Martin isn't too excited about his new babysitter, Darla. She'll never be as cool as his old babysitter, Bruce, and-yuck-she likes to dance, just like his moon-eyed parents! Martin is pretty sure he'll always prefer his favorite superhero, Zip Rideout, to dancing, even though the older boys tease him: "Absolutely no amount of growing up would make him change his mind about Zip." But guess who else likes Zip Rideout? This and other surprises await in these two stories about exuberant elementary-school kid, Martin Bridge.
Summary In “Moon Eyes,” Martin has a rough day when he is teased by Thomas, an older boy, for still wearing a Zip Rideout jacket. Worse, when Martin’s parents go out dancing, they hire a new sitter, the gushy and girly Darla! Over the course of the evening, Martin and Darla find common ground learning a dance step and watching Zip Rideout. The next Monday on the bus, Thomas, who is sweet on Darla, is humbled and silenced when he learns that Martin has her phone number and has danced with her—and that she, like Martin, is a huge fan of Zip Rideout. The bad news for Martin? The girls on the bus all love to dance, and they are now all making “moon eyes” at him. In “Props,” Martin and his friend Stuart are playing inside a Zip Rideout rocket when the toy store closes—with the boys locked inside! Their only hope of rescue is to attract the attention of a passersby through the display window, but Martin must first overcome his fear of store mannequins.
Topics Favorite cartoons. Sitters. Being late. The school bus. Teasing. First impressions. Growing up. Kindness. Dancing. Embarrassment. Making friends. Common interests. Milk shakes. Bedtime. Movies. Responsibility. Girls' telephone numbers. Misunderstandings. Silencing a bully. Theater props. Display windows. Fears. Mannequins. The toy store. Spiders. Rockets. Playing. Hunger. Darkness. Gates. Clowns. Flashlights. Signals. Admitting fears. Overcoming fears. Remembering frightening events. Rescue. Alarms. Sirens. Relief.
SRC Level 3.500000
SRC Points 4.000000
Lexile 670L
Trim Size 5 1/2" x 7 1/4"
Language English
JLG Release Date Apr 2007
Minimum grade 3
Maximum grade 5
Reading level Elementary
Format Print
Intermediate Readers (Grades 3-5)
Intermediate Readers
Intermediate Readers (Grades 3-5)
For Grades 3-5
This collection includes 12 carefully selected books each year, offering a wide variety of captivating stories and informative nonfiction. While the focus is primarily on text, some novels may include illustrations to support comprehension and engagement.