The Longest Night in Alaska

PicoBuddyUpper ElementaryFiction3 min read395 words
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The Longest Night

Kira lived in a small cabin in Alaska, nestled between snow-covered mountains and a frozen river. Winter in Alaska was a special time, but it also meant a lot of darkness. The sun barely peeked over the horizon for a few hours each day. Tonight was the longest night of the year.

Kira loved to watch the snow fall outside her window. It was like the world was covered in a soft, white blanket. But sometimes, the darkness made her feel a little sad. She missed the long, sunny days of summer when she could play outside until late in the evening.

Her grandma, Nana, always told her stories about the winter. "The darkness isn't something to fear, Kira," Nana would say. "It's a time for stories, for warm fires, and for being close to family." Tonight, Kira was having dinner at Nana's cabin.

As Kira walked through the snow to Nana's cabin, she saw the Northern Lights dancing in the sky. The lights swirled and shimmered, painting the dark canvas with greens, purples, and blues. They looked like magical ribbons floating in the air. Kira felt a sense of wonder wash over her. The darkness wasn't so scary after all, especially with the lights in the sky.

Glossary
Horizon:
The line where the earth or sea seems to meet the sky.
Shimmer:
To shine with a soft, wavering light.
Canvas:
A piece of cloth stretched on a frame, used for painting.
Nestled:
Settled comfortably.

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Preview questions from this passageShow
  1. 1Where does Kira live?
  2. 2Why does Kira sometimes feel a little sad during the winter?

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About this fiction passage for Upper Elementary

“The Longest Night in Alaska” is a fiction reading passage about Winter Darkness, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (395 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

Is this passage free?

Yes. With a free account, you can read “The Longest Night in Alaska” online and download a printable PDF worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

What reading level is “The Longest Night in Alaska”?

It’s written for Upper Elementary — a fiction text about Winter Darkness, about a 3-minute read (395 words).

What’s included with this passage?

An illustrated reading passage, a glossary of key terms, comprehension questions with an answer key, and an interactive quiz.

Can I adapt it for my students?

Yes. Remix is included with Pro and Max for adapting it to another grade level or language.