Content Descriptions: Reading Assistant, Grades 6-8 · Content Descriptions: Reading Assistant, Grades 6-8 1 888-810-0250 Reading Assistant for Grades 6-8 contains highly-illustrated

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Content Descriptions: Reading Assistant, Grades 6-8

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Reading Assistant for Grades 6-8 contains highly-illustrated selections that relate to middle-schoolers’ interests as well as topics from science, social studies, and literature standards. Drawn from authentic contemporary, classic, and multicultural literature, selections are grouped into clusters—groups of 3-6 selections about a common topic or theme. This organization helps students build a body of knowledge and deepen vocabulary understanding by reading key words in different contexts. Clusters include a variety of genre—fiction, personal narratives, jokes, poetry, eyewitness accounts and journals, expository nonfiction, and biography—and range in reading level from Grade 2 to Grade 8.

History: U.S. history, 1800s These selections are a fictionalized account of Kate Shelley’s bravery during an Iowa train crash in the late 1800’s. Besides highlighting a young girl’s bravery, they shed light on life in America during this time.

Reading Level 2-2

Chapter Book: Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express Genre

Grade Equiv. Lexile®*

Guided Reading Level

Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express Chapter 1By K. Wetterer

Historical fiction 2 490 M Honey Creek is flooded, and Kate and her family worry about the safety of the nearby railroad bridge. Just before midnight, they hear the crack and hiss of the bridge collapsing into the river as a train crosses.


Historical fiction 1 490 M Kate rushes through the raging storm to the collapsed bridge, where she hears voices shouting for help. She takes off for the station to get help.


Historical fiction 3 490 M To get to the station, Kate crosses the river on another bridge, one with missing boards and no handrails.




Reading Level 2-2

Chapter Book: Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express Genre




Historical fiction 2 490 M Exhausted, Kate reaches the station and gets warning to the Midnight Express, which is on the way to the collapsed bridge. She then leads a rescue team back to Honey Creek and the two men in the creek.

Afterword: The Real Kate ShelleyBy Helena Kristensen

Nonfiction 4 740 M The afterword provides facts about Kate Shelley’s life and her legacy in the state of Iowa.




Literature: Personal narrative This collection of first-person narratives show contemporary teens dealing with common middle-school issues—family, peer pressure—and doing the right thing.

Reading Level 3-1 Nobody’s Perfect Genre



It’s More Than a Gameby Claire Daniel

Contemporary fiction 3 440 N After a disappointing math test, Kendra is upset and distracted. Some straight talk from her basketball coach and a great practice help put her problems in perspective.

A Good Night’s Studyby Catharine Helck

Contemporary fiction 3 560 N Marco has an extreme study plan, but his family thinks he isn’t getting enough sleep. He falls asleep anyway—and the next morning realizes that a good night’s sleep is as important as a good night’s study.

A Different Kind of Victoryby Katherine Follett

Contemporary fiction 3 660 N Josh is facing a critical battle in his online game and his friends are counting on him to win. His sister is counting on him too: she needs his support at her track meet because a good performance might win her a scholarship.

It’s Just One Piece of Trashby Claire Daniel

Contemporary fiction 3 550 N Kelly tosses trash onto the ground, and Maya’s sharp rebuke angers her. A conversation leads to a mended friendship and greater awareness of environmental issues.




Social Studies: Art and technology These selections explore the urge to create and express ideas through art. Students read about art, artists, and the influence of technology on art today.

Reading Level 3-1 Art Around Us Genre



Work in Progressby Wendy Svec

Contemporary fiction 3 480 N Frankie used to get in trouble a lot, but recently has been doing better. He is a “work in progress.” During an art museum trip, Frankie learns about other works in progress, and is given a great opportunity.

Art: A Life’s Workby Wendy Svec

Interview 3 650 O Can you take something that you love and turn it into your life’s work? This artist did! Meet Jenny McGee Dougherty, an artist who started drawing when she was a little girl.

Computers and Artby W. Diskin

Nonfiction 3 730 O Computers can be used to for most everything, including art. Two contemporary artists share how they use computers in two very different ways.




Social Studies: Sports and history Through the lens of skateboarding, readers look at the development of sports and some of the ways in which sports can affect individuals and communities.

Reading Level 3-2 Skateboarding Genre



A Place to Skateby Elise Mariel del Fuego

Nonfiction 3 640 N In 2001, skateboarders in a Massachusetts town had no place to skate. They organized parents and allies, got financial support, and build a fantastic skate park.

