Pick a book. Grow a Reader!

This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!

Treetop Owlementary is putting on a play! Eva and her friends can't wait to try out for parts, learn their lines, and build the sets! But when Sue gets cast in the starring role, Eva worries she won't have a chance to shine. Will Eva have her moment in the spotlight, too?

Continue this book series with Eva the Owlet, an Apple TV+ original series!

The Critter Club is up and running, and so are the girls--especially Ellie She's wanted to perform her entire life, so when she lands the lead role in Santa Vista Elementary School's Spring Spectacular, it's her big chance to show her stuff But as Ellie's big performance draws near, will she let the play and her determination to succeed get in the way of being a good friend? What about caring for the baby rabbits that were just brought to The Critter Club? Some very helpful advice from an unexpected source reminds Ellie that being a good friend is just as important as doing what you love.

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, The Critter Club chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.

A picture book for magical yet imperfect children everywhere, written by debut author Ashley Franklin and perfect for fans of such titles as Matthew A. Cherry's Hair Love, Grace Byers's I Am Enough, and Lupita Nyong'o's Sulwe.

Tameika is a girl who belongs on the stage. She loves to act, sing, and dance--and she's pretty good at it, too. So when her school announces their Snow White musical, Tameika auditions for the lead princess role.

But the other kids think she's not quite right to play the role.

They whisper, they snicker, and they glare.

Will Tameika let their harsh words be her final curtain call?

Not Quite Snow White is a delightful and inspiring picture book that highlights the importance of self-confidence while taking an earnest look at what happens when that confidence is shaken or lost. Tameika encourages us all to let our magic shine.

From the internationally bestselling series, discover the magical world of Carnival of the Animals with 6 sounds--the perfect introduction to classical music for babies and toddlers.

The My First Story Orchestra series brings classical music to life for little children through illustrated retellings of classic ballets, operas, and musical stories, paired with 6 10-second sound clips of real orchestras playing the music.

In Carnival of the Animals, hear lions roar and dinosaurs stomp--and more!--in these pieces from Camille Saint-Saëns's much-loved suite. Children will love pressing the button on every page to hear the music, as the story unfolds.

Also available from the My First Story Orchestra series: Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Four Seasons in One Day.

Manufacturer's note: Please pull the white tab out the back of the book before use and flick the small button to turn it on. All sound clips are 10 seconds long.

From the internationally bestselling series, this board book with 6 sounds is the perfect introduction for babies and toddlers to classical music.

The My First Story Orchestra series brings classical music to life for little children through illustrated retellings of classic ballets, operas, and musical stories, paired with 6 10-second sound clips of real orchestras playing the music.

Listen to the changing seasons and watch the leaves change color in Vivaldi's Four Seasons in One Day. Children will love pressing the button on every page to hear the music, as the story unfolds.

Also available from the My First Story Orchestra series: Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Carnival of the Animals.

Manufacturer's note: Please pull the white tab out the back of the book before use and flick the small button to turn it on. All sound clips are 10 seconds long.

The Chance to Fly by Tony Award-winning actress Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz is an inspiring middle grade novel about Nat Beacon, a theater-loving girl who uses a wheelchair. Nat's passion for musicals knows no bounds, and she dreams of performing on stage despite never having seen an actor with a disability in a leading role.

When Nat's family moves from California to New Jersey, she discovers auditions for a kids' production of her all-time favorite musical, Wicked.

Thrilled by the opportunity, Nat lands a spot in the ensemble. As she navigates new friendships and the challenges of rehearsals, Nat draws strength from the empowering themes of Wicked, particularly the song Defying Gravity.

But as opening night approaches, unexpected obstacles arise. Nat must confront her fears and insecurities, channeling the spirit of Elphaba to truly defy gravity both on and off the stage.

This heartfelt story celebrates resilience, inclusion, and the transformative power of theater.

Also available:
Cut Loose!

This book is a collection of plays that have been adapted from well-known fairy tales. They can be used as performance plays, readers theatre or just used to promote reading in groups. Each play is between five and ten minutes long. The plays can be adapted to suit the various needs of the group. The cast list is very flexible. Characters can be added, changed or omitted. In addition, the teacher/group leader can assume the role of the storyteller if the children are unable to read or not at the reading level required. All suggestions for stage directions are included in brackets and italics. Also included in this book is a variety of drama activities. These activities are designed to be fun and enjoyable as well as promoting coordination, movement, character development and creativity.The plays in the collection are: Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks The Three Little Pigs, The Elves and the Shoemaker, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Ugly Duckling, The Lazy Cow, The Talking Tree, Humpty Dumpty, The Magic Porridge Pot, The Stone Soup, The Pied Piper of Hamelin, The Little Red Hen, The Gingerbread Man, The Enormous Turnip, Chicken Licken.

