Special Collections
Accelerated Reader Middle Grade Collection
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Poppleton and Friends
by Cynthia Rylant and Mark TeaguePoppleton the pig goes to the beach, solves a lint mystery, and learns that friends are the secret to a long life, in a delightfully funny and beautifully illustrated storybook that contains three tales about Poppleton and his friends.
Poppleton and Friends
by Cynthia RylantThree charming stories of Poppleton and his wonderful friends who spend a day with him at the beach and give him sound advice when he needs it most.
Poppleton Everyday
by Cynthia RylantThree delightful new tales about Poppleton for beginning readers in which Poppleton gets sick while stargazing, goes in search of a new bed, and finds sailing anything but relaxing.
Poppleton Forever
by Cynthia RylantIn three adorable new stories, Poppleton the pig gets help from his friends when his tree begins to wilt, when he catches a cold, and later when he decides to wallpaper his house.
Poppleton in Fall
by Cynthia RylantThe first is a bit of nonsense involving geese flying south; Poppleton invites them in for cookies, but chatting and serving so many geese exhausts him so that he can only utter gibberish when he drops by Cherry Sue's, and succumbs to a nap.
When Poppleton seeks a new winter coat, Zacko the ferret haberdasher insults the pig for his rotundity. Cherry Sue, reminding Poppleton that Zacko is a ferret, after all, with a radically different perspective on big and small, gives her friend a catalog for big and tall pigs. Lastly, Cherry Sue saves Poppleton's bacon at the Lion's Club pancake breakfast.
Poppleton in Spring
by Cynthia RylantPoppleton the pig charms young readers with his quirky adventures, whimsical ideas, and engaging community of friends! In these three fun springtime stories, Poppleton tries his hand at spring cleaning, riding a bicycle, and staying up all night in his new tent.
Poppleton in Spring
by Cynthia RylantRevisit three wonderful stories from Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant and award-winning illustrator Mark Teague--with new cover art and design!
In this easy-to-read chapter book, Poppleton the pig charms young readers with his quirky adventures, whimsical ideas, and engaging community of friends! In three wonderful springtime stories, Poppleton tries his hand at spring cleaning, riding a bike, and staying up all night in his new tent.
These hilarious stories feature simple language, everyday experiences, and beautiful illustrations--perfect for beginning readers!
Lexile Measure: 500
Poppleton in Winter
by Cynthia RylantIn this easy-to-read chapter book, Poppleton the pig charms young readers with his quirky adventures and whimsical ideas! Poppleton grows an icicle garden and ends up with an icicle fence instead. He sculpts a bust of Cherry Sue without explaining his constant visits just to look at her face. And he wonders why he can't find a friend to go on a sleigh ride with. No one can go, because they're all preparing Poppleton's birthday party!
[This text is listed as an example that meets Common Core Standards in English language arts in grades 2-3 at http://www.corestandards.org.]
Puppy Mudge Loves His Blanket
by Cynthia RylantMudge is Henry's puppy, a puppy who loves his blanket. Mudge brings his blanket everywhere. But when the blanket gets lost, it's up to Henry to find it...or Mudge might never go to sleep!
Alone in His Teacher's House
by Louis SacharThe good thing Marvin has going will take him by surprise and help him to grow up. His teacher has picked him as her most responsible student, the boy she can trust to feed and pay attention to her dog, Waldo, and walk him 3 times a day while she's out of town for a week. He'll earn $25.
Waldo is lovable, Marvin is proud of his first job, its cool looking around at his teacher's things, his older brother admires him, His parents support him, and little sister Lindsey loves playing with Waldo.
This job should be easy but Marvin has problems. Waldo doesn't want to eat; his special care makes Marvin late to school. The sub labels Marvin a trouble maker and picks on him. And Marvin's friends think he's stuck up because he won't let them play in his teacher's house. After he's done his very best, his teacher won't be happy when she gets home. She might even hate Marvin. He cries and can't sleep. No one can help him. He must face his teacher and tell her everything.
