Book excerpt: Themes: Optimism, Magic, Fiction, Tween, Emergent Reader, Chapter Book, Hi-Lo, Hi-Lo Books, Hi-Lo Solutions, High-Low Books, Hi-Low Books, ELL, EL, ESL, Struggling Learner, Struggling Reader, Special Education, SPED, Newcomers, Reading, Learning, Education, Educational, Educational Books. Kirby is a pessimistic kid. He's a good student with some close friends. But heÕs intimidated by schoolmate Lee, who always seems to have better grades and more friends. On the way home from school one day, Kirby saves a man from being hit by a truck. The man gives him a magic stone. You make a wish and rub the stone, the man tells Kirby. Your wish will come true. Kirby is skeptical, but then his wishes start to come true! This series of short novels was designed to engage a broad spectrum of struggling readers. No longer will upper-elementary students have to read material junior to their maturity and interests. Characters are age appropriate and come from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Science ficion, sports, paranormal, realistic life, historical fiction, and fantasy are just a few of the many genres. Books are no higher than a 1.5 reading level, with illustrations on every spread that support visual literacy and draw kids into the text. Each book is around 70 pages.