Keepers

By Jeri Hanel Watts, Felicia Marshall

    Kenyon loves his grandmother’s stories almost as much as he loves baseball.

    Description

    He would like Little Dolly to choose him as the next Keeper of the family’s stories, and is disappointed when she tells him that only girls can hold that honor.

    As Little Dolly’s 90th birthday approaches, Kenyon sets out to buy her a gift. But he is unable to resist the urge to buy a brand new baseball glove for himself, and soon regret is heavy in his heart. How can he blame Little Dolly for not trusting him with her stories when he can’t even be trusted with his own money?

    Kenyon’s father tells him that when you make a mistake, you can’t go back – you can only go forward. And just when Kenyon thinks he’s run out of ideas for Little Dolly’s gift, inspiration hits him like a home run.

    About the Creators

    Jeri Hanel Watts

    Jeri Hanel Watts received her master's degree in Education from the University of Virginia. She teaches reading to elementary school students in Lexington, Virginia, where she also lives with her family. This is her first picture book.

    Felicia Marshall

    Felicia Marshall is a fine artist and the illustrator. A native Texan, Ms. Marshall now lives in Houston, where she teaches art to children. Visit her online at An Artist's Journey: Daily Paintings.

    Reviews

    • "The book's theme of the loving, giving, and sharing between grandparent and child is universal. A warm, touching story."

      - School Library Journal
    • Watts debut is an exceptionally tender crafting of an intergenerational bond. Kenyon's 90-year old grandmother, Little Dolly, is stern about homework but tells wonderful stories; she is the family 'Keeper' who 'holds onto the past until she can pass it on to the next. . . This warmly peopled story is a "keeper."

      - Publishers Weekly
    • "A salute to storytelling."

      - News-Gazette

    Paperback

  • ISBN 9781584300137
  • Publication Date Apr 01, 2013
  • Trim Size 9.75 × 8.5 in
  • Weight 0.3125 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781880000588
  • Publication Date Jan 01, 2100
  • Trim Size N/A
  • Weight 0.4375 lbs
  • Interests

  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / Sports & Recreation / Baseball & Softball
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / Family / Multigenerational
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / People & Places / United States / African American
  • Themes African / African American / Black, Breaking Gender Barriers, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Conflict resolution, Economics / Finance, Families, Fiction, Friendship, Grandparents, Identity / Self Esteem / Confidence, Optimism / Enthusiasm, Realistic Fiction, Sharing & Giving, Sports
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 6 - 9
  • Grade Range Grades 1 - 4
  • Guided Reading Q
  • ATOS Book Level 3.7
  • DRA 40
  • Interest Level Grades 1 - 4
  • Lexile Code AD
  • Lexile Level 660
  • Reading Level Grades 2 - 3
  • SRC 4.8
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
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