Twelve-year-old Relly can't wait for his beloved grandfather to finally see him on stage! Along with the rest of the Fearless Squad, Relly has just opened Our Time, a brand-new musical at the infamous Ethel Merman Theater. Though his grandfather would prefer his grandson pursue something more practical, Relly just knows when he sees the show, he will change his mind and come around on Relly's love of theater and dance.

But right before their night show, a member of the Squad loses their phone down an open manhole. When the entire Squad goes down to help retrieve it, they find themselves in 1950s Manhattan. A big problem, considering the curtain goes up in about two hours--and over sixty years in the future!

With a series of clues, Relly discovers that his grandfather was a popular tap dancer, working the nightclub circuit and pursuing his dream of performing--something he's been discouraging Relly from doing lately. Perhaps this accidental fall into a different time wasn't so accidental after all. Can Relly help his grandfather and make it back in time for places in the show?

Twelve-year-old Hudson Patel has two great loves: Broadway and baking! In addition to giving his all to his role in the hit show Our Time, Hudson takes pride in keeping his castmates and fellow Fearless Squad members well-fed with all the delicious treats he creates.

When the call comes in for a big baking show--with the winner receiving a spot at a kiosk in Times Square--the Squad encourages him to enter. They just know that kiosk should be his. But Hudson struggles to create a showstopper, and his friends realize if Hudson goes all-in with the baking, he may not have time to spare for his stage role.

Hudson goes to his grandmother for help, and she suggests going back to his roots, to be proud of who he is, and to show that in his culinary creation. With time running out, can Hudson find the magical ingredient that will put him in the spotlight without having to choose between his passions?

Shai Williams was born to be a star (or a veterinarian--and maybe a dentist). She attends a special elementary school for the performing arts, and her grandma Rosa and aunt Mac-N-Cheese are both actresses. So Shai is shocked when she doesn't get the lead role in the third-grade musical. Instead, the part goes to the new girl, Gabby Supreme, who thinks she is better than everyone else.

To add insult to injury, Ms. Gremillion has now asked Shai to help Gabby with the role. Shai reluctantly agrees and enlists Emmie to help, but Gabby isn't going to make it easy. As opening night draws near, Shai discovers that making a new friend is sometimes like putting on a show--it requires dedication, patience, and lots and lots of practice.

A heartwarming middle-grade debut with autism representation and a musical flair.

Maya lives and breathes musicals. When her chance to finally be a part of the summer musical program at the community theater comes up, Maya is convinced she will get the lead. After all, who knows The Drowsy Chaperone better than she does? However, things don't turn out exactly the way Maya's planned, and the summer turns out to be jam-packed with problems: dealing with her best friend's move, her parents' busy jobs, and--since her autism diagnosis--the ongoing puzzle of how to be Maya in Public. But perhaps most important of all, Maya has to figure out how to play the part that truly feels like her own.

Jacky Ha-Ha is off to theater camp and funnier than ever in this hilarious illustrated novel from James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein's #1 New York Times bestselling series.

When Jacky gets to Camp Footlights, she realizes she's way out of her depth. The highly trained campers all seem to know everything about performing, and exactly how to command the spotlight. All Jacky wants is to prove she fits in, but the more she tries, the more she stands out--and not in a good way. With help from her new friends, can Jacky Ha-Ha earn her place in the spotlight...or will she flop?

Packed with illustrations, jokes, and hijinks, the latest book in the #1 bestselling Jacky Ha-Ha series delivers a hilarious and heartwarming dose of summer fun, perfect for reading all year round!

The Critter Club is up and running, and so are the girls--especially Ellie She's wanted to perform her entire life, so when she lands the lead role in Santa Vista Elementary School's Spring Spectacular, it's her big chance to show her stuff But as Ellie's big performance draws near, will she let the play and her determination to succeed get in the way of being a good friend? What about caring for the baby rabbits that were just brought to The Critter Club? Some very helpful advice from an unexpected source reminds Ellie that being a good friend is just as important as doing what you love.

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, The Critter Club chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.

A charming and heartfelt picture book about a little bird who dreams of making it big on Broadway, from Tony Award-winning Broadway director Alex Timbers.

