Spanning the last two years of high school for Stony Shelor, this fictional tale puts a sad light on a small town named Early in Appalachian U.S.A. Stony is a boy who is not only figuring out his own life but those of many in his town — from the town drunk to the bully, from the illegal moonshine makers to the racist acts by the Klu Klux Klan. Stony is coming into adulthood realizing that his father’s job as mayor of such a town is not easy. But Stony is a boy at heart who loves a good chase and when the new kid comes to town with swagger, Stony is drawn to his style. The two set off to be private detectives for the town, which gets them into touchy situations. He’ll be shot at multiple times but risking his life seems to be his purpose for living, even at his young age. More often than not he works with the local sheriff’s office, though it may not have been legal 100% of the time. There are many examples of racism that Stony has to deal with and while this is the obvious social message of Hopkins writing, it feels more like a Huckleberry Finn than a To Kill a Mockingbird story. It’s more about the action Stony gets himself into. This librarian will put it on the shelf and try to sell it to a few key students but it may not have an audience with today’s youth.

“Architect” by Kate Moening is part of the Careers in Stem collection from the Blastoff Readers series. This series was designed for early-fluent readers to help advance them toward fluency through increased text load, less reliance on photos, advancing concepts, longer sentences and more complex text features.  

The Blastoff Readers series has been a captivating addition to our elementary library. With its engaging content and accessible language, this book introduces young readers to the world of architecture and design. The well-structured layout captures imaginative minds while nurturing their interest in creating spaces. 

“Architect” not only imparts knowledge about buildings but also encourages creativity and problem-solving. Ideal for curious learners and classroom discussions, this book seamlessly blends education and engagement, enriching our students’ understanding of structures and inspiring a lifelong appreciation for the art and science of designing spaces that shape our surroundings.

“Climate Scientist” by Elizabeth Noll is part of the Careers in Stem collection from the Blastoff Readers series. This series was designed for early-fluent readers to help advance them toward fluency through increased text load, less reliance on photos, advancing concepts, longer sentences and more complex text features.

The Blastoff Readers series has been a valuable addition to our elementary library. With its engaging content and accessible language, this book introduces young readers to the world of climate science and environmental awareness. The well-structured layout captivates curious minds while nurturing their understanding of climate patterns and their impact. 

“Climate Scientist” not only imparts knowledge about Earth’s changing climate but also encourages a sense of responsibility towards the planet. Perfect for budding learners and classroom discussions, this book seamlessly blends education and engagement, enriching our students’ comprehension of global environmental challenges and inspiring a lifelong commitment to sustainability.

“Meteorologist” by Elizabeth Noll is part of the Careers in Stem collection from the Blastoff Readers series. This series was designed for early-fluent readers to help advance them toward fluency through increased text load, less reliance on photos, advancing concepts, longer sentences and more complex text features.

The Blastoff Readers series has an inspiring addition to our elementary library.With its captivating content and accessible language, this book introduces young readers to the world of weather and atmospheric science. The thoughtfully designed layout engages curious minds while nurturing their fascination with meteorological phenomena.

“Meteorologist” not only imparts knowledge about climate patterns but also encourages an appreciation for observation and prediction. Ideal for inquisitive learners and classroom discussions, this book seamlessly blends education and engagement, enriching our students’ comprehension of the natural world and inspiring a lifelong interest in unraveling the mysteries of weather and its impact on our lives.

“Computer Programmer” by Elizabeth Noll is part of the Careers in Stem collection from the Blastoff Readers series. This series was designed for early-fluent readers to help advance them toward fluency through increased text load, less reliance on photos, advancing concepts, longer sentences and more complex text features. 

The Blastoff Readers series has an inspiring addition to our elementary library. With its engaging content and accessible language, this book introduces young readers to the world of coding and technology. The well-structured layout captivates young minds while nurturing their interest in problem-solving and innovation. 

“Computer Programmer” not only imparts knowledge about the digital realm but also encourages critical thinking and creativity. Perfect for curious learners and classroom discussions, this book seamlessly blends education and engagement, enriching our students’ understanding of the digital landscape and inspiring a lifelong passion for exploring the endless possibilities of programming.

“Geologist” by Kate Moening is part of the Careers in Stem collection from the Blastoff Readers series. This series was designed for early-fluent readers to help advance them toward fluency through increased text load, less reliance on photos, advancing concepts, longer sentences and more complex text features.  

With its engaging content and accessible language, this book introduces young readers to the fascinating world of geology and earth sciences. The well-structured layout captures young minds while nurturing their curiosity about rocks, minerals, and the Earth’s history. 

“Geologist” not only imparts knowledge about our planet’s composition but also encourages an appreciation for natural processes and environmental understanding. Ideal for curious learners and classroom discussions, this book seamlessly blends education and engagement, enriching our students’ comprehension of the Earth’s wonders and inspiring a lifelong appreciation for geological exploration.

“Chemist” by Kate Moening is part of the Careers in Stem collection from the Blastoff Readers series. This series was designed for early-fluent readers to help advance them toward fluency through increased text load, less reliance on photos, advancing concepts, longer sentences and more complex text features. 

The Blastoff Readers series has been a wonderful addition to our elementary library. With its engaging content and accessible language, this book introduces young readers to the world of chemistry and scientific exploration. The thoughtfully designed layout captivates young minds while nurturing their curiosity about matter and reactions. 

“Chemist” not only imparts knowledge about the building blocks of our world but also encourages an appreciation for experimentation and problem-solving. Perfect for curious learners and classroom discussions, this book seamlessly combines education and engagement, enriching our students’ understanding of the elements and inspiring a lifelong love for the wonders of science.

“Botanist” by Kate Moening is part of the Careers in Stem collection from the Blastoff Readers series. This series was designed for early-fluent readers to help advance them toward fluency through increased text load, less reliance on photos, advancing concepts, longer sentences and more complex text features. 

This series has been an enriching addition to our library. With its engaging content and accessible language, this book introduces young readers to the world of botany and plant science. The well-structured layout captivates curious minds while nurturing their appreciation for the natural world. 

“Botanist” not only imparts knowledge about plant life but also encourages an understanding of ecosystems and environmental stewardship. Ideal for inquisitive learners and classroom discussions, this book seamlessly blends education and engagement, enriching our students’ understanding of the Earth’s flora and inspiring a lifelong fascination with the beauty and significance of plants.

“Astronomer” by Elizabeth Noll is part of the Careers in Stem collection from the Blastoff Readers series. This series was designed for early-fluent readers to help advance them toward fluency through increased text load, less reliance on photos, advancing concepts, longer sentences and more complex text features. 

With its captivating content and accessible language, this book introduces young readers to the world of astronomy and stargazing. The well-structured layout captures budding learners’ attention while nurturing their curiosity about the cosmos. 

“Astronomer” not only imparts knowledge about celestial exploration but also encourages an appreciation for scientific inquiry and the wonders of space. Perfect for curious minds and classroom discussions, this book seamlessly combines education and engagement, enriching our students’ understanding of the universe and inspiring a lifelong fascination with the stars and beyond.