TOP PICKS | 24 TOOLS

Best Websites for Independent Reading

There's no question that reading is essential to learning, and is crucial to social and emotional development and engaged citizenship. Students who read more accelerate their acquisition of literacy skills, and unlock new levels of potential in all of their classes. All too often, however, our students see reading as a chore, something deeply intertwined with school requirements rather than personal interests and passions. Help students, through in-class and at-home independent reading, to read on their own terms about subjects they care about with these terrific tech tools that put students in control, and let them discover new authors, genres, and books, dig into current news and stories, and practice reading in authentic contexts.

Top Picks

Print list

Reading is Fundamental

Teachers and kids explore the wonderful world of reading together

Bottom line: This delightful collection of online books, activities, games, and songs for the preschool set works best when shared with a grown-up.

Grades: Pre-K–K Price: Free

See full review

Ready to Learn Reading

Vast assortment of activities encourage reading and storytelling

Bottom line: A great variety of activities to inspire and develop reading and story building skills, but navigation is tricky.

Grades: Pre-K–3 Price: Free

See full review

Storyline Online

Notable actors' read alouds bring kids' storybooks to life

Bottom line: Kids can experience the magic of books; though even better when accompanied by the site's extensions for further activities and reading

Grades: Pre-K–3 Price: Free

See full review

LeVar Burton Kids Skybrary School

Thorough lesson plans help teachers utilize an amazing digital library

Bottom line: Though it could use some updates, Skybrary School has a set of top-quality resources with great value worth checking out.

Grades: K–3 Price: Free to try The Classroom Plan (35 students max) is $179 per year and includes 40 lesson plans. The School Plan (350 students max) is $1450 per year. District pricing available. Title I schools are eligible for one free account.

See full review

Bookshare

Unique digital library gives access to those with print disabilities

Bottom line: This fantastic digital library service provides a powerful sense of independence for students with print-related disabilities.

Grades: Pre-K–12 Price: Free, Paid Free for students and schools in the U.S.

See full review

LeVar Burton Kids Skybrary

Kids can "go anywhere, be anything" with vast book and video library

Bottom line: Wonderful and practical way to get kids excited about learning and reading -- the greatness of the classic TV series, updated for the 21st century.

Grades: K–4 Price: Free to try, Paid One month free trial, then $4.99/month or $39.99/year.

See full review

Bookopolis

Cute social network lets kids log books and connect with other readers

Bottom line: Kids-only social network gives students a safe space to connect, allows students to showcase and share their reading progress.

Grades: 1–8 Price: Free

See full review

Universal Reader Plus

Text reader and summarizer with translation for eight languages

Bottom line: Software for struggling readers supports comprehension and also includes a translator.

Grades: 1–12

See full review

Biblionasium

Site for reviewing and sharing books makes reading a social adventure

Bottom line: This safe, simple social network lets kids share their reading success with friends, creating healthy competition and confidence.

Grades: 2–6 Price: Free

See full review

Newsela

Absorbing daily news stories offer kids just-right learning content

Bottom line: Up-to-date, high-interest articles meet students right at their level: Use this robust tool to bolster students' nonfiction reading practice.

Grades: 2–12 Price: Free, Paid There's a "Pro" subscription targeted at schools, but pricing information isn't public; interested teachers and districts can contact them for more information.

See full review

Harry Potter Reading Club

The fun and fantasy of Harry's world plus literary discussion

Bottom line: With activities, discussion questions, and lots of free access to the books, this site is a great place for Harry Potter fans new and old.

Grades: 3–7 Price: Free

See full review

Accelerated Reader 360

Boundless, flexible tools promote instructional, independent reading

Bottom line: A stellar literacy platform for assessing student reading levels and promoting further reading.

Grades: 3–12 Price: Contact for pricing Pricing is not transparent, and purchases are targeted at the school or district level. Interested parties must call or go to the website to live chat with a sales rep.

See full review

BeeLine Reader

A surprisingly simple tool to improve reading

Bottom line: This is a unique, easy-to-implement reading fluency and comprehension aid that's gaining some evidence of effectiveness.

Grades: 4–12 Price: Free, Paid Free version supports two news sources and one email/social source. For $0.99, users can add three more news sites. For separate $4.99 subscriptions, users can have unlimited news sites and unlimited email/social options.

See full review

StudySync

Superb ELA resource has comprehensive coverage, tons of supports

Bottom line: StudySync offers a complete core literacy program for secondary schools, making it easy to recommend, especially for teachers new to digital platforms.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free to try A one-year subscription is $16.47 per student. The student reading and writing companion bundles cost $111.24 and are available per grade level as a 6-year subscription.

See full review

Whooo's Reading

Innovative take on independent reading ditches multiple-choice quizzes

Bottom line: A convenient, well-intentioned tool for supporting a quality, interest-driven independent reading program, but make sure to tweak the auto-generated scores and questions.

Grades: 4–8 Price: Free

See full review

Actively Learn

Empowering social ereader keeps kids actively, independently engaged

Bottom line: Far beyond the average ereader, this tool helps students connect and stay engaged while teachers easily measure progress.

Grades: 4–12 Price: Free, Paid A free version is offered for teachers which includes access to thousands of books, assignments, the ability to import 3 articles per month, the ability to embed questions, notes and media, and a gradebook. The Personal Plan is $18 per month for teachers that do not yet have financial support from their school. This allows teachers to share and receive assignments from other teachers, unlimited uploads, differentiation for students, and much more. There's also a Team Plan for a group of individual teachers and their students; this plan is $695 per teacher per year (funded by the school or district). A School Plan is available and is $10 per student per year for all teachers, students, and administrators in a school or district. This offers administrator accounts, research tools and professional development webinars and in-person sessions.

See full review

Folger Shakespeare Library

Teacher's resource digs deep into the Bard's work

Bottom line: As an educator resource, teachers can deepen their understanding and appreciation of both classic and lesser-known works; the activities and multimedia can help students engage with the texts.

Grades: 4–12 Price: Free

See full review

NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program

Wildly engaging contest turns students into novelists in 30 days

Bottom line: A thoughtful adaptation of the famous and fun grown-up novel writing contest, NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program is brimming with advice and encouragement as well as classroom support.

Grades: 4–12 Price: Free

See full review

ThinkCERCA

Well-structured lessons encourage deep analysis, thoughtful writing

Bottom line: This is a ready-to-go, research-backed resource that focuses intently on CCSS-aligned and AP-level critical reading and writing skills.

Grades: 3–12 Price: Free, Paid Free Basic version limited to four grade band-based differentiation levels, short reading lessons, and multiple-choice assessments. Paid Premium version adds 10 levels of differentiation (grades 3-12), more in-depth and varied lessons, writing benchmarking, rubrics, data dashboards, and more. Contact for a quote.

See full review