Jasmine, Maggie, Becca, and Scarlet love jamming together, but are they ready to perform in front of a real audience in a Battle of the Bands competition? Find out in the first book of this early chapter book series! Jasmine, Maggie, Becca, and Scarlet love jamming together in Jasmine's basement. Maggie bangs on the drums, Becca strums her guitar, Jasmine plunks the keys of her keyboard, and Scarlet wails into her hairbrush mic. Even though they may not have the best equipment, or an audience, they have fun making music to their own beat. But when Jasmine's brother tells her about an upcoming Battle of the Bands competition, Jasmine thinks this could be their chance to prove they're a real band. Now she just has to convince the other girls. . . . With each book told from a different girl's perspective, this series is all about girl power, diversity, and marching to the beat of your own drum!

Little Pig has trouble keeping up with his four older—and bigger—brothers and sisters. When a visit to Grandpa's house turns into a rummage through Grandpa's old marching-band instruments, Little Pig is too small to play any of them. But when the disorganized band has a pig-pile mishap, Little Pig has a BIG idea: They could use a leader. David Hyde Costello's warm illustrations and goofy speech-bubble dialogue add giggles galore to this iconic story of little-siblinghood. Perfect for youngests, oldests, and everyone in between!

In book 5 of the Major Eights series, Jasmine breaks her arm just when the Major Eights have a big show coming up. Can they find a way to save the show? Just before a big show, Jasmine breaks her arm. The Major Eights don't want to let down their audience, so they ask Leslie to sub. But Jasmine is worried the band will like Leslie better. Is this the end of the Major Eights as they know it?

In book four of the Major Eights series, Becca shoots, but will she score a meet and greet with her favorite basketball player? When Becca finds out about her school's free throw competition, she is ready to put her basketball skills to the test! And if she wins, she'll get to meet her favorite basketball player! But after a series of bad practices, her nerves start to get the best of her. Can the Major Eights help Becca regain her confidence and meet her hero?

Winner at the 2014 Living Now Book Awards A tale full of tenderness that touches the heart, reminding us that music is the true language of the soul, and that our differences can be solved through good intentions and friendship. Guided Reading Level: N, Lexile Level: 940L

When Jeremiah Birnbaum becomes obsessed with the banjo, his best friend, Luella, convinces him to learn how to play despite his parent forbidding him from it.

Thirteen-year-old Tig Ripley has plenty of good reasons for starting an all-girl rock band. Never mind she doesn't play an instrument--she'll figure that out. Fronting a band is sure to propel her out of the background and into the spotlight at her middle school. So after a few weeks' worth of drumming lessons under her belt, she starts assembling her band. With her cousin Kyra agreeing to play bass, soon Tig has her piano-playing friend Olivia down for the keyboard. And then she convinces tough girl Robbie Chan to sign on as lead guitarist. With a cool name--Pandora's Box--all the band needs now is a killer lead singer. How hard can that be? But when Kyra invites obnoxious diva Haley Thornton to join the band, Tig realizes snagging a lead singer--the right lead singer--is not going to be easy. Everyone says the drummer is the heartbeat of a band--does Tig have what it takes to lead Pandora's Box?

Named to the West Virginia Children’s Book Award Master List: In the first horse show with her new mare, Lily competes against her best friend for the blue ribbon Today’s the big day. Lily and her horse, Beware, are going to compete in the junior horse show. Lily’s best friend, Mandy, is also in the competition, riding her horse, Shane. When Lily and her mother and grandfather arrive, Mandy looks so grown up, like a rider in a magazine. And with his shining copper coat, Shane looks just like a show horse. Worried that Beware looks shaggy next to Shane, Lily brushes her until she’s sleek and polished. Then it’s time for Lily to get ready. She puts on her breeches and boots and tries to remember everything her grandfather taught her about riding. Will Lily and Beware walk away with the blue? And will Lily and Mandy still be best friends when it’s over?

Summer is here, and Zac Wiles and the Benton Bluff Junior High band are headed to band camp. But as soon as they arrive, things start disappearing. First it's music, then it's Zac's saxophone. As the band's resident class clown, Zac's antics always earn a few eye rolls. But now, he's being called a thief! Can Zac find the culprit and prove he'd never take his jokes that far? Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Calico is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO.

In book three of the Major Eights series, Maggie has to ace her science fair project or she won't be able to perform with the band at the annual arts banquet! Maggie is thrilled to perform with the Major Eights at the school's annual arts fund-raising banquet. But when Maggie's science grade starts slipping (her one difficult subject), her mom refuses to let her play at the banquet unless she can get an A on her science fair project. Can Maggie and the girls find a way to make sure Maggie aces the project?