Skip to main content

Secondary navigation - Literacy Central

  • SIGN IN
  • REGISTER
  • SEARCH
Home Literacy Central Literacy Central Literacy Network
Reading is Fundamental
DONATE

Main navigation Literacy Central

  • Find Book Activities
  • Tools
    • Activity Calendars
    • Puzzle Creator
    • Graphic Organizers
    • Literacy Tracker
    • Reading Incentives
    • BeeLine Reader
    • Skybrary Free eBooks
  • Centers
    • Early Childhood Education
    • Well-Being
    • Sustainable Futures
    • Sense of Belonging
    • Independent Reading
    • Virus and Germ
  • Resources
    • Rally to Read
    • Daily Book Bites
    • Monthly Teaching Resources
    • Lesson Plans
    • Puzzles
    • Read Aloud Videos
    • Leveled Reading Passages
    • Author Interviews
  • DONATE

Secondary navigation - Literacy Central

  • SIGN IN
  • REGISTER
  • SEARCH

Sign up for our Newsletter

  1. Home
  2. Literacy Central
1-24 of 2021 results for All Resources

Pagination

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Image
Scariest Stories Ever Told

Scariest Stories Ever Told

Written by Roberta Simpson Brown
In Scariest Stories Ever Told, celebrated author Roberta Simpson Brown delivers over 13 bone-chilling tales designed to give readers the ultimate thrill.
4th - 6th
Image
Scared Witless

Scared Witless: Thirteen Eerie Tales to Tell

Written by Martha Hamilton & Mitch Weiss and Illustrated by Kevin Pope
In Scared Witless: Thirteen Eerie Tales to Tell, authors Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss share a spooky and funny collection of stories perfect for kids who love a good thrill.
3rd - 6th
Image
InvitingWolfIn.jpg

Inviting the Wolf In: Thinking About Difficult Stories (Story Cove)

Written by Loren Niemi & Elizabeth Ellis
Some stories are hard to tell because they talk about things that are sad, scary, or confusing. These kinds of stories can be tough for the person telling them and for the person listening. But when they’re shared with kindness and care, they can help people understand each other and even feel braver.
5th - 10th
Image
HowWhyStoriesAH.jpg

How & Why Stories: World Tales Kids Can Read & Tell

Written by Martha Hamilton
Have you ever stopped to really look at a spider’s web? If it’s only meant to catch flies, why does it shimmer with such delicate, beautiful patterns? Have you ever wondered what makes thunder rumble, why the ocean tastes salty, or how tigers came to wear their bold stripes? This collection gathers delightful “why” stories from many cultures and time periods—tales that imagine how animals, plants, and natural wonders came to look or behave the way they do.
1st - 7th
Image
GreekMythsWesternStyleAH.jpg

Greek Myths, Western Style: Toga Tales With An Attitude

Written by Barbara McBride-Smith
When Barbara McBride‑Smith first heard the ancient Greek myths as a young girl, she didn’t quite catch them the way her teacher intended. Instead of imagining the “cradle of Western civilization,” she pictured Western civilization—central Texas, near Waco—where those larger‑than‑life characters seemed right at home.
5th - 8th
Image
Queen of Cold Blooded Tales

Queen of the Cold-Blooded Tales

Written by Roberta Simpson Brown
Set in familiar places like schools, farms, and campgrounds, these tales turn ordinary moments into chilling encounters with vengeful spirits and supernatural creatures.
5th - 12th
Image
North American Pirates

North American Pirates and Their Lost Treasure

Written by W.C. Jameson and Illustrated by Kory Fluckiger
Uncover the true stories of history's most notorious outlaws in this exciting collection of pirate tales by expert treasure hunter W.C. Jameson. Move beyond the movies to explore the real-life adventures, sunken ships, and buried gold of swashbucklers like Blackbeard and Calico Jack.
4th - 8th
Image
A Natural Man

A Natural Man: The True Story of John Henry

Written by Steve Sanfield and Illustrated by Peter J. Thornton
Experience the legendary American folktale of John Henry, a powerful steel-driving man who became a symbol of courage and strength.
2nd - 7th
Image
Kindness Tales

Kindness Tales: World Folktales to Talk About

Written by Margaret Read MacDonald
Discover the transformative power of Kindness Tales: World Folktales to Talk About, a captivating collection of over 40 folktales from global oral traditions. Award-winning author Margaret Read MacDonald curates these stories to show how simple acts of sharing and caring can make the world a gentler, safer place.
3rd - 7th
Image
Ghostwise.jpg

