“Fun-to-read story” —Story Monsters
Mom’s Choice Awards® Gold Recipient

This adventure-filled Level 3 Nocturnals Early Reader grows confidence in reading with engaging illustrations, short sentences, and fun alliteration!

Chandler, a sneaky chinchilla, challenges the Nocturnals trio to a game of checkers!
After some strange distractions, Dawn the serious fox, Tobin the sweet pangolin, and Bismark the wacky sugar glider start to suspect something is not right. Chandler is a competitive player... but could he also be a cheater? Bonus Content includes Nocturnals Animal Glossary with Fun Facts!

GREAT FOR EARLY READERS AGES 6–8 (Grades 2-3)
Level 3 books feature complex plots, new vocabulary and grow information skills

Teaches Life Skills: Good Sportsmanship, Playing Games for Fun, and Forgiveness.
Perfect for kids who like unusual animals!

The 8-book Nocturnals Grow & Read Early Reader Collection encourages kids at all reading levels who like adventurous stories featuring nocturnal animals

About The Author

Tracey Hecht

Tracey Hecht is a writer and entrepreneur who created The Nocturnals, the critically acclaimed middle grade and early reader series. The American Booksellers Association chose her first book, The Nocturnals: The Mysterious Abductions, as a Kids’ Indie Next List pick. In addition, her Grow & Read early reader book, The Chestnut Challenge, was given a Mom’s Choice Gold Award. With the New York Public Library, she has also created a Read Aloud Writing Program that has since been conducted in hundreds of schools, libraries, and bookstores. Other books in the Nocturnals middle grade series include The Ominous Eye, The Fallen Star, and The Hidden Kingdom. Tracey currently splits her time between New York City and Oquossoc, Maine, with her husband and four children.

About The Illustrator

Josie Yee

Josie Yee is an award winning illustrator specializing in children's books. She lives in New York City with her daughter, Ana, and their cat, Dude.

Product Details

Publisher: Fabled Films Press (April 23, 2019)
Length: 64 pages
ISBN13: 9781944020224
Ages: 6 - 8

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Raves and Reviews

“Fans of the series will find colorful illustrations interspersed with text to help young independent readers follow the story…the theme of an honest game will likely resonate with this intended audience.”

– School Library Journal

“Recommended List in Continuing Series."

– Kirkus Reviews

“Young readers ages 6-8 will delight in this entertaining animal adventure while learning about the themes of playing games for fun and displaying good sportsmanship…especially and unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, and community library collections.”

– Midwest Book Review

"This is such a fun Early Reader book that is not just entertaining to read, it also teaches the moral lesson of fair play. I believe parents/grandparents will enjoy reading this book to their little ones. Younger readers will love all the Nocturnals books, this is another fun-to-read story in this collection and a great bedtime book."

– Story Monsters

“Hecht successfully set the stage for more adventurous outings down the road...”

– Publishers Weekly

“The series addresses bullying and empathy in an easy, accessible way, and the books are meant to be read aloud.”

– New York Post