This is a quick reading chapter book. Marvin finds that being mature means making decisions by himself; should he let his friends inside their teacher's house to see what she has in there? Should he let them play with Waldo? Should he call his parents or the vet for help? Should he eat dog food? Listen to your child read these short chapters written on second grade level but of interest to kids up to 6th grade.
Enjoy the humor together and help your child understand Marvin's frustration when he learns that being trustworthy sometimes means making his friends mad and that there is joy, worry and sorrow in caring for an old, lovable, pet. 3 other delightful Marvin Redpost books are in the collection. The book also contains a long list of other popular high interest, low vocabulary stepping stone books.
Alone in His Teacher's House
by Louis Sachar and Barbara SullivanIllus. in black-and-white. Marvin's friends think he's the luckiest boy in the world when his teacher asks him to dog-sit for a week. He gets to be alone in Mrs. North's house! But pretty soon it starts to look as if Marvin is not so lucky after all...."From the Trade Paperback edition.
Class President
by Louis Sachar and Amy WummerIt's no ordinary Thursday for Marvin Redpost and his class...It's "hole day," and even Mrs. North and Principal McCabe are wearing their very worst clothes. It seemed like a fun idea that morning, but now they're expecting company. The president -- of the United States! -- is on his way. And there's no time to change! Marvin must do math on the blackboard with television cameras pointed at him. And the day is just beginning!
A Flying Birthday Cake?
by Louis Sachar and Amy WummerMarvin and Stuart get to sleep over at Nick Tuffle's house for Nick's birthday. They set out sleeping bags in the Tuffles' backyard. Stuart and Nick fall right to sleep, but Marvin tosses and turns. Then he hears a noise, and something glowing zooms over his head. Is it really a flying birthday cake? Or something else? The next day, a very strange new kid shows up at school. . . .
Holes
by Louis SacharStanley Yelnats is under a curse. A curse that began with his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather and has since followed generations of Yelnats.
Now Stanley has been unjustly sent to a boys' detention center, Camp Green Lake, where the warden makes the boys "build character" by spending all day, every day, digging holes: five feet wide and five feet deep. It doesn't take long for Stanley to realize there's more than character improvement going on at Camp Green Lake. The boys are digging holes because the warden is looking for something. Stanley tries to dig up the truth in this inventive and darkly humorous tale of crime and punishment--and redemption
Newbery Medal Winner
National Book Award
Is He a Girl?
by Louis Sachar and Barbara SullivanWill kissing his elbow really turn Marvin into a girl? Casey Happleton claims it's so, and Marvin starts to believe her after his lips "accidentally" brush his elbow.
A Magic Crystal?
by Louis Sachar and Amy WummerWhen Marvin Redpost agrees to go over to Casey Happleton's house, he doesn't know what he's in for. Casey shows him the magic crystal she has just found and offers to give Marvin a few wishes. Is the crystal really magic? Or is it too good to be true?
Marvin Redpost
by Louis SacharMarvin Redpost suddenly figures out why he has red hair and blue eyes, when everyone else in his family has brown hair and brown eyes.
He's not really Marvin Redpost at all. He is Robert, the Lost Prince of Shampoon! Soon his friends are treating him like royalty. Now all he has to do is break the news to his "parents."
Marvin Redpost
by Louis SacharIf you kiss yourself on the elbow, you'll turn into a girl.
When Marvin's lips touch his elbow, he suddenly finds himself acting very strange. Wishing he had pigtails like his sister, Linzy. Asking to play hopscotch at recess. Even dotting his i's with little hearts in class! Sure, he may have figured out the secret difference between girls and boys...but will Marvin Redpost ever return to normal?
