It is important for children to be exposed to diverse books as they are learning how to read. Many teachers are examining their classroom library and adding more diverse books to their collection. Guided reading is also an important component of a balanced literacy program. Some teachers are lucky to teach in a school with a well-stocked book room. In other cases, many of the books at the lower levels are not age-appropriate for older ESOL students and do not reflect the diversity of ELLs. Here are some suggestions of diverse leveled readers for ELLs and all students.

If your school is unable to purchase additional books to diversify its collection of guided reading books consider using Donors Choose as a way to add some additional titles to your collection.

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Diverse Leveled Readers- Fiction

The King School Series- Each book in this set follows a diverse group of children at home, in the community, and at school. They take part in everyday activities. Each set of books comes with a teacher’s guide that highlights key sight words and vocabulary and gives a writing activity.

Kindergarten
First Grade
Second Grade

Kaleidoscope Collection– This series of books has characters from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds from many different authors. Many of the books are also available in Spanish. You are able to purchase sets or individual books.

Appendix B Diverse Collection Grades K-2– This is an extensive list of diverse books with book levels and free teachers guides. The books align with themes found in the Common Core.

Diverse Leveled Readers- Nonfiction

Lakeshore Nonfiction Sight Word Readers– This set of books is great for newcomers and level 1 ELLs. The books help build student’s vocabulary and sight word knowledge in context. They also have brightly colored photographs.

Illustrated Guided Science Reader Collection of Animal Readers– This set of books has simple language and colorful photographs. Each book gives facts about different animals. Other topics in the science series include seasons.

Hopscotch Classroom Library Levels A-M– This is a simple set of guided reading books that feature a diverse set of children in the images. The books have real photographs and simple language. Many of the individual titles by Anjeanetta Prater Matthews, Carolina Cisneros, and Donna L. Cuevas Roeder, are also available separately.

Kaleidoscope Collection– This series of books has characters from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds from many different authors. Many of the books are also available in Spanish. You are able to purchase sets or individual books.