Special Collection: Celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritages

Delightful and inspiring stories that feature Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander characters, authors, and real-life role models

Starring Me, Sophia Sun

Sophia dreams of being a TV star. 
Will it be everything she imagined?

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Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this story
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Plot
Identify the different parts of the story's plot
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Choice Board
Extend the learning experience with an activity from our choice board
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The Woman Who Swam With Sharks

How scientist Eugenie Clark helped change the way 
the world thinks about these amazing creatures

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Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this play
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What You Need to Know About Sharks
Learn more about these essential ocean animals
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Main Ideas
Find the main ideas in the play
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Beauty and Disaster

When a volcano erupted in May 2018, the people of 
Hawaii's Big Island faced violent explosions, rivers 
of lava, and the fear that their beautiful island 
could be destroyed

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Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this article
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Watch a Video
Author Lauren Tarshis discusses how she researched and wrote her article
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Text Features
Explore the article's text features
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How to Spell Disaster

Will Sanjay speak up when it really matters?

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Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this story
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Author Read-Aloud
Listen to author Supriya Kelkar read her story
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Plot
Studentss can analyze the plot of the story.
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A Wildfire Changed My Life

How the 2023 Maui wildfires touched one girl’s life 
and united a community

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Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching the paired texts
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Wildfires Around the World
Learn more about these destructive natural disasters
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Collaboration Choice Board
Choose an exciting group project related to the articles
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The 3 Challenges

Can Hanzo’s wise grandmother save the village 
before it’s too late?

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Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this adaptation of a Japanese folktale
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Background Builder: Japan
Learn what you need to know before reading the play
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Vocabulary Slideshow
Unlock challenging vocabulary words with great visual and audio support
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Home

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

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Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this story
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Author Read-Aloud
Listen to author Hena Khan read her story
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Inference
Practice making inferences about Aleena's feelings throughout the story
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The Day It Rained Cats

Everything changed when Sheera saw a cat 
falling past her window. And then another. 
And then another . . .

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Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this story
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Comparing Genres
Help students compare the graphic and prose versions of the story
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Prose Version of the Story
Read the original prose version of the story
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Girl Can't Dance

Emma dreams of being famous. What will 
she give up to make her dream come true?

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Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this story
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Character
Explore how Emma changes throughout the story
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Choice Board
Extend the learning experience with an activity from our choice board
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How to Make S'mores

A school trip teaches Raniya some important lessons—and not just about a favorite American treat

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Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this story
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Watch a Video
Learn about the history of s'mores
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How Plot Affects Character
Explore how the plot impacts Raniya
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The Emperor's Contest

Who has what it takes to become China’s next ruler?

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Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this play
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Background Builder Slideshow: The Emperor's Contest
Learn about the country where this play takes place
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Theme
Identify the play's theme
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The Elephants and the Mice

Kindness can have unexpected consequences

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Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this play
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Storyworks Podcast: The Well-Traveled Tales of the Panchatantra
Learn about ancient fables from India
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Comparing Characters
Explore the differences between Uma and Mohan
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Amira’s Song

A girl’s love of music connects her to her family

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Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this story
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Author Read-Aloud
Hear author Nora Raleigh Baskin read her story
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Character
Analyze Amira's character
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Grandfather's Chopsticks

A poem expresses appreciation for 
a grandfather’s loving wisdom

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Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this poem
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Poetry Writing
Write your own poem inspired by "Grandfather's Chopsticks"
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Art Credits: Starring Me, Sophia Sun: Art by Taylor Callery; The Woman Who Swam With Sharks: Shane Gross/Science Source; Beauty and Disaster: WARREN FINTZ; The 3 Challenges: Art by Yohey Horishita; Home: Art by Anne Lambelet; Girl Can't Dance: Art by Dave Clegg; How to Make S'mores: Art by Mora Vieytes; The Emperor's Contest: Art by Heng Zeng; The Elephants and the Mice: Art by Dave Clegg; Amira's Song: Art by Elizabeth Zunon;  Grandfather's Chopsticks: Shutterstock.com; How to Spell Disaster: Art by Chaaya Prabhat; The Day It Rained Cats: Art by Robin Ha; A Wildfire Changed My Life: Marco Garcia/AP Images for Scholastic Inc. (Kini Varona)