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.
Justin is fascinated with the aged guard dog at the corner store. He names it Smokey and sneaks the dog treats. Smokey belongs to a company that supplies working dogs to local businesses. Justin is thrilled to get a job working for Smokey's company, until he learns about the mistreatment of the animals. When Justin can't shake his suspicion that someone in the company is involved in a rash of thefts, he tries to quit. But Justin knows too much, and his boss won't let him go.
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?
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. 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 spook in the school carnival is scaring all the kids away. Features fast-paced action, diverse characters, and excellent nonfiction back matter resources.
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.
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. Can they compete against a robot though?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Queeneka loves fashion, and a good mystery. So when there were missing kickball at Watson Elementary she was on the case! Who would take the kickballs? Why is Mr. Hambrick giving her the evil eye? And why are fourth graders so mean? Making a new friend along the way, Queeneka and Keely question suspects, encounter giant fourth graders, and learn that everyone is embarrassed about something. These mysteries are perfectly suited to keep readers guessing as they solve for clues. With longer sentences and fewer illustrations, they are just the right fit for your early fluent reader. Paired to the nonfiction title Everyone Goes to School.
For as long as he can remember, Matt has wanted to play basketball. Now, as he tries out for the team at his new middle school, he realizes that the easy days of elementary ball are over and that this is a much more serious game. Dealing with a hard-driving coach, competitive teammates and his own insecurities in a new school, Matt needs to call on all his skills, both on and off the court, to make the team and keep his head above water. When he is involved, albeit unwittingly, in tagging a store with racist graffiti, Matt finds himself in more trouble than he bargained for. And when he fights back against an aggressive teammate and is threatened with suspension from the team, he learns that it is not only game-time decisions that count, but also the choices made after the crowd has gone home and the gym is silent.
Nick and Kia get excited when their school gym teacher announces a "three-on-three" basketball tournament. The two most dedicated players in grade three, they know they'll be tough to beat. But when Nick finds out they'll be up against teams in grade four and five, he is ready to throw in the towel before they start. How can shrimps like them ever hope to beat the older kids? Kia, however, is undaunted. They need a third player for their team anyway, she reasons, so why not go after the best player in the school? Marcus is bigger, tougher and in grade five. But it's not as easy as Kia thinks to convince Marcus to join their team. And there's no guarantee the older boy won't change his mind before the tournament begins. Marcus is often uneasy around them, but worse, Kia and Nick find themselves making enemies of some of the kids in the upper grade. Nick realizes it's going to take more than skill at basketball to win this tournament and make friends with Marcus without becoming targets for the older kids off the court. Book 1 in the series.
Murphy and his three friends, Danny, Jeff and Albert, are making the transition from the tribal elementary school to the community middle school. They are all trying out for the middle school's soccer team, and they're pretty confident that The Formidable Four will all make the team. But once the tryouts begin, Albert, the tribal-school superstar, plays like a second stringer. Murphy's new friend, Molly, is determined to help the boys find out what's wrong with Albert, but when they discover the truth, they realize that Albert is playing a whole different game.
Max knows his mom can't afford to send him to summer camp. But he really, really wants to go. He needs a break from looking after his autistic brother, Duncan. And from his mom's new boyfriend. He is surprised when his mom says that he can go after all. But there's a catch. There are spots available at the camp for families with special needs. A grant would cover Duncan's fees, and Max could attend at no charge. If he goes as Duncan's escort. This is the second story featuring Max and Duncan after Maxed Out.
Sam and Annabel are on vacation with Annabel's parents in Italy. While visiting the small hilltop town of Civita, they hear rumors of looted gold from World War II buried somewhere in the town's network of underground tunnels and caves. Once again the two friends cross paths with their old nemesis, Humphrey Battleford, but he is not the only one in pursuit of the gold. An intimidating man named Kurt, the grandson of a ruthless Nazi, is also snooping around. After Annabel is kidnapped, Sam must solve the mystery of the hidden treasure to save his friend. This is the fourth mystery featuring Sam and Annabel, after Stolen, Bones and Lost.
