Game Changers : the Story of Venus and Serena Williams by Lesa Cline-Ransome. 2018

 A Reading Grand Slam

Inspiration Book:

Game changers : the story of Venus and Serena Williams by Cline-Ransome, Lesa; illustrated by Ransome, James 2018.  796.342; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.7. Shares the story of the sisters and tennis stars, including their special relationship as sisters and best friends, their constant training as children, and their incredible success in professional tennis.

Rationale: I love a book that I can share/use many ways with students. Game Changers is one of those books. These are a few ideas I have used to share Game Changers:

1. During March which is Women’s History Month, I use the book as a centerpiece for a biography study. I can then limit the study to women in sports or specifically women in tennis.

2. During Wimbledon in September, I simply make a display of books we have about famous tennis players.

3. In spring when our state holds high school tennis championships, I invite a local high school tennis star to talk about tennis, his/her experiences, and schedule a few simple classes. Of course, there is a book display.

4. But, the method of sharing that doesn’t require a specific time or season is a technique I use to encourage students to share books. This time the book is a tool for me to use to develop a skill, well actually a couple of skills--book sharing, summarizing, and main ideas.

There are a number of already prepared examples for sharing Game Changers. I have listed them in the Teacher Resource segment. One method is the book trailer, a second is a full or partial reading of the book, and a third is reader’s theater. I actually use all three in this lesson geared for grades 3-6.

Grades 3-6--A Reading Grand Slam

Introduction: I don’t like to use the words “book report” because I hear many groans and see few smiles. “Book Sharing” is a more positive term. To make book sharing even more positive, I give examples, allow some preparation time, limit the reading choices, and made a big event out of the actual sharing day(s). My middle grade teachers use the book sharing term, too, and we often cooperate during work and presentation times. A frequent mumble that I hear from teachers is that students just don’t understand summarizing and main ideas. This activity supports these reading comprehension efforts. This activity works best with a flexible schedule when the class can come to the library daily for about a week, and you and the teacher work as an instructional team. My students love the method of sharing described below and will ask whether they can prepare another script to share with another class or reading group.

Preparation: 

Gather as many easy individual and collected sports biographies available in your collection. Although this Inspiration Book is about the Williams sisters, be sure to collect more than sports biographies about women--your middle grade boys may rebel otherwise.

Decide whether you will read Game Changers to the class or whether you will use the video of Lesa Cline-Ransome reading the book.

Arrange for the technology needed for using the commercial products--projection and computer capabilities.

Make copies of the reader’s theater script from Texas librarians.

Gather tennis props--ball and racquet.

White board, Smart board, chalkboard, or chart paper.

Write the three basic questions on another paper or board section: important facts, big idea, emphasis.

Introduction: (Show props, starting with the ball) When could I use this? (racquet) Or this? I don’t really know very much about the sport in which these two pieces of equipment are used. In fact, I don’t even know very much about the language for scoring. The sisters in this book do.

Read aloud or show Lesa Cline-Ransome reading the book:

Game changers : the story of Venus and Serena Williams by Cline-Ransome, Lesa; illustrated by Ransome, James 2018.  796.342; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.7.

What would you say are some of the facts to remember from this picture biography? (List on available equipment). What do you think the author was trying to emphasize? (List again). What do you think is the main idea of this book? (List).

Game Changers was chosen as one of the Texas Bluebonnet Awards for 2019-2020. To encourage students to read the book, Texas librarians made this book trailer.

Show:

Video Book Trailer from Texas Bluebonnet Award https://www.teachingbooks.net/booktrailer.cgi?id=6409

What would you say the creators of this book trailer thought were the big ideas? (List on available equipment). What do you think the video maker was trying to emphasis? (List again). 

The same group of Texas librarians also made a short reader’s theater script about the book. The script has several narrators plus the sisters as characters. (Select or ask for volunteers and/or you and the classroom teacher take parts.) 

Read script with students.

