AR Book Finder
What it is: AR Book Finder is an official website for Renaissance Learning's Accelerated Reader program, used in many school systems including Andover schools. The program analyzes children's and young adult books to establish their reading levels.
How we use it: We like to use AR to help us find books for young children. Grade school children who are just learning to read are selective about their reading choices and can easily be frustrated by books that are too difficult for them. AR levels are a great way to figure out if a book is appropriate for your child's reading abilities.
The Book Finder's advanced search allows you to search for books not only by reading level but also by genre. If you see titles that interest you, you can click the "Add to AR Book Bag" button to save them to a list that you can print out and take with you to the library or book store. Unfortunately, you can't save the lists on the site so be sure to print anything you want to keep for later.
The Book Finder's advanced search allows you to search for books not only by reading level but also by genre. If you see titles that interest you, you can click the "Add to AR Book Bag" button to save them to a list that you can print out and take with you to the library or book store. Unfortunately, you can't save the lists on the site so be sure to print anything you want to keep for later.
How we don't use it: It's important to remember that this is not a library catalog. Books may show up on the AR website that we do not have in the library.
Additionally, parents often visit the library asking for books "on a higher reading level". This may be a mistake! Reading level does not equate to the quality of the book. Most fiction books, even adult fiction titles, are written at a "5th grade level". This does not mean the books are low quality: it simply means that most native English speakers have learned how to read fairly well by 5th grade! Focus on the quality of the characters and the story rather than the grade level of the book.
For assistance finding AR books on your child's level, talk to librarian Kathy on our evening shift, who works in Andover school libraries during the day, or our YA librarian Tori, a former school librarian and experienced AR administrator.
Additionally, parents often visit the library asking for books "on a higher reading level". This may be a mistake! Reading level does not equate to the quality of the book. Most fiction books, even adult fiction titles, are written at a "5th grade level". This does not mean the books are low quality: it simply means that most native English speakers have learned how to read fairly well by 5th grade! Focus on the quality of the characters and the story rather than the grade level of the book.
For assistance finding AR books on your child's level, talk to librarian Kathy on our evening shift, who works in Andover school libraries during the day, or our YA librarian Tori, a former school librarian and experienced AR administrator.
Conclusion: This is a great site for parents of young children, but also user-friendly enough that children can learn to use it too. Work together with your child to find books he or she wants to read.
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