The Great Houdini

by Monica Kulling

Published 1 January 1999
Harry Houdini was a great escape artist, but perhaps his greatest trick was becoming the famous magician that we have come to know. As a child, Houdini worked hard--and even quit school--to help support his family. But his dream always was to become a great magician and performer. He practiced day and night, thinking up new tricks and more and more dangerous stunts. His intense ambition paid off, and soon Harry Houdini became known worldwide!

This kid-appealing Step 3 traces Houdini's life from his poor beginnings to his eventual success as the most famous mystical magician and escape artist of all time.

This Step 2 BIOGRAPHY READER shares the life and inspiring efforts of this bold suffragette and her fight for women's right to vote.

"It's not fair." Susan B. Anthony was very concerned about fairness and equality for women and girls in America. She knew it wasn't fair to pay a woman less than a man for the same job. She knew it wasn't fair not to allow women to vote in elections. In fact, it was illegal for women to vote. But she felt so strongly, she voted--and was arrested! Young readers will learn about young Susan B. Anthony and how she grew up to become a suffragette--a fighter for women's equality. She joined forces with other women and gave speeches around the country to gain support for women's right to vote. She fought her whole life, and believed that "failure is impossible." She was right; her work made the 19th Amendment to the Constitution possible!

Step 2 Readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories, for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help. Rhyme and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story.

This Step 2 BIOGRAPHY READER marks the 200th birthday of this bold suffragette and the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th amendment, giving women the right to vote.

"It's not fair." Susan B. Anthony was very concerned about fairness and equality for women and girls in America. She knew it wasn't fair to pay a woman less than a man for the same job. She knew it wasn't fair not to allow women to vote in elections. In fact, it was illegal for women to vote. But she felt so strongly, she voted in an election--and was arrested--anyway. Young readers will learn about young Susan B. Anthony and how she grew up to become a suffragette--a fighter for women's equality. She joined forces with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and others and gave speeches around the country to gain support for women's right to vote. She fought her whole life, and believed that "failure is impossible." She was right; her work made the 19th Amendment to the Constitution possible!

Step 3 Readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics--for children who are ready to read on their own.

Surveys the life of Harriet Tubman, including her childhood in slavery and her later work in helping other slaves escape north to freedom through the Underground Railroad.

Sea of Ice

by Monica Kulling

Published 22 January 1999

Eleanor Everywhere

by Monica Kulling

Published 1 January 1999
Profiles the first wife of a president to have a public life and career of her own, devoted to helping others and working for peace.

Vanished!

by Monica Kulling

Published 1 January 1996

It’s 1901 and Henry Ford wants to build a car that everyone can own. But first he needs the money to produce it. How will he get it? He enters a car race, of course! Readers will love this fast-paced, fact-based story!

IT'S 1876 AND THE whole country is celebrating the 100th birthday of the United States. The biggest party is in Philadelphia at the World's Fair, where the latest and greatest inventions are on display for all to see. Alexander Graham Bell is headed to the fair to demonstrate his invention - a talking machine he calls the telephone. But will anyone come to see him at the world's most important science fair? And more importantly, will his machine work? This Step 3 reader celebrates the resilient, quirky spirit of inventors.

Eliza Hamilton

by Monica Kulling and Valerio Fabbretti

Published 4 September 2018
A Step 3 BIOGRAPHY READER about the unsung historical figure and Founding Mother Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton.

Hamilton, the musical, is igniting American history fever in adults and kids--especially about the central figures of the play. Kids clearly want to know more, and this companion to early reader Alexander Hamilton: From Orphan to Founding Father will fill the void. Eliza Hamilton was so much more than just Alexander Hamilton's wife. She was a spirited girl who grew up to be a strong woman with a big heart and amazing strength of character. She rescued many children in need during her life. In fact, she and others established New York City's first orphanage--which became a place that is still helping needy children to this day. She lived for 50 years after Hamilton's death in the infamous duel, and she preserved his historical legacy and contributed to American history with other Founding Mothers in ways that will finally be shared widely with those newly interested in Colonial and Revolutionary War times.

Step 3 Readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics--for children who are ready to read on their own.

This fascinating Step 3 History Reader describes the invention of the first Ferris wheel—an engineering marvel. The 1893 World’s Fair organizers wanted something big to draw people to Chicago . . . something that would rival the Eiffel Tower. George Ferris, an American engineer, had the idea for an observation wheel that passengers could ride on. People laughed at his idea. They said it would never work. But it was a huge success, with thirty-six cars that could hold over 2,100 riders! That’s some big wheel! Ferris wheel lovers can thank George Ferris for never giving up his dream.
 
Step 3 Readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics—for children who are ready to read on their own.

A Step 3 BIOGRAPHY READER about the unsung historical figure and Founding Mother Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton.

Hamilton, the musical, is igniting American history fever in adults and kids--especially about the central figures of the play. Kids clearly want to know more, and this companion to early reader Alexander Hamilton: From Orphan to Founding Father will fill the void. Eliza Hamilton was so much more than just Alexander Hamilton's wife. She was a spirited girl who grew up to be a strong woman with a big heart and amazing strength of character. She rescued many children in need during her life. In fact, she and others established New York City's first orphanage--which became a place that is still helping needy children to this day. She lived for 50 years after Hamilton's death in the infamous duel, and she preserved his historical legacy and contributed to American history with other Founding Mothers in ways that will finally be shared widely with those newly interested in Colonial and Revolutionary War times.

Step 3 Readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics--for children who are ready to read on their own.

Alexander Hamilton

by Monica Kulling

Published 7 February 2017
Fans of the Broadway musical Hamilton and American history lovers will want to share this illustrated biography of Alexander Hamilton with their young readers.
 
Did you know that one of our Founding Fathers was not born in America? An orphan from the West Indies, Alexander Hamilton came to the colonies and played an important role in the Revolutionary War, rising to become General George Washington’s right-hand man. But his accomplishments don’t stop there! He helped obtain the ratification of the Constitution; he was America’s first secretary of the treasury; and he established the first national bank and the U.S. Mint. A man of ambition, loyalty, and principle, he is now being celebrated as the prominent patriot he was.
 
Step 3 Readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics—for children who are ready to read on their own.

Did you know that one of our Founding Fathers was not born in America? An orphan from the West Indies, Alexander Hamilton came to the colonies and played an important role in the Revolutionary War, rising to become General George Washington s right-hand man. But his accomplishments don t stop there! He helped obtain the ratification of the Constitution; he was America s first secretary of the treasury; and he established the first national bank and the U.S. Mint. A man of ambition, loyalty, and principle, he is now being celebrated as the prominent patriot he was.

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.