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[edit] Youth Books Readability
I know nothing about this topic, but was asked to post some links which appeared in a mailing-list discussion. I have edited comments to provide anonymity while still preserving the context of the links. I have preserved them in the order in which they were posted. I also tried to clean up the format for easier readability, but may have mis-parsed some of the text. -Ingbert
[edit] Info Request
Are there any resources that list the readability levels of children's books (by title)?
[edit] Comment 1:
A number of public libraries use AR (accelerated reader) lists, which vary by school. Many of the schools have this information on the web. If the locals school don't subscribe to this then check out other's list for ideas like:
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/reading/elem/gradedbooks.htm
http://www.monroe.lib.in.us/childrens/booklists.html
Note: many of the graded level lists online are for usually up to sixth grade, but AR goes a bit higher...
[edit] Comment 2:
Opinion of this respondant of AR (accelerated reader) and other leveling systems:
When teaching and similarly working with children in a library job, we HAD to use AR. I've tested children using this system, as well as others, (I have my remedial reading certification), and found that the results are not representative of what students can really accomplish and find leveling a waste of my time and other professionals. Its basically just an easy way to produce the testing scores that our educational system seems to need so badly.
This respondent also listed several of the systems that some schools may be using:
Renaissance Learning
- http://www.renlearn.com/store/quiz_home.asp
- books and quizes
Lexcile Framework for Reading
Text Level Conversion Table
- (for obtaining Lexcile Scores) this system can be used to "level" all books
- http://www.suu.edu/faculty/lundd/readingsite/readingresources/bookleveling.htm
Perma Bound Books works with AR and levels their books as well:
The Wright Group has leveled materials
Schoolwide has some leveled books
National Geographic provides readability leveling as well
If you are looking for the largest listing in one place, though, I would probably stick to the AR list. When working at the public library we had to use our school's AR online listing. This is a pretty lengthy list, and the school librarian tries her best to add to the list once the new testing materials for each item come in
- http://www.dist3.org/library/FRGLibARtestList.htm.
- It also covers levels from 0-12 (12th grade).
[edit] Comment 3:
"Best Books for Children" Gillespie
"Best Books for Young Adults" Gillespie
"A to Zoo" Lima and Lima
- guide to subject specific picture books
Hearne, Betsy. "Choosing Books for Children: A Commonsense Guide". 3rd ed. University of Illinois Press, 1999.
Sutherland, Zena. "Children and Books". 9th ed. Longmans, 1997.
These should go a long way to getting you there. If the title is not in these sources, Amazon usually lists reading level and has a least a couple of good reviews if they are available.