What would you say the creators of the script thought were the big ideas? (List on available equipment). What do you think the writers were  trying to emphasis? (List again). 

Scattered on the tables I have picture biographies of athletes from various sports. During the next ten to fifteen minutes, choose one of the books, read it, and think how you would answer the questions I asked you about Game Changers. (Allow selection and reading time.)

Turn to your neighbor on the right and ask each other the questions I asked you about Game Changers. Now turn to your  neighbor on the left and ask each other the same questions.

Write your name on a sticky note and put it on the cover of the book you read. Think about the same questions overnight. Tomorrow you will write your own short--one to one and a half page with two or three characters-- reader’s theater script about the book you read. You will be able to use the book and quote a few words that your athlete said and are used in the book.Your narrators will be the ones who share the basic facts, big ideas, and main point. We’ll use the computers and print the scripts after they’ve been checked. Then back in the classroom you will practice with other students and eventually share with another class. 

Related Titles: 

Game, set, match, champion Arthur Ashe by Hubbard, Crystal — Lee & Low Books Inc., 2010 796.342; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.3. A picture book biography of the late professional tennis player, Arthur Ashe, that chronicles his personal and professional life and career. FREE Teaching Resources available for download at www.titlewave.com

Billie Jean! : how tennis star Billie Jean King changed women's sports by Rockliff, Mara — G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2019 796.342; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.1. Describes how tennis champion and social activist Billie Jean King showed the world that men and women--and boys and girls--are equal on and off the court.

Sports are fantastic fun! by Konnecke, Ole  — Gecko Press, 2018. 796; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.5. Cycling, ice hockey, athletics, tennis . . .There are so many sports and they're all fabulous! Soccer is great, except when your team keeps shooting and missing. Horse-riding is wonderful--so long as the horse does what the rider wants. Running, cycling, and swimming require agility and endurance. Other sports like ballet are not about speed but strength and style.

Althea Gibson : the story of tennis' fleet-of-foot girl by Reid, Megan — Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2020. 796.342; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.6. Tells the life story of Althea Gibson, the first black tennis player to win at Wimbledon, the French Open, and the U.S. Open.

Girls with guts! : the road to breaking barriers & bashing records by Gonzales, Debbie — Charlesbridge, 2019 796.082; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 3.9. Looks at several brave women who fought for a woman's right to play sports, including tennis great Althea Gibson and swimmer Gertrude Ederle.

Martina & Chrissie : the greatest rivalry in the history of sportsby Bildner, Phil — Candlewick Press, 2019. 796.342; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 3.9. Traces the friendship and rivalry of tennis stars Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. FREE Teaching Resources available for download.

Sisters : Venus & Serena Williams by Winter, Jeanette  — Beach Lane Books, 2019. 796.342; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.1. Celebrated picture book biographer Jeanette Winter shares the story of champion tennis players--and sisters--Venus and Serena Williams.

Serena : the littlest sister by Gray, Karlin — Page Street Kids, 2019. 796.342; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 4.7. Explores the life of Serena Williams, professional tennis player, including her childhood and career.

Nothing but trouble : the story of Althea Gibson by Stauffacher, Sue — Dragonfly Books, 2007. 796.342; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.9. Explores the life and achievements of Althea Gibson, the first African-American woman to win the Wimbledon Cup.

Ladies first : women athletes who made a difference by Rappoport, Ken  — Peachtree, c2005 p2010. 796; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.7. Introduction -- Gertrude Ederle, "Against all odds" -- Babe Didrikson Zaharias, "The Other Babe" -- Susan Butcher, "The Magnificent Musher" -- Julie Krone, "The Horse Whisperer" -- Shirley Muldowney, "Driving into history" -- Billie Jean King, "Serving one up for women's rights" -- Wilma Rudolph, "The Clarksville Comet" -- Joan Benoit Samuelson, "Marathon Woman" -- Sonya Henie, "The Ice Queen" -- Althea Gibson, "The Jackie Robinson of Tennis" -- Nadia Comaneci, "The Perfect Gymnast" -- Manon Rheaume, "Manon the Warrior" -- All-American redheads "A team of their own" -- Conclusion. Profiles twelve women athletes of the twentieth century including Wilma Rudolph, Nadia Comaneci, Babe Didrickson Zaharias, Gertrude Ederle, and others, and describes how they overcame gender and sometimes race discrimination and demonstrated their extraordinary skill and dedication.

