In Needs a New Name, Stella decides to change her name after a boy from her class keeps calling her "Smella." How hard can it be to pick a new name? It's not as easy as it sounds.
At the end of The Pirate Captain's Daughter, Catherine and cabin boy William are marooned on Pox Island by the murderous crew of the pirate ship Reprisal. The young lovers see no hope of escape. In Voyage of the Sea Wolf, the continuing saga of Catherine's sea adventures, she and William are rescured from their island prison by the Sea Wolf, a pirate ship pursuing the Reprisal. Catherine worries that these new pirates will send her back to the island once they discover she's a girl. But then, she meets the captain of the Sea Wolf. A Woman! Surely, Catherine thinks, the bloodshed and brutality she and William experienced aboard the Reprisal can't happen again, especially under the leadership of a female captian. But just as things seem to be going their way, the captain takes a liking to William. Catherine is forbidden to see him. If Catherine and William want to stay together, they must find a way to now escape from the Sea Wolf.
These traditional reads are brimming with spirited characters and positive values--but with a little extra excitement and bite, so hold on to your hats! Written expressly for the middle grade struggling reader, the series does not contain strong language, edgy themes, or dysfunctional families. In fact, family is the main theme of these titles. And one particular Latino family is the focus with their uncanny knack for finding humor, hope, and colorful personalities--even in unusual circumstances. Written at the lowest reading levels, the 50-page story structure is straightforward and moves the reader through the text quickly and efficiently.
Without his bike, Hank was getting bored. Then a new neighbor named Tommy shows up, looking for a pet-sitter for his sheep. He warns Hank that Elmer can open doors. Book #4 in the series.
Yolanda, the biggest know-it-all ever, leaves her beloved fish Yum-Yum under Hank's care. But why didn't Yolanda tell Hank that Yum-Yum was ancient? And will she discover Hank's big secret when she picks up her fish? Book #3 in the series.
When super snooper Joey brings his pot-bellied pig Pickles to stay, Hank never imagined that a pig with a cute name like Pickles could cause so much trouble. Book #2 in the series.
A storm is coming to Storm Cliff Stables, and Gaston the goat is scared. Rain! Lightning! Thunder! Gaston fears he’ll never get to sleep with all that flashing and booming. Luckily, his farmyard friends know just what to do! Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards.
It’s fall cleanup time at Storm Cliff Stables, and Freckles wants to help! Unfortunately, his ideas for brightening up the place make for a muddy mess instead. Luckily, his farmyard friends know just what to do! Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards.
Daisy the cow can’t wait to go to the county fair this year. Who doesn’t love winning blue ribbons? But Daisy has a cold. Moo, moo, ahchoo! Luckily, her farmyard friends know just what to do! Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards.
Pet-sitting sounds easy, but Hank's first customer is huge, homesick Otis. When Janie, Hank's pesky next-door neighbor, tries to help, things spin even more out of control. Book #1 in the series.
Middle graders will laugh and cry with thirteen-year-old Vanessa Martin as she tries to be like Vanessa Williams, the first black Miss America. In this semi-autobiographical debut novel set in 1983, Vanessa Martin's real-life reality of living with family in public housing in Newark, New Jersey is a far cry from the glamorous Miss America stage. She struggles with a mother she barely remembers, a grandfather dealing with addiction and her own battle with self-confidence. But when a new teacher at school coordinates a beauty pageant and convinces Vanessa to enter, Vanessa's view of her own world begins to change. Vanessa discovers that her own self-worth is more than the scores of her talent performance and her interview answers, and that she doesn't need a crown to be comfortable in her own skin and see her own true beauty.
Naima is a talented painter of traditional alpana patterns, which Bangladeshi women and girls paint on their houses for special celebrations. But Naima is not satisfied just painting alpana. She wants to help earn money for her family, like her best friend, Saleem, does for his family. When Naima's rash effort to help puts her family deeper in debt, she draws on her resourceful nature and her talents to bravely save the day. Includes a glossary of Bangla words and an author's note about a changing Bangladesh and microfinance.
In this early reader with five short chapters, emerging readers meet Pig and Goose. Pig is happy. She loves to dance. She loves to eat. But she cannot fly. And she cannot swim. Goose can fly like a bird. Goose can glide across the water beautifully. But he cannot tell stories or host a party like Pig can. Pig and Goose are very different. But what they do have in common is that they like each other. And they love springtime. Simple text and charming illustrations guide beginning readers throughout the story and encourage independent reading.
Ben Mason has always been the star player on East Grover Lake boys’ basketball team. But when a new transfer student takes away the spotlight, Ben is frustrated with his role on the team. After a visit from Sal, owner of Sal’s Used Sporting Goods, he learns about John Stockton, the NBA’s all-time assist leader. Will Ben learn the true meaning of leadership?
To prove she’s still the tech expert at Blue Lake Junior High, Bridget agrees to write a review of a secret cutting-edge tablet that her dad’s company is developing. When Bridget’s post goes viral, however, the secret’s out, and the trouble begins.
As the goalie for the girls’ hockey team, Annie Roger’s keen eyesight is crucial to snagging a speeding slap shot out of the air. On a visit to the eye doctor, she learns that she needs prescription glasses, and her confidence is shattered. But she then she receives a gift from Sal's Used Sporting Goods, a helmet once worn by Canadian double-gold medalist goalie Shannon Szabados. Will it help Annie see things differently?
Bridget and her friend Emma are surprised by the attention they receive at school after the launch of their e-zine, Cyber Hills Holler. So when a classmate starts up a competing site with edited photos of their classmates, they decide to fight back to retain their newfound popularity. Not everyone is happy with the results.
Golden Girl is excited for her first Family Day at Storm Cliff Stables. But where is her family? She looks right. She looks left. No luck! Luckily, her farmyard friends know just what to do! Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards.
Max’s mom is alive and recovering. But the demons are still out there. And the Scarlet Portal will open soon. Can Max stop the demons and close the portal to save humanity? What will he have to sacrifice? Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards. Book 8 in the series.
Max is so close to finding his missing mom. Following a demon, he and Poe arrive back at the abandoned gas station. There, he finds more than he bargained for. And, how can Poe leave him at a time like this? Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards. Book 7 in the series.
Max’s mom is still missing. When Poe flies in with a clue, Max follows him to an abandoned gas station. What lurks in the shadows? More clues? Or more demons? Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards. Book 5 in the series
Old Mrs. Jenkins calls the police to report a strange creature she’s trapped. But Max is convinced she’s caught a demon. He and Poe arrive before the police, hoping to get information about Max’s missing mom. Will the demon reveal all, or just leave Max with more questions? Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards. Book 6 in the series
Mark just can't settle into his new life. He misses his friends and has trouble connecting with new classmates. Walking through his neighborhood, he sees an open window. Instantly, everything changes. Maybe he can pretend to be someone else and live a different life ... if only for a moment.
Deb has reading problems and is self-conscious about it. She doesn't think smart boys will like her. But she's hardworking, helpful, and a girl of her word. Deb turns down a date to rake her sick neighbor's leaves. Ed, smart and handsome, comes by to give her a hand and- perhaps- ask her out.
Terrell decides to expose the secret ritual that injured a new football player, Dylan, in spite of threats from Booth.
