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

All Shayan wants is to be a skateboard champion 
like Jackson. Or does he?

Read the Fiction Story
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this story
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Video
Meet the author the story, Hena Khan
Coversation Sparker
Have a group discussion after reading
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Should You Get Involved When Friends Argue?

Maybe. Maybe not. 

Read the Debate
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this debate
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Opinion Essay Kit
Help students write a powerful essay
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Debate Anchor Chart
Sentence starters for respectful and productive debates
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The Visit

A city on the moon. Guests from far away. 
And a danger that must be stopped before it’s too late.

Read the Fiction Story
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this story
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Watch a Video
Learn about the genre of science fiction
Background Builder Slideshow
Learn what you need to know before reading
View the Slideshow

How to Make a New Friend

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

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

Besties all over the world trade bracelets. 
But when did this start? 

Read the Article
Video
Learn about other popular toys, puzzles, and games
Watch the Video
Video
Strengthen students' summazrizing skills
Paragraph Power
Write a paragraph about the main idea
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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
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this play
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Watch a Video
Learn about the history of s'mores
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
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this debate
Download
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; Learning to Fly: Art by Andrea Galecio; Should You Get Involved When Friends Argue?: Art by Carolyn Ridsdale; The Visit: Art by Randy Pollak; Friends Forever: Courtesy of authors (Meg & Catherine), Shutterstock.com