Skateboarding!by Ellen Chapman

Nonfiction 3 680 N This selection traces skateboarding back to its roots in surfing, and reviews facts about skateboarding today, skate parks, and skate moves.

The History of Sportsby Catharine Keyes

Nonfiction 3 700 O Skateboarding is not the only sport with an interesting history. This article looks at the origins of several contemporary and popular sports.

Surprise Movesby Catharine Helck

Contemporary fiction 3 580 N Three boys take up a challenge to participate in a skateboarding contest. They meet a new skateboarder with great moves that complement theirs. Should they let her into their group?




Earth Science: Volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunami Four articles, including an eyewitness account, examine how the movement of tectonic plates causes earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis.

Reading Level 3-2 Natural Disasters Genre



Volcano!by Beth Geiger

Nonfiction 3 560 N Volcanoes are natural events that we live with but cannot control. The article explains how volcanoes form, types of volcanic eruptions, and the effect of volcanoes on the land and people living near them.

1906: The Year San Francisco Burnedby Elizabeth Austin

Nonfiction 3 640 O Effects of earthquakes on people can be devastating, as this description of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake shows.

The World’s Biggest Wavesby Katherine Follett

Nonfiction 3 680 O Planet Earth is an interconnected system, with one event affecting another. Tsunamis are giant tidal waves most often caused by earthquakes that occur on the ocean floor. When the ocean floor moves, water above sloshes violently, causing the wave.

Eyewitness to DisasterAdapted from Emma Burke’s account by Helena Kristensen

Eye-witness account 3 570 N Emma Burke lived in San Francisco in 1906. She tells her story of the quake, survivor’s camp in Golden Gate Park, and the generosity and caring of San Franciscans during rescue and clean-up.




Earth Science: Space objects and the solar system What we see as tiny spots of light in the night sky are actually very different objects, from fist-sized rocks to huge exploding galaxies billions of light years away.

Reading Level 4-1 Planets and Stars Genre



Here, There, and Beyondby Glen Phelan

Nonfiction 4 800 P Nonfiction, illustrated by images from the Hubble space telescope, describes the planets and other objects in our solar system. How do rocky planets and gaseous planets differ? What are asteroids and meteoroids?

The Falling Starby Sara Teasdale. Illustrated by Laura Levy.

Poetry NP NP NP Sara Teasdale’s classic poem describes the beauty and volatility of a falling star.

A Universe of Starsby Ellen Fried

Nonfiction 3 700 P Long ago, people could use only their eyes to study the sky. Now, powerful tools allow us to look farther and farther into the universe. The more we study the night sky, the more we discover.




Ancient History: Egyptian history and culture Archaeologists and historians learn about ancient cultures from the artifacts they leave. This cluster focuses on Ancient Egypt and reinforces concepts and vocabulary across fiction, jokes, and nonfiction selections.

Reading Level 4-1 Egyptology Genre



Mysteries of the Ancient Pastby Reyna Eisenstark

Nonfiction 4 680 O Mummies and other artifacts give archaeologists clues about ancient Egyptian culture, as seen in the example of one of the most famous discoveries, the tomb of King Tut.

Making a Mummy in Ancient Egyptby Elaine Sibson

Nonfiction 4 700 P Ancient Egyptians prepared mummies with a special method filled with symbolism and purpose. This selection outlines some of the interesting details about that method.

Learning to Like Ancient Egypt by Elaine Sibson

Contemporary fiction 4 710 P Kari’s father is teaching in Egypt for a semester, and she is nervous about going with him. Once there, she forgets her apprehension and becomes excited about Egypt, past and present.

What Did One Mummy Say to the Other? by Judi Gale

Humor 4 550 O In this collection of jokes, readers consolidate their understanding of vocabulary from the previous selections and enjoy a good laugh at the same time.




Physical Science: Archimedes’ law A basic law of physics is presented using a classic story, a fable, and a modern nonfiction piece about experiments that support Archimedes’ Law.

Reading Level 4-2 Clever Tricks with Water Genre



Eureka!retold from the story by James Baldwin

Legend 3 900 Q The famous story of the king of Syracuse, who asked Archimedes to find out whether he had been cheated when having a new crown fashioned. In the process, Archimedes discovered what a basic law of physics.

Sink or Float!by W. Diskin

Nonfiction 4 730 R Archimedes’ Principle says that when an object is placed in liquid, the liquid pushes up on the object. The article includes an experiment using water, two bowls, a cork, and a small rock.

