A Spellbook for the Garden
October 3
Dear Wizard Alder,
May I borrow your spellbook, Small Wonders for Growing Things, for one week? I am helping prepare the town garden for the Harvest Fair on October 14, and I hope the book can help us protect the flowers from an early frost.
Last year, frost covered the garden the night before the fair. By morning, many of the orange marigolds had wilted, and we had fewer flowers to decorate the tables. This year, the garden club has already gathered old sheets to cover the plants. Your book might offer another safe way to keep them warm if the weather turns especially cold.
I remember that you showed us a picture of a warming spell in the book during your visit to our school. Before trying it, I would ask you to explain the directions and check that it is suitable for marigolds. I would not attempt any other spells without your permission.
- borrow:
- To take something for a time and then give it back.
- frost:
- A thin layer of ice that forms when it is very cold.
- wilted:
- Drooped or became limp.
- suitable:
- Right or appropriate for a particular purpose.
- permission:
- An agreement that allows someone to do something.
- waterproof:
- Made to keep water from passing through.
- request:
- An act of asking for something.
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- 1Why does Robin want to borrow the spellbook?
- 2How does last year's frost help explain Robin's request?
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About this letter / email passage for Upper Elementary
“A Spellbook for the Garden” is a letter / email reading passage about Borrowing, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (263 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.