John Mckinley

Freddy Thresher has a really big problem. He is the only kid in his first grade class who has not lost a single tooth. Every other student has proudly signed their name on the classroom Big Tooth chart, and Freddy is desperate to add his name to the list. When the class bully starts calling him a baby, Freddy decides it is time to take matters into his own hands. He is determined to lose a tooth today, no matter what it takes. Whether that means risking a punch in the face at recess or getting into huge trouble with his mom, Freddy is ready for action. Dive into this hilarious chapter book adventure perfect for new readers. With relatable school struggles, funny classroom moments, and a main character you cannot help but cheer for, this story perfectly captures the high stakes of first grade.

Freddy Thresher has a massive problem on his hands. His first grade teacher expects everyone to do an oral report on a cool nocturnal animal, and it feels like all the good animals are already taken. How is Freddy supposed to find the perfect creature to study? When his best friend Robbie suggests they have a sleepover and sneak outside in the middle of the night to do some real life research, it sounds like a brilliant plan. Unfortunately, things do not go exactly as expected. A late night adventure leads to a tumble from a tree, a broken arm, and a very unexpected encounter with the exact animal he needs. Packed with elementary school humor, relatable classroom assignments, and best friend antics, this engaging chapter book is a perfect match for newly independent readers looking for a funny and grounded adventure.

Do you ever get super nervous about something, like performing in front of a crowd? That's exactly how Freddy feels! He's a first grader, and the Grandparent's Day talent show is just around the corner. Freddy has to perform, but he's a real scaredy-pants about getting on stage. And if that wasn't enough, there's a kid named Max who loves to tease him. How can Freddy face his fears and deal with a bully at the same time? Luckily, his clever dad has an amazing idea. This brilliant plan might not only make Freddy a star but also help Max understand that teasing isn't cool. Follow Freddy as he learns to be brave, finds his unique talent, and prepares for a show no one will forget!

The first grade Winter Olympics are coming to Mrs. Wushy's classroom, and everyone is ready to compete. Freddy Thresher is known as a shark expert, but he is determined to prove he is also a snowshoe whiz. When the class bully challenges him, Freddy makes a bold bet that he will take home the gold medal in the Snowshoe Race. Suddenly realizing he might be in over his head, Freddy throws himself into a rigorous snowshoe boot camp to prepare. Amid intense sled pulls, the infamous Snowball Toss, and a whole lot of chilly chaos, Freddy learns that winning is not the only thing that matters. Filled with wintertime fun and gentle lessons about good sportsmanship, this engaging chapter book delivers an action packed, snowy adventure that will keep newly independent readers turning the pages.

It is time for the first grade science fair, and Freddy Thresher is feeling the pressure. Unlike his best friend Robbie, Freddy is not exactly a science whiz. He needs a real experiment, and fast. After a lot of thinking, he finally comes up with a surprisingly gross and awesome plan to grow his very own mold. The project is going perfectly until a major disaster strikes at home. His mom mistakes his precious science experiment for garbage and throws it completely away. With time running out before the big fair, Freddy must scramble to recreate his moldy masterpiece. This hilarious chapter book perfectly captures the stress and excitement of elementary school science projects. Young readers will love the messy mishaps and quick thinking in this highly relatable classroom adventure.

Freddy Thresher is facing a massive, exhausting problem. Every single time he closes his eyes, he has a terrifying nightmare about a spooky vampire. The bad dreams are keeping him awake all night long, and the lack of sleep is seriously catching up with him. He is so incredibly tired that he keeps falling asleep during breakfast and even drools on himself while taking accidental naps on the school bus. Freddy desperately needs to get a good night of rest, but he is too afraid to go back to sleep. With the help of his best friend, his big sister, and his parents, Freddy must figure out a way to finally outwit the vampire in his mind. This reassuring and funny chapter book perfectly captures the reality of bedtime fears and how to conquer them.

Taking home the first grade class pet is a huge honor, and Freddy Thresher can hardly believe his luck when he is finally chosen. He gets to bring Harold the hamster home for the entire weekend. There is just one tiny detail Freddy forgot to consider. His mom is a massive neat freak who absolutely refuses to have wild animals inside her clean house. Freddy decides to sneak Harold inside anyway, which quickly turns into a disaster when the speedy little hamster manages to escape his cage. What follows is a hilarious, high stakes game of hide and seek as Freddy tries to capture the runaway rodent before his mom discovers the truth. This fast paced chapter book is packed with the kind of laugh out loud pet trouble that young readers absolutely love.

