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Digital Library and Reading Apps and Websites
Top Picks
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MamaLingua Go!
On-demand digital Spanish library adds variety to classroom selections
Bottom line: The sequence of books exploring concepts and vocabulary in Spanish are useful, but a tutorial would help users take full advantage of the resources.
Grades: K–3
Price: Paid
Lexia Core5 Reading
Blended reading program offers individualized growth
Bottom line: This is a research-backed blended reading platform that builds literacy skills and helps teachers plan and deliver targeted instruction in the classroom.
Grades: Pre-K–5
Price: Paid
Raz-Kids
Leveled readings with progress-tracking enhances differentiated reading program
Bottom line: It's worth considering as a supplement to your reading program thanks to the good variety of leveled books, easy assigning and assessing, and detailed progress reports.
Grades: Pre-K–5
Price: Free to try
BOOKR Class
Animated reading app merges text, audio, graphics, and games
Bottom line: Narration, visuals, chunked text, and interactive assessments entice developing readers and ELLs to engage with content.
Grades: Pre-K–12
Price: Free to try
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.
Grades: Pre-K–12
Price: Free, Paid
MyON
Flexible e-reader features offline reading, solid audio
Bottom line: A good tool for giving kids access to a wide range of books, though it's best used with teacher (and parent) guidance to promote a more active reading experience.
Grades: Pre-K–12
Price: Contact for pricing
Skybrary for School
Thorough lesson plans help teachers utilize an amazing digital library
Bottom line: Though it could use some updates, Skybrary for School has a set of top-quality resources with great value worth checking out.
Grades: K–3
Price: Free to try
Epic! - Kids' Books and Videos
Free, expansive digital library unlocks treasure trove of books
Bottom line: This large collection of books and videos on a wide variety of topics is an easy -- and free -- enhancement to any classroom library.
Grades: K–5
Price: Free, Free to try
Headsprout
Detailed, adaptive literacy program goes from basics to analysis
Bottom line: This is a comprehensive resource that's worth a look for teachers needing help getting students to actively engage with reading material.
Grades: K–5
Price: Free to try
ReadingIQ
Great looking, free library has a reasonable diversity of titles
Bottom line: This is a reading app that focuses primarily -- and successfully -- on the reading; don't expect many bells and whistles though.
Grades: K–5
Price: Free, Free to try
Learning Ally Audiobooks
Digital library offers handy supports for readers
Bottom line: This is a great option for students that need extra support, and, while the library is smaller than competitors, the human-voiced narration is a serious upgrade.
Grades: K–12
Price: Free, Free to try
LightSail
Powerful, flexible reading tool measures meaningful literacy gains
Bottom line: A powerful literacy platform for developing and empowering readers, with useful customization features for both teachers and students.
Grades: 1–12
Price: Free to try
Newsela
Great stories, just-right leveled reading; now mostly by subscription
Bottom line: Up-to-date, high-interest articles will meet students right at their level, and help teachers bolster students' nonfiction reading skills.
Grades: 2–12
Price: Free, Paid
Accelerated Reader
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
Rewordify
Text-leveling tool gives every student access to complex readings
Bottom line: This utilitarian differentiation tool is useful enough to be in every teacher's toolbox.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free
ThinkCERCA
Structured literacy program inspires deep analysis, thoughtful writing
Bottom line: This is an expertly scaffolded and pedagogically sound resource for developing critical reading and writing skills.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Paid
CommonLit
Feature-rich literacy resource offers superb support for readers
Bottom line: Access a hefty collection of reliable, ready-to-print, leveled passages that allow you to tailor lessons, assign online reading, and track progress.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free
Actively Learn
Empowering reader invites students to read with purpose
Bottom line: Far beyond the average e-reader, this tool helps students connect with texts and each other while giving teachers useful insight into student thinking.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free, Paid
Amplify Reading 6-8
Supplemental reading program puts sci-fi twist on core ELA concepts
Bottom line: This is a creative, thoughtfully built program that, while a bit contrived, could slot well into many classrooms with some scaffolding.
Grades: 6–8
Price: Paid
Literal
You've never seen literature like this (and your students might just love it)
Bottom line: A compelling twist on classic lit that could be a great tool to get students interested in reading classic literature.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free to try
StudySync
Superb ELA resource features engaging activities, stellar support
Bottom line: An exceptional, ever-growing resource for helping your students become close readers, careful writers, and critical thinkers.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free to try
Serial Reader
Literary app chunks out classic texts for on-the-go reading
Bottom line: Useful if pedagogically limited option for teachers to introduce students to the classics, or prep for future units.
Grades: 9–12
Price: Free, Paid
