How Can Hi Lo Books Support Students with Dyslexia?

Intro 

If you are reading this, you’re probably a librarian or educator who has experience supporting all types of readers: high-achieving, midlevel, reluctant—but what about students with learning disabilities like dyslexia? Students with dyslexia are “manual readers” or readers who read slowly and carefully to process information, and thus may become easily frustrated or discouraged by the process. While dyslexia cannot be cured, students with individual accommodations and support can succeed at school and other daily activities. One way your library can help support students with dyslexia is by offering a variety of engaging Hi Lo titles that peak reader’s interests and meet them at their reading level.

What are Hi Lo books? 

According to the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), hi/lo or high/low, refers to books that have a “high interest level and a low vocabulary or readability level.” These types of books are not meant to be intimidating for readers, instead, they allow readers to learn the same subjects that their peers might be reading about, but on a level targeted at their reading capabilities.  

Hi Lo titles have certain qualities that can support reluctant or struggling readers, like:

  • Interesting or easily relatable characters
  • Action-driven plot
  • Short or linear time frames
  • Illustrations to support text
  • Easy vocabulary
  • Simple sentences
  • Special decodable font
  • Wide margins
  • ·Glare-free paper

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How can Hi Lo books help readers with Dyslexia? 

Hi Li books are designed to help struggling readers like those with Dyslexia, but it’s important to remember that no two people experience dyslexia the same way, and thus not every book will be helpful to readers. According to the International Dyslexia Association, students with dyslexia may have trouble matching letters they read on the page to the sound they make, identifying or spelling words, comprehending sentences, or difficulty finding the right words to verbally express themselves. Because Dyslexia is a spectrum and presents unique challenges to readers, it is imperative to offer a range of books to match the varying needs of your patrons.

Michelle Peters, an Intervention Specialist at Wyandot Run Elementary School in Olentangy Local School District (Ohio), has witnessed the benefits of Hi Lo books for her readers: “Too many times, students are presented with content that is frustrating and quite frankly, not that engaging. Hi-lo books provide the struggling reader with an opportunity to enjoy engaging content without the needless frustration of trying to decode material that is beyond their current ability.”

According to a study conducted by the UK Department for Education, a student’s choice in what they read is an important factor in developing reading for pleasure. Allowing students to select books from your library collection will empower them to learn about their interests, grow in their confidence to read, and help foster a lifelong passion for reading.

“Students with dyslexia not only struggle to read, they can struggle to love to read,” said Peters. “Hi-lo books can be an opportunity for students with dyslexia to find their love for reading. And if they can learn to love to read, that makes learning to read much easier.”

Verdict: Build a collection of quality Hi Lo books for every reading level, let readers choose titles they are interested in, and encourage them to read for pleasure!  

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Consult JLG’s Hi Lo Book Recommendations to Build Your Library Collection 

We wanted to ask an expert what makes Hi Lo books so unique, so we consulted Destany A., an Assistant Editor at JLG who reads and selects titles for our Hi Lo categories (as well as other categories like general YA, History High School, Paperback High School, High-Lo Mature, High-Lo Middle, and PG High School). Here’s what she had to say:

“I love reading for this category because Hi-Lo books can be a real game-changer for kids with dyslexia when bridging the gap between age-appropriate topics and accessible reading levels. It's fascinating to see authors take both exciting and relatable plots and deftly tailor them to different reading levels, allowing readers with dyslexia to experience a love of reading without frustration. I've always seen it as a great example of JLG's mission to foster an interest in choice reading for young readers, and I pride myself on hand-picking the best Hi-Lo titles that could entice even the most reluctant of readers!" -Destany A.

If you’re looking to stock your shelves with the BEST Hi Lo books for your readers, look no further—JLG has you covered with 10 title recommendations with accompanying professional reviews from our sister company, School Library Journal.

