Selection: E-7

E-7

Grade level: 5

Word count: 1577 words

Author: Kate Carter

Synopsis: A skateboarder's life takes a tricky turn when she finds a stray puppy.

Excerpt: Nicki's mother was making lunch when they got home, and she could see the girls walking up the driveway.

"Girls, where are your bikes, and WHERE did you get that puppy?"

"Mom, we found it--her--at the bus stop, and she was all alone and crying, and, well, we thought we should bring her home because it's not safe there, and she has no tag, and--can I keep her?"

"Someone must love and miss her very much, so you have to try to find her owner. Maybe it's a little girl like you, and she is looking everywhere and is very sad because she can't find her dog," her mother said. "Carla, you can stay for lunch, and we will discuss this. After you eat, I think you should probably use the computer to look up what to do when you find a lost puppy."

Question: How does Nicki's mother react when the girls bring home the puppy?

1. surprised but supportive
2. shocked and angry
3. calm but annoyed
4. excited and curious

Selection: E-18

E-18

Grade level: 5

Word count: 1705 words

Author: Anonymous

Synopsis: In this classic myth, the gods need someone to build a strong stone fortress. A very strong stranger says he'll do the job.

Excerpt: First, the gods built a house with a silver roof, where there were seats for all twelve chiefs. In the midst, high above the rest, was the wonder-throne of Odin the All-Father. Afterwards, the gods built separate houses for all those who dwelt in the city. They saved Father Odin's palace until last, for they meant this to be the largest and most splendid of all.

Odin's house was built of gold and set in the midst of a wood. For the safety of All-Father, it was surrounded by a roaring river and high picket fence.

Question: Identify the order in which the gods built their city, from first step to last step.

1. They built the house with the silver roof with seats for all 12 chiefs.
2. They built individual houses for all city dwellers.
3. They built Odin's house and Valhalla.
4. They built a fortress to protect the city from giants.

Selection: HiE-1

HiE-1

Grade level: 5

Word count: 1716 words

Author: Kerry Mescallado

Synopsis: President Theodore Roosevelt was one of America's most prominent and energetic leaders. But to his children, he was just a big kid.

Excerpt: "Has the lordly Ted turned up yet? Is his loving sister able to reduce the size of his head, or does she need any assistance from her male parent? Your affectionate father, The Tyrant."

Question: In this excerpt, Roosevelt described his son, Ted, as "lordly" and asked his daughter, Ethel, if she needed any help "to reduce the size of his head." What do these lines say about Ted and Ethel?

1. Ted would act bossy, like a king, and Ethel would try to get him to stop.
2. Ted refused to try any new foods unless Ethel tried them first.
3. Ted was afraid to travel and Ethel had to comfort him.
4. Ted took care of the stray animals he found, but Ethel thought they were dangerous.

Selection: HiE-3

HiE-3

Grade level: 5

Word count: 1582 words

Author: Ben Robinson

Synopsis: Tony Hawk is a skateboarding legend. He is known for his fearless, record-breaking skating as well as his business success.

Excerpt: Because skating is such a risky sport, the skate parks needed to have insurance. The parks had to pay money to insurance companies in case a skater was injured. If the number of skaters increased, then the insurance costs increased. High insurance costs forced many skate parks to close, so skaters did not have a place to enjoy their sport.

Question: According to the selection, high insurance costs led to

1. skate park closures.
2. new rules about skateboard safety.
3. some sponsors paying Tony Hawk more money.
4. the creation of new skate parks.

Selection: HiE-30

HiE-30

Grade level: 5

Word count: 1520 words

Author: Phyllis Wilner

Synopsis: Two organizations, MADD and SADD, continue to lead the fight against drunk driving.

Excerpt: Together with a group of high school students, Robert formed a group called Students Against Drunk Driving, or SADD. SADD's goal was to make the kids themselves face up to the dangers of drunk driving, and to do something about it.

Today, SADD stands for Student Against Destructive Decisions. It addresses other important issues such as drug use and peer pressure in addition to teenage drinking and driving. There are now more than 10,000 chapters in middle schools, high schools, and colleges throughout the country. The students organize and run each new SADD chapter. They get help from an adult adviser.

Question: SADD was originally formed to help students understand the dangers of drunk driving. Which two sentences in this excerpt best explain the change and growth in the ongoing mission of SADD?

Selection: E-55

E-55

Grade level: 5

Word count: 1842 words

Author: Mike Ciecierski

Synopsis: When it's time to think about a career, follow your interests. Work is more pleasant if you get to do something you enjoy.

Excerpt: At last, the director yelled, "Cut! We're done!" Nick was relieved. The director looked at him and said, "Well, you held the bounce board perfectly. I wish you could work on all the ads I make."

Nick was speechless. He could not believe he just helped to make a TV ad. All he could do was smile at the director and nod his head.

"You know what, kid?" the director said, "You should think about a career making ads or movies. I'm someone who recognizes talent. You clearly have it."

Nick smiled as he walked home. He had a talent for making movies!

Question: Which character was most encouraging about Nick's career in movies?

1. the director
2. the woman in the car
3. Nick's mother
4. Nick's friend Andrew

Selection: HiE-70

HiE-70

Grade level: 5

Word count: 1521 words

Author: Judy Dodge Cummings

Synopsis: A contest between tribes is important in more than one way.

Excerpt: Flinging off his father's arm, Dyami ran from the longhouse straight to the playing field. Retrieving his stick from the weeds, he began to swing wildly. He raged at everyone: his mother for her illness, Goyogoin for denying a game to heal her, and Aystan for accepting this decision without question.

But mostly he raged at himself for disobeying the dream. Dyami struck the air again and again, finding strength in his sorrow and fury.

Question: These two excerpts can best be described as paragraphs that

1. list reasons why Dyami was angry.
2. explain the rules of Little Brother of War.
3. describe the setting of the selection.
4. compare the warriors on the two teams.