The Crow and the Pitcheradapted by Edward Ing

Fable 3 750 Q In this classic fable, a thirsty crow is frustrated because he can’t reach the last bit of water at the bottom of a pitcher. Unknowingly, he uses Archimedes’ Principle to solve the problem and quench his thirst.




Earth Science: Geography and geology These selections present history, geology, geography, and mathematics against the backdrop of the Grand Canyon’s vastness and beauty.

Reading Level 4-2 The Grand Canyon Genre



The Grand Canyonadapted from a text by George Wharton James

Expository Nonfiction 4 840 Q How to describe the Grand Canyon? This selection blends facts and history with poetic descriptions visitors have written about one of America’s most spectacular geological features.

John Wesley Powell: American Explorerby Elise Mariel del Fuego

Biography 4 780 P John Wesley Powell, a geologist and veteran of the Civil War, is best known for leading the first scientific expedition through the Grand Canyon.

John Powell’s Grand Canyonadapted from the journal of John Wesley Powell

Journal 4 880 S Powell kept a journal during his dangerous expedition of the Grand Canyon. His entries detail the formation, structure, and immense beauty of the canyon.

Grand Canyon Mathby Cindy Orrell

Nonfiction 4 740 R Poetry, journal entries, and photographs can describe the Grand Canyon, and statistics do too. This article explains some surprising and not-so-surprising math facts about the Grand Canyon.




Literature: Science fiction Unintended consequence is a common theme in science fiction. The unintended consequences in these classic and contemporary stories offer opportunities to reflect on cultural values.

Reading Level 5-1 Tales from Beyond Genre



Earthlings Bearing Giftsadapted from a short story by Frederic Brown

Science Fiction 5 770 R Citizens of Mars are hopeful that an expected rocket from Earth is the first of many cultural exchanges. What happens when cultures make assumptions about each other?

Shipwreckedby Elise Mariel del Fuego

Science Fiction 4 740 S An accident during a family boating trip leaves Aidan confused about his surroundings. He is pretty sure he washed up in Bermuda. But is he mistaken?

The Starby H.G. Wells

Science Fiction 5 830 T This excerpt from a story by famous science fiction writer H.G. Wells describes a star that forms when a smaller star collides with Neptune. What seems at first like a beautiful spectacle soon becomes a disaster.




Social Studies: Food and culture Food is one hallmark of a culture, and these selections look at the cultural and nutritional aspects of food.

Reading Level 5-1 What We Eat Genre



Disgusting? Or Delicious?by Carrie Finison

Nonfiction 5 840 T What is disgusting to some people may be delicious to others. This selection takes the reader on a cross-cultural culinary tour of some of the world’s unexpected delicacies.

A Bit of Spiceby Elizabeth Carini

Contemporary Fiction 3 670 T Rafael brings Nick along to his abuela’s big Sunday dinner filled with Mexican delicacies. At first Nick is concerned because the dishes don’t look like those from the local Mexican restaurant, but he tries new foods and makes new friends.

Planting Seeds in the Edible Schoolyardby Carrie Finison

Nonfiction 5 850 R Famous chef Alice Waters thought growing their own food could help middle-schoolers understand good food and good nutrition. Today, the students plant, harvest, and cook food right from their own schoolyard.




Social Studies: The Internet, hoaxes, and safety These selections highlight some common urban legends and Internet frauds, but also present some simple rules for staying safe.

Reading Level 5-2 The Truth is Out There Genre



Did You Hear?by Elizabeth Austin

Nonfiction 6 840 R Strange rumors about modern life are called urban legends. Today, many urban legends are spread using email and the Internet. What are some of the most common urban legends?

Chupacabra Strikes Again?by Elizabeth Austin

Fiction 5 770 R The Ramirez family is hanging out at their desert ranch house, when suddenly their dog starts barking crazily. There is something in the yard! Is it the Chupacabra?

Internet Hoaxes and Safetyby Katherine Follett

Nonfiction 5 780 T The Internet is a haven for junk mail, fraud, and unwanted contact from strangers. There are simple ways to avoid Internet fraud and stay safe.




Social Studies: Mapmaking and exploration People have long searched for ways to record and communicate locations, physical features, and travel routes. These articles look at mapmaking during the Age of Exploration and contrasts it with technologies used today.

Reading Level 5-2 Where in the World? Genre



Before There Were Mapsby Natalie Rosinsky

Nonfiction 5 710 U What did early explorers use for navigation before there were maps? As explorers sailed farther distances, they brought back more and more information for early mapmakers.

