Grades K-5
Independent Readers
Raising a reader starts with you!
- Get a library card and come visit us.
- Sign up for a reading program
- Tag Along (Grades K-2)
- Rockin’ Readers (Grades 3-5)
- Select books from our curated reading lists
- Explore hands-on science at home by checking out a STEAM Kit for ages 6 and older. Each kit includes books, educational toys and equipment on a variety of topics.
- Check out an Adventure Pack, ages 3 and older, containing books, CDs and interactive materials designed to boost literacy skills.
- Novelist K-8 offers read-alikes and book suggestions.
- Muzzy Languages learning tool in English, Spanish, Russian and others.
Reading Resources
Early Reader Collection
Books labeled levels 1-4.
- Level 1: Getting Ready to Read
10 words or less on a page - Level 2: On My Way
10-20 words on a page - Level 3: Almost There
More difficult story lines - Level 4: Reading On My Own
Longer stories, often broken up into short chapters
Beginning Chapter Book Collection
- Have less than 100 pages
- Short chapters
- Illustrations on many pages
- Large, clear text
- Simple plot line-often the plot may be repeated across books in series
Beginning Nonfiction Book Collection
Nonfiction books for pre-readers and early readers
- Less than 40 pages
- Illustrations on many pages
- Large, clear text or are wordless
- Very short chapters or no chapters
Graphic Novels
Youth graphic novels in all genres are intended for kids up to grade 5 and can be a successful visual reading experience.
Nonfiction
Through grade 8
Other Resources
- Reading is Fundamental helps evaluate your children’s progress through six stages of reading development.
- Family Time Machine offers activities for a variety of age and skill levels. Instructions in Spanish also available.
- Colorin Colorado: (español) Un sitio bilingüe para familias y maestros para ayudar a los niños leer.
- Dogo Books are book reviews by kids for kids.
- Reading Rockets for Parents offers articles and suggestions for great books and helpful tips for your struggling reader.
- Read Write Think provides resources for parents from the International Literacy Association.
- Family Reading Night promotes literacy across the state of Illinois.
- Raz Kids provides a searchable Reading Level Correlation Chart with multiple reading level choices.