Plant roots are amazing! From keeping plants anchored in the ground to sucking up water from the soil, roots are an essential part of plants. Some go deep below Earth’s surface while others spread far and wide just below the dirt. Dig in to discover how roots help plants survive.
Ever wonder how plants reach toward the sun? Or how water gets from the roots to the leaves? A plant’s stem is like a highway, transporting water and food where it’s needed. Dig in to discover how stems work to support a plant’s survival.
Some are bigger than a school bus. Others are as small as a candy sprinkle. Some make people itch. What are they? Plant leaves! Find out why leaves are a certain shape and size, how they help plants grow, and perform your own experiment to find out just what leaves need to grow.
This book describes the physical characteristics and behaviors of bearded dragons and presents information to consider before getting one as a pet, discussing care requirements and health issues.
When you think of skunks do you think, Pee-yew!? A skunk’s reputation as a natural stinker warns us to stay away. But remove their bad smell, and this boldly striped animal is curious, quick to learn, and tenderhearted.
Pygmy Goats are unusual pets but they are smart, social, and fun to own. Learn all about how to care for them and what special needs they may have to become a great pet!
The miniature donkey is a member of the equine family, along with horses and mules. Like horses, a miniature donkey is a herd animal. This small mammal only reaches 36 to 38 inches (91 to 97 centimeters) tall. It has many other interesting features.
The modern Australian Shepherd is a versatile, joyful dog that loves to be around people. Nothing makes this dog more content than being with its people and doing work for them. Ranchers love Aussies because Aussies are athletes. They can run all day, herding sheep. They never seem to slow down or get tired. In fact, the more exercise they get, the happier they look.
A Frenchie’s favorite job is to warm someone’s lap. Their alert, bat-like ears, big head, and bright brown eyes give their wrinkly faces and smooshed noses an almost comical look. Sometimes called four-legged clowns, French Bulldogs are smart, affectionate, and extremely silly and playful.
Some Great Danes can stand up taller than an average-size human. Their huge size and piercing stare can make them appear scarier than they really are. A Great Dane has a massive head and a long, graceful neck. It has a sleek, muscular body, deep chest, and long legs and tail. Great Danes are built so well they can walk, trot, and run with balance and elegance despite their massive size.
When you hear the word “pit bull,” do you imagine a fierce fighting dog? In the 1800s, people in Great Britain bred terriers, mastiffs, and bulldogs together. These early breeders wanted to create tough fighting dogs. Any dog is capable of biting or attacking. Each dog is an individual. Firm, loving training and early socialization is the best plan for each and every dog, not just pit bulls.
Queeneka and Klaude are not very happy about their roles in the school play, Candy Dreams. They were both trying for the lead role and shy, quiet Javier beat them both! Things get even stickier at rehearsals when Klaude tries to remember his lines and Javier’s and when Queeneka adds more lines and solos to hers. No one is working as a team to make the play successful. That is, not until Javier goes missing on opening night! Can everyone work together to find Javier? Will Mrs. Holmes cancel the play? And who is that man hiding and lurking around the school? These mysteries are perfectly suited to keep readers guessing as they solve for clues. With longer sentences and fewer illustrations, they are just the right fit for your early fluent reader. Paired to the nonfiction title Group Projects.
Divya’s day started out rough. She almost missed the bus and had a rough ride to school. Divya knew that her rough day was nothing compared to what Bus Driver McCool was going through. He never forgot Divya or drove like a race car driver. Something was up. Determined to find out answers and help, Divya follows Bus Driver McCool. What she finds out is not at all what she thought. These mysteries are perfect for your early fluent reader. With longer sentences and fewer illustrations, these are suited to keep readers guessing as they solve for clues. Paired to the nonfiction title Winning by Giving.