Ghostwise: A Book of Midnight Stories

Written by Dan Yashinsky
A spellbinding gathering of eerie and enchanting tales, this collection brings together ghostly encounters and supernatural wonders from cultures around the world. Master storytellers—Mariella Bertelli, Alice Kane, Cathy Miyata, Stanley Sparkles, and many others—share stories that shimmer with mystery and imagination.
4th - 8th
Image
GhostStoriesfromPacificNorthwestAH.jpg

Ghost Stories from the Pacific Northwest (American Storytelling)

Written by Margaret Read MacDonald
Ghosts of the Pacific Northwest can be just as mischievous as any others—shattering glass, waking people in the middle of the night, and sending families fleeing from their homes—but, truth be told, most of them are a pretty cheerful crew. In Ellensburg, Washington, one ghost even tags along on his granddaughter’s dates to make sure there’s no funny business.
4th - 9th
Image
GhostStoriesfromAmericanSouth.jpg

Ghost Stories from the American South (American Storytelling)

Written by W. K. McNeil (Compiler, Editor)
This collection of supernatural tales stands apart from most ghost-story anthologies: every narrative comes directly from the folk traditions of the American South. While many of the stories were gathered over the past twenty‑five years, their settings stretch from the days of the Revolutionary War to modern times. Most have never appeared in print before, preserved instead through generations of oral storytelling.
4th - 9th
Image
FavoriteScaryStoriesAmChildrenAH.jpg

Favorite Scary Stories of American Children

Written by Richard Young
Kids love a good scare—and these stories, gathered from children themselves, are some of their all‑time favorites. These are the classic spooky tales kids ask for again and again. They’ll lean in to hear how Wylie outsmarted the dreadful Hairy Man, or how Skunnee Wundee and an unlikely friend managed to defeat the mighty Stone Giant.
4th - 6th
Image
Holy Mole

Holy Mole'!

Written by Caroline McAlister and Illustrated by Stefan Czernecki
When a surprise visit from a Spanish Viceroy sends a monastery kitchen into a panic, a young boy named Carlos accidentally helps create a culinary masterpiece.
1st - 5th
Image
EmeraldLizard.jpg

Emerald Lizard (World Storytelling)

Written by Pleasant DeSpain
Latin America is a place shaped by many influences—Indigenous traditions, Spanish and European cultures, and the heritage of Africa. For more than thirty years, Pleasant DeSpain has traveled through this vibrant region, exploring its landscapes, meeting its people, and collecting its stories. In this collection, he shares his carefully crafted retellings of folktales, myths, and legends from countries across Latin America, including Guatemala, Haiti, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Venezuela, Uruguay, and Chile.
3rd - 7th
Image
The Bone-Hunter book cover

The Bone-Hunter

Written by Storytime and Illustrated by Miriam Serafin
The true tale of a little girl and the amazing prehistoric creatures she discovered!
2nd - 5th
Image
Fiesta!

FIESTA!: A Celebration of Latino Festivals

Written by Sherry Shahan and Illustrated by Paul Barragan
Experience the vibrant energy of Hispanic culture in FIESTA!: A Celebration of Latino Festivals, a colorful month-by-month guide to traditional holidays. This engaging picture book uses bold illustrations and spirited poetry to introduce children to diverse Latin American traditions and celebrations.
1st - 6th
Image
Eleven Nature tales

Eleven Nature Tales: A Multicultural Journey

Written by Pleasant DeSpain
Eleven Nature Tales: A Multicultural Journey is an engaging collection of ancient legends that celebrate the beauty and balance of our natural world. Author Pleasant DeSpain shares traditional stories from diverse cultures, including China, Australia, and Native American tribes, to teach vital lessons about the environment.
5th - 8th
Image
Americas Outlaws

America's Outlaws and the Treasures They Left Behind

Written by WC Jameson
This action-packed book shares true stories of famous bandits like Jesse James and Belle Starr and the secret riches they hid across the country. It is the perfect read for anyone who loves history, mysteries, and the adventure of searching for lost gold.
5th - 8th
Image
Stories of Hope

Stories of Hope and Spirit

Written by Dan Keding
These ancient stories follow clever characters as they use their wits and courage to solve problems and overcome big challenges. It is a great book for young readers who want to learn about different cultures while finding inspiration in timeless tales of kindness and bravery.
3rd - 7th
Image
Noodlehead Stories

Noodlehead Stories

Written by Martha Hamilton & Mitch Weiss

Discover hilarious world folktales in Noodlehead Stories, a perfect book for children who love funny...

