Reading Is for Everyone
The CBC looks for a theme to spotlight in each month’s Hot Off the Press list so that we can alert parents, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and all children’s book enthusiasts to cool new offerings from our member publishers.
Reading should be a universal activity, regardless of skill level. But for older kids who struggle, the stigma of reading primers for younger kids can be hard to handle and actually impede progress. Enter the hi-low (high-interest, low readability) book. Shorter than typical novels and utilizing easier words and shorter sentences, hi-low books don’t skimp on content. Combining compelling, age-appropriate themes with well-written, engaging text and, often, supporting illustrations, effective hi-low books stealthily build comprehension and fluency skills, all of which can turn reading from a chore into a pleasure.
Check out these excellent examples of hi-lo books from our April Hot Off the Press list.
Darkness at Dreamer Mountain, by Ryan Wolf (Rosen Publishing Group / West 44 Books) — Horror, Sci-Fi, Action / Adventure, ages 7-12.
Is there a more exciting place to spend winter break than a haunted theme park? Thirteen-year-old Teddy’s uncle hosts a paranormal TV show called Shiver Search. He lets his nephew tag along with the crew for a special shoot. Dreamer Mountain is a long-abandoned amusement park with rust-covered rides and snow-steeped carnival stands. Yet some say they hear sounds rising up from the site at night. When the crew enters, what they encounter proves more mind-melting than they ever expected. Teddy finds a force that seems to know his personal hopes and fears, something that can warp and transform space and time. Can he survive the cosmic power that has taken hold of Dreamer Mountain?
Girl Crush, by C.H. Williams (Rosen Publishing Group / West 44 Books) — LGBTQIA+, Romance, Coming of Age, Friendships, Teen.
Sixteen-year-old Tate is questioning … everything. Her whole world is different now her dad has retired from the military. Together, they are settling in a civilian town, and Tate’s going to her first civilian school. Tate finds that everyone’s friendships and identities are already established in this town, and she feels for the first time in her life she finally has the chance to put down some roots. When she falls for Zoey, a brooding musician with a mysterious past, Tate is sure it’s just a girl crush. But when Zoey starts giving her violin lessons, Tate learns about more than just music. In this new place, Tate must decide if she wants to fall in line, or finally break ranks by following her heart.
Like Water for Dragons, by Maija Barnett (Rosen Publishing Group / West 44 Books) — Sci-Fi, Friendships, Mystery / Thriller, Teen.
C-235 lives in a world plagued by war between humans and sentient AI. C is an Angel, a person raised and harvested for body parts. He’s allowed to live until 18, and then his body is used to support the Dragons—genetically-superior soldiers—injured in the war. But C possesses a forbidden skill the other Angels don’t have: C knows how to read. When Ethan, a Dragon-in-training, notices C covertly reading over his shoulder, the two strike up a friendship, and he begins secretly lending C books. However, after learning that C is scheduled to donate his heart to a prominent Dragon soldier, Ethan decides to find a way to help his friend. If C can learn to read and intercept AI data, he could be spared. But can C prove his worth before it’s too late?
Planet Perfect, by Amy Bearce (North Star Editions / Jolly Fish Press) — Sci-Fi, Environment / Sustainability / Recycling, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, Action / Adventure, ages 7-12.
Fourteen-year-old Meg knows aliens are real. Everyone does. But she’s not happy with them. Extraterrestrials landed on Earth twenty years ago and took off fast. They didn’t leave behind advanced science or miracle cures. Instead, they delivered an alien reality TV channel. Beamed to the whole galaxy, Planet Perfect is Earth’s obsession. But no Earthling has ever been invited—until now.
Meg wants to fight climate change, not play games. But when she is one of two Earth teens invited to Planet Perfect, she agrees to go. Planet Perfect makes its own clean energy with zero waste. Such knowledge could save Earth. Meg needs to stay in the competition so she can figure out this technology. But the show is harder than expected. The host demands almost impossible tasks with lots of drama. And when Meg finds out that Planet Perfect has a secret that threatens Earth, she realizes she has to win to prove her planet deserves a seat at the intergalactic table.
Under Fire, by Gabrielle Prendergast (Orca Book Publishers) — Action / Adventure, Family / Community, Environment / Sustainability / Recycling, Teen.
Sixteen-year-old Poppy doesn’t mind responsibility.
So when Poppy’s widowed dad leaves her and her brother while he helps fight a distant wildfire, she’s confident she can manage. Her brother Jed has a disability and sometimes needs support, but there’s plenty to keep them both busy around the house and the farm. They’ll be fine. Then the wind changes and the wildfire heads straight for the farm. With no word from their dad, Poppy and Jed know they should get to safety, but what will they do with the farm animals? As the air fills with smoke and flames flicker on the horizon, Poppy and Jed must gather their unlucky collection of animals and make a desperate escape.
This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
For more great book suggestions, be sure to check out the full April Hot Off the Press list!
List compiled by CBC’s resident book connoisseur, Brooke Pisarsky. Check out other Hot Off the Press Spotlight book lists on our blog.
