Dylan is back, and this time he is making a movie, The Rise of the Zombie Scarecrows, with his best friend, Cory, and his girlfriend, Monica. The film is for school credit, and their plan is to film on Halloween. Everything is falling into place until Dylan and Monica encounter a zombie scarecrow that causes Mr. Dalton, a friend of Dylan’s grandmother, to have a heart attack. Dylan and Monica learn that a couple of zombie scarecrows are pranking a local neighborhood. The police shut down Dylan’s project until the pranksters are caught. But Dylan is determined to see his film through to completion, no matter what the cost.
Steve thinks a trip to Europe is out of the question—until he hears his grandfather's will. Suddenly he's off to Spain, armed with only a letter from his grandfather that sends him to a specific address in Barcelona. There he meets a girl named Laia and finds a trunk containing some of his grandfather's possessions, including a journal he kept during the time he fought with the International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War. Steve decides to trace his grandfather's footsteps through Spain, and with Laia's help, he visits the battlefields and ruined towns that shaped his grandfather's young life, and begins to understand the power of history and the transformative nature of passion for a righteous cause. Steve's adventures start in The Missing Skull, part of The Seven Prequels and continue in Broken Arrow, part of The Seven Sequels.
Darren Dirkowitz thought his life was over when his tippity-top-secret alter ego, Dirk Daring, Secret Agent, was outed to the entire Preston Middle School student body. If only he’d been so lucky. Now the Wolf Lords—a gang of teen thugs bent on wringing every last penny out of Preston students—are breathing down his neck. There’s only one solution: Dirk Daring must embark on his most daring mission yet. A mission so audacious, so cunning, so doggone crazy, that if it succeeds, the Wolf Lords will wind up begging for mercy. But first, Darren must bring his own disobedient “associates” to heel. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie is the sequel to the runaway bestseller Dirk Daring, Secret Agent.
DJ is David McLean's eldest grandson, so it stands to reason that he be the one to scatter his beloved grandfather's ashes. At least that's how DJ sees it. He's always been the best at everything—sports, school, looking after his fatherless family—so climbing Kilimanjaro is just another thing he'll accomplish almost effortlessly. Or so he thinks, until he arrives in Tanzania and everything starts to go wrong. He's detained at immigration, he gets robbed, his climbing group includes an old lady and he gets stuck with the first ever female porter. Forced to go polepole (slowly), DJ finds out the hard way that youth, fitness level and drive have nothing to do with success on the mountain—or in life. DJ's adventures start in Jungle Land, part of The Seven Prequels and continue in Sleeper, part of The Seven Sequels.
Marlon Moore is part of Walden Lane Middle School’s buddy program. The popular program helps new kids adapt to the school by pairing them up with a buddy. The buddy’s job is to help new students by introducing them to friends and showing them around the campus. Marlon takes his job seriously. New kid Robert seems like a cool guy and fits in well with Marlon’s crew. But Marlon learns quickly that Robert is a thief. First he steals some food from the local 7-Eleven. The boys think it’s a fluke. But then Robert steals from WowTech, a gaming and electronics store. He puts an old PSP into Marlon’s backpack, and he steals a high-tech smartphone for himself. Marlon wants to ghost his new buddy, but his sister, Ashley, convinces him that Robert is worth saving. Walden Lane is a quintessential small city. And these chapter books describe a typical American family, with busy schedules and the usual problems. The series explores suburban life in a fun way, with topics appropriate for younger readers. These gentle reads are innocent, hopeful, and sometimes funny, with no unsettling surprises or storylines. Each book is 5,000 words (approx.) and 10 chapters.
Someone has tagged the science building at Walden Lane High School. Ashley Moore is upset. School is supposed to be a safe place, and now she no longer feels safe. Students from the Key Club decide an act of community service is in order. The students organize and repaint the tagged wall during their lunch break and after school. They plan a fundraiser to pay for new glass for the painted windows. Kayla Flores agrees to paint after senior class president Alex Torres says he'll give her a signed program from Wicked. When Ashley gets the program from Alex's trunk, she finds cans of spray paint in the same color used to tag the school. Why would a star student on a full ride to USC wreck the school? Ashley is stunned and angry. After her confrontation with Alex, she questions her compassion and rigidity. Will Alex do the right thing? What, exactly, is the right thing to do? Walden Lane is a quintessential small city. And these chapter books describe a typical American family, with busy schedules and the usual problems. The series explores suburban life in a fun way, with topics appropriate for younger readers. These gentle reads are innocent, hopeful, and sometimes funny, with no unsettling surprises or storylines. Each book is 5,000 words (approx.) and 10 chapters.
Marlon and Steve are going camping with their dads in the rural mountain town of Dry Oak. To Marlon's disappointment, there is no cell service at the campsite. What will he do without his phone? Marlon and Steve are playing a new video game from the creator of Clan Castles, and it's rad. Now the online players will be ahead of him. Whatever! The trip is only for three days. Marlon helps with the tent. He goes fishing. The camp food is actually good. But he wants more adventure and excitement, so he convinces Steve to go on a night hike. There are no lights on their trail, and it's darn cold. The boys get more than they expect when they get lost. When they spy a house in the woods, all Marlon can think of is a horror movie. And he takes off when he hears a terrifying sound, thinking his buddy is right behind him. But Steve has gone into the house! Walden Lane is a quintessential small city. And these chapter books describe a typical American family, with busy schedules and the usual problems. The series explores suburban life in a fun way, with topics appropriate for younger readers. These gentle reads are innocent, hopeful, and sometimes funny, with no unsettling surprises or storylines. Each book is 5,000 words (approx.) and 10 chapters.
