Passages

Searching for Signs of Intelligent Life

“I come in peace,” the little green fellow with the short antennae said, offering his three-fingered hand up in what he hoped would be understood as a greeting. The horse standing in the field shook his mane and stamped his hoof. What was this? One minute I’m grazing grass in…

Cranky Frankie

Marco’s new little brother was named Frankie. Frankie was a grumpy baby. Marco didn’t like it when the baby cried and yelled. Marco called the baby Cranky Frankie, but his mom didn’t like it when he did that. Frankie cried about everything. When he wanted a bottle, he cried. When…

The Crows

It was a hot day at the farm. Farmer Jenkins worked all morning in the corn field. Now he was tired. He went home for lunch. It was very quiet outside. Two black crows sat on an old fence nearby. Jim, the smaller crow, looked at all the ears of…

Mushing During the Klondike Gold Rush

Sled dogs were an important part of the Klondike Gold Rush. This historical event took place during the late 1890s in the Yukon Territory of northwestern Canada and later in Alaska. It is often called the “Last Great Gold Rush.” Long before the Gold Rush though, both Native Americans and…

Carter’s Weird Grandpa

“Why can’t Grandpa just be normal? Why does he have to be so weird?” Carter asked his Grandma. Grandma laughed. “I’ve wondered that for many years.” They were sitting on a Florida beach watching Grandpa and some of his friends in the ocean. They were all on waveskis and paddling…

Amy’s Will

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is about the life and adventures of four March sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. They are growing up during the American Civil War. As this passage starts, the girls’ mother is away taking care of Mr. March, who is sick in Washington, D.C.…

Helen and the World’s Fair

Born in Alabama in 1880, Helen Keller was a normal, bright baby. When she was just a toddler, she became seriously ill. She recovered, but lost her hearing and sight. She had barely learned to speak , so she was unable to learn any more words. Her family finally found…

Confucius: The Most Famous Teacher in China

Confucius was a famous teacher, politician, and philosopher who lived in China over 2,600 years ago. During his lifetime, he planted the seeds for China’s transformation by teaching thousands of people, including those without money or power. Today, he is considered to be one of the world’s greatest teachers. Historians…

The Piglets

Harry was a small piglet. He lived on a farm with his mother. He had many brothers and sisters. Of all the piglets born that spring, Harry was the smallest. When it was time to eat, the bigger piglets always went running. They had longer legs and could run faster…

Little Faithful

Little Women is about the March sisters who are growing up during the American Civil War. In this passage, Mrs. March has left the girls at home with their servant, Hannah, in order to nurse Mr. March who is ill in Washington, D.C. The girls have tried to work hard…