Tennis Court Conjunctions

Grammar comes to life in this unique series that uses entertaining sports narratives to teach language arts skills. Each colorfully illustrated title presents a fictional sports event through the eyes of TV announcer Buzz Star and a sidekick kid reporter. In stories designed to amuse as well as educate, press-box banter introduces amusing players and exciting action, while cleverly incorporating sideline coaching on how to identify and use the parts of speech.

Children's Literature

Readers encounter a fast-paced narrative in this book about the Junior Hot Shots Tennis Tournament from the opening serve on the cover to the trophy presentation at the end. Along the way, sportscaster Buzz Star and his neighbor Ken Wong announce the action while using and discussing conjunctions, prepositions, and articles. Specific conjunctions, prepositions, and articles are printed in bold-face to add to the ease of understanding. Using the tennis tourney storyline also helps reinforce the proper usages of these language parts. Three short chapters make up the main body of this 32-page book from the "Grammar All Stars: The Parts of Speech" series and end material adds rules, a writing activity, and answers for the activity. Sidebars called "Topspin Tip" contain specific information to the grammar at hand. Illustrations are rendered in bright colors and hold a comic book style with some humor involved. The lexile level of 650 guarantees ease of reading for students in grades two through four. Humorous names for tourney participants such as Bonnie Backspin, Clay Court, and Lola Lob add to the fun. All books in the series work well to supplement language arts lessons. Reviewer: Nancy Garhan Attebury