- Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sacher
- The Line Tender by Kate Allen
- The Last Wild Series by Piers Torday
- Same Sun Here by Silas House and Neela Vaswani
- Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking
Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking
Special Collection From the Scope Archives
Earth Day Every Day
Guiding Questions: How do humans affect the natural world? How can environmental problems be solved? How can we protect wild places? When it comes to conservation, what lessons can we learn from the past?
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Narrative Nonfiction
Killer SmogHow a deadly environmental disaster changed our ideas about the air we breathe
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Paired Texts
The Problem of PlasticTwo nonfiction texts explore the problem of plastic pollution and how it can be solved.
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Paired Texts
The Vanishing BeastsExplore the history of the buffalo and learn how the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux tribes are working to restore the buffalo to tribal lands.
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Debate Essay Kit
Should You Go Trash-Free at Lunch?Some say it’s inconvenient. Others say it’s worth it to help the environment. What do you think?
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You Write It Interview
How I Got Plastic Bags BannedBella Rossborough, 12, explains how and why she brought an end to the use of plastic bags in her town.
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Paired Texts
The Fish That’s Eating the WorldTwo nonfiction texts explore two different invasive aquatic species: the lionfish and the goldfish.
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Narrative Nonfiction
The Bear Attacks That Changed AmericaIn 1967, a tragedy in Glacier National Park transformed the way we care for wild places.
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Narrative Nonfiction
Saving America’s WolvesThis gripping article draws the reader into the world of the American wolf.
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Drama
Far From HomeA homesick teen, a gravely injured sea turtle, and a summer that changed everything.
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Paired Texts
How to Save a Baby OrangutanWhen a baby orangutan was left for dead in the rainforest, a team of humans raced to save him.
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Debate Scavenger Hunt
Are Free Returns Out of Control?Online returns are causing a big problem. How should it be solved?
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Paired Texts
Ancient. Adored. Endangered.Axolotls are more popular—and in deeper trouble—than ever before.
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Narrative Nonfiction
Stalking the Bat KillerAmerica’s bats are being destroyed by a terrible disease. Meet the humans determined to save these extraordinary and important creatures.
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Debate Essay Kit
Should We Clone Her?Scientists are working to clone endangered species like black-footed ferrets. Is that a good idea?
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Infographic
Why Is This Dirt So Amazing?It’s not just any old dirt. It’s compost—and it’s made from trash!
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Paired Texts
Vampires of the DeepThe race to stop a bloodsucking fish from destroying America’s largest lakes
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Debate Scavenger Hunt
Should You Get Paid to Recycle?Recycling bottles and cans is the right thing to do. So should we really get rewarded for doing it?
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Grammar
Towers of IcePractice using “number” and “amount” while discovering why towers of ice are appearing in the Himalayan mountains.
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Paired Texts
The Incredible Pangolin RescueIn a crowded marketplace in Cambodia, a small creature called a pangolin hovered close to death. This is the story of the humans who raced to save her.
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Short Read
The Bug That’s Eating AmericaThis colorful pest is devouring America's crops. Can it be stopped?
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Narrative Nonfiction
Rescue in the RainforestIn a Costa Rican jungle, a young sloth hovers near death. Her only hope is a team of humans racing to save her.
Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking
Did you enjoy the stories in this collection? If so, here are a few books you might enjoy too!
Text-to-Speech