Widely used in schools, Accelerated Reader (see readforpleasure.co.uk) is a collection of books which have been assigned lexical age-ranging using the ATOS for Books measure, and had quizzes created to that students can demonstrate their reading ability and comprehension.
Books that are too easy for children don't give them the challenge they need to make progress. Books that are too complex frustrate them.
Accelerated Reader uses the computer-adaptive STAR Reading test to determine a student's reading age. Teachers get a wealth of feedback, and students are guided towards appropriate books. AR uses either the ATOS or Lexile® measures of text complexity to help children to select books of an appropriate level. This is their 'Zone of Proximal Development' (ZPD).
As children make progress with their reading skills, their ZPD broadens to encompass a wider range of literature.
The titles below have been quizzed for use in the Accelerated Reader programme, widely used in schools, and are considered appropriate to Middle Years readers. Select a range below to see titles deemed appropriate for other age levels