Having a dad who writes articles for travel journals in pretty cool. Grace and Jaden get to tag along on many business trips. They get to see beautiful countries and experience amazing trips, hikes, food, and friends. Grace and Jaden’s dad is on assignment in Greece and they get to tag along! Greece is filled with so much beauty and mythology. Grace is excited to explore the country but becomes a little nervous once she learns they will spend a few days on a boat to explore the islands. Things get a little scary as they travel through caves, ruined cities, and experience a storm at sea. What trouble will Jaden get in to here? Can Grace get over her fear of the ocean in order to enjoy the trip? Paired to the nonfiction title Paleontologists.
Tomi and Marisol are always up for an adventure, which is a good thing when your parents are traveling scholars. And this time, the twins are taking on Mexico! Marisol and Tomas always seem to stumble into some trouble. This time, Aunt Bernadette is coming along to keep an eye on them while their dad researches the Mayan ruins – and she’s bringing a whole new set of rules along with her. No junk food. Schoolwork gets done. Yoga in the morning. Groan. The twins aren’t sure at first they will survive this trip with their strict, health-food loving aunt. But there’s a chance they may not survive it without her. Adventure books with longer, complex sentences, rich vocabulary, and minimal illustrations are perfect for fluent readers. Paired to the nonfiction title Reading Maps.
Grace and her brother, Jaden, were adopted by two wonderful people. Grace was adopted from China and Jaden from America. Their parents are history buffs and share their love of history through teaching and writing. Grace loves tagging along as their dad writes for travel magazines. She gets to explore amazing places and experience things that most kids her age don’t. Grace is from China but she doesn’t remember it. She was adopted at a young age and now her and her family are going back to adopt her younger sister! Before the new edition comes to the family, Grace, Jaden, and her dad adventure to the Great Wall of China. But a series of mishaps makes this adventure take a turn for the worst. Will Grace and her family survive the Great Wall of China? These adventure books are perfect for your fluent reader. They develop independent reading through longer, complex sentences, rich vocabulary, and minimal illustrations. Paired to the nonfiction title Great Wall of China.
Romy was having a bad morning. To top it off he didn’t get to be Nurse Strongman’s assistant because he was late to school. He felt really bad for letting Nurse Strongman down but maybe he could make it up to him! A new case just FLEW into his lap: who turned the owl mascot pink? Romy, hoping to solve the case alone, quickly accuses many of his friends without having all his facts. Can Romy solve the case and keep his friends? Will he make his parents and Nurse Strongman proud? These mysteries are perfectly suited to keep readers guessing as they solve for clues. With longer sentences and fewer illustrations, they are just the right fit for your early fluent reader. Paired to the nonfiction title Skills for School Success.
Missing tooth, a hunk of cheese, and white fur are the clues Tully has to solve the latest mystery at Watson Elementary. With the help of the Gumshoe Gang, she sets off to find out who stole CoCo the turtle. But more importantly, why? This latest case comes just when she’s planning her birthday party and trying to find out who she really is. Talk about a full plate. These mysteries are perfectly suited to keep readers guessing as they solve for clues. With longer sentences and fewer illustrations, they are just the right fit for your early fluent reader. Paired to the nonfiction title Freshwater Pond Biome.
Grace, Jaden, and Joy get to visit historical places around the world. Having a mom who is a history professor and a dad who writes for travel magazines has its benefits. Grace and Jaden love exploring their new surroundings and going on adventures with new friends. France is filled with wonderful museums, delicious restaurants, and, of course, history. Grace, Jaden, and their newest sister, Joy are spending the summer in Paris with their parents! While their parents are busy working, Sophie, the babysitter, has them explore the attic. The kids find a mysterious painting and decide to track down the artist. But did they get in too deep? Could this painting actually be worthy millions? Who is the guy that keeps following them? Can Grace, Jaden, and Sophie find the answers and help they need before it’s too late? Adventure books with longer, complex sentences, rich vocabulary, and minimal illustrations are perfect for fluent readers. Paired to the nonfiction title A Look at Renaissance Art.
