Different

Different LEVELED BOOK • K

A Reading A–Z Level K Leveled Book Different
Word Count: 370
Written by Larry Fleece
Connections Illustrated by Dani Jones
Writing
If the boys wrote an apology to Joey, www.readinga-z.com
what might they say? Put yourself
in the place of one of the bullies and
write a letter apologizing to Joey.
Social Studies
Work with a group to make and
present a commercial informing other
kids at your school of what to do if
they are bullied or if they see bullying
happening.

Visit www.readinga-z.com

for thousands of books and materials.

Different Words to Know

deaf playground
insult sense
keep-away teasing

Written by Larry Fleece Different Correlation J
Illustrated by Dani Jones Level K Leveled Book LEVEL K 17
© Learning A–Z 18
www.readinga-z.com Written by Larry Fleece Fountas & Pinnell
Illustrated by Dani Jones Reading Recovery
Focus Question
All rights reserved. DRA
How does bullying make those involved
feel? www.readinga-z.com

Kevin finished his homework in the Kevin turned the corner toward the
library after school and hurried out. schoolyard. He could see some boys
He hoped there were still enough across the playground. They were
guys around for a good game of all making noise and having fun.
basketball. He was glad they were still there.

Different • Level K 3 4

As Kevin came closer to the boys, When Kevin reached the others, he
he could sense that something was could see what was going on. The
wrong. The boys were grouped group was throwing a baseball cap
closely together, and their cheers back and forth. They were playing
sounded more like teasing. keep-away from one boy in the
middle. His name was Joey, and he
Different • Level K 5 was deaf.

6

“What’s the matter, Joey?” they “Hey, Kevin! Here!” one of the boys
teased. “Poor little Joey wants his shouted as Kevin approached them.
cap back?” They laughed as they The boy tossed Joey’s cap to Kevin.
tossed the cap from one boy to
the next. Joey ran and jumped 8
in between them, but he couldn’t
catch his cap.

Different • Level K 7

All the boys shouted and waved “Come on, Kevin! Throw it here!”
their arms, calling for the cap back the other boys shouted. Joey stood
from Kevin. Joey ran over and silent. His hair was a mess, and his
stopped in front of Kevin. Kevin clothes were damp with sweat.
could see that Joey’s face was
streaked with tears. 10

Different • Level K 9

Kevin handed the cap to Joey. “Awww, look at the BFFs!” they
teased. “More like DFFs—deaf
Joey looked at Kevin for a moment, friends forever. Hey, are you going
then pulled on his cap and ran to hang out and not hear things
away. The other boys booed and together?”
shouted at Kevin.
12
Different • Level K 11

Now Kevin found himself in the “That insult doesn’t even make
middle of the crowd of boys. They sense. You guys shouldn’t pick
closed in around him. Kevin had on Joey just because he’s different,”
to say something. Kevin said. “Think how hard it
must be to be deaf, and think how
Different • Level K 13 much you’ve hurt his feelings!”

14

Glossary

deaf (adj.) able to hear little or
nothing at all (p. 6)

insult (n.) a rude or offensive
remark or action
(p. 14)

keep-away (n.) a game in which two
or more people try
to keep something
away from another
(p. 6)

playground (n.) a place for outdoor
play, often near
a school (p. 4)

Kevin didn’t feel like playing sense (v.) to become aware
basketball with those guys anymore. of something (p. 5)
He broke through the boys and ran
after Joey. teasing (n.) an act of making fun
of someone (p. 5)

Different • Level K 15 16