Nonfiction Monday: 2008 Olympics

The Games have begun! Pair a nonfiction book about playing fair at the 2002 Olympic Games (by not doping) with a BMX novel about playing fair (by following the rules.) BMX debuts at the 2008 Summer Olympics...

Facts First

The Night Olympic Team: Fighting to Keep Drugs Out of the Games
by Caroline Hatton

Reading level: Ages 10 and up
Hardcover: 56 pages
Publisher: Boyds Mill Press

The author of this book, Dr. Caroline Hatton, was a member of the "Night Olympic Team" that tested athletes for drug use at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. This behind-the-scenes look at the fight against doping at the 2002 Winter Games also includes sidebars that explain the science behind the testing.

Pair With...

BMX Bully
by Jake Maddox (Author) and Sean Tiffany (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 72 pages
Publisher: Stone Arch Books

Matt's chances of making the Evergreen Racing Team are seriously threatened when Tyler moves into town. Tyler is as mean as they come out on the racetrack. To make matters worse, Tyler's dad bought the track, and he refuses to enforce any of the BMX racing rules. While this is an advantage to Tyler, a real BMX bully, Matt insists on riding by the rules.

Activities

Find out how the Olympic Games started.

Watch a short video of each Olympic sport at the International Olympic Committee's webpage.

Learn more about the fight against doping at the Olympics.

Visit abcteach for Olympic Games coloring pages, word searches, and reading/writing activities.

Check the Olympic's Competition Schedule page to find out when your favorite sports are being played.

If you're blogging about nonfiction books on this Nonfiction Monday, go to Picture Book of the Day  and add your blog to this week's Round-up. (Classroom blogs welcome!)