Let's Go...Fly a Kite!

Ben Franklin and His First Kite
by Stephen Krensky and illustrated by Bert Dodson

Ten-year-old Benjamin Franklin works very hard in his father’s candle shop. Benjamin cuts the wicks and lays them out for his father. Ben does not consider making candles very exciting, though. Ben asks his father when they will be done for the day. Ben’s father knows that Ben probably has a plan, and he asks Ben about it. Ben tells his father that he wants to try an experiment at the millpond. That afternoon, Ben heads home after leaving the candle shop. He notices that there is a strong wind blowing the ships, and he is happy about it. When he gets home, Ben’s mother asks him why he is in such a s hurry, and he tells her about his plan. She tells him to be home in time for supper. Ben grabs the kite he made and heads for the millpond. Once to the millpond, Ben tells a few of his friends what the experiment will be. Ben plans to just float on the water holding onto the kite, and the kite will pull him across the pond without him having to swim at all. Will this plan work? What will Ben’s friends think about his experiment?

Colorful Kites: Historical Toys
by Beth Dvergsten Stevens

This nonfiction book is all about kites. This book contains the chapters: History of Kites in the World, History of Kites in America, All Kinds of Kites, Make Your Own Kites; Up, Up, and Away, and Crazy Kite Facts. The first chapter contains interesting facts, such as the kite is about 3,000 years old, and kites have been flown throughout the world for many reasons, including for good luck, for help during battles, and just for fun. In America, kites were used during important experiments and even to help build a bridge. Some of the different kinds of kites include flat kites, box kites, and bowed kites. In the chapter about making your own kites, there is a list for the materials that will be needed and step-by-step instructions on how to create different kinds of kites. In the fifth chapter, there is a discussion on the best time to fly kites, and the best ways to get the kites up in the air and back down again. Finally, some crazy kite facts include the different kinds of leaves used to make kites, there was a law passed that banned kites because they scared horses, and the biggest kite weighed a whole ton.

The Kite Festival

by Leyla Torres

The family is going on a trip, and Fernando and his grandfather are studying a map. Fernando’s grandfather tells him to close his eyes and put his finger on the map. Fernando’s finger lands on San Vicente, and this is where the family is going. The family loads up lunch and something to work on while they are on the trip. They also bring the map along. When the family reaches San Vicente, they see lots of kites in the air. They find that San Vicente is having a kite festival. Fernando and his grandfather see if they can buy a kite, but the lady at the stand tells them that she just has bamboo strips in case any of the kites break. Fernando’s grandfather buys three strips. Then he uses the string from Fernando’s little sister’s toy to tie the strips together to make a frame. Then Fernando’s grandfather uses the map to make the sail, and Fernando wants to decorate it with the crayons he brought. Fernando’s dad finds some string in his toolbox in the car, and Fernando tells the family that they can attach the sail to the frame using Band-Aids. Fernando’s grandfather finishes tying the bridle together, as a voice comes out of the loudspeaker telling everyone to launch their kites. When they launch the kite, they find out that they need one more piece. What is the last piece to make the kite fly? Will the family be able to find one? Will the kite fly successfully? Will the family face any more surprises when it comes to the kite? At the end of the book, there are instructions on how to make a kite like the one Fernando’s family made.

The Sea-Breeze Hotel
by Marcia Vaughan and Patricia Mullins

The Sea-Breeze Hotel stands on a cliff over the Blow-Me-Down Bay, but the hotel is not very busy. This is not the fault of the owner, Mrs. Pearson, or Henry, the handyman, or Hilda, the housekeep, or Sam, Henry’s grandson. The reason is the wind. Eleven months of the year, the wind blows too hard for swimming, fishing, beachcombing, or sitting out on the balcony. Mrs. Pearson worries that the hotel will have to close, if more people do not come to stay there. Sam gets an idea to cheer up Mrs. Pearson. In the cellar, he finds a broken fishing rod, fishing line, scraps of cloth, and some old kitchen curtains. Sam puts the pieces together into a kite. Sam gives the kite to Mrs. Pearson, and the kite takes off, after being caught by the wind. Henry decides they should all make kites to fly, since there are no guests. Hilda makes a butterfly kite, Henry makes a box kite, and Sam makes a dragon kite with a long green tail. As they are flying their kites, people see them and come over to join in the fun. Mrs. Pearson, Hilda, Henry, and Sam make more kites for the people. Will this idea bring people to stay at the hotel? What will Mrs. Pearson, Hilda, Henry, and Sam due during the one month with no wind?