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High Interest Low Vocabulary

Resources

 

| Animals | Art | Autobiographical | Collection | Employment | Fables |

| Fiction | Fables | General | Health | History | Parenting

|Personal Reflection | Poetry | Romance | Science | Short Stories|

 


 

General

 

Title: With Every Drop of Blood       

                                                         

Author: J.L. Collier & C. Collier       Reading Level: 6+  

Publisher: Laurel-Leaf (1992)            Pages: 235

Genre: General/Historical Fiction  

 

                                                         

Summary:

Breaking a promise to his father, a young, southern white man becomes involves in the Civil War by aiding the Rebel Troops.  When he is captured by a runaway slave—a Yankee—he must endure taking orders from a black man, as well as deal with the fact that he may have endangered his family. (235p)  

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Fables

Title: Fables                                      

                                                      

Author: Retold by T. Reiff                 Reading Level: 2-3+         

Publisher: New Readers Press (1991)  Pages: 47  

Genre: Folktales

         

 

Summary:

Short 1-2 page retellings of 16 of Aesop’s classic fables (i.e., The Boy Who Cried Wolf).  Each story ends with an idiomatic statement of the fable’s moral, useful for class discussions and other extension activities.  (47p)

 

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Folktales

Title: Folktales                                      

                                                    

Author: Retold by T. Reiff                  Reading Level: 2-3+ 

Publisher: New Readers Press (1991)   Pages: 48  

Genre: Folktales 

 

 

Summary:

Collection of 9 classic folktales from around the world (i.e., The Tar Baby; Stone Soup) (48p)

 

 

Title: Myths                                            

                                                      

Author: Retold by T. Reiff                   Reading Level: 2-3+

Publisher: New Readers Press (1991)    Pages: 48  

Genre: Folktales                

 

 

Summary:

Collection of 8 classic myth stories from Ancient Greece, which seek to explain how the world began and how things came to be.  Stories highlight the conflict between gods and mortals.  (48p)

 

Title: Legends                                         

                                                      

Author: Retold by T. Reiff                  Reading Level: 2-3+

Publisher: New Readers Press (1991)    Pages: 48  

Genre: Folktales                               

 

 

Summary:

Collection of 9 classic legends (i.e., Anansi, the Spider; Paul Bunyan) from around the world.  (48p)

 

 

Title: Love Stories                                

    

                                                       

Author: Retold by T. Reiff                    Reading Level: 2-3+

Publisher: New Readers Press (1993)     Pages: 48  

Genre: Folktales                             

 

 

Summary:

Collection of 6 love stories from around the world (i.e., Beauty and the Beast) (48p)  

 

 

Title: Tales of Wonder                            

 

Author: Retold by T. Reiff                     Reading Level: 2-3+ 

Publisher: New Readers Press (1993)      Pages: 48                    

Genre: Folktales

 

 

Summary:

Collection of 10 folktales, fables, myths, and adventure stories from around the world.  (48p)  

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Science

Title: Bears                                           

Author: Carolyn Meyer                         Reading Level: 1

Publisher: Grass Roots Press (2000)      Pages: 21  

Genre:  Science

 

 

Summary:

An informative book on the lives of bears.  Book includes photographs.  (21p)   

 

 

Title: Stress                                            

 

Author: L. Gould                                   Reading Level: 1

Publisher: Grass Roots Press (2000)       Pages: 24

Genre:  Science

 

Summary:

Ann’s life is full of stress.  Her friend Kim helps by giving her valuable strategies for dealing with stress. (24p)

 

 

Title: Speaking out on Health: An Anthology 

 

Author: Series: New Writer’s Voices             Reading Level: 1-5

Publisher: Signal Hill Publications (1989)     Pages: 55  

Genre: Science

 

 

Summary:

A collection of short stories written by adults who have suffered and coped with health ailments.  Writers share how they dealt with their problems, sought assistance, and became better informed about their conditions.  Book includes referral information for common diseases--i.e., sickle cell anemia, high blood pressure.  (55p) 

 

 

Title: What is a Dinosaur?                        