JLG Selections from our Hi Lo PG Middle High category:

 

  1. Lost at Windy River: A True Story of Survival

Gr 3-7–This adventurous graphic novel follows the real-life story of Ilse Schweder, a young girl from Cree Nation whose story of survival inspired famous Canadian author Farley Mowat’s books about life in the North. In 1944, Ilse had to rely on her traditional Indigenous knowledge to survive being lost and alone on the Arctic tundra. Schweder and her family are checking traplines near their home in Windy River Trading Post (modern-day Nunavut) when a sudden, intense snowstorm separates her from the rest of her family, and she is forced to survive on her own for several days. Colorful illustrations in classic comic-book style help readers explore the challenging landscape. Rathgeber, who is Schweder’s granddaughter, and Pete provide cut-outs and sidebars with extra explanations and images of Arctic and Indigenous culture, clothes, and environment.

VERDICT An excellent choice for a book report and a good addition to a children’s nonfiction collection.

Reviewed by Meaghan Nichols, Aug 01, 2024

View full SLJ review here.

 

2.  Lucky Scramble

Gr 3-7–When Tyler’s dad passed away, his only way of working through his depression was the challenge of solving the speed cube his dad had given him as a gift. Now three years later, Tyler, 12, has qualified to compete in the speed cubing national championship in Las Vegas. This colorfully illustrated novel interspersed with comic panels showcases Tyler and five other competitors as they compete for the title of National Champion. There’s the young superstar Dirk who refuses to be anything but the best, the elderly Miles who’s determined to have one last moment of glory, the young prodigy Eli with a dad who is obsessed with him outperforming everyone, and the twins Lizzy and Izzy who are struggling with what it means to be individuals. Together, they learn that it’s OK to make mistakes and that competitive speed cubing is more about building a supportive community than trophies. Most characters are depicted with light skin. Tyler is Filipino American and Lizzy and Izzy have dark skin with black hair.

VERDICT A fun, feel-good look into the world of competitive speed cubing that will surely inspire young readers to pick up a cube for themselves.

Reviewed by Amanda Melilli , May 01, 2024

View full SLJ review here.

 

3. The Lucky Poor

Gr 6-9–In this fully colored graphic memoir, Mazie shares her family’s experience with receiving a Habitat for Humanity house. It sounds like a fairy tale for Mazie’s single mom and her two kids to be “given” their own house, but with volunteer hours to complete, a mortgage to pay, and picky neighbors to appease, Mazie and her family find that they have to prove they are deserving of their home. Lovie uses the lens of being “lucky poor”—an oxymoron where they struggle financially, but are told things could be worse—to reflect on her childhood. Without their house, could she have provided a safe haven for her friend who was struggling with coming out to her family? Would Mazie’s relationship with her autistic brother have been different if they had continued sharing a small bedroom? Would college have been an option? Through questioning the “what ifs” of her past, Lovie challenges readers to rethink society’s simplistic narratives about what it means to be poor. Most characters are portrayed as having pale to light brown skin tones, and Mazie (light skin with brown hair) confesses to having crushes on both a boy and a girl.

VERDICT An enjoyable read that explores the impact of financial instability on relationships, opportunities, and well-being.

Reviewed by Amanda Melilli, Mar 01, 2024

View full SLJ review here.

 

4. Leon Levels Up

Gr 4-7–Virtual-reality gaming and video games are popular across the board with tweens and teens, regardless of gender. Educators and parents are also often searching for read-alikes for fans of the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series. Themes of belonging, finding your people, and social acceptance, combined with a gaming-focused plot, will resonate with tweens. Leon, 12, and a gaming savant, has been invited by classmate Nico, the son of a famous video game developer, to play a new game. The VR game is still in experimental stages, and the 4D immersion experience quickly turns deadly as the players lose communication and experience physical ill-effects. Since Leon negatively compares himself to others, this book could be used along with Jarrett Lerner’s A Work in Progress in a unit about body shaming, as well as in discussions about the social-emotional effects of poverty, isolation of technology, anxiety, and the value of real friendship. Leon’s desire for friendship and popularity almost costs him his life in this high-stakes sci-fi adventure. Coccia’s text is dyslexia-friendly with features like accessible font, cream-colored paper, and larger trim size.

VERDICT Hopefully, readers will grasp the author’s message about obsession with technology and heed the warning. A good choice for most collections.

