Roll and Read (Yellow) 1 2 3 4 5 Annie Borden sat on the front porch. They called this time the Great Depression. The next morning, Annie’s father left early. They dug holes for the bulbs in the corner of the garden. Annie ran to open the door. She recognized their friend, Mr. Rice. She was talking with her best friend, Sue. Annie’s mother looked sadly out the window. Annie and Tom were about to doze off, when their father came home. Annie’s mother smiled at her. “I’m so glad Dad found a job,” said Annie. Annie’s mother took the blanket. She handed Mr. Rice two bottles of milk. Annie gave Sue one last hug. She watched Sue walk home. She felt so sad. Annie felt very sad. She knew how much her mother loved the beauty of the flowers. Annie’s mother opened the bag. Inside were tulip bulbs! Annie’s father left for work early the next morning. This time he was whistling. Kyle donates one dollar to a food bank at the grocery store for people who do not have enough to eat. Annie remembered when everything changed. “At least we have corn and potatoes from our farm,” Annie’s mother said. Everyone talked and joked as they ate dinner. It was the happiest day! That was enough money to keep the family going. Annie’s father shook his head. Every day, he looked for work. A year ago, in 1929, the stock market crashed. Annie’s dad had told her about stocks. “We have fresh milk from our cows. What we can’t sell, we can keep for us. We’re lucky we live on a farm.” On the first nice day, Annie and her mother went out to plant the tulip bulbs. “I have a new job!” said Annie’s father happily. “I am the new mechanic down at Hillson’s Garage!” He waited outside buildings where people might give out jobs. There was always a crowd of men. If you roll a 6, choose 1 block to read.
Roll and Read (Green) 1 2 3 4 5 Judy and May were sisters. They were at their grandfather’s house. But they were bored doing nothing. They began to doze off. “My garden needs a beauty treatment too!” Gramps said. Gramps showed the girls a bulb. It looked like a big seed. “We will plant this bulb now. Then a tulip will be blooming in the spring,” he told them. “Let’s look at my flower books,” said Gramps. “You girls can choose what we grow. Just remember, my garden gets lots of sun.” Gramps showed the girls a small green plant. “It looks like it has jaws!” said May. Gramps smiled. “It does-in a way,” he said. “This is a flytrap. It catches insects.” My garden is going to be beautiful. Thank you girls, for the beauty treatment,” said Gramps. A Venus’s Flytrap eats insects such as flies and crickets. It also likes spiders and slugs. Many people keep these plants inside their homes. The Venus’s Flytrap grows outdoors along the coast of North and South Carolina. “What’s missing in our backyard now?” Gramps asked. “The yard doesn’t look like it had a beauty treatment yet,” said Judy. Gramps showed the girls how to push the bulbs into the dirt. “I love daisies,” said Judy. “And snapdragons.” “Then that’s what we’ll send for,” said Gramps. The girls loved the books. “I want to plant some sunflowers!” May said. “We need a rake, a hoe, gloves, and hats!” said Judy. “It will when the spring showers come. Then these bulbs will start sprouting,” said Gramps. “There’s nothing growing here!” said May. “It’s fall. Nothing grows now,” said Judy. “But we can fix that! Let’s plant some bulbs,” said Gramps. Many people keep these plants inside their homes. If you roll a 6, choose 1 block to read.
Roll and Read (Blue) 1 2 3 4 5 was the day that Nicky Bauer was to leave his house forever. Nicky walked down his block. All the houses were set on big green yards. He waved at Mrs. Margolis, who was digging in her garden as usual. Nicky’s Uncle Jeff met them in New York City at the airport. He was too busy staring at the ugly, towering buildings. “He doesn’t want to live in any city,” explained Nicky’s mother. “There’s lots more in Central Park,” continued Uncle Jeff. Nicky didn’t answer, but he did think about how it would be fun to play there. His uncle was pointing to something high up on a hill. “That’s Belvedere Castle!” For dinner that night, they went to a Chinese restaurant with Uncle Jeff’s family. Nicky could even see some tomato plants blooming. The roof was really peaceful and quiet. It was filled with green plants and potted trees. “Come on up to the roof and see!” grinned Max. “Oh, Nicky there’s plenty of green,” said Uncle Jeff’s wife Caroline. “I convince Nicky yet to love New York,” sighed Uncle Jeff. The farmer’s market was huge! Even Nicky had to admit that it was pretty amazing. There were also tables and bins filled with all kinds of fresh fruit and vegetables. Nicky picked a blade of grass. He began chewing on it. Then he fell down and lay there, looking up at the enormous sky. He knew that sky-it was the same one he’d known in Ohio. And stopping for a cold in a café was fun, but he still missed his meadow. This time they took the subway train, which traveled very fast. Nicky smiled politely, but he still missed his meadow. Then, to Nicky’s amazement, his grandfather began climbing up the old metal staircase. Finally they reached an old abandoned train track that was raised up high on trestles. If you roll a 6, choose 1 block to read.