Themes: Gaming, Friendship, 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. Marlon Moore is an eighth grader in Walden Lane. He loves video games. So does his best friend, Steve McCain. Marlon makes a bet. He will outscore his friend in the video game of Clan Castles. The winner gets their pick from the local convenience store. Who can get the higher score? Steve has one rule. Nobody can use a boost, which is a move that allows a player to get out of tough spot. Marlon is so convinced he'll win until he gets in a tough spot and uses the illegal boost ... and then lies about it. Steve is angry. Will Marlon lose his best friend for good? 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.