Purpose-Giving Children's Stories
Everyone knows the story of the night the great ship Titanic sank. But few know the story of Maxixe, one of the unsung heroes of that night, and how this small musical pig soothed the fears of a lifeboat full of children. Based on true events, this dramatic story is told through the charming and compassionate voice of Maxixe the musical pig.
Kindness
Fiction
AR Reading Level 2.5
AR Point .5
Word Count 564
Boom! Bang! Guns fire! Cannons roar! George Washington is fighting in the American Revolution. He sees a dog lost on the battlefield. Whose dog is it? How will it find its master? Early readers will be surprised to find out what happens in this little-known true story about America’s first president.
Empathy, Fairness, Kindness, Leadership, Responsibility, Trustworthiness
Nonfiction
AR Reading Level 2.5
AR Point .5
Word Count 719
Did you know that one of our Founding Fathers was not born in America? An orphan from the West Indies, Alexander Hamilton came to the colonies and played an important role in the Revolutionary War, rising to become General George Washington’s right-hand man. But his accomplishments don’t stop there! He helped obtain the ratification of the Constitution; he was America’s first secretary of the treasury; and he established the first national bank and the U.S. Mint. A man of ambition, loyalty, and principle, he is now being celebrated as the prominent patriot he was.
Courage, Initiative, Leadership, Responsibility, Teamwork, Trustworthiness
Nonfiction
AR Reading Level 3.7
AR Point .5
Word Count 996
On October 11, 1896, 10-year-old Sam Deal and his horse, Ginger, watch as the brave surf men of Pea Island struggle to save the lives of nine people stranded on a shipwreck. Sam has dreamt of becoming a surf man just like the all-African-American crew, and this is his chance. Can he and Ginger help the crew rescue the victims, or will they be lost forever?
Courage
Fiction
AR Reading Level 3.5
AR Point .5
Word Count 1724
All William Ellsworth Hoy wanted to do was play baseball. After losing out on a spot on the local deaf team, William practiced even harder—eventually earning a position on a professional team. But his struggle was far from over. In addition to the prejudice Hoy faced, he could not hear the umpires’ calls. One day he asked the umpire to use hand signals: strike, ball, out. That day he not only got on base but also changed the way the game was played forever. William Hoy became one of the greatest and most beloved players of his time!
Perseverance, Critical Thinking-Problem Solving
Nonfiction
AR Reading Level 3.5
AR Point .5
Word Count 1025
Based on a true story!
After the Civil War, the Muldie boys and their father came along way to Kansas to look for land.
They had heard about the Homestead Act, which promised free land to anyone who was willing to settle the West.
They build a dugout house and live through a hard winter, saved from starvation by a band Osage Indians.
Spring comes and daddy moves on to find a better home for them. The three boys are left to fend for themselves, and when at last daddy sends for them the boys must find courage to brave dangers of the wilderness alone.
Courage, Leadership, Responsibility, Teamwork, and Trustworthiness
Fiction
AR Reading Level 2.6
AR Point .5
Word Count 1619
What would you do if you lived in a community without a library, hospital, post office, or fire department? If you were Benjamin Franklin, you’d help organize the first of each.
Franklin also designed the lightening rod, suggested the idea of daylight savings time, invented bifocals and the odometer -all inspired by his common sense and intelligence.
One of Franklin’s greatest accomplishments came in the form of documents. He had a pivotal role in developing America’s Constitution, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Peace with England, and the Declaration of Independence.
These creations, and more can be found in this informative book!
Innovation, Leadership, Teamwork
Nonfiction
AR Reading Level 5.1
AR Point .5
Word Count 890
As soon as Thomas Jefferson learned to read, he found his passion: books, books, and more books! Before, during, and after the American Revolution, Jefferson collected thousands of books on hundreds of subjects. In fact, his massive collection eventually helped rebuild the Library of Congress—now the largest library in the world.
Barb Rosenstock’s rhythmic words and John O’Brien’s whimsical illustrations capture Jefferson’s passion for the written word as well as little-known details about book collecting. Author and artist worked closely with experts to create the first picture book on Jefferson’s love of reading, writing, and books. An author’s note, bibliography, and source notes for quotations are also included.
Leadership and Initiative
Nonfiction
AR Reading Level 4.8
AR Point .5
Word Count 1659
For shy young Peter Mark Roget, books were the best companions — and it wasn’t long before Peter began writing his own book. But he didn’t write stories; he wrote lists. Peter took his love for words and turned it to organizing ideas and finding exactly the right word to express just what he thought. His lists grew and grew, eventually turning into one of the most important reference books of all time.
Readers of all ages will marvel at Roget’s life, depicted through lyrical text and brilliantly detailed illustrations. This elegant book celebrates the joy of learning and the power of words.
Innovation and Perseverance
Nonfiction
AR Reading Level 4.1
AR Point .5
Word Count 1227
Caldecott Honor Book
The Robert F. Sibert Medal
In 1781, Thomas Paine came up with a model for a single-span bridge; in 1887, Adolf Eugen Fickmade the first pair of contact lenses; and in 1907, Paul Cornu built the first helicopter. But Leonardo da Vinci thought of all these ideas more than five hundred years ago!
At once an artist, inventor, engineer, and scientist, da Vinci wrote and drew detailed descriptions of what would later become hang gliders, automobiles, robots, and much more.
Innovation
Nonficton
AR Reading Level 5.4
AR Point .5
Word Count 1096
UpliftStories 