Question 1 of 16 · Literary reading
Literary meaning and character · Curriculum connections: 3R1, 3R2, 3R3
The Bell at the Book Sale — original fictional story
Original classroom text; all characters, events, organizations, and reported trial results are fictional.
Chapter 1: Before the sale. Nia practiced ringing the little desk bell. She wanted to be the class book-sale helper. “I can tell everyone where to go,” she said. Her friend Mateo was making large paper signs for the tables. Nia thought signs were less exciting than the bright bell.
Chapter 2: A busy room. When the doors opened, Nia rang the bell and called, “Picture books on the left!” But children were talking, and a visitor near the door did not hear. The visitor walked to the wrong table. Nia rang again. Mateo held up his sign with a drawing of an open book. The visitor smiled and found the picture books.
Chapter 3: A new job. Nia put the bell down gently. “May I carry that sign?” she asked. Mateo gave it to her. She held it near the door and pointed to the table. Later, Nia used the bell to announce that the sale was closing, when the room was quieter. She learned that helping people meant choosing what they needed, even when it was not her favorite job.