Decodable Reader 26 Hide and Seek! Written by Hannah Bayer Illustrated by Dan Vick Then it happens. The sun shines longer. The grass grows again. Summer is back! It’s time for more fun in the sun. 80 Phonics Skill Contractions ’re, ’ve, ’d; Irregular Contractions don’t you’ve won’t they’re we’re should’ve we’ve she’d you’re A bell rang in the hall. “Have fun,” called Miss Lee. “Don’t return late!” “We won’t be late,” Jen answered. “We’re never late!” 82 “What can we play?” asked Bobby. “Let’s play tag!” answered Jen. “We’ve played that twice this week,” said Tom. “You’re right,” said Jen. 83 “Let’s play hide and seek then,” Fran said. “That’ll be fun!” yelled Kelly. “I was hoping to play that.” 84 Those kids drew straws to pick the first seeker. Jen drew the short straw. “You’ve got to count first,” said Tom. “Go hide,” Jen called. “I won’t peek.” 85 Bobby hid behind the slide. Tom hid under a bush. “They’ve taken all the good spots,” Fran said to herself. 86 Fran ducked behind an oak tree just as Jen finished counting. Jen found Bobby behind that slide. “I should’ve found a better spot,” Bobby muttered sadly. 87 Decodable Reader 27 Mom’s Surprise Written by Renee McLean Illustrated by Gill Ross Jen found Tom under that bush. “You’re a good seeker,” Tom told Jen. Now where is Fran? She’d run to base. Fran won! She’d found the perfect spot. 88 Phonics Skill Adding Endings -s, -ed, -ing, -er, -est longest excited pointed likes cried opened planning helped thinking hopped rushed nicest biggest prettiest cleaned going peeking hugged returns tied cooking waved called tried nicer making faster closed