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• More complex concepts and storylines

• Pictures enhance and extend the text

• Sophisticated language and structure

• Multicultural themes

• Diverse settings

These books are at the more advanced
level for readers in grades 2-3 and struggling readers beyond these grades.

• Understands setting- time and place

• Understands punctuation affects expression and meaning

• Pays closer attention to descriptive detail

• Identifies facts and supplementary detail

• Draws conclusions from stories- some indication of underlying theme

See the Book Note (PDF) for each book to assist teachers with unique instructional use for each book.

                                               Titles available in Spanish are listed in pink   

Digging to China

A literal interpretation of the expression " digging to china. 

(fiction)
Reading Level: Fluent 1
Grade Level:    1-2    
RR Level:         14    
Page Count:     12     
Word Count:    108   

How Fox Became Red

When outdistanced by
yummy geese, Fox fills with rage.

(fiction)
Reading Level: Fluent 1
Grade Level:    1-2    
RR Level:        21    
Page Count:    12     
Word Count:   163   
 

Mrs. Murphy's Crows
Los cuervos de la señora Murphy

Some students come to the aid of their bird-loving teacher. 

(fiction)
Reading Level: Fluent 1
Grade Level:  1-2   1-2
RR Level:       15    n/a
Page Count:   12    12
Word Count:  122   144

Wolf Song

A young wolf helps her mate learn the responsibilities and joys of fatherhood and family life.

(fiction)
Reading Level: Fluent 1
Grade Level:    1-2    
RR Level:        17      
Page Count:    16     
Word Count:    130     

Evening Song

Children with silver harmonicas fill the summer evening with music.

(fiction)
Reading Level: Fluent 1
Grade Level:   1-2     
RR Level:        18      
Page Count:    12     
Word Count:   115     
 

Goha and His Donkey

Goha learns that you cannot please everyone.

(fiction)
Reading Level: Fluent 1
Grade Level:   1-2     
RR Level:        13      
Page Count:    16     
Word Count:   114      

Mama's Llamas
 Las llamas de mamá

Children share the joy of childhood and their love for their country.

(nonfiction)
Reading Level: Fluent 1
Grade Level:   1-2    
RR Level:        18     
Page Count:    16     
Word Count:    142     

 For more instructional use see Book Note (PDF)
 How this title addresses the five key components for effective reading.

A hungry sea star searches the ocean floor for food.

(nonfiction)
Reading Level: Fluent 1
Grade Level:  1-2   1-2
RR Level:       14    n/a
Page Count:   12    12
Word Count:   69    62

Pretty pearls and beads help neighbors overcome the language barrier.

(fiction)
Reading Level: Fluent 1
Grade Level:  1-2   1-2
RR Level:       18    n/a
Page Count:   12    12
Word Count:   98   101

Star Pictures

On clear nights the starry sky glitters and glows with mythical figures and their adventures and deeds. 

(nonfiction)
Reading Level: Fluent 1
Grade Level:    1-2     
RR Level:         22     
Page Count:     12     
Word Count:     96     

Walking by the Rio
Caminando a orillas
del rio

A boy and his dog discover the wonders of nature as they walk by the river.
 
(fiction)
Reading Level: Fluent 1
Grade Level:   1-2    1-2
RR Level:        15     n/a
Page Count:    12     12
Word Count:   122   144

Cakewalk
El juego del pastel

A little girl shares the fun
of an old African-American custom with her classmates.

(Fiction)
Reading Level: Fluent 1
Grade Level:  1-2   1-2
RR Level:       18    n/a
Page Count:   16    16
Word Count:  118   141

A brief story about concrete, how it is made, and its may uses.

(nonfiction)
Reading Level: Fluent 1
Grade Level:    1-2    
RR Level:        17     
Page Count:    12     
Word Count:    123    

Freedom Quilt

A family of women work together to help friends find a path to freedom.

(fiction)
Reading Level: Fluent 1
Grade Level:    1-2
RR Level:         22 
Page Count:    16 
Word Count:    300

A child and her mother
enjoy helping each other.

(fiction)
Reading Level: Fluent 1
Grade Level:   1-2
RR Level:       19
Page Count:   12 
Word Count:   216 

(fiction)
Reading Level: Fluent 1
Grade Level:    1-2    
RR Level:        n/a   
Page Count:    12     
Word Count:    289     

A coyote participates in the life cycle of a peach tree.

(nonfiction)
Reading Level: Fluent 1
Grade Level:  1-2  1-2
RR Level:       17   16
Page Count:   16   16
Word Count:  233  247

Dad Still Smiles
Papa todavia sonrie

Though things may change on the outside,
the love that a child and her father have for each other will never change.

(Fiction)
Reading Level: Fluent 1
Grade Level:  1-2   1-2
RR Level:       17     n/a
Page Count:   12     12
Word Count:  212   268
 

Two children celebrate the Chinese New Year.

(fiction)
Reading Level: Fluent 1
Grade Level:  1-2   1-2
RR Level:       15    n/a
Page Count:   12    12
Word Count:  153  170

Pat and Pea Soup
Pat y la sopa de arvejas

A little girl lends a helping hand to her dad at a soup kitchen for the homeless.

(Fiction)
Reading Level: Fluent 1
Grade Level:   1-2   1-2
RR Level:        16    n/a
Page Count:    12    12
Word Count:   187   187