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 Location:  Home » America Travel » Humorous » The Scrambled States of AmericaOctober 16, 2008  


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The Scrambled States of America
The Scrambled States of America
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Author: Laurie Keller
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Category: Book

List Price: $7.95
Buy New: $4.00
You Save: $3.95 (50%)
Buy New/Used from $3.20

Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars(64 reviews)
Sales Rank: 3896

Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 40
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 9.8 x 9.7 x 0.2

ISBN: 0805068317
EAN: 9780805068313
ASIN: 0805068317

Publication Date: April 1, 2002
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
A wacky cross-country adventure starring the fifty states!

"Well, it was just your basic, ordinary day in the good old U. S. of A. States all over the country were waking up, having their first cups of coffee, reading the morning paper, and enjoying the beautiful sunrise.

All the states, that is, except for Kansas."

At the first annual "states party," Virginia and Idaho hatch a plan to swap spots so each can see another part of the country. Before the party is over, all the states decide to switch places. In the beginning, every state is happy in its new location. But soon things start to go wrong. Will the states ever unscramble themselves and return to their proper places?

Packed with madcap humor and whimsical illustrations, this quirky story-starring all fifty states-is chock-full of introductory facts and silly antics that will make learning geography as much fun as taking a vacation.


Amazon.com Review
One day, Kansas wakes up grumpy. The other 49 states are stretching, yawning, and pouring maple syrup onto each other's pancakes, but irritable Kansas announces to his kindly neighbor Nebraska that life is dull and changes must be made: "All day long we just sit here in the middle of the country. We never GO anywhere. We never DO anything, and we NEVER meet any NEW states!" Nebraska, sick of hearing North Dakota and South Dakota bicker all the time, agrees to help organize a party for all the states. It's a hit! Late into the evening, Idaho and Virginia get up onto the stage and suggest that all the states change places. What a state of affairs. Minnesota, who switches places with Florida, gets a sunburn. Kansas, having traded places with Hawaii, gets lonely and sings some soggy blues so sad that a shark sheds a mournful tear offshore. Nevada and Mississippi fall in love. Despite the initial excitement, the new arrangement just doesn't feel right. The states manage to swim, fly, bike, and hitchhike their way home, and everyone goes to bed in the right place--even Kansas is happy to be home after such an adventure. This wacky, thoroughly engaging tale of mixed-up geography is a good bet for some awards. Perhaps best of all, the large format and riot of detail allow for plenty of amusing asides. Books that claim to "make geography fun" usually have to be taken with a dose of skepticism: so often, the teaching is there and the entertainment isn't. This delightfully quirky and original book shows how it should be done. (Ages 4 and older) --Richard Farr


Customer Reviews:   Read 59 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars A Show Worth Watching!   September 23, 2008
Okay, call me a sucker for any book that teaches while it entertains. This book excels at both. The premise is that, in the middle of the night, the state of New York woke up from a dream and shouted to all the other states, "HEY, EVERYONE--LET'S HAVE A TALENT SHOW!" And so they did. And what a rompus, good time was had by all. There's plenty of over-the-top humor, song ditties, and corny jokes (thank you, Iowa!), but it's the illustrations that kept me enthralled. This book is so visually appealing, that I'd have turned to its pages again and again, even if it only said "BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!" I'm guessing your wee ones who can't read will find it equally addicting. Maybe you'll get lucky and overhear them making up the story themselves.


5 out of 5 stars I love Laurie Keller's books   August 10, 2008
I love Laurie Keller's books, especially The Scrambled States of America. She was partially my inspiration when I was writing The Little Man In the Map. The Little Man In the Map: With Clues To Remember All 50 States
Books like these can spark an interest in learning more about this wonderful country and the world.



5 out of 5 stars Great book!   May 12, 2008
My alumnae group read this book to 3rd graders at an inner-city school and the kids loved it! We had a map and games to go with it and the program was a big success. I highly recommend this book for teachers.


5 out of 5 stars great learning tool....   April 25, 2008
My daughter told me that my young grandchildren love this book and the humorous way it was written. I found it through the reviews in here and wholeheartedly agree with the good ones and thank everyone for posting them. I haven't gotten to read it myself, as they are in another state...but I can assure you, it is a book to include in your little one's library! :D


5 out of 5 stars Scrambled United States   March 5, 2008
This is a fun book and is a good way to get familiar with the States. My son enjoys reading it.


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