Fiction
Ella tiptoed into the backyard and found a baby fox curled up by the shed. She slowly offered it a piece of chicken from dinner, and the little fox sniffed it before taking a small bite. Every day after school, the fox returned to see her. Soon, they became secret friends that only the moonlight knew about.
Main idea: Ella made friends with a baby fox that visited her backyard.
Bees are important insects that help plants grow, breed, and produce food. They carry pollen from flower to flower, which helps fruits and vegetables form. Without bees, many of our favorite foods, like apples and strawberries, wouldn't grow well. That’s why protecting bees is so important.
Main idea: Bees help plants grow by spreading pollen between flowers.
Tyrese discovered that his goldfish could talk—but only when he wore his lucky headphones. One day, the fish told him about a sunken treasure in the school pond. Tyrese dove in during recess and pulled out a rusty box full of shiny coins. No one believed him, but his goldfish winked.
Main idea: Tyrese’s goldfish helped him find treasure in a pond.
The cheetah is the fastest land animal and can run up to 70 miles per hour. It uses its speed to chase and catch prey on the African plains. Cheetahs have long legs, slim bodies, and special claws that help them grip the ground. Their speed helps them survive in the wild.
Main idea: Cheetahs use their speed to hunt and survive in the wild.
Liam built a robot from old toys, soda cans, and wires he found in the garage. When he flipped the switch, the robot’s eyes lit up and it said, “Hello, Liam!” Shocked but thrilled, Liam asked it to clean his room—and it did. His robot became the coolest invention in the science fair.
Main idea: Liam built a working robot that helped him and won a science fair.
Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the Moon in 1969. He traveled there in a spacecraft called Apollo 11 with two other astronauts. When he stepped onto the Moon’s surface, he said, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” His mission made space history.
Main idea: Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission.
Nina and her little brother got stuck inside a video game when they touched a glowing controller. Suddenly, they had to jump lava pits and defeat slime monsters to escape. Nina used her game skills to solve puzzles and lead them to the exit door. They returned home just as their mom called them for dinner.
Main idea: Nina and her brother got trapped in a video game and had to escape.
The Titanic was a huge ship that sank on its first voyage in 1912. It hit an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean and went down in just a few hours. More than 1,500 people died because there weren’t enough lifeboats. The tragedy led to new safety rules for ships.
Main idea: The Titanic sank after hitting an iceberg, leading to better safety rules.
Sophie found a dusty book in the attic that glowed when she opened it. The pages showed strange maps and spells that led to a hidden cave in the forest. With her dog Max, she followed the clues and discovered a glowing crystal. When she touched it, the crystal lit up and whispered her name.
Main idea: Sophie found a magical book that led her to a glowing crystal in a cave.
Octopuses are amazing sea animals with eight arms and no bones. They can change color to blend into their surroundings and escape from predators. Some octopuses are even smart enough to solve puzzles. These skills help them survive in the ocean.
Main idea: Octopuses use special skills to protect themselves and solve problems.
Carlos dreamed of flying, and one day he found a pair of wings hidden in his school’s library. When he put them on, he soared above the playground and through the clouds. From up high, he saw things he’d never noticed before—like a rainbow waterfall behind the school. He returned the wings before anyone saw, keeping the magic a secret.
Main idea: Carlos found magical wings and flew around his school secretly.
Basketball was invented by James Naismith in 1891 to keep students active indoors. He used a soccer ball and two peach baskets as goals. The game quickly became popular and is now played all over the world. Today, basketball is one of the most exciting and fast-paced sports.
Main idea: James Naismith invented basketball as a fun indoor sport.
At recess, Jordan and his friends created a soccer team called the Thunderbolts. They practiced every day and finally challenged the older kids to a match. Everyone thought they would lose, but they tied 2-2 after Jordan scored the final goal. Their teamwork earned them a thumbs-up from the big kids.
Main idea: Jordan and his friends formed a soccer team and impressed the older kids.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader who fought for equal rights for all people. He gave powerful speeches, including the famous “I Have a Dream” speech. He believed in peaceful protest and helped change unfair laws. His work made life better for millions of Americans.
Main idea: Martin Luther King Jr. helped change unfair laws through peaceful protests.
Emily and Raj made a plan to stay up all night in their backyard tent. They packed snacks, told spooky stories, and listened to the hoot of owls. Around midnight, they spotted a shooting star and made a wish together. The next day, they both swore it was the best night ever.
Main idea: Emily and Raj had a fun and magical backyard campout.
Rainforests are full of tall trees, colorful animals, and rare plants. They are found near the equator and get a lot of rain every year. Many animals, like toucans, jaguars, and tree frogs, live there. Rainforests also help clean the air and keep the Earth’s climate balanced.
Main idea: Rainforests are home to many animals and help the planet stay healthy.
Maya built a treehouse with her grandpa during the summer. They used old wood, painted it sky blue, and even added a pulley system for snacks. Once it was done, she invited her friends over for spy meetings and marshmallow parties. It became the best hangout in the neighborhood.
Main idea: Maya and her grandpa built a fun treehouse for her and her friends.
Volcanoes form when melted rock, called magma, rises from deep inside the Earth. Sometimes, this magma erupts through a mountain, creating lava, ash, and gas. Some volcanoes are very active, while others haven’t erupted for hundreds of years. Volcanoes can change land quickly and powerfully.
Main idea: Volcanoes erupt with magma and can change the land around them.
Noah found a mysterious coin on his way to school that always landed on heads. He began using it to make decisions, like picking seats, choosing snacks, and answering quiz questions. Somehow, everything started going his way—until he lost the coin. Then he realized his own choices had mattered all along.
Main idea: Noah found a lucky coin but learned that his choices were what really mattered.
Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, which changed how people lived and worked. Before light bulbs, people used candles and oil lamps at night. Edison worked hard and tested thousands of materials before he got it right. His invention brought light to homes around the world.
Main idea: Thomas Edison invented the light bulb after many tests.