 

Author: N. Walker & B. Kalman                Reading Level: 2-3      

Publisher: Gulliver Books/                          Pages: 32  

Harcourt, Inc. (1999)         

Genre:  Science

 

 

Summary:

A science text that provides a comprehensive discussion about dinosaurs.  The text discusses the different periods of dinosaur existence and the different scientific theories surrounding their mysterious extinction.  Text includes colorful illustrations and photographs and a glossary.  (32p)  

 

 

Title: What is a Life Cycle?                   

 

Author: B. Kalman & J. Langille                Reading Level: 2-3

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Co. (1998)   Pages: 32

Genre:  Science

 

 

Summary:

A science text that explains the life cycles of different classifications of animals, using simple text, labeled diagrams, colorful photographs, and a glossary of terms.  (32p)  

 

 

Title: You Can Give First Aid               

 

Author: K. Bowman                              Reading Level: 4-6+

Publisher: New Readers Press (1989)     Pages: 38  

Genre:  Science

 

 

Summary:

First Aid workbook.  Contains instructions and writing exercises on executing a variety of common emergency interventions.  Chapters deal with handling burns, choking, bleeding, accidental poisoning, minor cuts and bruises, etc.  Book includes “Chapter Review” questions.  (38p)  

 

 

Title: What is Preventative Health?     

 

Author: B. Van Horn, P. Carman,         Reading Level:  

& M. Bernosky                                      Pages: 49

Publisher: National Health & Educational Consortium (1997)     

Genre:  Science

 

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Animals

Title: What is a Dog?                                

 

Author: B. Kalman & H. Sotzek                   Reading Level: 2-3     

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Co. (2000)     Pages: 32  

Genre:  Animals

 

 

Summary:

A science text that provides a comprehensive discussion about the canine family using simple text, colorful photographs, and a glossary of terms.  (32p)  

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Health

Title: Why Do I Have to See the Dentist?

 

Author: B. Van Horn & P. Carman   Reading Level: 1

Publisher: National Health and         Pages: 49  

Education Consortium; Series:  

Rosalie’s neighborhood                                    

Genre: Health

 

 

Summary:

Rosalie and her neighbors assist one another with parenting concerns.  They discuss children’s dental care.  Relevant terms in bold, includes reinforcement of health topics from other titles in the series. (49p) 

 

 

Title: Managing Stress                 

 

Author: American Institute for           Reading Level: 4-6+  

Preventative Medicine                        Pages: 95

Publisher: New Readers Press (1994)     

Genre:  Health

 

 

Summary:

An interactive book giving information on how to manage stress.  Topics include:  time and anger management, positive thinking, exercise, relaxation techniques, etc.  Book includes a glossary of relevant terms.  (95p)

 

 

Title: Speaking Out on Health: An Anthology

 

Publisher: Signal Hill Publications (1989)    Reading Level: 1-5   

Genre:  Health/Autobiographical                 Pages: 55

 

Summary:

A collection of short stories written by adults who have suffered and coped with health ailments.  Writers share how they dealt with their problems, sought assistance, and became better informed about their conditions.  Book includes referral information for common diseases--i.e., sickle cell anemia, high blood pressure.  (55p)

 

 

Title: Aging With Confidence              

 

Author: National Council on the           Reading Level: 5  

Aging, Inc.                                            Pages: 96

Publisher: New Readers Press (1994)         

Genre: Health

 

 

Summary:

Resource for all ages, addressing issues relevant to planning and preparing for retirement.  Topics include:  housing, health care, safety, money, age discrimination, and long term care.  Includes a glossary of relevant terms.  (96p)

 

 

Title: Women’s Health                       

 

Author: L. Gould                                          Reading Level: 5

Publisher: Signal Hill Publications (2001)     Pages: 96   

Genre:  Health

 

 

Summary:

An easy-to-read guide, which addresses important issues in women’s health, such as healthy living and eating habits, stress management, and women’s self-care throughout different stages of life.  Book includes a list of women’s health resources.  (96p)

 

 

Title: About AIDS                                 

 