Better Maps, Books, and Shipsby Brandon Miller

Nonfiction 9 1130 U Spain enters the age of discovery with the help of better maps, books, and ships.

New Explorersby W. Diskin

Nonfiction 5 920 U The Internet and GPS technology, as well as compasses and maps, are tools for the contemporary explorer engaged in the adventure pastime called geocaching.




Social Studies: Literature and popular culture The story of the Wizard of Oz has shaped American popular culture, from the fear of tornados to the iconography of the wicked witch. Student read excerpts from classic story and information about weather science and cultural aspects of the tale.

Reading Level 6-1 The Wizard of Oz Genre



The Wizard of Oz: The Tornadoby L. Frank Baum

Fiction 4 950 U This excerpt from the classic L. Frank Baum story tells the tale of the tornado that lifted Dorothy’s prairie home and dropped it into a magical land.

The Wizard of Oz: Journey to Emerald Cityby L. Frank Baum

Fiction 4 830 U Dorothy and her three friends each have a desire that they believe the great Wizard of Oz can fulfill. They journey to the Emerald City to find him.

Tornadoes: the Fastest Winds in the Worldby Elizabeth Austin

Nonfiction 6 900 V The Wonderful Wizard of Oz opens with a tornado whirling through the Kansas prairie. What is a tornado and what damage do tornadoes actually cause?

The Wonderful Wizardby Katherine Follett

Nonfiction 6 870 V The Wizard of Oz story is part of American culture. Books, movies, and musicals have all been based on the magical story. Even some of our favorite sayings come from L. Frank Baum’s classic tale.




Science: Space and space exploration From early missions in the 1960s to flights to the International Space Station, space travel has launched scientific discovery and sparked imagination. These selections present firsthand accounts from the explorers and scientists who have traveled through space.

Reading Level 6-1 Earth and Space Genre



A View from Lunar Orbit: Apollo 8

Nonfiction 6 900 V Apollo 8 was one mission in America’s quest for the moon. In this excerpt from a television broadcast on December 24, 1968 broadcast, Apollo 8 astronauts share what they see from lunar orbit.

Earth and Spaceby Julie Larson

Eye-witness account 6 920 V Accomplishments of early space missions have led to the creation of the International Space Station, a research lab in Earth orbit. Astronauts describe in their own words what it is like to eat, sleep, and move in the ISS.

From the International Space Stationby Sandra Magnus

Journal 6 910 W Astronaut Sandra Magnus is a flight engineer and was part of ISS Expedition 18. This excerpt from her journal answers the question “What does Earth look like from orbit?”




Science: Ecology These selections go beyond general statements about the problems of pollution and make direct connections between human behavior and its effect on the environment.

Reading Level 6-2 Pollution Genre



How Pollution Hurts Living Thingsby Mary Carmichael

Nonfiction 6 980 V Why are frog populations declining all over the globe? Is pollution at fault? This article explores important questions about frogs, the environment, and toxicology.

A Natural Balanceby Nora L. Deans

Nonfiction 6 860 V Extending concepts in the previous selection, this article looks broadly at the ways we use natural resources and the impact on animal and plant habitats and populations.




History: U.S. history, 1800s Selections about the Abolitionists and the journey taken by slaves escaping to freedom in the years before the U.S. Civil War.

Reading Level 6-2 Escape to Freedom Genre



About the Underground Railroadby Ross Rosenfeld

Nonfiction 4 900 W Between 1830 and 1860, thousands of people traveled to northern states by way of the Underground Railroad. What was the Underground Railroad, and how did abolitionists support it?

The Underground Railroad: Planning the Escapeby Carol Ottolenghi-Barga

Historical fiction 6 570 W A brother and sister plan their escape from slavery. This selection outlines how their community might have supplied them with food, and more importantly, information in the form of messages hidden in song.

The Underground Railroad: Finally Freedomby Carol Ottolenghi-Barga

Historical fiction 6 570 W This selection picks up where the last one left off as two escaped slaves run from search dogs and finally reach freedom.




History: World history and the age of exploration Columbus was not the only European to set sail with exploration as the goal. These early explorers ignored popular misconceptions and forged new navigation paths eastward and southward.

Reading Level 7 Proving the World Isn’t Flat Genre



Sailing Past the End of the Worldby Rosalie and Charles Baker

Nonfiction 7 1150 X In the 15th century, Prince Henry of Portugal, ignoring the popular opinion that the world was flat, found a water route to the Far East around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope.