The Nylund kids are experienced world travelers thanks to their mom. Having a mom who works for the UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, means they get to tag along for amazing world adventures. They each record their trips in their travel journals so that can always have the memories… and because they have to share what they learned with their teachers and classmates! The family is packing up and shipping out to Italy! Excited and desperate to leave Chicago’s winter weather, the Nylund family meets one obstacle after another. A huge ice storm in New York before their flight, losing Ollie in the Roman Catacombs, a crab taking a chunk out of Samal’s foot, and an encounter with a viper threaten to terminate this trip. Will their luck ever turn around so they can enjoy their time in Italy? Adventure books with longer, complex sentences, rich vocabulary, and minimal illustrations are perfect for fluent readers. Paired to the nonfiction title STEM Guides to Maps.
Alex is part of the Gumshoe Gang at Watson Elementary and is a science fanatic. He and his friends help solve cases that happen in their school. This time Alex is the one affected by a crime and the case revolves around him. Someone has destroyed his Science Fair project! Can the Gumshoe Gang find the culprit before the Science Fair tonight? Will Alex still be able to participate in the Science Fair he was so excited about? These mysteries are perfect for your early fluent reader. With longer sentences and fewer illustrations, these are suited to keep readers guessing as they solve for clues. Paired to the nonfiction title Winning By Waiting.
Twins, Samal and Anara, live in New York City with their mom and little brother, Oliver. Living in New York City is an adventure alright but sometimes the kids travel with their mom who works for the United Nations. A family vacation is very different for the Nylund family! Samal and Anara are excited to start their adventure in Cairo with their mom and younger brother. Everything is so different from their home in New York City. The girls learn the importance of understanding the culture of other parts of the world. Can the girls blend in and not draw negative attention their American clothes? Will Samal survive her snorkeling adventure? Will the kids make it out of the protest safely? Adventure books with longer, complex sentences, rich vocabulary, and minimal illustrations are perfect for fluent readers. Paired to the nonfiction title Pyramids of Egypt.
Having parents who travel the world for work has its benefits. Twins, Tomas and Marisol, are able to tag along on many or their parents’ trips exploring new cultures, making new friends, and maybe a few adventures. Tomas and Marisol never thought such a beautiful place would be so dangerous. The twins are eager to see all the animals they can but they never considered poachers invading their camp, stampedes, or the hot savannah sun. Are Tomas and Marisol cut out for Kenya? What did the poachers want from a bunch of researchers? Will the Perez family make it out of the African savannah safely? Adventure books with longer, complex sentences, rich vocabulary, and minimal illustrations are perfect for fluent readers. Paired to the nonfiction title STEM Guides to Travel.
Tomi and Marisol’s lives aren’t like most 12 year olds. Having parents who are traveling researchers can make having a regular life tricky. The cool part is that they have friends all over the world and get to have amazing adventures! Puerto Rico does sound tempting especially when battling a cold, Chicago winter. Who wouldn’t enjoy swimming in the ocean and lounging on the beach? Except that’s not exactly how things work when you have a scientist and a historian for parents. The twins are packing their bags and traveling so their mom can study the Antillean crusted hummingbird in the rainforest. Tomi and Marisol like a good adventure, but sometimes end up where they shouldn’t!These adventure books are perfect for your fluent reader. They develop independent reading through longer, complex sentences, rich vocabulary, and minimal illustrations. Paired to the nonfiction title STEM Jobs with the Environment.
Country hopping is what these twins do best! Tomi and Marisol are homeschooled by their history professor dad and well-known biologist mom. Their classroom is the world as they travel deep into rainforest or out to remote islands. The twins are having adventures and making new friends along the way as they learn about new cultures and countries. The Perez family is out and about in South Korea! Tomi and Marisol are spending their summer vacation away from Chicago while their dad teaches at the local university. These expert travelers are ready to explore the palaces, temples, and volcanic park that South Korea offers. Along the way they rekindle an old flame of Aunt Bernadette’s, get on TV with a Korean K-Pop star, and find themselves in a river without a paddle! The twins and their aunt accidentally end up crossing the border into North Korea and are detained. Will they ever get out? Adventure books with longer, complex sentences, rich vocabulary, and minimal illustrations are perfect for fluent readers. Paired to the nonfiction title STEM Jobs in Music.
