While it borders on the silly, who can resist a tale with chicken detectives named Dirt, Sweetie, Poppy, and Sugar? Although humorous wrong assumptions complicate their investigative strategy, the Chicken Squad bumbles its way to finding the "weird blue chicken's" missing home, restoring peace and order in their community. Very entertaining — a good choice for reluctant readers.

A new neighborhood. A new school. An unhappy birthday. Things aren't looking great for Gregory. But when he discovers an abandoned chalk factory behind his house, something magical happens: a beautiful garden and a quiet friendship spring up within its walls.

Lighthearted humor defines the antics in this chicken caper. Tail the Squirrel, paralyzed with fear, can't clearly convey the sight he's seen, so the chickens, by fastidious notetaking and deductive reasoning (based on limited experience), try to discover the frightful source of Tail's worry. A hilarious kerfuffle results. A fun read with rich conversation, narration, and storytelling that illustr ...

Who sent an anonymous note to Amber Lee? The secret's in the spit! A new series from the pair that created "Scaredy Cats", this time combining some of the most popular elements of kids' books--mystery, a classroom setting, and simple forensic science with a bit of gross-out factor.

Todd hates spiders, but all of Mr. Merlin's third grade class must collect cobwebs for their science unit. When Mr. Merlin says a spider web may hold the clue to tracking down the burglar who stole Todd's beloved baseball cards, Todd decides spiders may not be so bad after all. Illustrations.

Sarah and her father leave their family to build a home in the wilderness of colonial America. When they finish, he goes away to bring the rest of the family, telling her that "to be afraid and to be brave is the best courage of all." "This story is one to be long remembered for its beautiful simplicity and dignity."--"New York Times Book Review."

A refreshing story that presents teamwork, friendship, kindness, and generosity in an extremely positive light. An engaging ""light"" mystery underlies the importance of looking beyond the surface and to choose empathy when everything seems to give cause for blame.

Janie Samm's parents take a big gamble by moving to a more expensive town so Janie can attend a better school. She already feels different from her rich classmates, but when her parents' plans go awry, Janie comes up with an idea to save the day -- even if it makes her stand out more than ever. B&W illustrations.

When Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose discover an old ship off the Florida coast loaded with gold, they're not sure if they want to share their findings.

Siblings Fritz and Franny have all sorts of bedtime adventures in this early reader from Geisel Honor winner Tina Kügler!Pick a Book. Grow a Reader!This series is part of Scholastic's early reader line, Acorn, aimed at children who are learning to read. With easy-to-read text, a short-story format, plenty of humor, and full-color artwork on every page, these books will boost reading confidence an ...

In 1867, while staying with her father in a small California mining town, ten-year-old Winnie meets a Chinese boy close to her age and discovers the role of his people in completing the transcontinental railroad.

This fun storybook will resonate with all children who know the excitement, energy, and bittersweet emotions that the final days of a school year bring.

Science fair first, concert second. With the rules set, Maggie gets to work on her project. Try after try end up in disaster—some of them rather sticky! As tie grows short, Maggie begins to wonder if she and her partner will have a science fair project or not, and if not, will she be able to play with the band in the upcoming concert? Another winner in this enjoyable series!

A chance to meet her favorite basketball player by winning a free throw contest prompts Becca to practice. But the practice sessions start badly and get worse. Will she even have a chance at the contest, and if not, will she ever meet her hero of the hardwood? Another winner in this early chapter series.

A broken arm days before an upcoming concert has the band scrambling for a substitute keyboard player. They find a winner in Leslie, but is she too good? Jasmine fears she's lost her place in the band as rehearsals seem to go better and better. Is the band changed forever? A gentle story of feelings young readers will find familiar.

Trump, the veterinarian's canine assistant, narrates each patient visit with such empathy and entertainment, at times it is easy to forget he is a dog! The authors have found an endearing way to show how valuable patience and understanding can be in stressful situations.

"Marty Laone, new boy in third grade, is good at math but so bad at gym that he's always picked last. He spends most of (his time) plotting to escape the dreaded class--until a teacher and fellow classmate let him know that he's not alone. . . . This is distinguished by Duffey's skill in making Marty's inner feelings ring true".--Kirkus Reviews.

Abandoned by his family, Freddie, the canine narrator, is alone on the streets until he meets up with Spike, a watchdog who's not mean enough to satisfy his junkyard-owner master. The two new friends soon face a new danger when their past comes back to threaten them. Illustrations.