Special Collections
Browse by Lexile: 400L - 490L
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Sugar
by Jewell Parker RhodesTen-year-old Sugar lives on the River Road sugar plantation along the banks of the Mississippi. Slavery is over, but laboring in the fields all day doesn't make her feel very free.
Thankfully, Sugar has a knack for finding her own fun, especially when she joins forces with forbidden friend Billy, the white plantation owner's son.
Sugar has always yearned to learn more about the world, and she sees her chance when Chinese workers are brought in to help harvest the cane.
The older River Road folks feel threatened, but Sugar is fascinated. As she befriends young Beau and elder Master Liu, they introduce her to the traditions of their culture, and she, in turn, shares the ways of plantation life.
Sugar soon realizes that she must be the one to bridge the cultural gap and bring the community together.
Here is a story of unlikely friendships and how they can change our lives forever.
From Jewell Parker Rhodes, the author of Ninth Ward (a Coretta Scott King Honor Book and a Today show Al's Book Club for Kids pick), here's another tale of a strong, spirited young girl who rises beyond her circumstances and inspires others to work toward a brighter future.
Sugar and Spice
by Sarah MlynowskiThat's the way the cookie crumbles!
Yum! Our magic mirror has dropped me and my brother, Jonah, into the story of Hansel and Gretel. If we're lucky, we may even get to taste the cake-house...
But we didn't count on accidentally getting trapped. The real Hansel and Gretel are on the run, and Jonah and I have taken their place. And the witch is making a kid casserole for dinner...
Now we have to:
- Avoid being eaten
- Pretend our dog is a cat
- Learn to make kale smoothies
- Befriend a talking duck
Or we may never make it back to our home sweet home!
Take Two
by Julia DeVillers and Jennifer RoyPayton and Emma left a trail of chaos in their wake when they “traded faces” just for fun. This time they’ll switch places to help each other and their friends out of a ginormous mess! Payton is helping out on the middle school musical while Emma puts her brains to use by tutoring—more like “twotoring”—identical twin boys. But when the boys turn out to be double trouble, Payton and Emma’s worlds collide and lead to more middle-school mix-ups and mayhem. In the end, Payton and Emma realize that no matter what, they have each other’s backs (as well as faces).
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
by Judy BlumeLiving with his little brother, Fudge, makes Peter Hatcher feel like a fourth grade nothing. Whether Fudge is throwing a temper tantrum in a shoe store, smearing smashed potatoes on walls at Hamburger Heaven, or scribbling all over Peter's homework, he's never far from trouble. He's a two-year-old terror who gets away with everything—and Peter's had enough. When Fudge walks off with Dribble, Peter's pet turtle, it's the last straw. Peter has put up with Fudge too long. How can he get his parents to pay attention to him for a change?
The Teacher from the Black Lagoon
by Mike ThalerThis funny story from the "Black Lagoon" series talks about a little boy's fear on his first day to school.
There's A Boy in the Girl's Bathroom
by Louis SacharBradley Chalkers IS the oldest kid in the fifth grade. He tells enormous lies. He picks fights with girls. No one likes him--except Carla, the new school counselor. She thinks Bradley is sensitive and generous, and knows that Bradley could change, if only he weren't afraid to try. But when you feel like the most-hated kid in the whole school, believing in yourself can be the hardest thing in the world. . . .Winner of 19 Children's Choice AwardsFrom the Trade Paperback edition.
They Cage the Animals at Night
by Jennings Michael BurchBurch was left at an orphanage and never stayed at any of the foster homes long enough to make friends. This is the story of how he grew up and gained the courage to reach out for love.
Timmy Failure
by Stephan PastisThis book is Timmy's Second Adventure.
He doesn’t like to pull rank.
To reveal that he’s this guy: Timmy Failure, founder, president, and CEO of the greatest detective agency in town, perhaps the nation. But he is.
And he’s about to crack the biggest case of his generation: a school competition to find a stolen globe.
It’s his ticket to bringing home a $500 prize, which is guaranteed to set him up for life.
But someone is clearly trying to game the system. Hoodwink. Con. Defraud.
So it’s up to Timmy Failure, with the dubious help of Total, his lazy polar-bear partner, and his unlikely new ally, eccentric Great-Aunt Colander, to find a way to avenge these shenanigans.
Defeat this injustice. If he can only get his entry form in on time.
The Tower Of The Elf King
by Tony Abbott and Tim JessellA hidden door. A magical staircase. Discover the world of Droon!
Somebody has robbed the Lumpies' village! And it can't be Lord Sparr - because he has mysteriously disappeared. The rumor is that a terrible beast is behind the crime.
So Eric, Julie and Neal set off with Khan and Princess Keeah to find the creature. Instead they find a big surprise!
Towers Falling
by Jewell Parker RhodesFrom award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes, a powerful novel set fifteen years after the 9/11 attacks.
When her fifth-grade teacher hints that a series of lessons about home and community will culminate with one big answer about two tall towers once visible outside their classroom window, Deja can't help but feel confused.
She sets off on a journey of discovery, with new friends Ben and Sabeen by her side.
But just as she gets closer to answering big questions about who she is, what America means, and how communities can grow (and heal), she uncovers new questions, too.
Like, why does Pop get so angry when she brings up anything about the towers?
