Don't Break the Balance Beam! (Sports Illustrated Kids: Victory School Superstars) - Softcover

Gunderson, Jessica

Softcover

ISBN 10: 143422807X ISBN 13: 9781434228079

Publisher: Capstone Press, 2010

Synopsis

Kenzie's super strength makes her a super tumbler. But it causes all sorts of problems on the balance beam. When she doesn't control her strength, she falls off or even worse. If she doesn't learn to control her strength soon, all of her teammates will be laughing and saying one thing: don't break the balance beam!

About this title

About the Author:

Jessica Gunderson grew up in the small town of Washburn, North Dakota. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Dakota and an MFA in Creative Writing from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She has written more than fifty books for young readers. Her book Ropes of Revolution won the 2008 Moonbeam Award for best graphic novel. She currently lives in Madison, Wisconsin, with her husband and cat.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 2–4—These early chapter books are about six friends who attend the Victory School for Super Athletes. In the first book, Kenzie is a gymnast whose super strength allows her to dominate when it comes to handsprings and flips, but works against her on the balance beam. After a meet at which she breaks the beam in half, she's too embarrassed to attempt her routine again. Coach Trish and Kenzie's best friend offer encouragement, and, sure enough, when she focuses on channeling her strength, she is able to master the balance beam. In the second book, Danny has the speed necessary to be a great running back, but he finds that faster isn't always better. Eating too fast gives him a stomachache, and racing through his schoolwork is causing him to make so many errors that he is actually suspended from playing a game. As Danny's parents and sister help him learn to slow down and enjoy life, the balance allows him to get his focus back and perform even better in his next football game. Colorful full-page illustrations capture the energy of the friends immersed in their various pursuits, and the short chapters will appeal to sports fans who are making the transition to chapter books.—Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA
(c) Copyright 2011.  Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

About this edition

• Publisher: Capstone Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 143422807X
• ISBN 13: 9781434228079
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 56
• Illustrator: Jorge Horacio Santillan