ESL: independent reading

Reading comfortably in a new language helps build a child's confidence.   Look for the following sections in the children's area at your local branch of BPL:

Picture books

• Pictures with short text to tell interesting stories.
• Many school-aged ESL children find this a good place to start reading.
• Spine label: "je", followed by the first 4 letters of author's last name.  For example: je Brow
• Browse for recommended picture books: find a good story: newborn to age five.

Easy readers

• Short sentences and a controlled vocabulary make these good choices for children who are learning to read.
• Call number: "jer", followed by the first 4 letters of author's last name.  For example: jer Seus.
• Browse for recommended easy readers in our "stepped lists". Link to these lists from find a good story for Grades1 to 3.

Folk and fairy tales

• Traditional stories from many lands.
• A great place for children to explore their own, and other, cultures.
• Call number: "j398.2", followed by first 3 letters of country, geographic region or culture, then the first 3 letters of author's last name.  For example: j398.2 Chi You (a story from China written by Ed Young).
• Browse the folk and fairy tale collection in the catalogue.

Storybooks

• A mixture of early chapter books and longer picture books.
• Includes many popular series, such as Geronimo Stilton and Magic Tree House, written at a Grade 3 level.
• Call number: "jsb", followed by first 4 letters of author's last name.  For example: jsb Osbo.
• Browse for recommendations in the Grade 3 lists from find a good story for Grades1 to 3.

Fiction

• Challenging reading for students who are reading at a Grade 4 level or higher.
• Books in this section are called chapter books or novels.
• Call number: "j", followed by the first 4 letters of author's last name.
• Browse for recommendations: find a good story for Grades 4 to 7.

Graphic novels

• Stories told through a combination of pictures and words.
• Popular with older children who need the clues provided by the pictures but do not want to read picture books.
• Call number: "j" followed by the first 4 letters of author's last name.  For example: jSmit.
• Graphic novels are shelved separately from Fiction.
• Browse for recommendations: Grade 3 graphic novels and Grades 4 to 7 graphic novels.

Nonfiction

• Perfect for children who love facts, information and true stories. 
• A wide range of subjects and reading levels.
• Organized by the Dewey Decimal System.
• Call number: "j", followed by a number, followed by three letters.  For example: j641.5 Col.

Poetry

• Children's poems are often short and use rhyming text, making them a good source of reading material for learning English.
• Found in the nonfiction section starting at j808.81.

Children's magazines

• Short articles on many subjects including sports, science, nature, crafts and more.
• Photographs and illustrations make the articles appealing and approachable for English language learners.