Please read the following information. When you are ready to find your child's reading list, click on "Search for a reading list" You will need to enter both your child's grade and reading list number.
Reading is important, both in and out of school . . .
Reading and literacy skills provide students with the keys to lifelong learning. The more students read, the better readers they will become. Every effort should be made both at school and at home to get students to do as much reading as possible.
Why this list?
This site has been developed to assist parents and students in
selecting books written at a level of difficulty that corresponds
with a child's ability to read based on a single test score. Drawn from California's recommended
literature lists for students in kindergarten through grade twelve,
the reading lists on this site have been specifically tailored
to match the achievement level of each student who participated
in the statewide assessment program during the previous spring.
This site will be updated and refreshed periodically to include
new titles written for children and young adults or to delete
other titles that may no longer be available or appropriate.
Which list is most relevant for my child?
There are 13 different lists of reading material on this site
(numbered from 01 to 13+). These lists are progressive in terms
of difficulty; each list is made up of a collection of titles
that are slightly more difficult to read than the titles on the
list before it. List #01 contains the most easy-to-read titles,
while List #13+ is made up of the most difficult or sophisticated
titles. The list numbers do NOT correspond to grade levels. Multiple
lists are available at each grade level. For example, lists 01
though 09 are available for grade 2 with a few books identified on lists 10 and 11. On each list you will find
books designated as "NP." The "NP" (non-prose)
designation is printed rather than a number if the book includes
nonstandard prose. These are books of poems, plays, and songs,
or books with incorrect or no punctuation.
Based on your child's score on the California English-Language Arts Standards Test, a specific
list has been designated as appropriate for him or her in terms
of reading difficulty and interest level. The titles from your
child's list represent books covering a range of difficulty, subjects,
and interests.
When you select a title to review from your child's grade and
designated list, you will be able to view information about that
book. Click on the book title to get information about the nature
of the book and a summary of it. This information may help you
determine the suitability of the book for your child.
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Book Information
(Definition of terms)
Reading List #: The California
Reading List number (1 to 13+) that was designated for your child
is based on his or her score on the California English-Language Arts Standards Test taken last
spring. (You must indicate this to begin a search.)
Non-Prose (NP): A text designated as "NP"
is any book whose content is at least 50% nonstandard prose. Some
examples are poems, plays, songs, and books with incorrect or
no punctuation. Because of the format, a reading difficulty level
cannot be calculated.
Title/Author: The information included for each
selection from your child's designated list begins with the title
of the book and the name of the author.
Availability: There are two boxes in this section,
one or both of which may be checked.
- The box labeled "Purchase" will be checked if that title is available for purchase and not out of print.
- The box labeled "Library" will be checked if a title is out of print and not likely to be available for purchase; however, the book may be available at your local library.
In many instances, both boxes will be checked, indicating that a particular title is available for purchase and may be found at your local library.
Interest Level: One of four grade-span designations
is listed, indicating the typical age-appropriate interest level
for a specific title. These are indicative of student interest
and do NOT necessarily represent grade-level readability:
Primary (Kindergarten - Grade 2)
Upper Elementary (Grades 3 - 5)
Middle (Grades 6 - 8)
High School (Grades 9 - 12)
(You must indicate this to begin a search.)
Summary: A synopsis, or annotation, is provided
for each title, summarizing the book's subject, content, story
line, characters, etc.
Type of Book: The book type, or genre, of each
title is provided. Types of books include:
biography/autobiography, drama, fable, fairy tale, fantasy, fiction,
fiction in verse, folklore, historical fiction, horror, humor,
legend, mystery, mythology, nonfiction, nonfiction narrative,
poetry, realistic fiction, science fiction, short story, speech,
tall tale.
Classification: This category includes one
of the following types of books:
alphabet book, classic, concept book, counting book, early chapter
book, easy reader, photo essay, picture book, read aloud, wordless
book .
Curriculum Connections: Strong curricular connections
in the areas of vocabulary, writing, literary elements, history-social
science, mathematics, science, visual and performing arts, and
physical education are noted.
Awards: This category lists any special awards
the author and/or illustrator won for this title. Awards include:
Caldecott Medal, California Young Reader Medal, Coretta Scott
King Author Award, Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award, National
Book Award, Newbery Medal, etc.
Author/Title: The information for each selection
includes the name of the author(s), illustrator, and title of
the book.
Keywords(s): Titles and annotations are searched
by typing in a keyword(s). Annotations are provided for each title
and include a synopsis summarizing the book's subject, content,
story line, and characters. Annotations may also suggest a link
to a particular standard, or mention sensitive subject matter.
California authors, illustrators, and settings are noted if known.
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Important Consideration
You know your child best. Ultimately, only you and your child can determine which books are appropriate to read, taking a variety of important factors into consideration. These factors include your child's:
- particular interests
- independent reading ability
- motivation
- level of maturity
Please consider each of these factors as you attempt to match
an individual child with a specific book. The reading lists provide
information only on the books. You then must take that information
into account with what you know about your own child in order
to make the most appropriate reading selections. Also, you should
not limit a student's reading selections to the titles from his/her
designated list. The California Reading List provides only one
source of potential titles. Many other lists, including collections
of award-winning titles (Newbery, Caldecott, California Young
Reader Medal, Coretta Scott King, etc.), can be found through
school and local libraries, the Internet, and other helpful sources.
The bottom line is: ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO READ.
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