By Water to Indiaby Rosalie and Charles Baker

Nonfiction 7 1200 X In the late 15th century, Bartolomeu Dias and Vasco de Gama continue Prince Henry’s navigation work, finding a water route to India.

Balboa: Discoverer of the Pacific

Nonfiction 6 980 X In 1500, Balboa joined an expedition commissioned to explore the northern shore of South America. Balboa’s story encompasses all the triumph, tragedy and greed of the Spanish New World.




History: World history and the age of exploration These selections put Christopher Columbus’ journey in the larger context of the age of discovery, and also take a look at some of the conflicts surrounding his exploration of North America.

Reading Level 7

Spain Discovers the New World Genre



Columbus Has a Planby Brandon Marie Miller

Nonfiction 6 1070 X Spain enters the age of discovery with the vision of Christopher Columbus.

Columbus’s Gloryby Beth Weston

Nonfiction 7 980 X Spain’s exploration of the New World, and Columbus’ major role in that exploration are described, as is the controversy about whether Columbus is truly the “discoverer” of America.

Columbus’s Last Voyage to America

Nonfiction 7 1060 W Shipwrecks and other problems plague Columbus’ final voyage to America.




Life Science: Animal behavior As we study animal-to-animal and animal-to-human communication, what can we learn about ourselves and about human-to-human communication? Topics surrounding this issue are explored in both nonfiction science pieces, and a story about sisterly communication.

Reading Level 7 Animal Communication Genre



Communicating with Apesby Natalie Rosinsky

Nonfiction 7 1100 X Humans talking with apes? Such conversations were once found only in fables or science fiction, but these selections describe the real science in human-ape communication.

Orangutan Sistersby Catharine Keyes

Fiction 7 920 X Alicia spent the morning fighting with her sister. Now, working at her job at the zoo, she watches two orangutan sisters work and play together. Can Alicia and her sister learn something from the two apes?




Life Science: Animal behavior Unnatural and natural behaviors of a wide range of animals are covered in these selections.

Reading Level 8 Animals Genre



Zoos, Pets, and Obesityby Stephen James O’Meara

Nonfiction 8 1100 X Obesity isn’t just a human problem. These selections outline the growing trend of obesity in zoo animals and pets.

Amazing Migrationsby Stephen James O’Meara

Nonfiction 8 1140 X From whales to butterflies, animals around the globe are on the move. Interesting natural science selections about the migrations of a wide variety of animals.

Animal Migrations: Land and Seaby Stephen James O’Meara

Nonfiction 8 1080 Y Land turtles and sea turtles, crabs and sharks—these animals from land and sea are very different, but they all have something in common: migration.




Life Science: Human body These science selections explore how scientists study body rhythms, and highlight the unique sleep rhythms and body clock functions of teenagers.

Reading Level 8 Sleep and Dreams Genre



Learn While You Sleepby Faith Hickman Byrnie

Nonfiction 8 1080 Y Evidence suggests that your brain is learning while you sleep, processing and storing memories of what you experience while awake.

Studying Sleepby Lynne Lamberg

Nonfiction 8 1060 Z What are biological and circadian rhythms, and how do scientists study inner time?

Sleep and Your Body Clockby Lynne Lamberg

Nonfiction 8 1180 Y Teenagers have unique sleep rhythms and body clock functions. Should high school start later to accommodate teenagers’ sleep patterns? How are the brain and the body clock connected?




Life Science: Sensory systems Taste and smell are senses that are shared by both humans and animals. These selections highlight the complex systems and functions behind what seem to be basic senses.

Reading Level 8 Taste and Smell Genre



Taste and Smellby George Erdosh

Nonfiction 6 935 X Even though smelling organs and tasting organs are located in different places in our heads, the messages traveling through the nerve systems of both organs arrive in the same area of the brain.

Animals are Smell Superstarsby Stephen James O’Meara

Nonfiction 8 1140 Z Creatures in the wild smell and respond to chemicals in their environments in ways that people can only imagine.

The Genetics of Smell: Do You Smell What I Smell?by Randall Reed

Nonfiction 8 1140 Z Research has proved that, in some cases, variations in smell perception are a result of genetic differences.

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Content Descriptions: Reading Assistant, Grades 6-8 · Content Descriptions: Reading Assistant, Grades 6-8 1 888-810-0250 Reading Assistant for Grades 6-8 contains highly-illustrated