Frenemies in the family : famous brothers and sisters who butted heads and had each other's backs by Krull, Kathleen — Crown, 2018. 306.875; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.1. Presents a humorous look at famous brothers and sisters whose important bonds have shaped their accomplishments ... (mostly) for the better.

Rising above : inspiring women in sports by Zuckerman, Gregory — Philomel Books, 2018. 796; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 7.4. A collection of mini biographies of female athletes, including Serena and Venus Williams, Simone Biles, and Carli Lloyd.

Teacher Resources: 

Reader’s Theater Script from Texas Bluebonnet Award 2019-2020 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BokmnFdUbsLM3_WT_Pza3n1pecLGUHLT/view

Teaching Ideas from Texas Bluebonnet Award 2019-2020 https://texasbluebonnetaward2020.wordpress.com/game-changers-the-story-of-venus-and-serena-williams/

Complete Video Reading narrated by Lesa Cline-Ransome created by KidLit TV https://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=19277

Video Book Trailer from Texas Bluebonnet Award https://www.teachingbooks.net/booktrailer.cgi?id=6409

Shark Lady : the True Story of how Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating. 2017

 Sink Your Teeth into Sharks

Inspiration Book:

Shark lady : the true story of how Eugenie Clark became the ocean's most fearless scientist by Keating, Jess — Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2017. 597.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.7.  At 9 years old, Eugenie Clark developed an unexpected passion for sharks after a visit to the Battery Park Aquarium in New York City. At the time, sharks were seen as mindless killing machines, but Eugenie knew better and set out to prove it. Despite many obstacles in her path, Eugenie was able to study the creatures she loved so much. From her many discoveries to the shark-related myths she dispelled, Eugenie's wide scientific contributions led to the well-earned nickname "Shark Lady. FREE Teaching Resources available for download at www.titlewave.com.  NSTA 2018. The activity kit includes a matching game, 2 drawing activities, 3 recipes, and a Roll & Cover game.

Rationale: Ever since the movie Jaws quite a few years ago, kids of all ages have had a fascination with sharks. Because so many different types of books are available about sharks, the primary library skill lesson taught in this Books Alive entry for the intended K-3 grades is about different kinds of books: fiction, nonfiction, and general biography, all about sharks. 

Additionally, a bibliography for Grades K-3 based on an older title Sharks vs. Trains, a title really about competition, is included at the end of this entry. An adjunct lesson for Grades 3-6 about sharks is also included; that lesson is a brief  introduction to summarizing. Additionally, check the entry for the Outstanding Science Trade Book Amazing Giant Sea Creatures by Marie Greenwood (DK Publishing, 2014) at https://www.mybooksalive.com/search?q=amazing+giant+sea+creatures

That entry suggests appropriate research activities for different grade levels.

Grades K-3---B-O-O-K-S, Books, Books of Many Kinds

Background: I use this lesson at two different times of the year--within the first month when the emphasis is books that happen to be about sharks, and, at the time of year the second or third grades are studying fish when we emphasize sharks and happen to have different kinds of books about sharks. 

Preparation: 

Make large signs: fiction, nonfiction, and biography that can be posted while you talk about them.

Collect as many shark themed books as possible.

Determine how much of Gibbons Sharks you’d like to read or have time to read.

