The Rummage Crew, Book 1
The Secret of the Squeaky Wagon
An old wagon stuck in the blackberry vines, a squeak nobody can explain, and a torn polar bear who needs mending.
What happens in the story
Something is hiding in the hedge!
When the Rummage Crew finds an old, squeaky wagon stuck in the blackberry vines, they get to work. Koru fixes, Aria paints, Leo helps, Marcus plans, Penny scouts, and Zoey has a little emergency of her own.
A story about fixing things, helping friends, and finding old things a new home.
Look inside
Three spreads from the book, with the words as they appear on the page.
Penny held her brass magnifying glass. She peered close into the leafy green branches. "Look here!" she said. "Something is hiding in the hedge."
He turned the rusty nut. Squeak... creak... POP! The stuck wheel slid off. "Rust! So that's the secret of the squeak," said Koru.
Aria's careful stitches hid in the white fur. Not a tear was left! Poley was good as new. Zoey hugged him tight. "Thank you, Aria!"
Why parents and teachers like it
- It teaches Repair, the R kids rarely hear about. Mend it instead of replacing it: sew the seam, oil the wheel, glue the spine.
- The cause and fix are on the page. Kids see exactly what is broken (a rusted wheel, a torn seam) and exactly how it gets fixed.
- Read-aloud rhythm. Short sentences and sound words: SQUEAK, CLINK, SKRRR-ONK, POP.
- A big sister who helps. Aria mends Zoey's polar bear instead of replacing him. (More books about kindness.)
- Everyone has a job. Leo, who uses a wheelchair, finds the wagon, steadies the wheel and leads the parade.
- It ends with giving. The fixed wagon delivers outgrown toys and books to younger kids.
Talk about it
- Why did the wagon squeak? How did Koru find out?
- Poley got a tear. Why didn't Zoey get a new bear?
- What is something at home that could be fixed instead of thrown away?
- Who would you give your outgrown toys to?
- Can you find Rummage on every page?
Who's in this book
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The ArtistAria
Big sister, paintbrush always in hand. Aria can make an old thing look brand new.
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The GiverZoey
Seven, kind-hearted and never without Poley, her small white polar bear.
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The FixerKoru
Goggles down, wrench out. If it squeaks, Koru wants to know why.
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The OrganizerMarcus
Clipboard, checklist, plan. Marcus makes sure the crew gets it done.
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The GardenerLeo
Straw hat, garden trowel and a wheelchair with rainbow spokes. Leo finds what others miss.
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The DetectivePenny
Magnifying glass first. Penny spots clues nobody else sees.
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The raccoon sidekickRummage
A small raccoon with a rainbow bead necklace. The crew is named after him.
The Secret of the Squeaky Wagon: questions and answers
What is The Secret of the Squeaky Wagon about?
The Rummage Crew finds an old, squeaky wagon stuck in a blackberry hedge. They pull it free, discover its front wheel is rusted stuck, fix and oil it, paint it teal with gold stars, and use it to deliver donated toys and books to the kids down the street. On the way, Zoey's polar bear Poley gets torn, and her big sister Aria mends him.
What age is this book for?
Ages 5 to 9, kindergarten to grade 3. It works as a read-aloud for younger children, and confident readers in grades 1 to 3 can read it alone.
What does the book teach?
Repair: that broken things can often be fixed instead of thrown away. It also shows kindness between siblings, teamwork, and giving toys you have outgrown to other kids.
What is the secret of the squeaky wagon?
Rust. The wagon's front wheel has rusted onto its axle, so it drags and squeaks. Koru takes it off, and three drops of oil make it spin smooth as a top.
Is it good for Earth Day?
Yes. It works as an Earth Day read-aloud for K–3 about keeping things out of the garbage by fixing and sharing them, and there are free activities to go with it.
Free printable pack every season