Freddy Thresher and his best friend Robbie are gearing up for the ultimate weekend adventure. They are going on a real wilderness camping trip with Freddy's dad. The class bully refuses to believe they are brave enough for the woods, and Freddy's older sister Suzie takes it a step further. She bets him a whole week of chores that he will be too much of a scaredy cat to make it through the night. Determined to avoid cleaning the basement, Freddy packs his shark flashlight and heads into the wild. Unfortunately, the great outdoors is packed with unexpected challenges, including a collapsing tent, a swarm of angry bees, and a very unhappy skunk. This hilarious chapter book perfectly balances outdoor mishaps with the warmth of family and friendship.

It is field trip day, and Freddy Thresher's first grade class is heading out to explore a local apple orchard. There is crisp cider to drink, plenty of apples to pick, and an exciting scavenger hunt to win. Somewhere among the trees, special wooden apples have been hidden, and whoever finds one will win a five dollar prize. Freddy is determined to track one down, but the classroom bully, Max, has decided to cheat his way to the finish line. Freddy must figure out how to outsmart his rival and play fair while racing against the clock. Filled with the crisp atmosphere of a fall field trip, this engaging chapter book tackles themes of honesty and fairness. It is a relatable and fast paced school story that newly independent readers will thoroughly enjoy.

Freddy Thresher is a first grade shark expert, and he has just made the ultimate discovery. At a local store, he finds a real fossilized shark tooth. It is the coolest thing he has ever seen, but it comes with a massive fifty dollar price tag. Determined to make the tooth his own, Freddy strikes a deal with the store owner to hold the fossil for one week. Now, he has to scramble, scrimp, and scheme to earn the cash all by himself. From creative business plans to hilarious missteps, Freddy works tirelessly to reach his financial goal. This highly relatable chapter book seamlessly blends interesting shark facts with an entertaining lesson about responsibility and the value of hard work. It is an engaging and funny read for young chapter book fans.

The first grade Thanksgiving play is right around the corner, and Freddy Thresher is facing a theatrical disaster. While all of his friends are excitedly cast as Pilgrims and Native Americans, there is one role that nobody in the classroom wants to touch. Unfortunately, Freddy draws the short straw and is stuck playing the embarrassing part of the holiday turkey. With the class bully already teasing him, Freddy is dreading the moment he has to step onto the stage in feathers. Thankfully, some wise advice from his grandfather and the school principal helps him look at his unlucky casting in a brand new light. This humorous and heartwarming chapter book beautifully tackles the sting of classroom embarrassment. With a supportive family and a change of perspective, Freddy proves that sometimes the silliest roles steal the show.

Halloween is approaching, and Freddy Thresher's classroom is diving into lessons about spooky critters. But Freddy does not need to learn about monsters at school, because he is absolutely convinced that one is living right inside his own house. Every night, strange and creepy noises echo down from his family's attic. Terrified but determined to prove his bravery, Freddy teams up with his best friend Robbie to investigate the creepy sounds. Together, they embark on a brave mission up the stairs to hunt down the monster and solve the terrifying mystery once and for all. Filled with just the right amount of seasonal chills, this engaging chapter book captures the vivid imagination of a first grader. Young readers will love joining Freddy on his humorous and slightly spooky Halloween adventure.

The Halloween season is in full swing, and everyone in the first grade is excited for Chloe's upcoming holiday party. The main event of the celebration is going to be a terrifying haunted house. While his classmates cannot wait for the spooky thrills, Freddy Thresher is secretly terrified. He is absolutely dreading the haunted house, but he is even more afraid of looking like a fraidy cat in front of his friends. Freddy goes to great lengths to hide his fears, trying his best to look brave while his anxiety builds. This highly relatable chapter book dives into the pressure of hiding your true feelings to fit in. With a perfect blend of gentle humor and authentic first grade worries, it is an excellent read for kids learning to navigate their own everyday fears.

Freddy Thresher is ready for a major classroom challenge, but there is one giant obstacle standing in his way. His class is participating in a huge bike-a-thon to raise money for the local animal shelter. Freddy desperately wants to help the adorable animals, and he really wants to beat the neighborhood bully in the process. There is just one embarrassing secret he has been hiding from all of his friends: Freddy does not actually know how to ride a two-wheeler yet. While everyone else is zooming around the neighborhood, he is still stuck on training wheels. With the big race approaching fast, Freddy has to conquer his fears and learn how to balance on two wheels before it is too late. Get ready to cheer for Freddy as he faces scraped knees, wobbly handlebars, and the pressure of a major bet. This funny and heartwarming story perfectly captures the triumphs and struggles of growing up, proving that with a little practice and a lot of courage, you can accomplish anything.