The Scrambled States of America Talent Show

Great action oriented illustrations! Laurie Keller really makes learning the states interactive and engaging in this read. The book begins with Virginia and Idaho coming up with the great idea to change locations- that way they can get a change of scenery. Eventually all of the states get scrambled up, but, while they are moving all around you learn fun facts about the different states and it helps you to remember their shapes and places. Witty and full of personality, I would highly recommend this book. It's very much a book that thinks outside of the box.

I really loved how this book gives it's readers tons of information about each of the 50 states. In order to keep the readers interested, the author gives each state its own unique personality based on true facts about the state. The pictures in this book will keep the reader engaged as well. Each character is shaped like each of the 50 states in a very comedic way.

I am biased - I LOVE all books by Laurie Keller!! They are just so much fun to read. All the little side bar conversations make for fun family jokes around here.

This is a great introduction to the quirky funny states that make up the U.S.A.

"Scrambled States of America" is a exciting book about how all the 51 states of America got together to perform a talent show. This book goes through the states literally "scrambling" to prepare their acts, and showcases some silly humor (including puns) There is one part of the book where there is reference to cities, and counties, and that is great at helping kids gain more awareness of how states are organized. Given that there is a fair amount of text, and a bit more mature humor, it would be better to read to second/third graders. If I was going to use this book, I would have it be an inspiration for students to read more facts about the states (and maybe do a small oral report on one of the states they researched).

This is the not-as-cute follow-up to The Scrambled States of America. I'm trying to understand why I didn't find it as enjoyable as the first one - I'm not sure. I guess it's just that the conceit of the talent show didn't really flow naturally from the idea that they're all personified states - or something? Whatever! It's still cute, Nevada and Mississippi are still in love, it's a fun book overall.

This book is about the states getting together for a talent show. D.C. is the host of the show and there are states doing backgrounds, directors, costume designers, etc. The remaining states prepare for days with juggling, dancing, singing, etc. However, Georgia goes to the doctors and finds that she has stage freight. During the show, there is a banjo player, organ player, naming all states and statehood date while on a pogo stick, ventriloquist, magic shows (featuring Maryland as the assistant), hula dancing, tango dancing, comedy acts, etc. Finally, it was Georgia and her groups turn. She was nervous and afraid. As DC was announcing, he sneezed and blew Massachusetts through the air. The three states, including Georgia, started show more juggling and Georgia caught Massachusetts. Everyone celebrated after the show and had a blast. This was a picture book and humor book for children in 2-4 grade. All of the ages would enjoy it, learn from it, but some of the younger children may need help with the harder words and states.
I give the book 4 stars. It was an interesting book, but it had a lot going on at once. On almost all of the pages, there would be the story and the states would be talking. For example, one page had the story saying "Hawaii and Kansas performed the hula, Mississippi and Nevada danced the tango, and just before intermission, The New states on the Block brought the audience to their feet!". On the same page in a different font, states were saying "Kaulana koi mani, famous for your beauty" "Butter-y hee-hee" "Those two fell in love the last time we were all together. Don't tell, but it makes me a little sick to my stomach" "ahhhh" "oh,brother" "He's pointing at me!" "Don't mess with my heart girl, cause you've got me in a state of love", etc. It took a long time to read because I wanted to read what every state had to say. But, it was very enjoyable and cute. The moral of the book was about Georgia getting over her stage freight. She originally planned on picturing the audience in their underwear, but was too focused on saving Massachusetts, that she forgot about the audience altogether. show less

Maybe I don't get this book because I haven't taken the time to read the original Scrambled States of America, but what was the point of this? It didn't teach about geography, but was more about Georgia experiencing stage fright. Meh.