Seeking direction on short reading passages?

As we go through this Summer Institute, I'm making notes about what I want to implement in my classroom. I'm thinking about the homework I want to assign and I'm looking for short, interesting reading passages so that students will read and write about them on their own. Does anyone have anything that's worked successfully for them?
I have a ton of books that are test prep reads but I'm hoping to find stuff that's more engaging for students, something that makes them want to write. I know the scholastic magazines work a bit but sometimes they are a bit immature, too tongue- in-cheek. Any suggestions on resources would be great. Thanks again!