Zeke the Weather Geek: There's a Lizard in My Blizzard! - by Joan Axelrod-Contrada & Ann Malaspina (Hardcover)

About the Book

"When Zeke the Weather Geek wakes up on his ninth birthday, his Mood Meter is at an all-time high. This is going to be the best birthday ever, because today, he will finally be getting a Saint Bernard puppy. And on top of that, he just knows that his idea for the Winter Weather Photo Contest is a winner. But things quickly go downhill when his perfect snowflake shot for the photo contest is washed out by rain. And when his mom presents him with a cold-blooded lizard instead of a warm, cuddly dog, his Mood Meter takes a plunge to negative 100 degrees ... Zeke Abramovich's Birthday is a total washout! The weather takes its own turn for the worse when a blizzard strikes the town, and the power goes out. Then it's up to Zeke and his knowledge of weather to save the day and the lizard, and to snap a unique photo that earns him the prize and the coveted title of Weather Warrior. Black-and-white art on every spread brings the story to life, adds humor, and helps support and propel readers through story. The first title in a fun new series of early chapter books about a nine-year-old whose passion is the weather, Zeke the Weather Geek celebrates science in the real world. Each book focuses on a different season and related major weather event. Includes illustrated instructions for an egg-in-bottle experiment that demonstrates the power of air pressure, tips on keeping your own weather journal, and ideas for action to fight climate change, offer opportunities for readers to get in on the action."--

Book Synopsis

For lovable Zeke the Weather Geek, can a disappointing birthday surprise turn out to be just what saves the day - and prove he has what it takes to be a Weather Warrior?

With a weather station in his yard and a weather journal in his pocket, it's no wonder Zeke Abramovich is called Zeke the Weather Geek. It's a nickname he's proud of. But what he really wants is to be a Weather Warrior, which can only happen if he wins Miss Li's Winter Photo Contest. Except none of his perfect photo ideas have panned out. And on top of that, his birthday surprise is a pet lizard, not the Saint Bernard puppy he's been dreaming about. Zeke's Mood Meter plummets to negative 100 degrees. But things may be looking up. A major blizzard is on the way! With all that snow, Zeke is sure get a prize-winning photo and Weather Warrior status, right?

Along with a hilarious plot and an endearing cast of diverse characters, this fun opening title of a new early chapter book by Joan Axelrod-Contrada and Ann Malaspina, has loads of standout STEAM content on the science of weather. Topics covered, both within the story and in lively between-chapter information segments, include snow and how it's formed, other types of winter precipitation, the water cycle, meteorology, blizzards and climate change. Along with a glossary of weather words and selected sources, the book includes instructions for an experiment, tips on keeping a weather journal and ideas for action to fight climate change. The high-energy, black-and-white art by Paula J. Becker on every spread brings Zeke, and real-world science, to humorous life.

Review Quotes

... the science is sound, family and school episodes are realistically humorous, and kids wanting easy doses of science will be engaged.--Kirkus Reviews

With a positive boy hero, There's a Lizard in My Blizzard, a well laid out, readable chapter book, will be an entertaining read.--CM Magazine

About the Author

Joan Axelrod-Contrada writes both fiction and nonfiction for children and young adults. The author of over twenty books for young people, she is also a journalist, writing teacher and graduate of the MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Growing up in the Boston area, Joan watched TV meteorologists every night, and she credits them with cultivating her love of the weather and inspiring the characters of Freeze Jones and Zeke the Weather Geek. Joan lives in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Ann Malaspina has written over thirty books for young people about the environment, social issues and human rights. Her books have been recognized by the Sydney Taylor Book Awards, American Library Association's Amelia Bloomer Book List, Asian Pacific American Library Association, International Reading Association and state reading associations. Her poetry has been published in literary magazines. A former journalist, Ann has an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She lives in New Jersey with her family.
Paula J. Becker loves to create fun, whimsical illustrations for a variety of projects, including books, magazines, posters, greeting cards and educational curriculum. She has illustrated more than thirty books for children, and her work has been published in many children's magazines, including Highlights, High Five, Owl, Chickadee, Chirp, Clubhouse Jr., Click, Ladybug, Ask and Children's Ministry Magazine. When she's not drawing, Paula enjoys watching baseball, bicycling and birdwatching.