Award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes tells a powerful story about young people who weren't alive to witness this defining moment in history, but begin to realize how much it colors their every day.
The Valentine Star
by Blanche Sims and Patricia Reilly GiffIt's time for everyone in Ms. Rooney's room to make cards for the Valentine box. Emily Arrow couldn't be happier when Dawn Bosco gives her some colored stars to decorate her cards. She plans to make a special one for Ms. Vincent, the new student teacher.
But things take a turn for the worse when Ms. Rooney asks Emily to be class monitor. Emily feels important sitting at the teacher's desk, until Sherri Dent leaves her seat without Emily's permission. Emily reports her. That's when Sherri tells Emily, "You'll be sorry."
Emily is really worried. What will Sherri do to get even?
Virals
by Kathy ReichsAdventure is in Tory Brennan's blood. After all, she's the grandniece of world-famous forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan. Always up for a challenge, Tory and her science-geek friends spend their time exploring the marshlands of Loggerhead Island, home to the very off-limits Loggerhead Island Research Institute, where something strange is going on.
After rescuing a stray wolfdog pup from a top-secret lab, Tory and her friends are exposed to a rare strain of canine parvovirus, changing them--and their DNA--forever. Now they are more than friends. They are a pack. They are Virals. And they're dangerous to the core. But are they unstoppable enough to catch a cold-blooded murderer? ~From the Trade Paperback edition.
Wayside School is Falling Down
by Louis SacharA collection of wacky stories about the 29 kids in Mrs. Jewls's class at the crazy and adventurous Wayside School.
The Wild Kid
by Harry Mazer"Can I go home now?" After his bike gets stolen, twelve-year-old Sammy gets lost in the woods near his home.
He stumbles upon the makeshift hideaway of the "wild kid" named Kevin, who has run away from reform school.
Will this strongly independent tough let Sammy get home to his family? Can they both survive in the unforgiving wilderness?
Young Cam Jansen and the Baseball Mystery
by David A. AdlerCam Jansen and her friends meet in the park to play baseball, but when their ball gets lost, it looks like the game may be over. Cam has a picture in her head of everything she has seen, and she says "click" whenever she wants to remember something. But does she have the picture she needs to find the baseball? With short sentences, plenty of repetition, and lots of clues, beginning readers will love solving this easy-to-read mystery right along with young Cam.
Lexile Levels: 210-450
Young Cam Jansen and the Dinosaur Game
by David A. AdlerCam and her friend Eric go to a birthday party where everyone is supposed to guess the number of toy dinosaurs in a jar. Did someone cheat?
Lexile Level: 210-450
Young Cam Jansen and the Double Beach Mystery
by David A. AdlerCam Jansen and her best friend Eric have headed to the beach. But after a day of sun and fun, they can't find Cam's mother. Was she abducted by aliens? Is she in disguise? "Click," says Cam, and the hunt is on.
The Cam Jansen Adventure series has been a favorite with older readers for years.
With the addition of the Cam easy-to-reads, now younger readers are able to help solve mysteries meant just for them. When it's time to make the transition to more difficult books, Cam Jansen will be waiting.
Lexile Levels: 210-450
Young Cam Jansen and the Ice Skate Mystery
by David A. AdlerNow even beginning readers can join in the fun of cracking cases with Cam Jansen, the red-headed detective with the photographic memory.
Lexile Levels: 210-450
Young Cam Jansen and the Library Mystery
by David A. AdlerCam and her best friend Eric take a trip to the library to check out some books. But instead of finding a new favorite story, they find a mystery to solve. Will Cam's photographic memory come to the rescue once again? The Cam Jansen Adventure series has been a favorite with older readers for years, and now younger readers can join in the fun. When it's time to make the transition to more difficult books, Cam Jansen will be waiting.
Lexile Levels: 210-450
Young Cam Jansen and the Lost Tooth
by David A. AdlerCan Cam Jansen help her friend Annie find her lost tooth?
Lexile Levels: 210-450
Young Cam Jansen and the Missing Cookie
by David A. AdlerCam Jansen can find a mystery anywhere--even in the school lunch room! When Jason opens his lunch box and finds only cookie crumbs, Cam's amazing memory clicks into action.
Lexile Levels: 210-450
Young Cam Jansen and the New Girl Mystery
by David A. AdlerThere's a new girl in school! Her name's Jenny, and Cam and Eric are happy to befriend her and help her find her way around. But when it's time for gym class, where's Jenny? Which gym did she go to? Is there more than one gym?
Young readers won't be able to resist looking for clues in the story to help Cam and Eric find their new classmate.
Lexile Levels: 210-450
Young Cam Jansen and the Pizza Shop Mystery
by David A. AdlerCam, her father, and her best friend can't pass up eating at the best pizza place in the world. But they can't leave the mall until they solve the mystery of the missing jacket. Will Cam's photographic memory be enough?
Lexile Levels: 210-450
Young Cam Jansen and the Spotted Cat Mystery
by David A. AdlerWhen a cat appears in their classroom one rainy day, Cam and her friend Eric figure out where it came from.
Lexile Levels: 210-450
Young Cam Jansen and the Substitute Mystery
by David A. AdlerCam's photographic memory helps a scatterbrained substitute teacher, especially when he discovers that he has misplaced his coat.
Lexile Levels: 210-450