Themes: Prejudice, Jealousy, Fiction, Tween, Emergent Reader, Chapter Book, Hi-Lo, Hi-Lo Books, Hi-Lo Solutions, High-Low Books, Hi-Low Books, ELL, EL, ESL, Struggling Learner, Struggling Reader, Special Education, SPED, Newcomers, Reading, Learning, Education, Educational, Educational Books. The eighth graders are excited to go on a school trip. The trip is in no way educational. Marlon and Steve are stoked! They can't wait to ride Viper at Magic Mountain. But then bad news. Someone has broken into the school office. The money for the trip has been stolen. Marlon, Steve, Doug, and Clark are furious and disappointed. The four friends set out to find the money. Who stole it? Was it Tyler Trout, the rich kid? Nah. Why would he take the money? What about Colton Banes, the class troublemaker? He lives in the worst part of town. Marlon learns that looks are deceiving. Walden Lane is a quintessential small city. And these chapter books describe a typical American family, with busy schedules and the usual problems. The series explores suburban life in a fun way, with topics appropriate for younger readers. These gentle reads are innocent, hopeful, and sometimes funny, with no unsettling surprises or storylines. Each book is 5,000 words (approx.) and 10 chapters.