Introduction:

Welcome back to the library. Today we’re going to talk books. That doesn’t seem too surprising in the library does it. Are all books the same? All picture books? All funny? All scarry? All rhyming? All about people? All real? All make believe? You answered “no” to these questions. How are they different? Let’s find out. Even books about the same topic are different. Let’s see how. Let me give you a clue about the topic. Repeat after me:

We’re rough!

We’re tough!

We’re rough, we’re tough,

We’re SH-A-A-A-R-K-S!

(WHISPER “sharks”)

The first kind of book we’re going to read today is about a real person. When a book is about a real person’s life, we call it a biography. 

Read aloud:

Shark lady : the true story of how Eugenie Clark became the ocean's most fearless scientist by Keating, Jess — Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2017. 597.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.7.

Ms. Clark’s life work was studying sharks. We call a book about a real person’s life a …. (hold up sign and post). The next question I ask myself, what kind of books will tell me more about sharks? When a book is a fact or true book about a subject, we call it a nonfiction book. Our next book is a nonfiction book about sharks.

Read aloud whole book or sections you’ve selected from: 

Sharks by Gibbons, Gail  — Holiday House, 2014 597.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.4. Describes the physical characteristics of sharks and discusses the different kinds of sharks.

In a nonfiction book (hold up sign and post) we learn a lot of facts or true information about a topic like sharks. Raise your hand if you can tell me a fact that you learned from this nonfiction/fact book about sharks.

Sometimes you simply want to read a fun story and not need to remember or learn any facts. When we ready a storybook for fun, we call that kind of book a fiction or make-believe book. 

Read aloud: (Or any other short shark themed fiction book you have.)

I'm a shark! by Shea, Bob — Balzer + Bray, 2011 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.6.

While I was reading, I saw smiles and grins. The book was fun, but wasn’t true or full of facts. For one thing, sharks don’t talk. Do you remember what we call this kind of book? (Hold up sign for fiction and post.)

(Quickly review the terms biography, fiction, nonfiction/fact, then hand out one of the shark related books you gathered to every student if possible or to pairs.) Browse through the book you have. What kind of book do you think it is? When I call on you, put the book under/ next to the correct label and tell me why you think that is true. (Help students be successful in their choice by asking leading questions. Time--while interest and time is available).

Another day we’ll learn about how to find these special kinds of books. Each has its own “house” in the library and each has its own address. I wonder what our topic will be then. Elephants? Rivers? Hmmm!

ANOTHER IDEA: Use the Inspiration book and the other biography of Eugenie Clark, Swimming with Sharks to do a comparative study of the two books.

Related Shark Titles, Fiction and Nonfiction:

I'm a shark! by Shea, Bob — Balzer + Bray, 2011 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.6. A boastful shark is not afraid of anything, which impresses his underwater friends until they ask about spiders.

Nugget & Fang by Sauer, Tammi  — Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.3. Fang convinces Nugget that even though they are a shark and a minnow they can still be friends.

Lottie & Walter by Walker, Anna  — Clarion Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2019 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.5. Lottie secretly knows there is a shark in the pool waiting to eat her, until her new walrus friend, Walter, helps her to conquer her fear.

Shawn loves sharks by Manley, Curtis — Roaring Brook Press, 2017 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.5. Shawn loves sharks with all his heart, so when his nemisis, Stacy, is assigned 'sharks' for the big class project, Shawn is not happy.

First big book of the ocean (Little Kids First Big Book) by Hughes, Catherine D — National Geographic Kids, 2013: 591.77; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.0.  Introduces ocean animals from the Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic, and Indian Oceans. NSTA 2014

Slickety quick : poems about sharks by Brown, Skila  — Candlewick Press, 2016 811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.6. A collection of poems about sharks.

Hooey Higgins and the shark (Hooey Higgins) by Voake, Steve  — Candlewick Press, c2010 p2012 -Fic-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.3. Hooey Higgins and his best friend Twig plan to capture a shark and charge people to see it in order to raise money to buy a large chocolate egg in Mr. Danson's store window and end up finding something amazing.

