Books in Stepping Stones series

Like most kids, Brad loves baseball. He wants to be a star player like his best friend, Butter. But it turns out that he's almost the worst player on his entire team. The other kids make fun of him, and his dad seems disappointed in him. Now it's up to Brad to come through in the big game -- and the pressure is on! Will he strike out...or become a home-run hero? Kids will love this funny, true-to-life tale of friendship by the author of the popular Angel Park All-Stars series.

In this gripping medieval page-turner, Roger and his sister Alice are kidnapped and held for ransom in an ancient tower. To escape and find their uncle, the children must summon all their courage and imagination. "Designed as easy-reading material for middle-graders, this has the virtues of an attractive format and illustrations, a fast plot, and even a feminist fillip: Alice is the more intrepid of the siblings, Roger's gifts are for music and ventriloquism."--Bulletin, Center for Children's Books. From the Trade Paperback edition.

When a spaceship crashes in his backyard, Roy gets what he's always wanted--a dog of his very own! But Space Dog is no ordinary mutt and he isn't about to start acting like one. He's an explorer from the planet Queekrg. He reads the paper, eats pizza, and he's never even heard of dog food. "The standard boy-and-his-dog tale takes on a new dimension...Roy's attempts to convert his new pet to the ways of this world are hilarious."-- Publishers Weekly

Roy wants to enter Space Dog in the local pet show. Space Dog can walk, talk, and count, so winning a blue ribbon should be a sure thing, right? But Space Dog wants no part of it. He came to Earth to do research, not perform silly tricks! Finally, however, he agrees to enter for Roy's sake. But he didn't bargain on a beauty makeover at Dotty's Dog Salon! "Roy's attempts to convert his new pet to the ways of this world are hilarious." -- Publishers Weekly