If you have kids or teens who are reluctant readers because they read below grade level and can’t find books they can read that interest them, try some of these hi-lo books. The books are at the reader's interest level (“hi” stands for “high interest”) but written at a lower reading level (“lo” stands for “low readability”) to encourage reading. Kids and teens reading below grade level are more apt to want to read a book if it is not only at their reading level but also at their interest level. These books are also known as high interest / low vocabulary books and high interest / lower reading level books.
This annotated reading list from the Monroe County Public Library in Indiana includes the reading level and the interest level, as well as a very brief description, of each book. The reading levels are grades 2-3 and the interest levels range from grades 2 to 12.
The books on this annotated booklist are from the publishers and imprints Orca Currents, Orca Soundings, New Series Canada, HIP Junior, Deer Lake, Stone Arch and Keystone Books. Unfortunately, it doesn’t include the specific publisher for each book listed. The booklist includes hi-lo books at reading levels for grades 2-5, with interest levels ranging from grades 3-12. This reading list for reluctant readers comes from the Okanagan Regional Library in British Columbia, Canada.
The 2009
ALSC School-Age Programs and Services Committee recommends these hi-lo books for reluctant readers in grades 3-6. The annotated list of hi-lo books does not provide specific information about either the reading or the interest levels for each book other than that they are for student sin grades 3-6.
This briefly annotated list of high interest–low reading level books is from the Multnomah County Library in Oregon. It includes books with reading levels that range from RL 1.5 to RL 3.5.
This briefly annotated list of high interest–low reading level books is divided into two categories: Readers in Grades 5 and 6: Reading Levels 2–4 and Readers in Grades 7–8: Reading Levels 3–4. Each individual description includes the book’s specific reading level. This reading list comes from the Multnomah County Library in Oregon.
These three long unannotated booklists come from The Middle Grades Reading Network, which is funded by the Lily Endowment Inc. and located at the University of Evansville in Indiana. The Network “is dedicated to the promotion of voluntary reading of books, newspapers, and other print materials among young adolescents.” The booklists of hi/lo books are for middle school students who read at the third, fourth or fifth grade level.
If you are looking for books that will interest your struggling reader who is in grade 4, 5, or 6 but reads at the grade 2.2-2.5 or below reading level, these books may be just what you want. HIP Junior Novels are published by High Interest Publishing (HIP), a company that publishes novels for reluctant readers from ages 8 to 18.
Keystone Books from Capstone Press are for the students with reading levels of grades 2-3 and interest levels of grades 5-9. They include science fiction, sports, horror, suspense, and humor. Titles include
Alien Abduction,
Killer Sharks, and
Skateboard Power. The more than 20 books are all Accelerated Reader selections.
Orca Currents, middle school fiction for reluctant readers, is published by Orca Book Publishers. These hi/lo books are designed for an interest level of 10-14 years and a reading level of grades 2.0 to 4.5. If you are looking for short, high-interest novels, check these out.
Orca Soundings, teen fiction for struggling readers, is published by Orca Book Publishers. These hi/lo books are designed for an interest level of 12+ years and a reading level of grades 2.0 to 4.5. You’ll find more than 30 titles in this series of contemporary stories, including some Accelerated Reader selections.