Author: National Association of          Reading Level: 5  

People with AIDS                                Pages: 95

Publisher: New Readers Press (2001)     

Genre:  Health

 

 

Summary:

An easy-to-read guide, which addresses important issues surrounding HIV and AIDS, such as prevention methods, HIV testing, treatment, and understanding one’s rights if infected with the disease.  Book includes a glossary of relevant terms.  (95p) 

 

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Parenting

Title: Let’s Talk                       

 

Author: Carolyn Meyer                    Reading Level:

Publisher: National Health &           Pages: 56  

Educational Consortium (1997)     

Genre:  Parenting

 

 

Summary:

Rosalie and her neighbors assist one another with parenting concerns.  They discuss awareness of children’s language development and solutions to developmental delays.  Topics include speech and hearing problems, medical and other relevant terms in bold.  (56p)  

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Collection

Title: Taking Charge of My Life            

 

Author: L. Gould                                    Reading Level: 4 

Publisher: Signal Hill (1991)                   Pages: 60          Health/Immigration/Autobiographical  

Genre:

 

 

Summary:

An anthology of short stories and poems that narrate how the authors coped and overcame life challenges.  Themes revolve around issues, such as:  literacy, discrimination, relationships, addiction, and the immigrant experience.  (60p)  

 

 

Title: When I Travel, I Like to Fly         

 

Author: J. Lamb (Ed.)                       Reading Level: 

Publisher: Second Start Adult            Pages: 33  

Literacy Program (1992)     

Genre: Collection of Works

 

 

Summary:

A collection of personal reflections written in first-person narrative essays and poems.  Each writing piece includes a vocabulary list for pre-and post-reading review.  High-interest adult themes surrounding people’s personal struggles and accomplishments.  (33p)  

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Autobiographical

Title: Quest for Life                               

 

Author: B. Rothchild (Ed.)                     Reading Level:  

Publisher: Second Start Adult                 Pages: 47  

Literacy Program (1999)     

Genre:  Autobiographical

 

 

Summary:

A book of life stories told by women students in the Second Start Adult Literacy Program.  (47)

 

 

Title: Speaking from the Heart: An Anthology of Writing by New Writers  

                      

Publisher: Signal Hill Publications (1990)   Reading Level: 1-5         

Genre:  Autobiographical                            Pages: 52

 

 

Summary:

A collection of poems and short stories that express writers’ views and experiences about life.  Themes surround issues of love, friendship, spirituality, and family/romantic relationships.  (52p)  

 

 

Title: Our Stories Ourselves: Stories by and for Adult Literacy Students

 

Author: The Learning Center              Reading Level: 2

Publisher: Boyle Street Community   Pages: 57  

Services Co-op (1991)      

Genre:  Autobiographical                      

 

 

Summary:

A collection of short stories written by and for adult literacy students.  Themes include a variety of personal life experiences.  (57p)  

 

 

Title: Twelfth Grade Common Sense              

 

Author: J. Lamb (Ed.)                  Reading Level:

Publisher: Second Start Adult       Pages: 35

Literacy Program (1992)     

Genre:  Autobiographical

 

 

Summary:

A collection of personal reflections written in first-person narrative essays and poems.  Each writing piece includes a vocabulary list for pre- and post-reading review.  High-interest adult themes surrounding people’s personal struggles and accomplishments.  (35p)  

 

Title: The South was Pretty Cold          

 

Author: J. Lamb (Ed.)                  Reading Level:

Publisher: Second Start Adult       Pages: 53  

Literacy Program (1992)     

Genre:  Autobiographical

 

 

Summary:

A collection of personal reflections written in first-person narrative essays and poems.  Each writing piece includes a vocabulary list for pre- and post-reading review.  High-interest adult themes surrounding people’s personal struggles a  

 

Title: Proclamation of Independence       

 

Author: B. Rothschild (Ed.)                   Reading Level: 3-4

Publisher: Second Start Adult                Pages: 59  

Literacy Program (1999)     

Genre:  Autobiographical

 

 

Summary:

A collection of short stories written by women about their experiences with abuse, as well as about  their quest for self-sufficiency and greater personal freedom.  Book includes post-reading reflection questions.  (59p)

 

 

Title: Deep Feeling Feedback       

 

Author: J. Lamb (Ed.)                    Reading Level:

Publisher: Second Start Adult         Pages: 85  

Literacy Program (1992)         

Genre: Autobiographical               

 

 

Summary:

A collection of personal reflections written in first-person narrative essays and poems.  High-interest adult themes surrounding people’s personal struggles and accomplishments.  Stories include a photograph of the author and a direct quote.  (85p)  

 

 

Title: Changes: An Anthology by New Writers

 

Publisher: Readers House (1993)      Reading Level: 4.5                                Genre:  Autobiographical                     Pages: 62            

                             

 

Summary:      

An anthology of personal reflections on high-interest adult themes, such as change, loss, parenting, community, etc.—written mostly in first-person narratives (some poetry).  (62p)  

 

 

Title: Speaking Out on Home and Family Reading Level: 4.9

 

Author:                                           Pages: 54

Publisher: Signal Hill (1990)                    

Genre:  Autobiographical

 

 

Summary:

An anthology of personal reflections on high-interest adult themes such as: family, home, relationships, and homelessness.  (54p)  

 

 

Title: Never Say Goodbye: An Anthology by New Writers in Prison

 

Author: Literacy Volunteers of          Reading Level:

New York City                                  Pages: 62

Publisher: New Writers’ Voices (1993)  

Genre: Autobiographical/Prison

 

 

Summary:

An anthology of personal reflections written by men and women in prisons across the U.S.   Themes include:  personal challenges and goals, loss, freedom, and memories of loved ones.  (62p) 

 

 

Title: Speaking to One Another             

 

Publisher: New Writers’ Voices (1993)       Reading Level: 6  

Genre:  Autobiographical                           Pages: 63

 

Summary:

An anthology of personal reflections written by adult new writers.  Authors share the pains and challenges caused by their reading difficulties, along with their aspirations to improve their reading and their lives.  (63p)  

 

 

Title: Spending Time Together: A Family Anthology by New Writers                      

 

Publisher: Readers House (1993)             Reading Level: 6.1

Genre: Autobiographical                                

 

 

Summary:

An anthology of personal reflections written mostly in first-person narrative essays.  The central writing theme revolves around family experiences and relationships. (62p)  

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Personal Reflection

Title: I See a Part of Myself                   

 

Author: E. Roa, B. Jaber, & I.               Reading Level: 4

Publisher: The Open Book                      Pages: 99                    

Genre: Personal Reflection

 

 

Summary:

Three short stories written by literacy students.  The stories tell of students’ personal experiences of pain, sacrifice, and of their struggles for survival and dignity.  (99p)  

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Employment

Title: Speaking Out on Work                       

 

Author: Carolyn Meyer                      Reading Level: 5

Publisher: New Writers’ Voices          Pages: 63  

(1991)  

Genre: Employment                                

 

 

Summary: 

An anthology of personal reflections written by adult new writers.  Authors share their experiences and opinions about work.  (63p)  

 

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Short Stories

 

Title: Snapshots: Two Stories by New Writers

 

Author: Literacy Volunteers of               Reading Level: 6.4

New York City                                        Pages: 63

Publisher: Readers House (1993)            

Genre: Short Stories

 

 

Summary:

Two short stories that relay “snapshots” of life experience.  In the first story, a woman recounts a special gift she receives for her sixth birthday.  The second story is a set of observations as seen through the eyes of an immigrant riding a New York City subway train.  (63p)  

 

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Fiction

Title: Selected from ‘The Best of Dear Abby’                              

Author: A. Van Buren                    Reading Level:                            

Publisher: Signal Hill Publications (1991)    Pages: 63               

Genre: Fiction

                

 

Summary:

A collection of 16 of Dear Abby’s most endearing letters and her responses.  Book includes reading strategies, post-reading reflection activities, a brief history of advice columns, a section on writing personal and business letters.  (63p)  