Reviewed by Laura Dooley-Taylor, Feb 01, 2024

View full SLJ review here.

 

5. Below the Surface 

Gr 4-7–Thirteen-year-old Theo’s favorite hobby is treasure hunting and returning stuff to their rightful owners. When his hunting exploits uncover an old pocket watch that’s been buried for 60 years, he posts it on his social media. As a result, a threatening comment tells him to return the watch or else. Soon, Theo is deeply embroiled in solving an old ghost story. With his friend Syd, the two start poring over old newspapers and contacting a possible descendant of a young traveler who mysteriously died in 1967. How do the pocket watch, traveler, and mysterious comment tie together? The plot is engaging and full of twists and turns. Characters are fairly well developed and realistic. Interactions with other characters help bring Theo’s world to life. The writing style complements the story well and adeptly brings the mystery together. The layout is dyslexic-friendly with heavy bottom fonts, letter spacing, and white space. Characters are cued as white. The book is written at a third grade reading level.

VERDICT Reluctant readers interested in mystery, treasure hunting, and ghost stories will want to pick this one up. Recommended for library collections where ghost stories and mysteries are popular.

Reviewed by Kira Moody , Sep 01, 2023

View full SLJ review here.

 

JLG Selections from our Hi Lo PG Mature category:

6. The Terrifying Tales of Vivian Vance

Gr 7 Up–Urban legends and nightmarish creatures will know the name of the fearless Vivian Vance! Raised on fairy tales and stories much like any other kid, Vivian wants to turn the tales her father read to her as a child into a career as a detective investigating the supernatural. Honing her skills by doing small jobs for the kids at school, Vivian is known for always being able to solve the case. While tracking a stolen baseball into The Pillars, a dark neighborhood located under the highway, she comes across her first story-made-flesh—a skin-taker—but is thankfully rescued by a group of kids. This case goes deeper than she ever thought possible, and her new friends will stop at nothing to help expose the horrible creature. Ulrich has the beginnings of a series that could follow the paths set by previous young female sleuths like Nancy Drew or Veronica Mars. The art style is easy to follow but also allows for shocking scenes reminiscent of the horror genre. Modern mystery fans have a new heroine to save them from the creatures that go bump in the night.

VERDICT Perfect for anyone who loves mystery and monsters, Vivian Vance will fly off the shelves in any library.

Reviewed by Adam Fisher, Jul 01, 2024

View full SLJ review here.

 

7. Under the Surface

Gr 9 Up–Four American students studying French in Paris find themselves lost in the catacombs in this thrilling survival story. Val accepts an invitation to an illegal underground party from handsome French stranger Julien, and Ruby, concerned for her safety, follows to stop her. Olivia, four-time teen Jeopardy! winner, and Selena, Ruby’s ex-best friend, get swept up in the effort, too. At the mouth of the catacombs, Selena falls and is injured, kicking off a terrifying chain of events. They quickly realize they’re being pursued by armed men in skeleton masks. They can’t figure out why these men are chasing them, but it’s clear they mean them harm as they continue to push the students deeper and deeper into the catacombs. Julien is lost now, too, there’s no cell service, not much food or water, and it’s completely pitch black without their few weak flashlights. This book doesn’t pull punches as tragedy after tragedy strikes the group, revealing character-developing backstories along the way, as well as fascinating details about “cataphiles,” real-life catacomb explorers. The chapters are narrated in turns by Ruby and Sean. Sean is still above ground, and loves Ruby but hasn’t yet found a way to tell her. Lots of twists, heart-pounding near-misses, and heartbreaking turns of events make for an exhilarating read.

VERDICT Recommended for YA collections.

Reviewed by Mandy Laferriere, Aug 01, 2024

View full SLJ review here.

