The Scrambled States of America

Geography has never come alive as brilliantly as it does here, in The Scrambled States of America, as a discontented Kansas precipitates a massive geographic upheaval with his desire to see something new. Tired of always being stuck in the middle of the nation, Kansas enlists his best friend Nebraska in his scheme to throw a party for the fifty states, a party that leads (yes!) to reorganization on a massive scale! As states move north or south, switching coasts and neighbors, their first reaction is enthusiastic: finally, something new! But then they all begin to long for the way things were...

An engaging exploration of the fifty states of the USA, this picture-book combines a madcap adventure-story - complete with many little amusing show more asides, as the states "speak" to one another, in the illustrations - with colorful, attention-grabbing acrylic and marker artwork. An appendix at the rear lists each of the states, with their nicknames, their capital cities, and their populations (now out of date, alas). One of those rare books that is as entertaining as it is educational, The Scrambled States of America proves the old adage that "There's no place like home!" show less

Summary:
One day Kansas wakes up and is not happy at all. He decides that he is tired and bored of being in the same place, he wants to see what else is out there. Kansas decides to throw a huge party for all of the 50 states. He seeks help from the other Midwestern states. At the party, some of the states decide that it would be fun to switch places with each other. All of the states end up switching places, they go to a new place and make new friends. At first the states are happy with their new home, but as the days go on they realize that there is no place like home after many mishaps. "Florida, who had switched spots with Minnesota, was freezing in the frosty northern climate. And Minnesota, who forgot to buy sunscreen, got an awful show more sunburn." You will have to read the book to find out if the scrambled states moved back to their original homes.
Critique:
"The Scrambled States of America," is a very fun book. I laughed out loud when I read the book because of the dialogue between the states. I love that the author personified each state and created their own personality. The illustrations were very creative and detailed. I also liked that the author included fun facts about the states and at the end you have factual information about each state.
Classroom prompts:
I would use this book when teaching geography of the United States. The illustrations and story line of the book do a good job in showing how the states fit with each other and where they are located. show less

This book is about when the states all decide that they want a change of scenery and move themselves so that they are newly positioned on the continent. They make new friends and have fun, but ultimately end up missing their old lives and move back to where they started. This book is so silly and the concept it very original. I adored this book when I was growing up because I couldn't quite wrap my mind around the idea that the states actually picked up and moved themselves in this altered reality. Now that I'm picking it up again with my students, I appreciate how funny the dialogue is between the states and how detailed the drawings are of the states that add so much character and depth to an otherwise simply humorous book.

I enjoyed it so much! It's totally unique and charming. All the states are bored because they've always been in the same place; Kansas has a great idea - they should all switch places! Hilarity ensues until they all come to the conclusion that they were perfectly happy where they'd been all along. It's a very light geography lesson that manages to engage and entertain quite happily.

Seriously one of my favorite books of all time. The perfect book for teaching young students about the cultures and intricacies that make up the American states. So fun, informative, silly, and funny. Students will love this book!

As soon as I picked this book up, I knew I was going to enjoy it. One of my favorite subjects to learn about is Geography. The shapes and positions of this land we call the USA has so much to do with the people that live there and the formation of the state itself. This book makes the states come alive in a literal and figurative sense. The story starts with the state of Kansas not liking it in the middle of the United States anymore. He says he's lonely and wants to see and live in another part of the country. So he organizes a meeting of all the states, and at this meet and greet they decided to all switch places. Kansas ends up taking a the place of Hawaii and again is still not happy. He's still lonely and still now he really has show more know one to talk to. In the end, all the states realize that they are happiest where they were originally. It is a wonderful story to have in the classroom because of its ability to answer questions about this country, and the teacher can let the students read it themselves. show less

This is a fun fantasy and informational book for students learning about the United States. The states are given human characteristics and they decide to switch places with one another. The story could not happen in reality because states can't move around like that, but it seems believable. There is information given about the different state locations. The plot is person against self, since it is Kansas who is unhappy with where he is until he realizes that where he is is just right. His home is right in the middle of all the other states. The main type of media used in this book is pencil, with all differnt kinds of shading and colors. It is a good way to introduce upper primary students to the state locations.