Special Collection: Adapting to Change

We delved into the Storyworks archives to bring you some of our most beloved stories about kids who learn to adapt to change. We hope these stories—both real and imagined—spark conversations with your young readers about how to face the changes that happen in their own lives.

The Stars Below Me

Mara is miserable in the city—until a friend helps her discover a whole new universe.

Read the Story
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this story
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Character
Understand how Mara changes
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Author's Craft
Study the story's sensory details.
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Back to Normal?

Elijah knows he should be excited to finally be back at school. But why does everything feel so strange?

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Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this story
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Immersive Read Aloud
Music and sound effects bring the story to life
Listen to the Story
Character
Understand the character of Elijah
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My Life Without Hair

An illness took away Ariah’s hair—and her confidence. Here’s how she found it again.

Read the Article
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this article
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Compare and Contrast
Compare two experiences from the texts
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Summarizing
Use a chart to analyze the paired texts
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Sea Turtle Summer

When Marco’s best friend moves away, an injured turtle helps him learn an important lesson.

Read the Play
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this play
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Research Kit
Go on a research journey inspired by the play
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Theme
Find the theme of the play
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Becoming Darth Vader

How a boy who stuttered grew up to have one of the most famous voices in the world.

Read the Article
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this article
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Video
A 13-year-old who stutters shares her experience
Collaboration Choice Board
Activities to complete with a group
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Home

When her family welcomes a new brother, Aleena’s life turns upside down. Will things ever be the same?

Read the Story
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this play
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Inference
Look for clues in the story
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Collaboration Choice Board
Activities to complete with a group
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Art Credits: The Stars Below Me: JABOO2FOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; Back to Normal: Marcos Calo; My Life Without Hair: CHRIS CONE/NOVUS SELECT; KIM COOK/AP IMAGES FOR SCHOLASTIC INC. (ARIAH DEMING); Sea Turtle Summer: CHARLIE REANEY/GETTY IMAGES (TURTLE); LITTLESAM/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM (BACKGROUND); Becoming Darth Vader: Shutterstock.com (Background); Lifestyle pictures/Alamy Stock Photo (Darth Vader); James Earl Jones Collection (James Earl Jones)