The members of the Kooties Club try to figure out who is leaving the "I Love Elvis" signs throughout the neighborhood.
In 1777 Massachusetts, after his parents are killed because of their loyalty to Great Britain, eleven-year-old Timothy is taken in by a parson and his wife.
Returning home after his violin recital, wealthy Philip Thorpe and his father become separated during the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, and Philip tries to find his way home.
Elizabeth is a girl who might have lived next to the boardinghouse where President Lincoln died after being shot at Ford's Theatre. This book is the story of what Elizabeth saw that fateful night.
This fact-based account tells how Mary Read spent a year working and fighting side-by-side with pirates.
Twelve-year-old movie-loving Maisie is in need of a distraction from her current romantic dilemma when her Uncle Walt comes to stay with her family after being hurt on the set of the movie he's filming in Hollywood. Maisie's best friend, Cyrus, has been hanging out a lot with Gary Hackett, whose last-name sounds to Maisie like a cat barfing up a hairball. When it seems as if Hackett might like Maisie romantically, she's none too pleased, and Cyrus is even less impressed. Uncle Walt has a way of pointing Maisie in the right direction, and Maisie's love of movies also keeps her centered. Heading to the local independent theater on Saturdays to see old movies helps Maisie stay grounded as she struggles with growing up, family tensions, a grandma who seems to be losing her memory, and a love triangle she never expected.
An action-packed, contemporary novel about surviving in the wilderness. Thirteen-year-old Karma is desperate to become a certified falconer. At her dad's bird education center, she helps give demonstrations to guests and can fly the birds. But when her favorite rescued falcon, Stark, hurts Karma, her parents insist that they return the bird to its previous owner -- in Canada. On the way to bring Stark back, a car accident in the middle of nowhere leaves Karma's dad trapped, and it's up to Karma to find a way to rescue him and her younger brother. When Karma loses her way trying to get help, she crosses paths with Cooper, a troubled teenaged boy. Lost for three days, the two figure out how to survive, and Karma teaches Stark to hunt like an actual bird of prey. Karma may be closer than she thinks to becoming a real falconer and having a real friend.
Ten-year-old Bilal liked his life back home in Pakistan. He was a star on his cricket team. But when his father suddenly sends the family to live with their aunt and uncle in America, nothing is familiar. While Bilal tries to keep up with his cousin Jalaal by joining a baseball league and practicing his English, he wonders when his father will join the family in Virginia. Maybe if Bilal can prove himself on the pitcher’s mound, his father will make it to see him play. But playing baseball means navigating relation-ships with the guys, and with Jordan, the only girl on the team—the player no one but Bilal wants to be friends with. A sensitive and endearing contemporary novel about family, friends, and assimilation.
Earth kids meet alien kids in this action-packed series that follows young athletes throughout the universe competing in the Galaxy Games. Can they compete against a robot though?
Girls hunting oddities and supernatural things, or GHOST squad. Paranormal adventure erupts at the local library. Features fast-paced action, diverse characters, and excellent nonfiction back matter resources.
Earth kids meet alien kids in this action-packed series that follows young athletes throughout the universe competing in the Galaxy Games. Who will prevail in the next out-of-this-world event?
Girls hunting oddities and supernatural things, or GHOST squad. The ghost of a famous writer is making mayhem at the museum. Features fast-paced action, diverse characters, and excellent nonfiction back matter resources.
Girls hunting oddities and supernatural things, or GHOST squad. A haunting at a cathedral threatens a bride-to-be's perfect day. Features fast-paced action, diverse characters, and excellent nonfiction back matter resources.
Earth kids meet alien kids in this action-packed series that follows young athletes throughout the universe competing in the Galaxy Games. Team Earth faces a hockey team that seems determined to play dirty because they are angry at Earthlings. But why are they so mad?
Earth kids meet alien kids in this action-packed series that follows young athletes throughout the universe competing in the Galaxy Games. When Team Earth must compete against the biggest cheaters in the galaxy, will they be able to play fair?
Girls hunting oddities and supernatural things, or GHOST squad. A spook in the school carnival is scaring all the kids away. Features fast-paced action, diverse characters, and excellent nonfiction back matter resources.
Twins, Anara and Samal, love to travel with their mom and little brother, Oliver. Having a mom that works for UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, means the family gets to travel to the coolest places. Sometimes their dad or their grandma from Finland, Vovo, are able to tag along and visit the most amazing places. India is totally better than spending all summer at camp. Traveling through busy citifies and India’s countryside, the Nylund’s experience rickshaws, spicy foods, and, Ollie’s favorite, history. Things get complicated when the kids encounter the many homeless children, mistreatment of Anara’s beloved elephants, and 13 hour “surprise” trip. Can the Nylunds survive India’s hot, humid weather? Will they make it through the mountains to the Valley of Flowers? Can they help all the homeless children wandering in India? These adventure books are perfect for your fluent reader. They develop independent reading through longer, complex sentences, rich vocabulary, and minimal illustrations. Paired to the nonfiction title A Listen to World Music.
Having a dad who writes articles for travel journals in pretty cool. Grace and Jaden get to tag along on many business trips. They get to see beautiful countries and experience amazing trips, hikes, food, and friends. Grace and Jaden’s dad is on assignment in Greece and they get to tag along! Greece is filled with so much beauty and mythology. Grace is excited to explore the country but becomes a little nervous once she learns they will spend a few days on a boat to explore the islands. Things get a little scary as they travel through caves, ruined cities, and experience a storm at sea. What trouble will Jaden get in to here? Can Grace get over her fear of the ocean in order to enjoy the trip? Paired to the nonfiction title Paleontologists.
