Search the Library's Catalog by Interest Level
Upper Middle Grades (6 and up)
Elementary Struggling Readers (Middle Grade interest level with 2nd-3rd reading level)
Elementary Advanced Readers (Lower Grade interest level with 4th-8th reading level)
Did you know you can search our catalog by grade, interest level, or book level?
What is Interest Level (IL)?
Interest level is based on a book's content including theme, characterization, and plot. The interest level attached to the book indicates age group appropriateness. Interest level designations reflect the judgment of the book's publisher and the professionals at Renaissance Learning. We group content appropriateness into these categories: LG = Lower Grades (K-3); MG = Middle Grades (4-8); MG+ = Upper Middle Grades (6 and up); and UG = Upper Grades (9-12). Most MG+ books are marketed as YA (Young Adult) for Interest Level. However, the final decision as to whether the content of a specific book is appropriate for a particular student is the responsibility of school librarians, teachers, and parents.
What is ATOS Book Level (BL)?
ATOS Book Levels are reported using the ATOS readability formula and represent the difficulty of the text. For example, a book level of 4.5 means the text could likely be read independently by a student whose reading skills are at the level of a typical fourth grader during the fifth month of school. (Of course the content may or may not be appropriate for a fourth grader which is why we also use Interest Levels.).
What is a Lexile® measure?
A Lexile measure represents the complexity of a text, such as a book or article. Lexile measures are expressed as numeric measures followed by an “L” (for example, 850L), and are placed on the Lexile scale. The Lexile scale is a developmental scale for measuring reader ability and text complexity, ranging from below 200L for beginning readers and beginning-reader materials to above 1600L for advanced readers and materials.
Values displayed as Lexile® measures that are not followed by an “L” are estimates of Lexile text measures based on a study conducted by MetaMetrics® using ATOS Book Levels and are not certified Lexile measures.
The approximate levels for each grade are as follows: Kindergarten to 1st grade from 0-530, 2nd grade from 420-650, 3rd grade from 620-820, 4th grade from 740-940, 5th grade from 830-1030, 6th to 8th grade from 1010-1205 and 9th to 12th grade from 1050-1605.
What is Accelerated Reader (AR)?
Accelerated Reader (AR) is a web-based tool used to monitor and manage students' reading practice. Students' reading comprehension is assessed. Students then read books of their choice within their reading comfort level. The more students practice reading, the more accomplished they become! After reading a book, the student takes an online quiz about the book's content.
Want to search for books with a particular AR or Lexile? Just include “Accelerated Reader” or “Lexile” in your search along with your desired level.
For example:
- Accelerated reader 4.5
- Lexile 320
Or, use the quick links above.
The full catalog of AR quizzes is searchable at AR BookFinder. For more information, please read Parent's Guide to Accelerated Reader online document.