The Starting Line provides twelve enjoyable storybooks for supplemental summer reading between kindergarten and first grade. Stories are short with a small number of words per page, and can be used for read-alouds or for independent reading practice.

Gloria Repp’s A Question of Yams is a Christian fiction missionary story based on true events. The people of Kuri’s village have always prayed to the spirits when they plant their yams. Now Kuri’s father prays to the God of the Bible, and the crops begin to grow.

Pelts and Promises by Nancy Lohr is historical fiction for young readers set in 1903. When a schoolroom prank goes all wrong, Willie B. and Jamie land into big trouble.

Mona Dunckel’s Escape is Christian fiction presented in simple chapter format for young readers. One day Charlie finds an unusual bead in the marketplace and adds it to his treasure box. His parents said the rebels are coming to Ethiopia.

In Mik-Shrok, Christian fiction for middle-grade readers written by Gloria Repp, Steve and Liz Bailey arrive at the small town of Koyalik, Alaska, with troubling questions. The veteran missionary who was supposed to meet them has disappeared. The year is 1950, and Alaska Territory is still a vast wilderness, unsettled and unexplored.

Songbird is historical fiction by Nancy Lohr set in 1770 in the British Colony of Williamsburg. Truxton Pilcher must work in his father’s pewter foundry reclaiming the metal shavings and stoking the fire. When Mr.

Forbidden Gates is historical fiction by Denise Williamson, set in Jerusalem in the first century. This Christian fiction book tells the story of Nathan, the son of a temple money-changer. Nathan knows the laws of God’s house, and he has never questioned the rules.

Buttercup Hill, an early chapter book by Eileen M. Berry, tells the story of a rabbit mother and son who decide to reach outside their comfort zone.

In Looking for Home, a Christian fiction by Eileen M. Berry, Liz and Micah have just moved to an apartment building from their home on a farm. They are sure there is buried treasure in their new backyard.

Once in Blueberry Dell is a picture book written by Dawn L. Watkins and illustrated by Tim Davis. The High Prince is coming, and everyone in Blueberry Dell is excited.

Pulling Together by Dawn L. Watkins tells young Matthew’s story as he watches his father’s steadfast trust in God when a storm brings ruin to their small farm. In this Christian fiction Matthew determines to do his best to help his family even though he cannot bear to think that Dolly, one of their faithful workhorses, might have to be sold.

In this prequel to The Mystery of Pelican Cove, Milly Howard sets The Treasure of Pelican Cove in Land’s End where Jimmy is visiting his grandmother with his dog, Blackie. There Jimmy hears Hiram’s fascinating story about a pirate called Pegleg. The tale sends everyone scrambling for hidden treasure.

The Crimebusters begin a career of solving mysteries in Milly Howard’s Christian fiction novel, The Case of the Dognapped Cat. A mystery book for kids, Dognapped Cat introduces the team as it takes on its first case: disappearance of neighborhood dogs. Pet lovers will especially pull for the success of the Crimebusters on this case and will get to meet some unusual characters along the way.

These Are My People is a biography by Mildred T. Howard on the life of Christian missionary Gladys Aylward. This biography for young readers begins when Gladys Aylward leaves London and arrives in China.

In Medallion, a Christian fantasy fiction novel, Dawn L. Watkins presents a willful prince who must learn the hard way that being a leader means being first a servant. Prince Trave encounters many dangers—such as an earthquake, monstrous skreels, and treachery from those he thought were his friends—before he faces the biggest challenge of all.

A Father’s Promise by Donnalynn Hess is historical fiction set during WWII. Adolf Hitler’s ominous statements seem only a distant threat to eleven-year-old Rudi Kaplan until the Nazi forces invade Poland and bomb his home city of Warsaw. Rudi finds out that he is Hitler’s enemy not only because he is a Pole but also because he is a Jew.

In ¡Buenos Dias, Carlitos!, Melody Holmes takes you and your child on an adventure into the world of Spanish. Join Carlitos, the rabbit, as he introduces Spanish vocabulary for weather and clothing while getting Mr. Scarecrow ready to face the wind, rain, and cold.

In the sequel to ¡Buenos Dias, Carlitos!, Melody Holmes takes you and your child on another adventure into the world of Spanish in ¡Buenas Tardes, Carlitos! Join Carlitos as he teaches simple Spanish vocabulary words for household chores and the names of animals while getting ready for the arrival of special company. Contains sidebar picture vocabularies and full Spanish-to-English translations at the end of the story.

Gloria Repp concludes the Christian fiction story of missionaries Steve and Liz Bailey in 77 Zebra. Leaning on the Lord’s promises, Steve and Liz touch down once again in Alaskan wilderness. With their new high-flying helper, a Cessna 170 airplane, the missionaries are eager to bring God’s Word to troubled villagers.

Chipmunk goes in search of a king who is brave and wise and true in A King For Brass Cobweb, an early chapter book written by Dawn L. Watkins. Detailed color illustrations and pencil sketches by Holly Hannon will delight readers young and old.

A No-Fuss Christmas by Susan Kirby is a heart-warming Christmas story for ages 7–9. Christmas is coming, and Sueker wants a big, fragrant tree with red bows and lots of candy and presents. Most of all, she wants her brother Razz to come visit her at her foster parents’ home.

A Place for Peter, a fiction by Elizabeth Yates, insightfully depicts a boy’s struggle to become a man. In this sequel to the Newbery Honor book Mountain Born, Peter endeavors to prove to his father that he is dependable. As he throws himself into the work of the farm, he grows into strength and into his father’s trust. But the ultimate test of his courage comes from the fangs of a rattlesnake.

A Ram for Isaac, a biblical fiction chapter book by Ginny Merritt, tells the story of Abraham’s great test of faith from the perspective of his young son, Isaac. Isaac and his friends are excited to be going on a journey to Mt. Moriah, where Isaac’s father, Abraham, will make a sacrifice to God.

Arrow, the final novel in the Gadallan trilogy by Dawn L. Watkins, presents the royal children of King Trave of Gadalla. Princess Kalti and Crown Prince Bhrus struggle with the expectations placed upon their shoulders.

Benjamin’s Sling by Eileen M. Berry is a poetic version of the Christmas story through the eyes of a young shepherd. One night, a group of angels tells Benjamin and the other shepherds of a newborn Savior.

BookLinks: Carolina's Courage is geared toward the advanced reader (for use with Reading 2). An in-depth study of this novel links literature to content areas and life skills. A laminated folder provives background information, enrichment activities, and useful storage pockets.

BookLinks: Jenny Wren is geared toward the average reader. An in-depth study of this junior novel links literature (for use with Reading 3) to content areas and life skills. A laminated folder provides background information, enrichment activities, and useful storage pockets.

An in-depth study of this junior novel links literature (for use with Reading 4) to content areas and life skills. A laminated folder provides background information, enrichment activities, and useful storage pockets. The 60-page guide includes lessons, practical scriptural applications, and dozens of reproducible activity pages.

An in-depth study of this junior novel (for use with Reading 4) links literature to content areas and life skills. A laminated folder provides background information, enrichment activities, and useful storage pockets. The 60-page guide includes lessons, practical scriptural applications, and dozens of reproducible activity pages.