Tomi and Marisol’s lives aren’t like most 12 year olds. Having parents who are traveling researchers can make having a regular life tricky. The cool part is that they have friends all over the world and get to have amazing adventures! Puerto Rico does sound tempting especially when battling a cold, Chicago winter. Who wouldn’t enjoy swimming in the ocean and lounging on the beach? Except that’s not exactly how things work when you have a scientist and a historian for parents. The twins are packing their bags and traveling so their mom can study the Antillean crusted hummingbird in the rainforest. Tomi and Marisol like a good adventure, but sometimes end up where they shouldn’t!These adventure books are perfect for your fluent reader. They develop independent reading through longer, complex sentences, rich vocabulary, and minimal illustrations. Paired to the nonfiction title STEM Jobs with the Environment.
Grace and her brother, Jaden, were adopted by two wonderful people. Grace was adopted from China and Jaden from America. Their parents are history buffs and share their love of history through teaching and writing. Grace loves tagging along as their dad writes for travel magazines. She gets to explore amazing places and experience things that most kids her age don’t. Grace is from China but she doesn’t remember it. She was adopted at a young age and now her and her family are going back to adopt her younger sister! Before the new edition comes to the family, Grace, Jaden, and her dad adventure to the Great Wall of China. But a series of mishaps makes this adventure take a turn for the worst. Will Grace and her family survive the Great Wall of China? These adventure books are perfect for your fluent reader. They develop independent reading through longer, complex sentences, rich vocabulary, and minimal illustrations. Paired to the nonfiction title Great Wall of China.
Country hopping is what these twins do best! Tomi and Marisol are homeschooled by their history professor dad and well-known biologist mom. Their classroom is the world as they travel deep into rainforest or out to remote islands. The twins are having adventures and making new friends along the way as they learn about new cultures and countries. The Perez family is out and about in South Korea! Tomi and Marisol are spending their summer vacation away from Chicago while their dad teaches at the local university. These expert travelers are ready to explore the palaces, temples, and volcanic park that South Korea offers. Along the way they rekindle an old flame of Aunt Bernadette’s, get on TV with a Korean K-Pop star, and find themselves in a river without a paddle! The twins and their aunt accidentally end up crossing the border into North Korea and are detained. Will they ever get out? Adventure books with longer, complex sentences, rich vocabulary, and minimal illustrations are perfect for fluent readers. Paired to the nonfiction title STEM Jobs in Music.
Twins, Samal and Anara, live in New York City with their mom and little brother, Oliver. Living in New York City is an adventure alright but sometimes the kids travel with their mom who works for the United Nations. A family vacation is very different for the Nylund family! Samal and Anara are excited to start their adventure in Cairo with their mom and younger brother. Everything is so different from their home in New York City. The girls learn the importance of understanding the culture of other parts of the world. Can the girls blend in and not draw negative attention their American clothes? Will Samal survive her snorkeling adventure? Will the kids make it out of the protest safely? Adventure books with longer, complex sentences, rich vocabulary, and minimal illustrations are perfect for fluent readers. Paired to the nonfiction title Pyramids of Egypt.
Having parents who travel the world for work has its benefits. Twins, Tomas and Marisol, are able to tag along on many or their parents’ trips exploring new cultures, making new friends, and maybe a few adventures. Tomas and Marisol never thought such a beautiful place would be so dangerous. The twins are eager to see all the animals they can but they never considered poachers invading their camp, stampedes, or the hot savannah sun. Are Tomas and Marisol cut out for Kenya? What did the poachers want from a bunch of researchers? Will the Perez family make it out of the African savannah safely? Adventure books with longer, complex sentences, rich vocabulary, and minimal illustrations are perfect for fluent readers. Paired to the nonfiction title STEM Guides to Travel.
Grace, Jaden, and Joy get to visit historical places around the world. Having a mom who is a history professor and a dad who writes for travel magazines has its benefits. Grace and Jaden love exploring their new surroundings and going on adventures with new friends. France is filled with wonderful museums, delicious restaurants, and, of course, history. Grace, Jaden, and their newest sister, Joy are spending the summer in Paris with their parents! While their parents are busy working, Sophie, the babysitter, has them explore the attic. The kids find a mysterious painting and decide to track down the artist. But did they get in too deep? Could this painting actually be worthy millions? Who is the guy that keeps following them? Can Grace, Jaden, and Sophie find the answers and help they need before it’s too late? Adventure books with longer, complex sentences, rich vocabulary, and minimal illustrations are perfect for fluent readers. Paired to the nonfiction title A Look at Renaissance Art.
The Nylund kids are experienced world travelers thanks to their mom. Having a mom who works for the UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, means they get to tag along for amazing world adventures. They each record their trips in their travel journals so that can always have the memories… and because they have to share what they learned with their teachers and classmates! The family is packing up and shipping out to Italy! Excited and desperate to leave Chicago’s winter weather, the Nylund family meets one obstacle after another. A huge ice storm in New York before their flight, losing Ollie in the Roman Catacombs, a crab taking a chunk out of Samal’s foot, and an encounter with a viper threaten to terminate this trip. Will their luck ever turn around so they can enjoy their time in Italy? Adventure books with longer, complex sentences, rich vocabulary, and minimal illustrations are perfect for fluent readers. Paired to the nonfiction title STEM Guides to Maps.
