For teachers, librarians & school administrators

Bring Gracie’s Garden into your school.

A four-book series of independent garden adventures, written for read-aloud in kindergarten through second grade and independent reading in second through fourth. Every book is a Mom’s Choice Award recipient.

  • 560L–620LLexile measures
  • 4 booksIndependent adventures
  • ~180 pagesShort chapters
Gracie's Garden, Book One Compost Cliffs, Book Two Pests, Book Three Colonel Lampy's Luminary Glow Gel, Book Four
Mom's Choice Awards Honoring Excellence

Four independent adventures.

Three ways schools use the series

However your building is set up

Classroom

A set for your students

Copies of Book One for a whole-class read, or the complete four-book set so readers can keep going at their own pace.

Tell us your student count and we will build the quote around it.

Library

Copies for the shelves

Complete sets in hardcover for circulation, or individual paperbacks to fill out an existing early-chapter-book collection.

Hardcover sets are built to survive a whole childhood of checkouts.

School & district

Multiple classrooms

Grade-level or building-wide orders, summer reading lists, and family reading nights. We handle purchase orders.

Ships from North Carolina. Printed in the USA.

Reading level

Lexile measures for all four books

Every book in the series has been Lexile tested. The measures fall in a narrow band, so a reader who is comfortable with one book is comfortable with the rest.

Lexile measure for each book in the Gracie's Garden series
Book Title Lexile measure
One Gracie’s Garden 620L
Two Compost Cliffs 560L
Three Pests 620L
Four Colonel Lampy’s Luminary Glow Gel 620L

Second to third grade

A 560L–620L band generally corresponds to a second-to-third-grade reading level. As always, you know your readers better than a number does.

Read aloud, then independent

The series works as a read-aloud with ages 5–7 and as independent reading for ages 8–10, which makes it useful across a mixed-ability classroom.

Book Two is the gentlest

Compost Cliffs measures 560L, slightly below the others. It is a comfortable entry point for a reader who is still building stamina.

Built for early chapter readers

Around 180 pages each, with short chapters and large, easy-to-read text, plus black-and-white illustrations throughout.

Reviewed and recognized

What reviewers said

Mom's Choice Awards, Honoring Excellence

All four books are Mom’s Choice Award recipients

“We are happy to award deserving books like Gracie’s Garden. Our panel of judges really felt this book merited a place on our list of the best in family-friendly products that parents and educators can feel confident in using.”

Dawn Matheson, CEO, Mom’s Choice Awards

Kirkus Reviews

GET IT

“Readers will certainly find return trips to this garden world to be most welcome. An entertaining, family-friendly tale of camaraderie and teamwork.”

BookLife Reviews

by Publishers Weekly

“Mock’s story also introduces young readers to the delicate nature of a garden’s ecosystem, with each insect and animal playing a role in helping the plants and other creatures to thrive.”

“Focusing on friendship and compassion, Sammy’s journey explores belonging in an insightful, creative way that young readers will find relatable.”

Kirkus and BookLife reviewed Book One. The Mom’s Choice Award recognition covers all four books in the series.

From the readers themselves

157 letters from classrooms

Classes read Gracie’s Garden and wrote back. These are their actual book reports — unedited, misspellings and all. Scroll through a few.

  • Handwritten book report with a crayon drawing of Bailey the Butterfly

    “I LOVE Gracie’s Garden. It is THE BEST BOOK I have ever read so far! This book is extremely thrilling!”

    Young reader

  • Handwritten book report with a pencil drawing of a garden bug

    “I read Gracie’s Garden at my 2ed grade classroom. I like the book becouse it’s funny.”

    Second grade reader

  • Handwritten book report with a pencil drawing of a butterfly on a flower

    “I would read a million of your books because the characters are so creative and special in there own ways.”

    Second grade reader, TLC School

  • Handwritten book report with a drawing of Magic the cat and Maddy the Mouse

    “My favorite part was when Maddy the mouse was in the drainpipe and Magic the cat saw her… I like this because there is lots of action.”

    Young reader

  • Handwritten book report with a colorful drawing of the whole garden cast

    “The book was awsome. You did a very good job. I liked the part when Sammy found out the monster was the lightning bugs.”

    Young reader

  • Handwritten book report with drawings of the garden characters in marker

    “Your book was awsome, my favorite characters was Maddie the Mouse. She works so hard, I think you made a good choice about her.”

    Young reader

  • Handwritten book report with a crayon drawing of Bailey the Butterfly in the sun

    “I liked the part where Bailey sweet talked Sammy and was nice to everyone. I liked it when she told the bugs to stop fighting.”

    Young reader, Martins Creek School

  • Handwritten book report with a pencil drawing of Sammy the Snail

    “I think you did a good job on Gracie’s Garden. It was awesome. Keep up the good work.”

    Young reader

  • Handwritten book report retelling the story with a bright crayon drawing of the garden house

    “Sammy wants to leave the garden and he is lonly. Then he meats a roll polly and he givs him shelter for the night.”

    Young reader

  • Handwritten book report with a drawing of Maddy, Sammy and the garden house

    “There is a garden gate, lots of flowers and some of the characters in the garden such as Gracie, the mouse, a bumble bee and a snail.”

    Young reader, Martins Creek School

  • Handwritten book report with a crayon drawing of a sunny garden sky

    “I really like Zachy. He is very funny. I really want to meet you! It is a good book.”

    Young reader

  • Handwritten book report with a drawing of Magic the cat

    “I am dying to read the next book. The book was exesiting.”

    Young reader

Scroll or use the arrows to read more.

The series

Four adventures, one garden

Each book is its own independent adventure. We recommend starting with Book One so readers meet the characters first.

Gracie's Garden, Book One
Gracie’s Garden Book One · 620L
Compost Cliffs, Book Two
Compost Cliffs Book Two · 560L
Pests, Book Three
Pests Book Three · 620L
Colonel Lampy's Luminary Glow Gel, Book Four
Colonel Lampy’s Luminary Glow Gel Book Four · 620L

School request

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Questions from schools

Good to know

Do you accept purchase orders?

Yes. Tell us in the form and we will send everything your business office needs, including a quote and a W-9 if required.

What does a school order cost?

We build a quote around what you actually need, so send your student count and format through the form above. You can also see current retail pricing in the shop.

Do the books have to be read in order?

Each book is its own independent adventure, so a class can start anywhere. We recommend reading in order, starting with Book One, so readers meet the characters first.

What reading level are the books?

The four books measure 560L to 620L, which generally corresponds to a second-to-third-grade reading level. They also work well as a read-aloud for younger classes.

Can I donate books to a school or homeschool group?

Yes. Use the Donate books form above. We will connect you with a school, or reach out to a school on your behalf.