Shark vs. train by Barton, Chris — Little, Brown, 2010 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.4. A shark and a train compete in a series of contests on a seesaw, in hot air balloons, bowling, shooting baskets, playing hide-and-seek, and more. 

Sharks by Gibbons, Gail  — Holiday House, 2014 597.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.4. Describes the physical characteristics of sharks and discusses the different kinds of sharks.

Swimming with sharks : the daring discoveries of Eugenie Clark by Lang, Heather — Albert Whitman & Company, 2016. 578.77; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.5. The true story about the girl who grew up to be the 'Shark Lady' and became one of the most inspiring scientists in the world. FREE Teaching Resources available for download at www.titlewave.com

If sharks disappeared (If Animals Disappeared) by Williams, Lily  — Roaring Brook Press, 2017

597.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.8. A nonfiction picture book tracing the repercussions of what would happen if sharks disappeared from our planet.

Wandering whale sharks by Shingu, Susumu  — Owlkids Books, 2015 597.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.8. Introduces readers to the largest living fish and explains why the whale shark is a gentle giant.

Dude! by Reynolds, Aaron — Roaring Brook Press, 2018 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3. A platypus and a beaver who love surfing encounter a shark--with unexpected results.

ADJUNCT LESSON Grades 3-6--All About Jaws

Face to face with sharks by Doubilet, David - National Geographic, p2009, c2009--597.3--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 5.9. The author describes his experiences photographing sharks, shares what he has learned about the animals, and showcases some of his pictures.

Rationale: The Inspiration Book is part of a series of books, Face to Face with Animals, published by National Geographic: The whole series also has an entry in which we use the Big 6 Research approach.

Each title in the series is formatted in a similar way, and covers many of the same topics, thus making the series an excellent tool to learn about book parts, and to model the research process. The titles are easy enough that the youngest students in the interest range can read most of the book and the struggling reader won’t be too challenged. The high interest level of the series is also conducive to attracting reluctant readers, and the attractiveness will also draw a more advanced group. 

Sharks are an intriguing topic for students of all ages, especially boys. However, in this entry the emphasis isn’t sharks but the whole series and the related books are all suitable for students in Grades 3-6 and all are nonfiction. When there are many titles about one topic, I often take the time to have a reading, note taking, and paragraph writing day. I use one book as a model, such as the Inspiration Book. I read a few pages or a chapter, ask students for facts that impressed them, jot those facts on a white/chalkboard or chart, then have students write a short paragraph using the notes that the group selected. Summarizing is a huge skill, well worth repeating often and in various ways.

Another Common Core skill is comparing and contrasting. Since there are multiple series books about sharks, comparing and contrasting can be emphasized. Students simply read one or two books. I again model this skill by reading several books, making a several column chart of topics (food, habitat, appearance, etc.), than taking chart notes using a different color for each book. If the information is the same, we simply check the note using the second or third colors. From the note charts we can make Venn diagrams and finally write compare and/or contrast paragraph(s). Again begin modeling with the whole group, then small groups and finally individually.

Teacher Resources:

Just for Kids Icthyology http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Kids/Avoid/avoid.htm

National Geography Kids Creature Feature http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/animals/creaturefeature/great-white-shark/

Related Books, Copyright 2005-2020:

Whale shark : the world's biggest fish (SuperSized!) by Goldish, Meish  — Bearport Pub., 2007 597.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.2. Giants of the sea -- Warm-water homes -- -- Big mouth -- Mealtime -- Water in, water out -- Life in the sea -- A special swimmer -- Baby sharks -- An old friend -- More big fish. Provides a whale shark overview, describing their size, habitat, diet, movements, and life cycle, and includes brief details on other large fish.

Amazing sharks! by Thomson, Sarah L — HarperCollins, 2005 597.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.7. Presents an introduction to sharks, in simple text with illustrations, providing information on their physical characteristics, behavior, and habitat.

