A wish to be something he's not leads Fox's friends to wish the same. Soon they are all pretending to be something they aren't, only to discover that being themselves was the best idea all along. A fun story of self-acceptance.

Very sparse text highlights Otto's effort to figure out a way to visit his robot family that does not live on Earth. His friends' story, told only through simple illustrations in muted colors, depicts their interest, sadness, support, and ultimately, joy. This is a gentle tale of recognizing the value of recognizing what may be right in front of us.

Find out about the life of Harriet Tubman and how her brave actions working to "conduct" the Underground Railroad helped the Union Army in the Civil War lead more than 700 slaves to freedom. Learn about Harriet Tubman's life, achievements, and the challenges she faced along the way. The Level 2 text provides accessible, yet wide-ranging information for independent readers. National Geographic Read ...

When Cow's ""jokes"" fall flat, he finds help from a classic joke's protagonist. Young readers will love the characters and the humor!

Fun characters and word play make this an entertaining tale for young readers!

"One overly optimistic, and one overly grumpy, but friends nonetheless. When a beach trip is suggested (and one character reluctantly relents), supplies must be gathered. Too many supplies, however, can slow you down, and the bus waits for no-one. Great fun with lovable characters—even the grumpy one."

A childhood dream finally comes true in this biography of the first African-American female astronaut. This is an excellent biography presented in an easy-to-read format.

"When there is a classroom celebration scheduled, the class pets—two hamsters—are determined to be part of it. But how can they be sure they have the right number of items for a 100th day celebration? Great fun centered around a common school experience."

Word play and silly characters will make this an instant favorite of new readers!

What happens when young sea otter pups are orphaned? In a California aquarium, a nurturing sea otter fills the void, teaching the pups how to care for themselves. A remarkable true story that will especially please young animal lovers.

Pip wants to take to the skies, like his friend Tweet. When persistent flapping doesn't help, can friendship find a way to lift Pip off the ground? Delightful story with immediately lovable characters.

"Ugly works for these critters. From unusual body forms to freakish special feathers, these animals are designed to thrive in certain situations. Still, ""ugly"" is an accurate description. Young nature lovers will enjoy the simple exploration of some truly bizarre-looking animals."

A great "next adventure" for a beloved character, perfect for beginning readers.

Corduroy was first introduced to readers in 1968 and soon became a classic character. Everybody's favorite department store bear is having further adventures, now in Step into Reading, the premier reader line! When Lisa goes on a hiking trip, Corduroy sneaks into her backpack. Lisa is surprised to find him there, but she thinks he'll be safe as long as he stays tucked inside. Corduroy just has to ...

When a mother and her daughters attend a presentation of The Nutcracker, Misty Copeland's performance inspires pride, inspiration, and a willingness to try again. While Misty Copeland's story is told through their conversation, the focus here is on her impact on young African American girls. A beautiful work of realistic fiction for young readers.

Provides an entertaining introduction to several important details about the life of monarch butterflies.

A simple, rewarding telling of how one boy, used to bright city lights, found wonder in the night sky. One visit to the planetarium planted the seed of curiosity that grew by persistence and his parent's support over many years. Currently an avid scientist in the place where his love for stars began, Neil Degrasse Tyson's story inspires pursuit of passion even when young. NOTE: The first page desc ...