In this short story, a young boy named Sabeel finds a speckled, or spotted, shell from the ocean while on vacation with his family. Later, he realizes there is something very special about his shell. As you read, take notes on how Vikram feels about Sabeel. The material is distributed in accordance with the CC BY-NC-SA. See details at: https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/cclicenses/

Joyce Sidman is an award-winning children's author. This poem is called a pantoum, a type of poem where lines are repeated in a different order. In this pantoum the speaker writes about spring. As you read, take notes on words that show the speaker’s feelings about spring. The material is distributed in accordance with the CC BY-NC-SA. See details at: https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/cclicenses/

This story is set in Shimla, a city in India, which is home to many tourist attractions including the Kalibari temple. At this Hindu temple, people visit the great warrior goddess Kali with hopes that their prayers and wishes will be answered. In this story, a young girl makes wishes at the temple for her ninth birthday. As you read, take notes on what Raani wants. The material is distributed in accordance with the CC BY-NC-SA. See details at: https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/cclicenses/

Pamela Love is a children's author. In this story, a man tries to prove he is the best artist in ancient Greece. As you read, take notes on Zeuxis’s thoughts and actions throughout the story. The material is distributed in accordance with the CC BY-NC-SA. See details at: https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/cclicenses/

In this poem, a speaker tells an Abenaki story about geese. As you read, take notes on the problem and solution in the poem. The material is distributed in accordance with the CC BY-NC-SA. See details at: https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/cclicenses/

To adopt means to take in as one's own. Some parents adopt children, which means to make them legally a part of their family. David Kwee is a Chinese American pediatrician who has cared for many adopted children in China. It was once common for many children in China to wait for adoption in orphanages — places where children without parents live and are cared for. In this story, fifth-grader Mariel revisits her birthplace in China with her family. As you read, take notes on how Mariel feels about herself. The material is distributed in accordance with the CC BY-NC-SA. See details at: https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/cclicenses/

The material is distributed in accordance with the CC BY-NC-SA. See details at: https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/cclicenses/

In this short story, a young boy prepares to celebrate his second Christmas in Zanzibar, an island off the coast of Tanzania, a country in East Africa. As you read, take notes on Walter’s actions in the story. The material is distributed in accordance with the CC BY-NC-SA. See details at: https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/cclicenses/

In this décima poem by Margarita Engle, a Cuban-American author, the speaker shares what they are thankful for, or what they want to say thank you to. As you read, take notes on what the speaker does with their puppy. The material is distributed in accordance with the CC BY-NC-SA. See details at: https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/cclicenses/