Selection: HiE-7

HiE-7

Grade level: 5

Word count: 1571 words

Author: W. W. Jacobs

Synopsis: A man gets a mysterious object that can make wishes come true. Will it bring him everything he ever hoped for?

Excerpt: Mr. White examined his new possession closely, asking, "How does it work?"

"Hold it in your right hand and wish aloud," said Sergeant-Major Morris, "but I warn you of the consequences."

Mr. White dropped the talisman back in his pocket, where it stayed throughout the duration of the visit and was thus forgotten.

Question: Reread this excerpt. What does the word "talisman" mean?

1. an object thought to have magic powers
2. a person who warns others of danger
3. a pocket sewn into the front of a coat or jacket
4. an idea that leads to an experiment

Selection: HiE-36

HiE-36

Grade level: 5

Word count: 1658 words

Author: Horace E. Scudder

Synopsis: This classic legend tells about Dutch sailors who must spend eternity sailing the ocean.

Excerpt: The next day, as the ship drew near the Cape of Good Hope, the captain walked the deck with Otto. As they talked, they were grabbed from behind. Members of the crew tightly bound the captain and Otto. At the same instant, other sailors grabbed the ship's two officers and they too were bound. Now the ship was in the hands of the crew.

These wicked men made short work. They threw the captain, Otto, and the two mates into the sea. "Dead men tell no tales," said the man at the wheel.

Question: Read this excerpt. The man at the ship's wheel said, "Dead men tell no tales." What does this mean?

1. Those who are no longer living cannot tell others what really happened.
2. Those who help others will always receive help themselves.
3. Those who spend many years on the sea often have lonely lives.
4. Those who work only for money will not find true love or happiness.

Selection: HiE-4

HiE-4

Grade level: 5

Word count: 1455 words

Author: Brian Cafferty

Synopsis: P.T. Barnum is long gone, but this legendary man's spirit lives when the circus is in town.

Excerpt: In 1849, Barnum made a trip to England. While he was there, he went to a concert where he heard Jenny Lind, a beautiful singer from Sweden. Jenny had a lovely voice and was the toast of all of Europe. Yet she was nearly unknown in the United States. Barnum asked her to come to America and do a series of concerts. She accepted, and Barnum named her the "Swedish Nightingale."

Question: In this excerpt, what does the phrase "the toast of all of Europe" mean?

1. to be popular all over Europe.
2. to have toast while visiting Europe.
3. to be laughed at all over Europe.
4. to drink a toast to Europe.

Selection: HiE-25

HiE-25

Grade level: 5

Word count: 1727 words

Author: Kerry Mescallado

Synopsis: William Still made a promise that the people who risked their lives for freedom would not be forgotten.

Excerpt: Not all entries in William's diary were descriptions. He also included letters to and from other members of the Underground Railroad. Many letters told of slaves who had made it to safety. Others asked what to do if things didn't go as arranged. In the event that the mail might end up in the wrong hands, the letters were written in code:

"MR. STILL: I suppose you are somewhat uneasy because the goods did not come safe to hand on Monday evening, as you expected. The train only was from Harrisburg to Reading, and as it happened, the goods had to stay all night with us. We thought it expedient and wise to detain them until we could hear from you. There are two small boxes and two large ones. We have them all secure. What had better be done? Let us know."

Question: Read this excerpt. As part of the code, what are the "goods" in the second paragraph?

1. runaway slaves
2. slave catchers
3. newspaper articles
4. major cities