First big book of the ocean (Little Kids First Big Book) by Hughes, Catherine D  — National Geographic Kids, 2013. 591.77; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.0. Introduces ocean animals from the Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic, and Indian Oceans.

Sharks by Bodden, Valerie — Creative Education, 2010--597.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.7

A basic exploration of the appearance, behavior, and habitat of sharks, the feared fishes of the sea. Also included is a story from folklore explaining why sharks have a bump on their heads. 

Shark by Spilsbury, Louise  — Heinemann Library, 2011--597.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.1 Photographs and easy-to-follow text offer readers a look into a day in the life of a shark living in the ocean, describing physical characteristics and daytime and nocturnal activities and behaviors. 

Sharks : built for the hunt (First Facts: Predator Profiles) by Gagne, Tammy  — Capstone Press, a Capstone imprint, 2016 597.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.8. Informative, engaging text and vivid photos introduce readers to the predatory lives of sharks.

Sharks have six senses (Let's Read And Find Out Science - Level 2) by Waters, John F — Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2015. 597.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.9. Explores the six senses of sharks, discussing how they use senses differently than humans, and how their extra sense, electroreception, helps them find their prey.

Sharks (Kingfisher Readers Level 4) by Ganeri, Anita  — Kingfisher, 2012 597.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.3. Introduces sharks, and includes information on their hunting, breeding, and threats to their habitat and survival.

Sharks by Gibbons, Gail  — Holiday House, 2014 597.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.4. Describes the physical characteristics of sharks and discusses the different kinds of sharks.

Sharks! (Strange And Wonderful) by Pringle, Laurence P  — Boyds Mills Press, 2008 597.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.5. Dramatic, factual illustrations accompany facts about sharks. FREE Teaching Resources available for download at www.titlewave.com

Bull shark (Science Slam! Apex Predators: Amazon Rain Forest) by Lawrence, Ellen  — Bearport Publishing, 2017 597.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.7. An introduction to the bull shark, covering physical characteristics, prey, behavior, and more.

If sharks disappeared (If Animals Disappeared) by Williams, Lily — Roaring Brook Press, 2017. 597.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.8. A nonfiction picture book tracing the repercussions of what would happen if sharks disappeared from our planet

Wandering whale sharks by Shingu, Susumu — Owlkids Books, 2015 597.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.8. Introduces readers to the largest living fish and explains why the whale shark is a gentle giant.

Face to face with sharks (Face To Face) by Doubilet, David — National Geographic, 2018 : 597.3; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.4. The author describes his experiences photographing sharks, shares what he has learned about the animals, and showcases some of his pictures.

Searching for great white sharks : a shark diver's quest for Mr. Big (Shark Expeditions) by Cerullo, Mary M — Compass Point Books, a Capstone imprint, 2015 597.3; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.0. Provides information on great white sharks and shares a shark diver's experiences searching for and photographing them.

Meet the shark by Vadon, Catherine  — Two-Can, 2007 597.3; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.4. Explores the truth behind the nasty reputation of sharks and explains what biologists know about their anatomy, behavior, and life cycle.

Neighborhood sharks : hunting with the great whites of California's Farallon Islands by Roy, Katherine — David Macaulay Studio/Roaring Brook Press, 2014 597.3; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.6. An up close look at the ocean's most fearsome and famous predator and the scientists who study them--just twenty-six miles from the Golden Gate Bridge FREE Teaching Resources available for download at www.titlewave.com

Oceans : dolphins, sharks, penguins, and more! : meet 60 cool sea creatures and explore their amazing watery world by Rizzo, Johnna  — National Geographic, 2010--551.46; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.7 Photographs and fun facts explore the lives and homes of a variety of sea creatures, including sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, penquins, and many others. 

Eaten by a shark by Hamilton, Sue L., 1959- — ABDO Pub., 2010-- 597.3; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 7.6 Provides information about sharks and their senses, describes different types of sharks, and shares stories of people who have been attacked by sharks. 

