. The book’s theme highlights the importance of books and the vast range of topics that children can read about. The colorful illustrations are beautiful and full of small details that will captivate readers. If you’re looking for a book that will show readers the wonders that can be found in the library, then The Library Fish is the perfect book for you. Add another imaginative book that revolves around the library by also reading Bunny’s Book Club by Annie Silvestro.  

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

The Hall of Fame Heist

Third-grade twins Zach and Zoe are huge baseball fans. When their class visits Middletown’s town hall to see a pop-up museum by The National Baseball Hall of Fame, they can’t wait to see all the famous cards, gloves, and jerseys. They especially want to see Hank Aaron’s signed baseball—the one he supposedly hit over the fence at Middletown Park. However, when they reach the Hank Aaron exhibit, they notice that the baseball is gone! And nobody knows where it went! Can Zach and Zoe use their detective skills and solve this mystery before The National Baseball Hall of Fame leaves Middletown? 

Zach and Zoe are the exciting young protagonists of the story. Their kind personalities and determination to do what’s right make them commendable characters. More importantly, their excitement and curiosity about the missing baseball highlight the story’s lesson of working together to solve big problems. Although the twins discover many clues about the mystery, Zach acknowledges that they can’t solve everything and that “there’s somebody here who might be the best problem-solver in the world . . . our mom!”  

The Hall of Fame Heist includes several illustrations peppered throughout the short chapters. The pictures typically show the twins and a critical moment in the plot, which helps younger readers easily grasp the story’s progression. Alongside the mystery, the story also gives an impressive amount of baseball history, especially on certain players like Hank Aaron and Jackie Robinson. While some of these facts can be too technical for beginner readers, they allow them to learn more about baseball and appreciate its history. 

However, due to the book’s simple characters and plain vocabulary, older readers may quickly grow bored with its straightforward plot. More importantly, certain readers may become frustrated at the fractured nature of the story due to constant jumping between the main mystery and unnecessary moments. As a result, The Hall Of Fame Heist will mostly appeal to a younger audience as it offers a somewhat engaging story about a baseball mystery. Thanks to its positive message about teamwork and authentic facts about baseball history, this story will appeal to beginning readers who love sports.  

Sexual Content 

  • None 

Violence 

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol 

  • None 

Language 

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content 

  • None 

Dirt on Their Skirts: The Story of the Young Women who Won the World Championship

You had to be really, really good to play in the 1946 championship game between the Racine Belles and the Rockford Peaches. Sitting in the stands, Margaret thrills to every crack of the bat. Someday she hopes to join her heroes like Sophie “the Flash” Kurys and Betty “Moe” Trezza. As the ball hurtles toward the plate, Margaret can almost feel what it would be like to be in that batter’s position, arms tensed, bat held high. 

As we see this historic game in the annals of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League through the eyes of a fictional young girl, Dirt on Their Skirts is a potent reminder that women athletes have inspired young fans throughout the twentieth century. Based on written accounts and on the memories of the players themselves, this exciting story is for all those sandlot sluggers whose hearts beat a little faster whenever they hear the words, “Play ball!”  

Dirt on Their Skirts is told from the perspective of Margaret, a young girl who loves baseball. Readers will feel Margaret’s excitement when she and her family go to the World Championship baseball game. Readers will learn about some players in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. However, most of the book recounts the exciting World Championship game. Readers will get caught up in the play-by-play action, hold their breath wondering if someone will score, and cheer when the players make a great play.  

The book’s illustrations add to the game’s excitement because they focus on the players in action. The water-color illustrations focus on the baseball game as well as Margaret’s family during the game. This allows readers to see the determination on the players’ faces as well as the excitement of the crowd. Some of the pages are text-heavy and include four to nine sentences. Despite this, readers will get so caught up in the game, that they will want to finish the book in one sitting. However, readers who are unfamiliar with baseball may need help understanding the baseball terminology. 

Even though Dirt on Their Skirts is a picture book, the story is intended to be read aloud to a child, rather than for the child to read it for the first time independently. In addition, since Dirt on Their Skirts focuses solely on baseball, readers who are not already familiar with the game may need help understanding some of the baseball lingo. However, the book highlights the accomplishments of women in history and will leave readers believing that they too can achieve their dreams.  

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

A Batboy’s Day

Follow an Anaheim Angels batboy as he goes through his routine of helping players and umpires before, during, and after a game. Readers will discover all of Michael Martinez’s batboy duties and learn why he shows up about six hours before the game. When the game starts, Martinez works hard to help the players. It’s not an easy job, but it’s full of fun! 

