"This Step into Reading collection features five American Girl leveled readers, including Freedom for Addy, Kaya Rides to the Rescue, Melody Lifts her Voice, Molly's Christmas Surprise, and Samantha Helps a Friend. With exciting, inspiring stories about girls who faced big challenges with bravery and determination, this book is the perfect gift for young readers ages 4 to 7. The stories cover a range of settings and topics, including finding freedom during the Civil War, growing up in a Nez Perce Indian tribe in 1764, standing up for equality in the Civil Rights era, celebrating Christmas during World War II, and helping a friend in need in turn-of-the-century New York in 1904. Step 3 readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics. For children who are ready to read on their own."--Amazon. Freedom for Addy: "Addy Walker escapes a Southern plantation during the turbulent Civil War. Meet Addy as she and her mother make a daring journey from slavery to freedom in 1864. Addy's story is sure to engage young girls as they learn what it was like to be a girl during the Civil War in this Step 3 Step into Reading leveled reader."-- Kaya rides to the rescue: "Kaya is a Nez Perce girl who takes pride in helping out and supporting the tribe--and also in her beloved horse, Steps High. But when she chooses racing her horse over family responsibilities, Kaya has to prove herself to earn her tribe's respect. Kaya's story of adventure in the wilderness is sure to engage today's readers as they learn what it was like to be a Native American girl in 1764 in this Step 3 Step into Reading leveled reader. Great for American Girl fans ages 5 to 8! This exciting Step into Reading is based on an American Girl story by Janet Shaw."-- Melody lifts her voice: "Melody Ellison loves singing and gardening, and is inspired by friends and family and the Civil Rights Movement to make changes in her community. Melody's story of leadership and making one's voice heard is sure to engage today's readers as they learn what it was like to be a girl in 1964"-- Molly's Christmas surprise: "The battles of World War II may be a world away, but Molly McIntire and her family do what they can to help from the 1944 home front. Meet Molly and her family, and get to know what it was like to be a girl celebrating Christmas during World War II"-- Samantha helps a friend: "It's 1904, the turn of the 20th century, and Samantha Parkington is a nine-year-old orphan living with her rich grandmother. When Samantha sees a friend in need, she makes space to help and a speech worth more than gold! Meet Grandmary, Nellie, Uncle Gard, and more people in Samantha's world while learning what it was like to be a girl in 1904"--