Sassy #2: The Birthday Storm

by Sharon M. Draper

Overview

Sassy and her sparkle sack are back for another adventure with an ecology theme! It's summer vacation, and Sassy and her family are headed to Florida to visit Grammy for her birthday. A huge celebration is planned at Grammy's beach house. Sassy can't wait! But the weather reports say a hurricane is swirling in the Atlantic, and could be coming right toward Grammy's town. So much for family fun-everyone's too busy boarding up their houses and stocking up on food. To make matters worse, the local sea turtles' lives are threatened, there's no electricity, stores are closed, and there's no birthday cake.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780545281485
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	10/29/2013
Series:	Sassy Series , #2
Sold by:	Scholastic, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	112
File size:	1 MB
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

Sharon Draper is the acclaimed author of many books for teens, including the NEW YORK TIMES bestsellers WE BEAT THE STREET and COPPER SUN, the 2007 Coretta Scott King Award winner. Additional works include FORGED BY FIRE, TEARS OF A TIGER, and THE BATTLE OF JERICHO, all Coretta Scott King Honor Books. Sharon is also the author of the middle-grade Sassy series, including LITTLE SISTER IS NOT MY NAME, THE BIRTHDAY STORM, THE SILVER SECRET, and THE DAZZLE DISASTER DINNER PARTY. A highly respected educator and speaker, Sharon was the 1997 National Teacher of the Year.

Editorial Reviews

Sassy is excited because she is going to go to Florida to visit her grandmother. While there, the family will celebrate Grammy's birthday. How exciting! Unfortunately, a hurricane is headed straight for Grammy's town. All the shops get boarded up. Grammy's birthday arrives, and Sassy realizes that all of the usual celebratory elements of birthday parties are not going to happen. There will not even be candles to blow out. Fortunately, the day is not really ruined. The family gets involved with others in helping the baby sea turtles that are to be born on the beaches. They find the eggs and move them to a safe place, hoping that the baby turtles will hatch. Sassy has many questions, including "Were the turtles hurt in the move?" "Will they know what direction the ocean it?" "Will all the eggs hatch?" Her questions go on and on. Ultimately, Sassy learns that love is the best birthday gift of all. At the end of the book, the author includes a page of "Facts about Hurricanes" and a page of "Facts about Sea Turtles." This is a fun book to read. It is perfect for teaching a bit of science as well as a bit of life. Sassy is absolutely adorable. Part of the "Sassy" series. Reviewer: Kathie M. Josephs

Children's Literature - Kathie M. Josephs

Gr 2–4—In her latest adventure, Sassy and her family travel to Florida for her beloved Grammy's birthday celebration. Although her name is a clue to her spunky nature, the fourth grader is upset when her accessories set off the metal detectors at the airport. Mom soothes her as she undergoes a more thorough security screening, and the scene effectively models how families can cope with stressful circumstances. In Florida, another alarming situation arises in the form of a hurricane. But Sassy is ready, because her Sparkle Sack contains useful supplies such as plastic spoons to move endangered sea turtle eggs to a protected location. The extended family rides out the storm together, comforting each other with stories and songs. Readers will find consolation in Sassy's loving African-American family and the strategies they use to cope with scary situations. Short chapters and chatty dialogue will appeal to reluctant readers. Sassy's spirit and humor recall Junie B. Jones and Judy Moody. Fans of feisty, funny females will enjoy Sassy.—Mary Landrum, Lexington Public Library, KY

School Library Journal