The books are graded in seven levels and from one level to the next, there is a gradual but clear progression in terms of subject, style, narrative length, sentence structure and vocabulary, giving children the satisfaction of mastering real books and making measurable progress.
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First Reading Level 1 |
| Short single narrative followed by reading and comprehension puzzles. Each book has 32 pages with up to 150 words. Average sentence length of 2–8 words, with up to 10 words per page. | |
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First Reading Level 2 |
| Single narrative plus character sheets and/or maps, and puzzles. Each book has 32 pages with up to 250 words. Average sentence length of 6-10 words, with up to 20 words per page. | |
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First Reading Level 3 |
| Single narrative with repeated elements, plus character sheets and or maps. No puzzles. Each book has 48 pages with up to 450 words. Average sentence length of 8-12 words, with up to 30 words per page. | |
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First Reading Level 4 |
| Single narrative. Each book has 48 pages with up to 750 words. Average sentence length of 8-15 words, with up to 40 words per page. | |
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Young Reading Series 1 |
| Several linked stories or one longer narrative in chapters. Direct and indirect speech, intertextual references. Each book has 48 pages with 1,000 to 1,500 words. Average sentence length of 15 words (varied length but generally short), with up to 50 words per page. | |
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Young Reading Series 2 |
| Single narrative in chapters. Introduce irony and subplot, allow opportunity for inference and deduction. Each book has 64 pages with 2,000 – 2,500 words. Average sentence length of 20 words, with up to 70 words per page. | |
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Young Reading Series 3 |
| Single narrative in chapters which assume some relevant background knowledge. Each book has 64 pages with 4,000 – 5,000 words. Average sentence length of 30 words, with up to 120 words per page | |
Superb quality books
Each beautifully designed hardback book has a ribbon marker and combines vivid, engaging writing with captivating full-colour illustration on every page, featuring the work of artists from around the world and superb contemporary or archive photography.
Supported by experts
The programme has been developed in consultation with Alison Kelly, a leading expert in the teaching of reading, who helped to draw up the seven-level framework. Non-fiction titles also draw on the expertise of relevant specialists.
Audio CDs
Young Reading audio CDs contain two readings: a dramatic listen-along version with music, sound effects and superbly characterised readings, and a read-along version, with a page-turn indicator, for the child to listen to while following the story in the book.
Internet links
A number of titles have recommended websites packed with historical details, dramatic reconstructions and puzzles and games. There are links to the recom mended sites on the
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