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History

Title: Slave Narratives: The Journey to Freedom

 

Author: E. Landau                            Reading Level: 7.4                           Publisher: Franklin Watts                 Pages: 95  

Publishing (2001)

Genre: History/ Slavery     

                            

 

Summary:

A collection of four slave narratives, which recount the brutal and inhumane realities of the American slave experience.  Book includes resource list for further reading.  (95p)  

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Poetry

 

Title: From My Imagination: An Anthology of Poetry and Short Stories by New Writers

                            

Author: Literacy Volunteers of          Reading Level: 4.1    

New York City                                   Pages: 52

Publisher: New Writer’s Voices 

(1990)  

Genre: Poetry                             

 

 

Summary:

An anthology of short stories and poems that reflect a wide variety of writing themes (poverty, love, and nature) and writing genres (science fiction, humor, and fables).  (52)

 

 

 

Title: 20th Century American Poetry: An Anthology                                        

Publisher: Signal Hill (1991)         Reading Level: 3.5                                 

Genre: Poetry                               Pages: 63

                  

 

Summary:

An anthology of poems from the work of eight celebrated 20th century American poets.  Themes include:  nature, aging, death, love, and memories.  Book contains reading strategies and a pre-reading introduction and strategies to reading poetry.  (63p)  

 

Title: I Wanna Be the Kinda Father My Mother Was                                         

Author: O. Abdullah                             Reading Level:

Publisher: New Readers Press (1992)    Pages: 64                    

Genre:  Poetry              

  

 

Summary:

A collection of poems written around themes, such as:  family, community, black pride, racism, and love.  (64p)

 

 

Title: Bars Coming Near: An Anthology by New Writers in Prison   

                            

Author: Literacy Volunteers of             Reading Level: 6.7       

New York City                                     Pages: 62

Publisher: New Writers’ Voices (1992) 

Genre: Poems/Short Stories

 

 

Summary:

An anthology of stories and poems written by men and women in prisons across the U.S.   Themes include:  life experiences in and out of prison, memories, and loved ones.  (62p)  

 

 

Title: From My Imagination: An Anthology of Poetry and Short Stories by New Writers 

 

Author: Literacy Volunteers of      Reading Level: 4.1       

New York City                               Pages: 52                 

Publisher: Second Start Adult Literacy Program (1990)

Genre: Poetry/ Short Stories         

 

 

Summary:

An anthology of short stories and poems that reflect a wide variety of writing themes (poverty, love, and nature) and writing genres (science fiction, humor, and fables).  (52p)
                                                                                                                 

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Art

 

Title: Blue ink in my pen:  student writings about art

 

Author: The Edmonton Art Gallery       Reading Level:

and Prospects Literacy Association            Pages: 20  

Publisher: Grass Roots Press (1995)                                 

Genre: Art

 

 

Summary:

A small collection of student’s poetic and reflective writing.  The collection is the product of a five-week workshop aimed to expose new writers to works of visual art while capturing participants’ responses in writing.  (20p)

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Romance

Title: The Big Goof                                

 

Author: L. Kita-Bradley                      Reading Level: 1

Publisher: Grass Roots Press (2000)     Pages: 28

Genre:  Romance

 

 

Summary:

Jan is in love with her neighbor, Bill.  But as Jan gets to know Bill, she discovers that he is not the man for her.  (28p)  

 

 

Title: The Missing Piece                

 

Author: T. Reiff                                  Reading Level: 2

Publisher: Fearon Education (1992)     Pages: 60

Genre: Romance

 

 

Summary:

Julie, anxious to marry a rock star, finds one and allows him to use, hurt, and leave her.  She finds her “missing piece” in a new job, meets someone new and handles her new man in a newly mature way.  Book includes post-reading reflection questions.  (60p)

 

 

Title: Love Stories                                 

 

Author: Retold by T. Reiff                    Reading Level: 1-4

Publisher: New Readers Press (1993)     Pages: 48

Genre:  Romance

 

 

Summary:

Collection of six classic love stories from around the world (i.e., Beauty and the Beast). (48p)

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