The eighth graders at Walden Lange Middle School are super excited. They are going to outdoor education camp. Five days in the mountains with their friends. No siblings. No parents. No homework. Sure, it's school. But the kids will be studying nature. Marlon and his friends can't wait. On the way to camp, Marlon streams the news on his phone. He learns that there has been a prison break in a nearby town. But who cares? Arrow Pines is large. The chance of anything happening in the middle of nowhere is remote. Once they arrive at camp, everyone stows their gear and preps for a hike. But Marlon is a slowpoke. He and Steve miss the hike. While searching for their group, they come across an old cabin. It's a wreck. And who are those two bearded and dirty men hiding out inside? Oh no! The escaped prisoners! Walden Lane is a quintessential small city. And these chapter books describe a typical American family, with busy schedules and the usual problems. The series explores suburban life in a fun way, with topics appropriate for younger readers. These gentle reads are innocent, hopeful, and sometimes funny, with no unsettling surprises or storylines. Each book is 5,000 words (approx.) and 10 chapters.
Crafting! The Timbertoes are a handy bunch, especially Pa! Pa makes a whistle for Tommy, and a doggy door for Spot. His plans don't go exactly as he wanted when he makes a snow buggy. Finally, all the Timbertoes join in, and have a fix-it day at their house. Stories by Rich Wallace, and Marileta Robinson.
Little worms! Squirmy Wormy and Mortimer are three little worms who know how to have big fun! See what happens when they play jump rope, or when they enter a talent contest. What will they get up to next? Stories by David L. Roper.
Lend a hand! Arizona helps her sister, Indi, find her missing lost tooth. Indi helps Arizona clean her room. Arizona, her friend Ollie, and Abuela help out at a soup kitchen. Read along as Arizona learns how rewarding helping can be. Stories by Lissa Rovetch.
Oh, honestly! Arizona learns the difference between honesty, and tact. Arizona's siblings, Tex and Indi, get into an argument about missing craft supplies. Is someone lying, or are they telling the truth? It's better to not tell a fib, and be honest in the first place. Stories by Lissa Rovetch.
Let's shoot some hoops! Devin learns how important it is to be consistent when practicing three-point shots. Jordan gets intimidated by another player's size. Can Jordan defend against him? Tara feels the pressure to successfully make three foul shots and win the game for her team. Stories by Rich Wallace.
Time for a nap! Spot tries to find a peaceful place to nap. On a sunny day, Spot naps in the shade. Playing with a new toy can be exhausting for a puppy like Spot. Spot wants to take a nap but Splinter wants to play. A fly disturbs Spot as he tries to nap. Stories by Marileta Robinson and Highlights for Children.
How boring! Arizona discovers that sometimes it's up to you to make your own fun! Arizona learns how to pass the time when things don't quite go according to plan, and learns about what happens when you daydream too much.
Family teamwork! The Timbertoes know that teamwork makes the dream work and that when things go wrong no one has your back like family. Stories by Rich Wallace and Marileta Robinson.
A good friend! Little Bunny learns that apologies are important when you make a mistake. Little Bunny finds a way to help people. At the library, Little Bunny and his friends learn about poetry. Badger, Squirrel, and Little Bunny have a pool party. Stories by Eileen Spinelli and Highlights for Children.
Puppy games! Spot loves chasing and catching baseballs. Spot tries to play with a big branch but it is too heavy. Spot meets a beautiful butterfly. Spot explores the woods. Stories by Marileta Robinson and Highlights for Children.
Kindness! Arizona realizes that being kind can make huge changes. Instead of gossiping and spreading rumors, she figures out that being kind makes everyone feel good. She invents a way to spread this kindness to her peers using the school newspaper.
Seasons! Spot wants to play outside but it is too cold. Spot plays in a pile of leave. Spot is playing outside, then the weather begins to change. Spot says hello to spring. Spot enjoys summer. Stories by Marileta Robinson and Highlights for Children.
Teachers come in all shapes and sizes! Baby Bunny learns how to say the word "mine!" Little bunny teaches his cousin how to read. Then, he creates a storybook about Great-Great Grandma from what Mama remembers about her. Grandpa Bunny reads a story about the first Thanksgiving, and Little Bunny and his cousins discuss what they're thankful for. Stories by Eileen Spinelli.
It takes work to have fun! Tommy searches for more honey for his snack. Tommy and Mabel build a tower, Pa builds a canoe, and the whole Timbertoes family puts together a picnic to enjoy. Stories by Rich Wallace and Marileta Robinson.
Stop and smell the roses! Arizona's cousin teaches her that she can experience the world in a whole new way if she just takes a moment to appreciate her surroundings. Arizona has to learn to relax and go with the flow when her vacation doesn't go the way she plans, and she even finds the fun in trying new food. Stories by Lissa Rovetch.
Challenging friendships! Arizona understands that friendships aren't always easy. Sometimes there are communication barriers, or jealous feelings. It can be difficult when friends argue and you feel like you have to pick a side. Arizona learns how to handle these challenges. Stories by Lissa Rovetch.
Pet cats! Cow gets stuck in a small space, Tex and Indi have to find away to free him. The whole family plays animal charades. Tex, Indi, and Mom go to the store to buy cat food for Cow. Tex and Indi explain why they named their cat Cow. Tex and Indi play with their kitten. Stories by Lissa Rovetch.