Encyclopedia prehistorica : sharks and other sea monsters by Sabuda, Robert — Candlewick Press, 2006--566; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 7.7 Pop-up and lift-the-flap pages. Presents facts on the prehistoric underwater world and more than thirty-five intricate pop-up illustrations of ancient sharks, scorpions, mollusks, amphibians, reptiles, and marine mammals and birds. 

ADJUNCT BIBLIOGRAPHY--Grades K-3--I Win!

Shark vs. train by Barton, Chris - Little, Brown, p2010, c2010--E--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 4.4

A shark and a train compete in a series of contests on a seesaw, in hot air balloons, bowling, shooting baskets, playing hide-and-seek, and more.

Rationale: Both sharks and trains have big draws for kids, especially boys. While one learns a bit about each, the theme concerns competition, and it is competition (positive and negative) books that I have included here. About tournament and Super Bowl and World Series time, negative competition often raises its ugly head. That could be the time to share Shark vs. Train. 

Teacher Resources:

Activities Available through lesson plan site at http://www.tomlichtenheld.com/childrens_books/images/activity_guides/SharkVsTrain_ActivityBooklet_2p.pdf

Back Story plus first couple of pages author reading Shark vs Train http://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=8182

You Tube Book Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra2QESKwBTw

Related Titles:

Number one Sam by Pizzoli, Greg  — Disney/Hyperion Books, 2014 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.5. A competitive race-car driving dog learns that some things are more important than being number one.

The hula-hoopin' queen by Godin, Thelma Lynne — Lee & Low Books Inc., 2014 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.2

Kameeka yearns to continue her hula hooping competition with her rival, Jamara, rather than help prepare for Miz Adeline's birthday party, and "the itch" almost ruins the party before the girls learn who the real winner is.  Author Interview  available for download at www.titlewave.com

Rosie Sprout's time to shine by Wortche, Allison - Knopf, p2011, c2011--E--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.8. Rosie's rival, Violet, outdoes her in everything, and when the class plants seeds for a unit on gardening, Rosie's determination to be the best causes her to do something mean.

Monkey see, monkey draw by Beard, Alex, 1970-  — Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2011--E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.9. Elephant leads a troupe of monkeys into a cave they have been afraid to explore, and after admiring the paintings found on the walls they make their own art with mud, squabbling over whose painting is best until Elephant explains that this is not a game to win or lose.

Pirate vs. pirate : the terrific tale of a big, blustery maritime match by Quattlebaum, Mary — Disney/Hyperion Books, 2011--E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.5 Bad Bart, the burliest boy pirate in the Atlantic, and Mean Mo, the mightiest girl pirate in the Pacific, meet in the middle in a no-holds-barred contest to see which is the best pirate in the world. 

Mustache Baby meets his match (Mustache Baby) by Heos, Bridget — Clarion Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.0. A play date goes awry when Baby Billy and his mustache meet Beard Baby. 

Bernice gets carried away by Harrison, Hannah E — Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, 2015 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.3. Having missed out on the other treats at a friend's birthday party, a grumpy cat grabs all of the balloons and floats into the sky, where she sees that her problems are not so big, after all.

Cleonardo, the little inventor by GrandPre, Mary  — Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint of Scholastic Inc., 2016 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.3. With the town's annual Grand Festival of Inventions coming up, Cleonardo is determined to invent something impressive to enter, something that will impress her inventor father Geonardo.

Dylan the villain by Campbell, K. G — Viking, 2016 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.6. Dylan's parents have always boasted that he is the "very best and cleverest super-villain in the whole wide world," but when he meets Addison Van Malice, his powers are put to the test.

The bathing costume, or, The worst vacation of my life by Moundlic, Charlotte — Enchanted Lion Books, 2013 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.2.  On his first vacation without his parents, eight-year-old Myron faces a scary grandfather, teasing older cousins, his first dive off the ten-foot board, and his grandmother's encouragement to write his mother daily, telling her of his adventures.