Reading Rockets offers a wealth of reading strategies, lessons, and activities designed to help young children learn how to read and read better. Our reading resources assist parents, teachers, and other educators in working with struggling readers who require additional help in reading fundamentals and comprehension skills development.
David Adler
Who likes math and mysteries, biographies and baseball? Who can write about these subjects and more – all in a crisp, clear and child-friendly fashion? David Adler, of course! Here's a short sampling of his books.
This introduction to the life and work of inventor, statesman and printer Benjamin Franklin is presented in straightforward text and detailed illustrations
The life of the first President of the United States, George Washington, is presented in uncomplicated language and meticulous illustrations.
A portrait of a true American sports hero, Jackie Robinson, who was the first African American to play on a major league baseball team.
Jesse Owens was a breakthrough athlete – an African American who captured the world stage (and four gold medals!) at the 11th Olympiad in Nazi Germany. In this book, readers will learn about his life through brief text and watercolor illustrations. Younger readers may enjoy Patricia and Fredrick McKissack’s picture book, Jesse Owens: Olympic Star.
Trudy Ederle loved to swim and was determined to be the best. Through hard work and determination she became the first woman to swim the English Channel.
Jeffrey Bones narrates this easy-to-read mystery that begins with his preparation for his grandfather's birthday celebration, introduces a lost present, and ultimately moves to a satisfying resolution. New readers will appreciate the textual and visual clues which allow them to solve the mystery along with young Bones.
Cam (short for "Camera") uses her photographic memory to help solve the theft of the cans and bottles to be recycled to earn money for her school. This installment in the gentle mystery series features a particularly timely topic.
Cam Jansen's photographic memory once again foils the bad guy as she helps catch the thief who snitches her grandparents' luggage — along with birthday gifts for Cam's parents — at the airport. There is a lot to celebrate in this well-paced and engagingly narrated mystery.
A theft occurs when the governor – a Presidential candidate escorted by the Secret Service – visits Cam's school to dedicate the new library. Cam and her friend Eric set out to solve the mystery of the missing pearls, recognizing those who help along the way.
Lighthearted illustrations help the straightforward text clarify a tough concept: fractions. Using things familiar to children, the hands-on activities illuminate the ideas while kids are having fun doing "pizza math" and weighing tissues and coins.
Lou Gehrig played 2130 consecutive games for the Yankees (a record that stood until Cal Ripkin many years later). His story as a baseball great is told simply and with humility, reflecting the man himself. As his health deteriorated, Gehrig gave his farewell to a filled Yankee Stadium, declaring he was indeed the "luckiest man on the face of the earth."
While her father is away, Amy's mother must get a job. But it's not the usual kind of employment; Amy's mom becomes a professional baseball player! Told from Amy's perspective, historical detail of the World War II period is conveyed through an engaging narrative and stylized paintings.
Baseball great Satchel Paige was a successful pitcher in the Negro Leagues and went on to play in the Major Leagues for several teams. Stylized illustrations increase the Paige legend using exaggerated poses and unique perspective.
Various birds appear with riddles asking readers to use addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to find the solutions. Rhymes engage readers while introducing word problems and are extended by the colorful illustrations.
Cam Jansen, girl detective with a photographic memory, uses a beach umbrella to find her mother again. But something is different when she and her friend, Eric, return. Readers will join Cam as she closely looks for clues and uses reasoning for the inevitable and satisfying reunion.
Is there really such a thing as a "photographic memory"? That's how Cam Jansen got her nickname – Cam is short for Camera. And she uses her amazing ability all the time to solve mysteries – this time, to find a lost tooth.
When their regular teacher is out, a seemingly forgetful substitute takes over for the day. But has Mr. Baker really lost the homework and his coat or is there a mystery afoot? Once again, Cam's amazing memory and detecting skills are used successfully to solve the matter – and engage young readers.
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