 

8. The Second Chance of Darius Logan

Gr 7 Up–After “The Attack” that killed his family, Darius Long is forced to survive by any means possible in a world turned upside down. He moves through the post-Attack foster system, making mostly okay decisions. But then he makes a bad one, a really bad one, and he’s caught holding a knapsack with enough of the illegal drug eXXeLL to get busted for distributing. He continues with his bad decisions and punches a cop to get away. Darius gets put into Second Chance, a new program to help people make better decisions instead of going to jail. The program is set up by Super Justice Force, a team of superheroes and crime fighters about whom Darius read comic books as a child. One adult is batting for Darius to succeed while the other does everything in his power to make sure he doesn’t. Add to this high-stakes life a future world that’s gone a little crazy and the setting is perfect to provide opportunities for character growth—or utter failure. Walker builds the post-apocalyptic world well and captures the essence his character, a young Black man who dreamed of superheroes and read comic books voraciously. The adventure and pacing are ideal, akin to Stephen Cole’s Thieves Like Us and Alexander Gordon Smith’s “Escape from Furnace” series. Short sentence structures, lots of action, and quick dialogue add to the speed and pacing of the story.

VERDICT A must-have for tween and teen libraries.

Reviewed by Cathleen Ash, Jul 01, 2024

View full SLJ review here.

9. Thieves' Gambit

Gr 9 Up–The Quest family is the North American crime family and Ross Quest is no ordinary teenager; she’s a prodigious master thief known for her skills in orchestrating daring escapes. However, she wants nothing more than to get away from her family and live an ordinary life. During their last heist together, Ross’s mother is captured for a billion dollar ransom. This forces Ross to take part in prestigious criminal contest the Thieves’ Gambit, an electrifying series of high-stakes and dangerous heists spanning the globe. The victor is allowed one wish. Ross believes she will win, and plans to use the wish to rescue her mother. As Ross navigates the contest, she finds herself pitted against other teens skilled in the ways of thievery. Among them are an adversary from her childhood and a smooth-talking, attractive contender. When the stakes are huge, Ross must make the difficult decision about who to deceive and who to trust, all the while racing against the deadline that her mother’s captors gave her. This thrilling adventure takes readers on a roller-coaster ride through a world of international thievery and high stakes schemes. The plot is full of heists, double-crosses, and unexpected alliances. The pacing is brisk with tension steadily building through the narrative. One of the novel’s strengths is its exploration of moral ambiguity—characters are often presented with difficult choices challenging their own notions of right and wrong. Readers feel characters’ struggles as they grapple with the consequences of their actions; this adds complexity to the story and elevates it beyond a mere adventure tale.

VERDICT A recommended purchase for any high school library, this is a compelling choice for readers seeking a fast-paced escapade filled with intrigue and daring thefts and those who enjoyed Jennifer Lynn Barnes’s The Inheritance Games or Brittney Morris’s The Jump.

Reviewed by Jeni Tahaney , Nov 01, 2023

View full SLJ review here.

 

10. Teen Titans: Robin

Piccolo’s artwork is outstanding. The panels are packed with action and emotion. The coloring in each volume is a muted color palette with a pop every so often. The coloring in itself adds to the tension of the story. The drawings are perfect for the story being told – lifelike enough for a YA novel and “cartoonish” enough to call this a superhero comic book.

Garcia’s storytelling is steady and careful. When read together, the four volumes link brilliantly and each story builds to a crescendo that leaves you wanting more (thank goodness for a sequel!). And while the ending might be a bit sappy, I don’t think anyone will mind with a promise of more action, adventure, suspense, and a little bit of feel-good drama.

This series will find an audience in a library serving middle grade students and early teens. For those readers who like superhero stories but haven’t delved into the superhero world, this series will find its niche.

June 7, 2023 by Esther Keller

View full SLJ review here.

Conclusion 

Here at JLG, we realize that every reader’s needs are different, and that is why we offer libraries nearly 70 categories of books that have been carefully curated by editorial experts. Not only do we offer Hi Lo books in our specific Hi Lo categories like Hi Lo PG Middle High category (grades 6-12) and Hi Lo Mature category (grades 9-12), but we also offer Hi Lo books in other categories like…

If you have any questions about our Hi Lo book offerings, or other titles that can help support readers with dyslexia, contact your JLG sales rep or reach out to us on our website.