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The Bell of Atri

Retold from Fifty Famous Stories by James Baldwin

This story comes from Fifty Famous Stories Retold by James Baldwin, first published in 1896. It is a legend from medieval Italy about justice and loyalty. The bell of Atri was a real custom in some Italian towns—a way for anyone, even the weakest, to call for help. This tale reminds us that those who serve us faithfully deserve our care, and that cruelty will be answered. Baldwin retold the story for young readers, and it has been loved ever since. This text reflects its era.

Band

Yellow · Emerging readersTypical starting range: ages 6–8

Length

medium · about 539 words in 5 sections · 4 pictures

Source

Fifty Famous Stories Retold, James Baldwin

First published

see the About page in the reader

Regions

Canada · United States

Included formats

• · Web reader and PDF
• · EPUB for e-readers
• · Home-print sheet
• · Folded booklet
• · Binder edition (8.5 × 11)
• · Worksheet
• · Quick Check (8 questions) with answer key
• · Read-aloud script
• · Colouring page
• · Teacher’s Edition (members)

Readers are engineered from the original public-domain text with AI under HummingRead’s published canon and Content Philosophy, checked by automated audit and sampled by a person. Pictures are made with AI to HummingRead’s brief for each story. How a reader is made.

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