Ready, Regan?

Book excerpt: Regan is a star in the classroom and on the soccer field. She's hard-working, competitive, and always prepared. But Regan's new third grade teacher, Ms. Eaton, throws her a bit of a curveball on the first day of school when she hands out tool kits. Since when does homework come wrapped in a colorful paper bag tied with ribbon? Regan's best friend, Leslie, isn't bothered a bit by their unusual homework, but Regan's orderly world is rocked as she tries to figure out how some very ordinary items can make her a top-notch third grader. It doesn't help that the class know-it-all, Conor, is in her class for the fourth year in a row and seems more determined than ever to compete with Regan. As the familiar and funny routines of the first week of school play out, Regan struggles to master Ms. Eaton's confusing assignment. By Friday, though, she starts to see the tools in use all around her, even on the soccer field and in the kitchen with her dad. Regan learns quickly that she can use her tools to help herself and a new little friend just learning to read.