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Even though chickens Midge, Pip, and Dot discover that Rooster Sam cannot fly, they still admire and love him. Short vignettes in easy language about silly chickens on a farm combine with uncluttered illustrations to convey a range of silly and cocky fowl behaviors.

When 8-year old Emily is orphaned she heads west to find her kindly Aunt Hilda. Emily’s rip-roaring adventure involves a dastardly uncle, a huge fortune, and a good friend. Each chapter ends with a cliffhanger sure to keep even the most reluctant reader reading!

Humorous illustration and color-coded, rhyming text present retellings of familiar fables that include the morals (though with a light touch). Newly independent readers will have fun reading the short, snappy text with a second reader as they enjoy the cheery visuals.

Bink and Gollie are as different as possible in appearance, likes, and styles. In spite of their dissimilar approaches, the girls remain the best of friends in what may be the first of a fresh new series.

The bright, lively, and one-of-a-kind girl is back, this time to find out the difference between wanting something and actually needing it. Dyamonde is caught by her own cleverness, sure to gain readers’ empathy.

Clementine is back, this time named her 3rd grade classroom’s Friend of the Week. Things don’t go as planned, of course, but Clementine figures out more about true friendship in this latest book featuring the energetic, irrepressible, and always likeable heroine.

Fourth grader Calvin Coconut is back for another adventure. Calvin’s new dog, Streak — who has extreme halitosis — and his science “discovery” project intersect before Calvin’s mom makes him return Streak to the shelter. Calvin is a recognizable character in plausible situations.

Even though Ling and Ting are identical twins, they are not the same. How they differ becomes clear in short chapters in this winning book just right for new readers. The charismatic Asian-American sisters are depicted in word and illustration with humor and affection.

Starting school can be especially frightening if you don’t yet speak English. But Carmen is determined to learn English well in order to teach her little sister. With a supportive teacher and growing confidence, Carmen gradually learns the new language. Expressive illustrations complement this recognizable story.

When Lucy suspects there’s a monster in her bedroom, her mum knows exactly what to do; make a guard dragon, Gruffen, to look after her. See also: Gauge (opens in a new window), another book in The Dragons of Wayward Crescent series.

For as long as she can remember, 10-year old Mandy has lived at the St. Martin’s orphanage with no particular problems though never completely contented. Both trouble and happiness enter Mandy’s life when she discovers a small cottage that becomes her secret. Rich language creates a strong sense of place and mystery in this satisfying novel.

The Potter children’s adventure to find the long-forgotten but wise Whangdoodle begins when they meet Professor Savant at the Bramblewood Zoo. Their journey to find the reclusive Whangdoodle makes for high adventure filled with extraordinary creatures. Told with a storyteller’s voice, this gratifying fantasy reads aloud well.

Although 2nd grader Alvin Ho admires superheroes, he is quite unlike them. In fact, he is afraid of everything! Alvin’s disarming character is perfectly voiced in this two-book collection.

On his adventures, Dominique, a singular canine, meets many mysterious creatures. His reputation builds and so do his stories which make this an ideal book to hear expertly read.

Product Description: One day Freddie Ramos comes home from school and finds a strange box just for him. What’s inside? ZAPATO POWER-shoes that change Freddie’s life by giving him super speed! But what will Freddie do with his fast new skills? Weird things are happening at the Starwood Park Apartments where he lives, and his friends at school need his help. Is Freddie Ramos ready to be a hero? This is the first book in the Zapato Power series.

Best friends, Ivy & Bean, both desperately want to dance ballet with the drama of “Giselle.” Instead, they must learn the basics and finally are cast as squid in the recital. How these recognizable 2nd graders manage to keep their promise not to quit makes the latest installment a worthy one.

What do you do on long summer days? Marcus and Leo decide to start a club and do so with Miranda and Phoebe. Once they have everything a needed like a clubhouse and a mascot, they must decide on a purpose for the club. Club members share another summer adventure filled with babysitting, business, and more in the sequel.
See also: Cool Crazy Crickets to the Rescue (opens in a new window)

Calvin Coconut wants a dog — and ultimately finds the perfect pet at Dog Heaven. Now how can he and his mom’s friend, Ledward, convince mom that Calvin really is responsible enough to have a dog? This latest story about the likeable 4th grader, his friends and their problems is set in Hawaii.

Amos, a mouse, presents scientist, inventor, and early American Benjamin Franklin from his viewpoint. First published in 1939, Ben and Me uses humor and lively language ideal for sharing aloud to bring Ben and Amos to life.

Andy Shane has only two goals. One was to have the best decorated bike in the Home Sweet Home parade and the other is to be a hero. Both seem unlikely — but when the unexpected happens, ordinary boys become heroes. Andy and his friends are likeable and the action believable in this easier to read novel.

Amelia Bedelia is back! This time she is keeping everyone at the library on their toes. Between knitting book “jackets,” hiding from the scary thesaurus, and stealing the bookmobile, no one — especially the librarian — knows what will happen next. Will Amelia Bedelia’s good intentions save the day?

In this installment of friends known as the Time Warp Trio, Joe, Fred, and Sam meet key figures from ancient Greek mythology when they’re transported back to Mount Olympus. It all started during a school play about ancient Greece…

Figure skating has become a popular Winter Olympics sport. Meet well-known figure skaters from around the world in full color photographs and a readable but brief text. A table of contents allows newly independent readers to easily find their favorite skater in this collective biography.

Junie B. worries about her loose tooth. If she’s the first in her class to lose a tooth, will she appear different, weird? It’s inevitable that Junie B.’s tooth comes out and when it does, she sets out to learn what the Tooth Fairy does with all of those teeth. The answer is, of course, addressed in Junie B.’s signature, amusing style!