"Melody Ellison loves singing and gardening, and is inspired by friends and family and the Civil Rights Movement to make changes in her community"-- - (Baker & Taylor)

American Girl® Melody™ stands up for what's right in this all-new Step 3 Step into Reading leveled reader that takes place in 1964.

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. This Step 3 Step into Reading leveled reader is great for American Girl fans ages 5 to 8. This exciting Step into Reading is based on an American Girl story by Denise Lewis Patrick.

Step 3 readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics for children who are ready to read on their own.

Introduced in 1986, American Girl's flagship line of historical characters features 18-inch dolls, books, and accessories that give girls a dramatic understanding of the role women and girls played in shaping our country.

Look out for these other great books:

• Samantha Helps a Friend (American Girl) 9780593381878

• Freedom for Addy (American Girl) 9780593381915

• Molly’s Christmas Surprise (American Girl) 9780593381960

Bria Alston is a writer and children’s book editor living in New York City. - (Random House, Inc.)

School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 1–3—The title character in this "Step Into Reading" book was first introduced in 2016 as part of the American Girl collection. Melody is part of a close-knit Black family, church, and community in 1964 Detroit, MI. After their pastor encourages the congregation to consider how they can change things for the better in their community, Melody joins her parents in boycotting a store with discriminatory practices. She also works to clean up the neighborhood park. Melody's grandfather tells her, "Gardens and good works keep going, but both need tending." Illustrations include a range of Black skin tones and hairstyles. Details such as fashions, protest sign slogans, and the musical groups Melody enjoys all ground the story in the correct time period. Historical topics are handled in an age-appropriate way, and illustrations support the text for independent reading. VERDICT An enjoyable historical fiction picture book for beginning readers sure to please American Girl fans; this is also a possibility for teachers looking for books about the Civil Rights movement suitable for young readers.—Suzanne Costner