1st - 5th
Image
WhoIsOprahWinfrey.jpg

Who Is Oprah Winfrey? (Who HQ)

Written by Barbara Kramer and Who HQ and Illustrated by Dede Putra
Oprah Winfrey is known all around the world as a talk‑show host, actress, producer, and helper of many people. But her life didn’t start out easy. When she was young, she faced a lot of hard times. Instead of giving up, she used those challenges to grow stronger and kinder. Today, people admire Oprah because she shows what courage, kindness, and determination can do. She became one of the most successful African American leaders of the twentieth century, and many people call her one of the most influential women in the world.
3rd - 7th
Image
AshaBazMeetGladysWest.jpg

Asha and Baz Meet Gladys West

Written by Caroline Fernandez and Illustrated by Dharmali Patel
Asha and Baz are spending the day at their community garden when their teacher presents a new challenge: use a compass rose and a map to track down pieces of a secret message hidden among the plants. But following the map’s directions turns out to be trickier than they expected. Feeling stuck, the friends look to the past for help—and suddenly find themselves transported to 1978, face‑to‑face with mathematician Gladys West.
3rd - 7th
Image
Mama Learns to Drive

Mama Learns to Drive

Written by Donald Davis
Famous storyteller Donald Davis shares eight funny and touching stories about his mother growing up in North Carolina.
4th - 8th

Pagination

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

FILTER

Resources

  • (-) Book Resource

Grades

  • Pre-K
  • K
  • 1st
  • 2nd
  • 3rd
  • 4th
  • (-) 5th
  • 6th
  • 7th
  • 8th
  • 9th
  • 10th
  • 11th
  • 12th

Lexile Range

  • Birth-500
  • 501-900
  • 901-1200
  • 1201+
  • Non-Prose

Genre

  • fiction
  • nonfiction
  • historical fiction
  • biography
  • realistic fiction
  • narrative nonfiction
  • graphic novel
  • fantasy
  • novel
  • poetry
  • science fiction
  • folktale
  • picture book
  • fairy tale
  • graphic nonfiction
  • horror
  • autobiography
  • adventure
  • informational fiction
  • how-to
  • reference
  • folk tale
  • folktales & fairy tales
  • short story
  • activity book
  • dystopia
  • fables
  • graphic fiction
  • memoir

Themes

  • adventure
  • fantasy
  • friendship
  • family
  • content area & nonfiction
  • growing up
  • biography
  • stem
  • science and nature
  • animals
  • award winners & favorites
  • fiction
  • sports
  • mystery
  • history
  • coming of age
  • american history
  • careers
  • community
  • perseverance
  • travel
  • environment and ecology
  • horror
  • humor
  • science
  • mysteries
  • social issues
  • across many cultures
  • environment
  • nature
  • graphic novel
  • emotions and feelings
  • geography
  • science and technology
  • courage
  • fun
  • african american history
  • art
  • imagination
  • multicultural
  • camping
  • community helpers
  • fairy tale
  • science fiction
  • comics
  • health
  • math
  • self acceptance
  • technology
  • cooking
  • ecology
  • math and arithmetic
  • space
  • black history
  • activism
  • bullying
  • defense
  • native american heritage
  • native american history
  • perserverance
  • sports and recreation
  • action adventure
  • bilingual & spanish
  • computers
  • diet and nutrition
  • folktales and fairy tales
  • kindness
  • native american
  • resilience
  • teamwork
  • animal friendship
  • anti-bullying
  • being yourself
  • business and economics
  • civil rights
  • dance
  • dinosaurs
  • emotions & feelings
  • environmentalism
  • exploration
  • gardening
  • identity
  • inventions
  • physics
  • poetry
  • self confidence
  • social justice
  • survival
  • women's history
  • american indian culture
  • christmas
  • classic literature
  • environmental activism
  • family life
  • flowers and plants
  • magic
  • pets
  • problem solving
  • programming
  • social skills

Donate

Your contribution will help us to provide free books and literacy resources to children across the nation.

Donate

A Trusted Charity

RIF AwardsGuideStarBetter Business BureauCharity Navigator
Home Literacy Central Literacy Central Literacy Network
Reading is Fundamental

Reading Is Fundamental

750 First Street, NE

Suite 920

Washington, DC 20002

1 (877) RIF-READ

1 (877) 743-7323

  • FAQ
  • CONTACT US   
  • CAREERS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS OF USE     
  • FINANCIAL INFORMATION

CONNECT

Sign up for our Newsletter

Since 1966

RIF LogoRIF LogoRIF LogoRIF Logo

© Reading Is Fundamental. All rights reserved. RIF is a 501(c)(3).


The logo for Macy's. A white star sits to the left of the company name, Macy's. The apostrophe in the name is replaced with a smaller star.

Literacy Central is a free resources for parents, teachers and children thanks in part to the generous support of Macy’s.