Infinity and Me

Bibliographic
Author: Kate Hosford
Illustrator: Gabi Swiatkowska
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (2012)
ISBN-10: 0761367268
ISBN-13: 978-0761367260

Summary
Uma looks up at the night sky and wonders how many stars are in the sky. The impossibility of counting makes her feel very small in relation to how big, how infinite the universe is. The next day, wearing brand new red shoes, Uma asks her schoolmates, her grandmother, the cafeteria cook, and her music teacher what infinity means to them. She finds that each one has a different perspective on infinity, but not one has noticed her amazing new shoes. What Uma learns is that infinity may be a concept too large to truly understand, except when it comes to understanding the infinity of love that she shares with her beloved grandma who in the end compliments Uma on “the most beautiful shoes she has ever seen”. Infinity and me explores a complex topic in an authentic voice that is recognizable and accessible to most children. An author’s note discusses the author’s research on infinity in more detail, while quirky, detailed steampunk inspired illustrations enhance the story.

Quantitative
Lexile Measure: AD670L
Grade Level: K – 3
Age Range: 5 – 8 years

Qualitative
Meaning: Middle Low
Structure—Narrative Structure: Middle Low
Structure—Narration: Middle Low
Structure—Order of Events: Middle Low
Language—Conventionality: Middle High (abstract concept)
Language—Clarity: Middle Low
Knowledge Demands—Life Experiences: Middle Low
Knowledge Demands—Cultural/Literary Knowledge: Middle Low

Content Areas
Language Arts, Math

Curriculum Connections
Language Arts, Math, as suggested by the Lexile measure, best read aloud.

Standards
CA.CC.RL.K.4., RL.K.7., RL.K.10., RL.K.10.a.
CA.CC.RI.K.10., RI.K.10.a.
CA.CC.RF.K., RF.K.4.
CA.CC.L.K.6.
CA.CC.RL.1.1., RL.1.2., RL.1.7., RL.1.10., RL.1.10.a.
CA.CC.RI.1.1, RI.1.10., RI.1.10.a.
CA.CC.RF.1.4., RF.1.4.a., RF.1.4.c.
CA.CC.SL.1.2., SL.1.2.a.
CA.CC.L.1.4., L.1.4.a.

Awards
Scientific American Science Books for Stormy Weather; 2013 Cook Prize Finalist; 2012 Cybils Award Finalist, Fiction Picture Books; ALSC 2013 Notable Children’s Books, Younger Readers