Grand Slam

Series Name: White Lightning

Themes: disability, learning differences, self-confidence, tennis

Brad's truth is that life is hard. He's different. Speaking does not come easily. And words get mixed up no matter how much he pays attention. When he meets Reese, he tries to hide his differences. Brad's a hot varsity tennis player. But will he lose Reese if he doesn't come clean?

White Lightning Books addresses a wide variety of themes and interests in a narrow range of reading levels, no higher than a 2.5. Middle school is a time of self-discovery, high energy, and hormonal change. It can also be a time of self-assertion and defiance. Students who struggle to read will often not recover from low reading achievement in elementary school if their particular interests are not addressed. Encouragement and finding the theme to "hook" them is key. There is a broad range of interest and abilities in this age group, even with struggling readers. These are not YA or elementary books a fact younger teens will appreciate.

Each book is approximately 100 pages with covers that will appeal to young teen readers. The titles in the White Lightning series are designed in a similar style. Students will know what to expect when they pick up a book: a fast-paced story, mature and age-appropriate topics, short chapters, and achievable reading success.

ISBN-13: 9781680211078

Format: Paperback

Grade Level: 6 to 8

Approximate Grade-Level Equivalent for Series: 1.5 to 2.5

Lexile Level: HL200L

Key Words/ Themes: Disability, Learning Differences, Self-Confidence, Tennis, 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