StoryShares: Dedicated to inspiring a love of reading

Plots Based on True Stories Bundle

Define Beauty

by Bithja Pierre

With her dark skin and coiled hair, Alicia doesn't look like the woman on the magazine cover. This leads her to question beauty: what does it mean to be beautiful? Is she? Can she ever be?

Reading Level: 4.7
Interest Level: Middle School

Diary of a Not Normal Child

by YuBin Park

Twelve-year-old Itanya works in a Kenyan factory with her mother in order to scrape by. Her dream is to eat and learn and live like a "normal child," but that dream feels so far from reach.

Reading Level: 3.3
Interest Level: Middle School

Hmong New Year When Grandma Was Alive

by Kao Kalia Yang

Hmong New Year is a time for preparing a meal, honoring ancestral spirits, and sharing memories. A loving grandmother's leadership, guidance, love, and wisdom make the holiday one to remember.

Reading Level: 5.4
Interest Level: Middle School

Instructions for My 5th-Grade Self

by Lisa Zhang

Yijia's fifth-grade self has a knack for attracting attention from Mrs. Lou... but not the good kind of attention. One moment stands out in particular, one that she just can't ever forget.

Reading Level: 4.4
Interest Level: Middle School

I Want to Be a Writer

by Anya Ivan

It's an ambitious wish to become a writer at twelve years old while still learning English, but Alex's English teacher helps him learn to improve his writing and use it to cope with family issues.

Reading Level: 3.1
Interest Level: Middle School

Muhammad Ali: In His Own Words

by Ruth Chasek

Muhammad Ali is known for being one of the greatest boxers ever. But he didn't just fight matches in the boxing ring. He also fought to defend his beliefs and religion.

Reading Level: 5.8
Interest Level: High School

Pathways to Ancestors

by M. R. Cain

Most of the graves here belong to Jessie's ancestors, but there is one, right at the beginning of the line, that she knows nothing about. Who were Kimi and Pierre Lascaux?

Reading Level: 2.4
Interest Level: Post High School

Sabbath

by Susan Solomon

Susan's Friday night plans are ruined when her parents make her go to her grandparents' Sabbath dinner, but Grandma's stories help her begin to understand the importance of family.

Reading Level: 3.8
Interest Level: High School

Sucker Stick

by Stephen Leitschuh

I was five years old when I discovered that I am invincible, but it's a secret that I'll have to keep for as long as I live.

Reading Level: 5.0
Interest Level: High School

The Fires

by Emily Sherwood

It's 1863. Tensions are high in New York City, and when fiery riots break out over a military draft, Ivory and Peter are both caught up in the chaos. Can they work together to stay safe and survive?

Reading Level: 1.7
Interest Level: High School