Young readers interested in baseball will find Martinez’s job interesting. They will see how the work is difficult but rewarding. Martinez gets to see many “exciting baseball moments” and many of the players are his friends. The book ends with one page explaining how to become a batboy (or batgirl); this page encourages readers to write a letter to a baseball team asking how they can help the team.  

As part of DK Readers: Level 2, A Batboy’s Day is written for readers who are beginning to read alone. The book includes a simple index and a few informational boxes full of fun facts. Each page has two to seven sentences written using longer sentence structure and increased vocabulary. Each page also includes one to two large pictures that show Martinez and some of the players in action.  

A Batboy’s Day may surprise readers because it shows how many tasks a batboy does on game day. While Martinez works hard, it is also fun. Since the book’s only focus is baseball, A Batboy’s Day is best suited for readers who love baseball. Young baseball fans will also enjoy the Little Rhino Series by Ryan Howard & Krystle Howard. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

The Unwilling Umpire

U is for Umpire . . . Play ball! While the whole town of Green Lawn is watching the women take on the men in a charity baseball game, Mr. Pocket’s prized baseball collection is stolen! The police suspect the umpire of foul play. Can Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose prove his innocence . . . or will they strike out? 

Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose step up to bat in order to help out Pete, even though they don’t know him. The kids use their powers of observation as well as the library to put the pieces of the mystery together. The simple plot is fast-paced and contains enough suspense and mystery to keep readers interested. The three friends focus on the facts and seek adult help when needed. When the kids believe they’ve found the real thief, they take the information to the police, who are able to arrest the villain. 

Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose are likable characters with curious minds and polite manners. When the three friends discover Pete has a brother named Buddy, the kids don’t judge Buddy because of his bad behavior. Instead, they jump in to help Buddy. In the end, the kids prove Pete’s innocence and other people also jump in to help Buddy and Pete. Even though both Buddy and Pete make mistakes, they eventually tell the truth which allows the town to give them a second chance.  

The Unwilling Umpire uses short chapters and easy vocabulary that will appeal to independent readers. Large illustrations appear every three to seven pages. The illustrations will help readers visualize the characters and understand the plot. With 18 books in the series, readers can pick and choose the topics that most interest them. Each book focuses on a new mystery so the books can be read in any order. 

The Unwilling Umpire highlights the importance of having a community that helps each other. The story also shows that “lying is wrong, even if it’s done to protect someone else.” The Unwilling Umpire’s fast-paced plot will appeal to baseball and mystery fans alike. For another mystery that hits it out of the park, check out The Ballgame With No One At Bat by Steve Brezenoff. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • Someone smashes a glass case in order to steal the baseballs inside. When the case is smashed, there’s glass all over the floor. 
  • Pete and his brother live together “because our folks died in a car crash a few years ago.” 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • The umpire leaves the field to get his allergy medication. 

Language  

  • Darn and heck are each used several times. 
  • Exclamations such as gee and gosh are used several times. 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

Mighty Jackie: The Strike-Out Queen

For as long as she could remember, Jackie Mitchell’s father had told Jackie she could be good at whatever she wanted, as long as she worked at it. Jackie worked at baseball. She worked hard. And before long, Jackie could outplay anyone in her neighborhood—even the boys.

She had one pitch—a wicked, dropping curve ball. But no seventeen-year-old girl could pitch against Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. It was unthinkable. Then on April 2, 1931, the New York Yankees stopped in Tennessee for an exhibition game against the Chattanooga Lookouts. And on that day Jackie Mitchell made baseball history.  

Take a step back into history to learn more about the only woman to ever pitch in a major league game. Jackie’s story comes to life in full color illustrations as well as engaging text. The illustrations use natural colors and historical details that show Jackie in action. In addition, some of the illustrations show Babe Ruth’s and the crowd’s reactions to Jackie’s pitching—first came sneers and laughter; then came surprise and outrage. Babe Ruth and others thought that women were “too delicate” to play baseball. Babe said, “It would kill them to play ball every day.” Unfortunately, after Jackie’s historic game against the Yankees, the baseball commissioner banned women from playing in the major and minor leagues. While Jackie never realized her dream of playing in the World Series, readers will appreciate her tenacity and her skills. 

Even though Mighty Jackie is a picture book, the story is intended to be read aloud to a child, rather than for the child to read it for the first time independently. The book uses complex sentences and difficult vocabulary. However, the text’s dialogue and baseball action break up the historical information allowing the plot to move at a fast pace. When Jackie throws a strike, the words are printed in larger, fun font to highlight her achievement.  

Mighty Jackie’s story will inspire ballplayers as it shines a light on the true story of Jackie Mitchell. The Strike-Out Queen proves that women can achieve any goal if they work hard. Older readers will appreciate Jackie’s bravery and how she refused to let society define her. To learn more about historic women who overcame obstacles to achieve their dreams read She Persisted in Sports by Chelsea Clinton and Miss Mary Reporting by Sue Macy. 

 Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • When Jackie played a game for the Chattanooga Lookouts, “a reporter wrote that you might as well have ‘a trained seal behind the plate’ as have a woman standing there.” 
  • When Jackie pitched against Babe Ruth, her first two pitches were balls. “The crowd was hooting and jeering. Babe was snickering with them.”  
  • When Jackie struck out Babe Ruth, he “glared at the umpire and threw the bat down in disgust.”  

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

Derek Jeter: Yankee Great

Playmakers introduces young readers to their current heroes on and off the field. Derek Jeter: Yankee Great summarizes Derek Jeter’s life and career to date and draws attention to accomplishments beyond his athletic skill as well as career highlights thus far. 

Derek Jeter: Yankee Great begins by showing how Derek broke Lou Gehrig’s hitting record and became one of the Yankees’ starting shortstops. While the story focuses on Derek’s baseball skills, it also showcases Derek’s positive attitude. For example, the Yankees’ owner said Derek has “got an infectious smile, and he’s so handsome and well-behaved. He’s just a fine young man who does everything right.”  

Derek’s dream of playing for the Yankees began when he was eight years old. However, his dream became true because he worked hard and set high expectations for himself. Derek said, “I think we should all set goals in life and set them high. I did that, and my parents encouraged me to do it, which is one of the main reasons I am where I am today,”  

The transition from high school to playing for the minor leagues was difficult for Derek. After games, he would “wind up crying in my hotel room night after night because I was playing so poorly.” Derek persevered and eventually was moved up to the major leagues, where he became team captain. Derek’s teammates respected him for his baseball skills as well as his positive attitude, his reliability, and his leadership.  

Most people know Derek as a great baseball player, but he “has become a hero for what he has done off the field.” Derek created the Turn 2 Foundation, which helps kids have healthy lifestyles. Derek believes that “If you have more than you need, share it with someone else.”  

Derek Jeter: Yankee Great allows readers to discover Derek’s baseball statistics as well as his depth of character. Because of his work ethic and positive attitude, Derek is an excellent role model who encourages readers to focus on their goals in order to make their dreams a reality. Derek shows how his dream came true, and this knowledge will help readers obtain their goals as well.  

Readers will appreciate the book’s easy-to-read format which includes oversized font, easy vocabulary, and short chapters. Each two-page spread has a large illustration of Derek in action as well as informative sidebars. In addition, the back of the book includes more fun facts and a one-page glossary. Derek Jeter: Yankee Great will be a hit with any reader who loves baseball. By learning more about Derek Jeter, young readers will be inspired to work hard in order to see their dreams become reality. Baseball fans who want to learn more about baseball superstars should also read Out of the Ballpark by Alex Rodriguez and Play Ball, Jackie! by Stephen Krensky. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

The Tiger Troubles

Someone is blackmailing the Detroit Tigers’ famous slugger, Tony! They’ve stolen his favorite trophy, and unless he fills a tiger-shaped bag with signed baseballs, he’ll never see the trophy again. Luckily, all-star sleuths Mike and Kate are ready to pounce on the case. Can they track down the thief in time to save Tony’s treasure? 

Mike and Kate are eager to explore the Detroit ballpark and find the many fun tigers throughout the park. When the kids see Tony hide a tiger stuffed animal, they can’t help but investigate. Soon, they’re on a mission to find and follow the tiger stuffed animal in the hopes that it will lead them to the blackmailer. While Mike and Kate investigate, they use their powers of observation and knowledge of the baseball park to find the blackmailer. 

Readers will love exploring the Detroit ballpark with Mike and Kate. The entertaining book is easy to read because it uses short sentences and dialogue to keep readers interested. Black-and-white illustrations appear every three to five pages. Most of the illustrations are a full page and they help readers visualize the characters and understand the plot. The book ends with “Dugout Notes” which define baseball sayings and give more information on the Detroit ballpark. Even though The Tiger Trouble is the eleventh book in the series, the books do not build on each other so they can be read out of order. 

Sports-loving readers will enjoy The Tiger Trouble because of the baseball-related mystery. When Mike and Katie discover the culprit, they learn that the person was blackmailing Tony in order to help others. However, Tony tells the blackmailer, “You meant well, but taking my trophy and blackmailing me is still wrong, even if you’re doing it for a good reason.” In the end, Tony Maloney forgives the blackmailer and comes up with a unique way to solve the problem. With its blend of mystery, baseball, and positive role models, the Ballpark Series hits it out of the park. Readers who want to explore other baseball-related books should check out The Zach and Zoe Mystery Series by Mike Lupica and The Ballgame with No One at Bat by Steve Brezenoff. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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