Marvin Redpost
by Louis SacharDoes anybody like being the new kid at school? The new kid, Joe Normal, doesn't, and since his parents are always moving, he is forced to be the new kid again and again. Joe tries to fit in, but the kids never like him. They talk about him behind his back for kissing the flagpole, they laugh out loud at him in class when he doesn't know what an elephant is because he says there aren't many of them in Chicago where he's from.
At recess they don't want to let him in line to play ball and after school they say if he goes home with them to play, their dog will bite him. Marvin agrees that a kid who shakes hands with everyone he meets is weird, but even if it means Marvin's friends will stop playing with him, Marvin decides to take Joe home. Marvin thinks it's hard being the new kid.
Strange things continue to happen when Joe and Marvin go home. Joe is wild about Jell-O, teaches the family to play a new game where they step on paper plates instead of slimy fish, and eats his pizza with a knife and fork, but everyone, even Marvin's teen aged brother, likes Joe. Marvin and Joe become best friends and suddenly the kids at school like Joe, too.
Then why does Joe come to Marvin's house in a big limo driven by soldiers? What does all of this have to do with a giant flying birthday cake with green frosting?
Marvin Redpost
by Louis SacharThe president of the United States is coming to visit Marvin's class. He's even going to answer one question from each kid. Plus everything is going to be on TV! Marvin is nervous. What if someone steals his question?
What if he can't speak when it's his turn? How will that look to the president and everyone watching on TV? Marvin learns how to be a good citizen and that he may grow up to be president of The United States.
But Marvin may not get a chance to see himself on TV. He's late. He forgot his mom was taking him to shop for shoes after school.
Marvin Redpost
by Louis SacharBotched bike races and broken noses...Suicide Hill is the stuff of legends. Many have tried to master the slippery slopes on their bikes, but few have succeeded. The word at school is that Marvin will be taking on the hill with his new mountain bike.
But the truth is, he can barely climb onto the seat! And shifting gears-forget about it. How did he suddenly become a daredevil? Does he have to ride down Suicide Hill to prove himself? If Marvin makes it, he'll be a hero. If not, his friends and family will catch the biggest wipeout in history!
As Marvin counts down to the dreaded day, his classmates have a hilarious discussion about toes, and a visiting policewoman scares Nick who didn't raise his hand before he asked a question.
Sachar conveys the funny and worrisome elements of childhood. Though this book is written with easy vocabulary , is will be fun, satisfying reading for upper as well as lower elementary age students.
Marvin Redpost
by Louis SacharMarvin is about to have a lesson in magic...Marvin Redpost is amazed when he finds out that Casey Happleton lives in an old firehouse. But that's not the only amazing thing about Casey.
She's also got a super-secret magic crystal that she's going to share with Marvin. Is it true? Or is Casey putting her own spell on Marvin?
Marvin tells his friends and family and classmates he doesn't like Casey. He likes eating snacks with her, talking to her, making wishes with her, laughing at the same things with her. When he wishes she would shut up and she shuts up for day after day Marvin isn't having as much fun anymore, not even with his best friends.
This is the last book in the Marvin Redpost series. It's another easy to read, funny story that kids can understand. Louis Sachar has written many more children's books that readers in middle grades will enjoy.
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.
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.
Why Pick on Me?
by Louis SacharThis book will help children understand teasing and how to cope when they are being picked on. An argument over the score of a ball game on the playground ends with Marvin being accused of picking his nose.
By the next day all the kids say he's a nose picker, and won't touch anything that might have Marvin's boogers on it. His life gets worse when Marvin's best friends don't want to be seen with him, when his grades go down, and his teacher writes an embarrassing note right on his report card! Even the lunch lady and the principal get on Marvin's case.
Can it be that Marvin's four-year-old sister's very gross, very personal, question could be the key to a plan that can stop the teasing and end Marvin's loneliness? Kids will be amazed that a book this easy to read can be so hilarious! They may even decide to test their friends' and family's honesty and have some laughs with Marvin's little sister's rude, embarrassing, question. By the way, do you...?