The Hurricanes of Weakerville
on Goodreads (81)
What’s inside...
Middle grade star author Chris Rylander brings his signature sense of humor, a compelling and original baseball story, and tons of heart to the story of the Hurricanes of Weakerville. All his life, Alex Weakerman has had one baseball. Specifically, the Hurricanes of Weakerville, Iowa—the scrappy independent-league team owned by his Grandpa Ira. Even as team and the town have fallen on tough times, there's no place Alex would rather be than at the ballpark—a hot dog in one hand, a pencil and scorebook in the other, keeping track of each and every statistic. Alex has never been all that great at playing baseball, but that doesn’t matter. For someone as painfully awkward as Alex, being a fan—and a wiz with baseball stats—is all he needs. When Grandpa Ira passes away, though, Alex is crushed. He's lost his best friend, and he doesn’t see any way that the team will survive. But Ira, it seems, has one last trick up his his will names Alex the new manager of the Hurricanes. Alex is as excited as he is terrified at the chance to finally put some of his fantasy baseball genius to use. But as he sets to work trying to win over the players, he soon learns that leading them to victory is about more than just stats. Will he be able to save his team, his hometown, and his family legacy? From the author of The Fourth Stall , a SCBWI Sid Fleischman Humor Award winner and multiple state-award favorite, The Hurricanes of Weakerville is sure to appeal to middle grade readers looking for a funny book about real kids.
Why read this book
- Engaging adventure that captivates young readers.
- Teaches resilience and teamwork through relatable scenarios.
- Encourages emotional growth and community awareness.
- Ideal for enhancing literacy and comprehension skills.
Age
8-12
Length
432 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the characters felt when the hurricanes hit Weakerville? Can you describe a time when you felt similar?
What choices did the characters make to solve their problems? Do you think these were good decisions?
How did the residents of Weakerville work together to overcome their challenges? Can you think of a way we could work together as a family?
If you were a character in 'The Hurricanes of Weakerville', what would you have done differently?
What did you learn from the story about handling difficult situations?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their emotions and thoughts as they relate to the story. This helps them connect personally with the characters and situations.
Utilize pauses after questions to give your child time to think and articulate their responses, fostering a deeper understanding and engagement.
Relate the book’s themes to your child's experiences. This enhances their ability to empathize and understand the characters' actions and emotions.
Highlight the collaboration between the characters to solve problems, emphasizing the value of teamwork and cooperation in real-life situations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: In 'The Hurricanes of Weakerville', the protagonist and their friends work together to overcome challenges facing their town. This cooperation is integral to their success.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities and learning to value each member's contribution, enhancing their ability to work well with others.
Example Lesson: Courage and Facing Fears
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters encounter situations that test their bravery. Their journeys teach them to face fears rather than avoid them.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to confront their own fears, whether it's trying out for a school play, standing up to a bully, or learning a new skill.
Example Lesson: Importance of Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: Characters in the story often use their imagination to solve problems, which plays a key role in their adventures.
Real-World Application: Children learn to use their creativity to think outside the box, which can be applied in creative writing, art, or simply finding innovative solutions to everyday problems.
Example Lesson: Resilience in Adversity
Explanation: The characters face several setbacks but continually persevere. Their resilience demonstrates the importance of not giving up despite difficulties.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand that setbacks are part of life and that persistence is key to overcoming them, applicable in academic and personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Value of Honesty
Explanation: In several instances, characters learn that honesty leads to trust and better outcomes.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of being truthful in their interactions, which helps in building trust and maintaining healthy relationships.