Special Collection: Celebrating Friendship

We delved into the Storyworks archives to bring you some of our most beloved stories about friendship. We hope these cross-genre stories spark conversations with your young readers about the importance and joys of friendship, as well as how to make and keep friends.

The Stars Below Me

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

Read the Fiction Story
PDF
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this story
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PDF
Character
Understand how Mara changes
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PDF
Author's Craft
Study the story's sensory details.
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Trapped In a Cave

Thousands of people raced against the clock to save a youth soccer team stranded in a flooded cave in Thailand. Meanwhile, the trapped boys stayed strong through their friendship.

Read the Article
PDF
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this article
Download
Watch a Video
Author Christina Soontornvat discusses how she researched and wrote her article
PDF
Text Evidence
Search for text evidence in the article
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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?

Read the Fiction Story
PDF
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this story
Download
Immersive Read Aloud
Music and sound effects bring the story to life
Listen to the Story
PDF
Character
Understand the character of Elijah
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How to Make a New Friend

Here are a few tips for meeting new people
and striking up a friendship.

Read the Infographic
PDF
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this infographic
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PDF
Guided Writing
Scaffold a writing activity
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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

Read the Fiction Story
PDF
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this play
Download
Watch a Video
Learn about the history of s'mores
PDF
How Plot Affects Character
Explore how the plot impacts Raniya
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Is It Wrong to Cancel Plans?

Well, it depends.

Read the Debate
PDF
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this debate
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PDF
Write a Letter
Write a letter responding to the debate
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Art Credits: The Stars Below Me: JABOO2FOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; Trapped In a Cave: Illustration by Shane Rebenschied; Back to Normal: Marcos Calo; How to Make S'mores: Art by Mora Vieytes; How to Make a New Friend: Shutterstock.com; Is it Wrong to Cancel Plans?: Illustrations by Carolyn Ridsdale