Reading Levels

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Why Are Reading Levels Important?

A person who reads books close to his or her reading level will read more and be challenged enough to improve reading skills. Reading books above reading level can cause frustration. Reading books below reading level for enjoyment is fine in my opinion, but a person should be reading some books that push him or her forward.

You are in the right place to find a person's reading level and find books at that reading level. You will find some sites to search for exact book levels using Lexile measurement, DRA, Grade Level Equivalent, and Guided Reading. Plus charts and information to make sense of reading levels.

Enjoy your visit to this page and WELCOME!

How Are Reading Levels Tested?

Many schools have a way for testing reading levels. Some of the most popular reading level assesment tests are Guided Reading, Lexile, DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment), and AR (Accelerated Reader). The variety of reading level tests can pose a problem for parents. A parent may know a child's reading level but not be able to find books leveled with the same system as a child's reading level test. If you are in this situation, I'm here to help. If you homeschool or your child's school doesn't test reading levels, you can find your child's reading level by using Total Reader.

Here Are Some Useful Charts to Match a Child's Reading Level to a Book Reading Level

Find and print the best reading level comparison chart for you. I think you will find most reading level tests and book leveling systems represented in this list of reading level charts.

These charts will come in handy when you are trying to match book reading levels to a reader.

If a child's reading level has not been tested, you can try out some levels. If a child struggles with more than one word in ten words the book is probably too difficult. If you find a few books at a level that work for a child, other books close to that level should work for the same child.
Lexile Grade Level Conversion Chart
This chart compares Lexile level to AR level. It will also give you a good idea about where a Lexile level number is according to grade level. The number 2.4 would mean this is the average reading level of a second grader who has been in school a few months.
Reading Grade-Level Comparison Chart
This chart compares grade level, guided reading, basal level, DRP, Reading Recovery, DRA, and Lexile.
Text Level Correlation Chart
This chart has the most comparisons of reading level assessments I have found.
Leveling Resouce Guide
This guide explains and compares Guided Reading Levels, DRA Levels, and Lexile Measures.

“Now you can explore my favorite sites to find book reading levels and choose your favorite.”

Books Sorted by DRA Book Level

I've created a little store of books sorted by approximate DRA level. These are all books I know children love. I own copies of every book in this store. These are books my children have read and enjoyed. I used many of these books for tutoring children with reading. I don't think you'll be disappointed with any of these books. Please use a reading level chart to help you match your child's reading level to a book reading level if needed. Sometimes close to level is good enough. If a child is struggling with more than one in ten words, the book is at frustration level. Consider reading the book to your child. You may be able to work together and share read the book.

LEVELED BOOK STORE created by Michelle Breum

Find the Right Book

Lexile has a site where you can search for books. The search includes the ability to search by interests and level. You can create reading lists for different children on the site. Your reading lists will be saved, and you can access them on your next visit to the site.

Find the Right Book by Lexile

You may want to search Amazon for the books on your list. Many children's books have Free Super Saver Shipping at Amazon. Be sure to check the Free Super Saver Shipping box when checking out. Use my Amazon search link, and I'll make a small percentage of your purchase at no additional charge to you.

Scholastic Book Wizard

Scholastic Book Wizard is a great way to search for leveled books. You can choose to search for books by Grade Level Equivalent, Lexile measure, DRA, or Guided Reading. You can search by topic and search for similar books. There are resources and lists at Scholastic you may find helpful when looking for good children's books.

Scholastic Book Wizard

Book Pig

Book PigI have personally used Book Pig. This is a professional company run by some very nice people. I tried it out when I was given a gift certificate. Once my gift certificate ran out I cancelled. It was easy to cancel, and I have found no extra charges on my credit card. I loved the service, book choices, and searching options. Our family has book shelves loaded with books, and we visit the library on a regular basis. Paying to rent books didn't make sense for our family, but I can see how this service would be helpful for other families.
Update: As of February 2012 we are signed up with BookPig again. My kids' books of choice were not available at the library, and I found some really great ones we want to check out from searching on the site. If you'd like to try it yourself, you can use a promotion code.
Use the promo code READHLPZ until February 2013 to get $10 off.
Visit Book Pig today!

Total Reader Can Give You Updated Reading Level Assessment All Year

Total Reader Sign-up

You can test your child's Lexile reading level and have access to interesting reading passages at your child's level by signing up with Total Reader. Total Reader is recommended to be used with readers who are past a second grade reading level. Lexile Measurements are geared toward books above a second grade reading level.

You may want to sign up for Total Reader even if your child's reading level has been tested in another way. Total Reader includes fiction and non-fiction reading practice and allows you to monitor your child's Lexile reading level for an entire year. The cost is $39.95 with a 10% discount for each additional child.

Adults, middle school students, high school students, and college students can use Total Reader to improve reading skills through reading practice and to test their reading levels.

Learn More About Lexile Measures Used by Total Reader from These Videos

The Lexile Framework for Reading
by metametrics | video info

19 ratings | 31,712 views
curated content from YouTube

Watch These Videos to Find Out How a College Is Using Total Reader

You'll get a peek at the actual program in the Part 2 video.

Total Reader, Part 1
by LMANWEIN | video info

0 ratings | 3,625 views
curated content from YouTube

LaunchPad Learning Combines Total Reader with Book Matching

LaunchPad Learning is an online system that monitors and matches reading level to books.

Watch this video and learn more about LaunchPad Learning. Visit this link for more information. If you contact LaunchPad Learning, please let them know that Michelle Breum sent you their way.
Launchpad Learning by HQVideoSolutions.com
by hqvideosolutions | video info

1 rating | 425 views
curated content from YouTube

What do you think about matching book levels to reading levels?

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  • Reply
    TheLittleCardShop Jan 25, 2012 @ 10:46 pm | delete
    Excellent page helpful information for parents who want to get their kids into reading and anjoy it. You're right about the importance of reading at the right level. When my children were little I had them tested oten and provided them with fun books to read. Now that they grew up they love reading and read 2-3 books per month.
  • Reply
    YayasHome Sep 17, 2011 @ 10:26 pm | delete
    I thought I posted a comment when I was here before. So sorry to have missed doing that. This is some very helpful information. I am always looking for new ways to help my grandies learn, especially in the area of reading. Reading is so basic to everything else that we learn in life that one can never turn away from a new an' better way to read faster, better an' with more comprehension. Thank you so much for this information.
  • Reply
    tutor1235 Sep 16, 2011 @ 3:01 pm | delete
    Outstanding information and resources! This is information that every parent should have in hand from the day their child arrives. Keep up the good work!
  • Reply
    JDWheeler Sep 12, 2011 @ 10:55 am | delete
    Our little girl will be 4 soon. We will be starting the reading train coming up. Thanks for the info and what to expect and help her the most.
  • Reply
    Wednesday_Elf Sep 10, 2011 @ 5:31 pm | delete
    Good idea. It's hard to know what reading level your child is at. My daughter 'taught herself' to read at the age of 4 and has been a fast & furious reader ever since. When she was not quite 6 and not yet in school, a neighbor (former teacher) had a 'reading test (don't know which one) that she had saved and one afternoon she gave the test to my little girl. I was told later that my daughter could read 'absolutely anything' and could comprehend at the 6th grade level. The only reason she could not 'comprehend' beyond that was because there were words or experiences she was not old enough yet to know about! I was absolutely amazed! My daughter is 'grown' now and is a voracious reader, sometimes having 4 books going simultaneously (keeping them all straight) - one at home, one at work, one in her purse in case she was 'stuck' somewhere waiting..... :).

    Reading is SO important to learn at an early age. Well done.

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