The Tweedles are back and ready to take another exuberant swing at going modern. When their neighbors the Hamms announce that they've "gone online" by buying a telephone, Mama excitedly follows suit. But will the lure of the telephone be too much of a distraction for this sweetly old-fashioned family? Fresh from their adventure with their new electric car, Mama decides that the family needs a telephone to keep up with the changing times, and daughter Frances could not be more thrilled. But not all the Tweedles are convinced. Son Francis only has eyes for the family's car, and Papa worries about the family's privacy. Once the phone is installed in the family's home, they can hardly believe the noise it makes! But Frances takes a shine to the telephone immediately, and her enthusiasm for the new device threatens to keep the whole family up at night. Eventually Mama and Francis warm up to the telephone, too, and soon they can't sit still long enough to play a family game of Crokinole. Will the Tweedles ever be able to go offline again? This clever companion to The Tweedles Go Electric gently pokes fun at our modern addiction to technology, while further endearing readers to the sweetly odd Tweedles family.

Francis Scott Key was a very busy man. He and his wife had 11 children. He was a lawyer and many people came to him for advice. But whenever he had a moment, he would jot down a line of poetry. He "loved" writing poems. When the War of 1812 broke out, Francis became even busier. He was well-respected and often called upon to help keep the peace as the war between the United States and England raged on. One fateful night Francis and his friend helped talk the British Navy into releasing a prisoner of war. But they couldn't return home just yet because the Battle of Fort McHenry was starting! If the British captured the fort, America might very well lose its independence. Francis and his friends could only sit on a boat and observe the battle. For 25 hours they watched in awe. What Francis saw inspired him to write a poem that would become America's national anthem! This Step 3 reader is perfect for children who are ready to read independently.

Expect great adventures for seven-year-old Pip, a blacksmith's apprentice who dreams of a better life. Can a dangerous escaped convict, a wealthy old woman, and a secret guardian help him turn his rags to riches? With a rich cast of characters and more plot twists than the most tangled video game, this lively, easy-to-read adaptation of the Dickens classic is sure to capture the imaginations of young and reluctant readers.