What Louisa loved most about living in Times Square wasn't the buzzzz of the city...
No, it was that she could sing as loud as she wanted. She could sing all day and she could sing all night.
Louisa was truly a Broadway bird.

Louisa is a tiny parakeet with a HUGE dream: to be a Broadway star. But no matter what she does, everyone keeps telling her she's too small to make it big! When a chance at her big break comes, Louisa learns that no matter how small you are, with a little talent and a lot of hard work, you can do anything - even be on Broadway!

With colorful, charming illustrations by artist Alisa Coburn, this heartfelt picture book from renowned Broadway director Alex Timbers is about persistence, believing in yourself, and, of course, the magic of Broadway.

Pick a book. Grow a Reader!

This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!

Treetop Owlementary is putting on a play! Eva and her friends can't wait to try out for parts, learn their lines, and build the sets! But when Sue gets cast in the starring role, Eva worries she won't have a chance to shine. Will Eva have her moment in the spotlight, too?

Continue this book series with Eva the Owlet, an Apple TV+ original series!

An adorable, thoughtful salute to an industry I so so love. - Nik Walker (Hamilton)

A magical trip to the amazing world of Broadway for the kid in all of us. - Telly Leung (Aladdin)

Broadway Baby longs to sing, dance, shine, and zing on the New York stage!

This cheeky little one catches a dreamland star to spellbinding bright lights, stage doors, and costume/prop rooms, taking the reader along on a fanciful journey from crib to playground to a dazzling New York City.

With nods to elements that make live theater vibrant and special, this picture book is sure to touch the hearts of those who know the joys of being part of the theater community while sparking the thrills that come with being in the audience.

Lushly illustrated and written in rhyme as a nod to musicals by a Broadway/West End producer and a theater enthusiast, the book charmingly celebrates the creativity that the stage inspires, while reminding Broadway lovers of all ages that with a brilliant imagination even the loftiest of dreams can come true.

Nat is thrilled when she learns about a middle school theater competition where the winning production gets to perform on a real Broadway stage. This is her chance to shine and prove she belongs at her new school.

Drawing inspiration from her favorite musical, Wicked, and its empowering anthem Defying Gravity, Nat lands a role in the school production of Footloose.

However, rehearsals are far from smooth. With dance diva Skye pushing for more complex choreography, Nat's boyfriend, Malik, frequently missing practice for band commitments, and her best friend, Hudson, acting distant, Nat feels the pressure mounting. She begins to question whether she can carry the show to Broadway and if it's worth pursuing theater without the support of her friends.

Cut Loose is a heartwarming tale about embracing your strengths, standing out, and standing up for what you believe in. Perfect for fans of musicals and anyone who has ever dared to dream big, this book celebrates resilience, friendship, and the magic of theater.

Twelve-year-old April DaSilva loves performing--and connecting with fans on her social media accounts. Thanks to her role in the hit Broadway show Our Time, she is close to reaching a huge follower milestone. In celebration, she's hosting a contest: three lucky followers will win a special backstage tour and tickets to the show.

April feels on top of the world, but her brother isn't so thrilled about her attention always being glued to a screen. His warnings don't bother April. What's wrong with wanting more followers and likes? When meet and greet day arrives, the Squad helps make the event special. All goes without a hitch until April attempts to log into her social media...it's gone. Her previous posts have been erased, and a new one that April didn't make pops up. It's even worse than she thought...she's been hacked.

The Squad tries to uncover the culprit while April becomes a puppet of her stolen account--desperately trying to keep up with the public appearances promised in her name until she can reclaim ownership of the online presence she's worked so hard for. But she suddenly has much more to worry about when it's announced that the entire Squad has outgrown their roles in Our Time and may soon be replaced...

Better Nate than Ever meets Love Sugar Magic in this spooky middle grade novel from Hamilton and Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez about a group of young thespians who must face the ghost haunting their theater.

Twelve-year-old Monica Garcia has arrived in NYC with her grandmother and a few suitcases to live her dream on Broadway. She's been chosen as understudy to the star of Our Time, the famed Ethel Merman Theater's last chance to produce a hit before it shutters its doors for good. Along with her fellow castmates--a.k.a. the squad--Monica has a big and very personal reason to want this show to succeed.

But rumors of a long-running curse plague the theater. And when strange and terrible things start to threaten their hopes for a successful opening night, Monica and the rest of the squad must figure out how to reverse the curse before their big Broadway debuts.

With the help of her new friends, her family, and a little magic, can Monica help save the show--and save their dreams? From Broadway and television star Mandy Gonzalez comes a story about what it means to dream, be yourself, and be fearless.