A COVID Birthday LEVELED BOOK • J

A Reading A–Z Level J Leveled Book

Word Count: 385
A COVI D
Writing
Connections

Imagine you were looking

forward to a special event
BIRTHDAY
and your plans had to change.
Write about how you could
enjoy the event in a new way.
Art
Adriana’s family made a crown
for her to help her feel special.
Make a crown or a sign for
someone to help them feel
special.

•P
J•M
Written by Iva Valentino
Illustrated by Lissy Marlin

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 A COVI D
Glossary
coronavirus any of a group of viruses

BIRTHDAY
(n.) that cause breathing
problems and other
sicknesses (p. 5)
decorated added color or an ornament
(v.) to something (p. 12)
obstacle a race or course in which
course (n.) people crawl under, climb
over, and in other ways get
around objects (p. 4)
social the act of staying away from
distancing other people to keep a
Written by Iva Valentino
(n.) sickness from spreading (p. 5) Illustrated by Lissy Marlin
www.readinga-z.com
special better than or different
(adj.) from normal (p. 12) Focus Question
spread (n.) the growth of something What was the main problem
so it affects more people in the story, and how was the
or covers a larger area (p. 5) problem solved?

16
 Words to Know Dad carried the homemade cake

coronavirus social to the table.

decorated distancing “Chocolate!” Adriana yelled.
obstacle special “We have one more surprise,”
course spread said Mom.
She brought her tablet to the table.
Grandma and Grandpa were
on the screen.
Adriana blew out the candles
as everyone sang.
It had turned out to be one
of the best birthdays ever!

A COVID Birthday
Level J Leveled Book
© Learning A–Z Correlation
Written by Iva Valentino LEVEL J
Illustrated by Lissy Marlin
Fountas & Pinnell J
All rights reserved. Reading Recovery 17
www.readinga-z.com
DRA 18

A COVID Birthday • Level J 15

Adriana’s friends’ happy faces
smiled through the car windows.
She even saw her teacher.
Dance music played loudly.
The row of cars drove around
the block several times.
After the parade, Adriana’s family
went inside.
14
Adriana couldn’t stop thinking
about her birthday party.
“Can I have a backyard party?”
Adriana asked.
Mom agreed.
“Your grandparents can come
for a visit,” Dad said.
A COVID Birthday • Level J 3
Adriana and her big sister planned Beep! Beep!
the obstacle course. A row of cars moved slowly down
Adriana dreamed about a cake her street!
from her favorite bakery. Adriana saw colorful signs hanging
from them.

4 A COVID Birthday • Level J 13


They had hung up a bright banner
and balloons.
Mom’s chair was on the lawn.
It was draped in a purple sheet
decorated with pink bows.
“It’s the birthday throne!”
yelled Adriana’s sister.
Adriana sat down.
She felt very special.
12
A week before her birthday,
Adriana woke up to worried voices.
“Is everything okay?” asked Adriana.
“Coronavirus is here,” her sister said.
It made Adriana nervous.
People in her town were getting
sick with COVID-19, the sickness
coronavirus caused.
“Social distancing is important,”
said Dad.
“It will help stop the spread
of the virus,” he added.
A COVID Birthday • Level J 5
 “Thanks for the birthday breakfast!”
“It just isn’t safe for people said Adriana.
to get together,” Mom said. Then Mom said, “It’s time for the
“You mean, like parties?” big surprise!”
Adriana asked. Adriana followed her family
“I’m sorry, Adriana,” Mom said. out the front door.
6 A COVID Birthday • Level J 11
The big day finally came.
Her family woke her up
with the Happy Birthday song.
They placed a homemade paper
crown on Adriana’s head.
10
The next day, Adriana’s school closed.
Her teachers held classes
on the computer instead.
Mom began working from home.
Dad still had to go to work.
He was a nurse.
Many stores in town closed.
A COVID Birthday • Level J 7
Everyone was staying home.
Adriana couldn’t see any
of her friends.
More people were getting
COVID-19 each day.
Her grandparents called.
They couldn’t visit.

Adriana kept busy.

Did anyone remember my
birthday? Adriana wondered.
8 A COVID Birthday • Level J 9