A list of graded reading books is available in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format. Click here to download it sorted alphabetically by book title or if you prefer click here to download the list sorted by grade.  

The first 20 levels of the book grading cover approximately from below a Reading Age of 6 years to a Reading Age of  7 years 6 months. Level 30 approximates to a Reading Age of 9 years, and books above Level 40 are above a Reading Age of 10 years 6 months.

When they are learning to read children need lots of opportunities to read connected text and to be exposed to a variety of books. Developing a range of reading and decoding strategies is integral to learning to read and is enshrined in the National Literacy Strategy  Framework.

Teachers and adults, who are supporting children as they are learning to read, need books of graded difficulty that can be matched to children's reading levels. This is particularly important for children with literacy difficulties, as they need to practise their reading skills with a wide range of books at the appropriate level.

Teachers at the Dyslexia Institute are using the Hatcher Book Grading method as part of an initiative to incorporate more text reading into the Dyslexia Institute programmes.  This method provides an objective and flexible method for placing books at an appropriate level, and allows the teachers to grade their own books. More detailed information about the Hatcher Book Grading method can be found in Hatcher PJ: Sound linkage: an integrated programme for overcoming reading difficulties. 2nd edition. London. Whurr.

What do I need to do if I want to grade books?

• There is a simple form to fill in. The form includes integral instructions. To download and print the form you will need the Adobe Acrobat reader. You can get this free here.
• The form can be completed in 5 to 10 minutes.
• Completed forms should be sent to the Dyslexia Institute Centre at York, where the book level is calculated
.
• The 'new' book titles and their levels will be included in future lists of books.

Click here for information about a FREE Waterstone's Book Guide for dyslexic readers.
  

Janet Hatcher
The Dyslexia Institute
The Henry Wellcome Building for Psychology
The University of York
Heslington
York
YO10 5DD