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Miracle Mud

Lena Blackburne and the Secret Mud That Changed Baseball

  • Interest Level: Grade 2 - Grade 5
  • Reading Level: Grade 3

Lena Blackburne loved baseball. He watched it, he played it, he coached it. But he didn’t love the ways players broke in new baseballs. Tired of soggy, blackened, stinky baseballs, he found a better way. Thanks to a well-timed fishing trip and a top-secret mud recipe, Lena Blackburne Baseball Rubbing Mud was born. For seventy-five years, baseball teams have used Lena’s magic mud to prepare baseballs before every game. Read the story of how Lena’s mud went from a riverbank to the major leagues and all the way to the Hall of Fame.

Format Your Price Add
978-1-4677-6932-7
 $24.99
978-1-7284-6670-5
 $34.99
978-1-7284-6669-9
 $6.99
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Interest Level Grade 2 - Grade 5
Reading Level Grade 3
Genre Picture Books, Social Studies
Copyright 2013
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Millbrook Press ™
Language English
Number of Pages 32
Publication Date 2014-08-01
Reading Counts! Level 2.6
Text Type Narrative Nonfiction
BISACS JNF054010, JNF007100, JNF061010
Dewey 796.357092
Graphics Full-color illustrations
Dimensions 9.75 x 9.75
Lexile 480
ATOS Reading Level 3.7
Accelerated Reader® Quiz 156781
Accelerated Reader® Points 0.5
Features Author/Illustrator note, Awards, Original artwork, Reviewed, Teaching Guides, and eSource

Author: David A. Kelly

David A. Kelly is an established children’s book author, travel writer, and technology analyst.

After years of working with technology companies, David starting writing travel stories for the Boston Globe, the New York Times, and many other newspapers. When he became too busy playing baseball with his two sons to travel, he started writing children’s books. His first book, Babe Ruth and the Baseball Curse, tells the true story of Babe Ruth and the curse of the Bambino. His Ballpark Mysteries series of chapter books follows cousins Mike and Kate to different major league ballparks to solve a mystery.Miracle Mud is his first picture book. It’s a good bet that his next book might be baseball-related as well!

David lives 15 minutes from Boston’s Fenway Park in Newton, Massachusetts with his wife Alice, two sons, Steven and Scott, and a dog named Samantha. For more information, visit David’s webpage – www.davidakelly.com or his Ballpark Mysteries website – www.ballparkmysteries.com.

Illustrator: Oliver Dominguez

Oliver Dominguez was born and raised in Miami. He has illustrated multiple pictures books, including Miracle Mud (2013). He lives in Florida with his wife, two dogs, and a collection of unique hats. Visit him online at cargocollective.com/oliverdominguez.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

Miracle Mud

Lena Blackburne loved baseball. He watched it, he played it, he coached it. But he didn’t love the ways players broke in new baseballs. Tired of soggy, blackened, stinky baseballs, he found a better way. Thanks to a well-timed fishing trip and a top-secret mud recipe, Lena… View available downloads →

Awards

  • Grand Canyon Reader Award Nominee, Nominated, 2017
  • Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Choices, Winner, 2014
  • Missouri State Teacher's Association Reading Circle Selection, Winner, 2014
  • Maryland Blue Crab Award, Winner, 2014
  • Nutmeg Award, Winner, 2014
  • Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year, Winner, 2014
  • Illinois Monarch Award Nominee, Nominated, 2014
  • Maine Chickadee Award Nominee, Nominated, 2014
  • Black Eyed Susan Book Award Nominee, Nominated, 2013
  • New York Public Library Best Books for Kids, Winner, 2013
  • Booklist Top 10 Sports Books for Youth, Winner, 2013

Reviews

Library Media Connection

Reviewed on 1 August 2013

“This story is sure to hook young baseball fans with its action-packed illustrations and unique subject matter….The book is an excellent way to engage young sports fans and could easily be used as a bridge for interdisciplinary activities.” —Library Media Connection

Booklist

Reviewed on 1 March 2013

“The colorful, exaggerated paintings artfully (and comically) capture the full allure of ballpark ambiance by including plenty of behind-the-scenes activity. The information provided in the minimal text is bolstered by a solid two-page author’s note.” —Booklist

Kirkus Reviews

Reviewed on 1 March 2013

“Kelly provides information about an unusual aspect of the game in a sprightly, entertaining story with a great ‘aha’ moment. Dominguez’s bright, expressive double-page spreads follow the events closely and make them live.” —Kirkus Reviews

School Library Journal

Reviewed on 1 March 2013

“Dominguez’s illustrations, which are painterly in style, look as if pastels were used to draw the dramatic baseball poses in a variety of perspectives….This accessible story will be enjoyable to a larger audience than just baseball fans.” —School Library Journal