Reading is an essential skill, yet many older students struggle to find books that match their abilities. As students get older, the books available to them often feel too easy or too difficult.
This creates frustration and discouragement, making it harder for students to enjoy reading and learn effectively. For struggling readers, finding the right book is a key part of overcoming these challenges.
Louise Kraft Baigelman, the founder and CEO of Storyshares, author, reading expert at Understood.org, saw this problem firsthand. While teaching middle school in underserved communities, she noticed many students lacked access to books that matched their reading levels. With her background in education, she decided to change that.
Louise founded StoryShares, a nonprofit focused on creating culturally inclusive and age-appropriate books for students aged 8 to 18. Her mission is to help these students improve their reading and develop a love for it.
In this article, we will explore how Louise's vision led to StoryShares and how the organization supports struggling readers. We'll look at how StoryShares grew, the importance of creating the right books for older students, and the lessons we can learn from this initiative to help students succeed in reading.
Many older kids want to read but can't find books that fit their age and reading skills. Louise Baigelman saw this while teaching middle school students in Lynn, Massachusetts.
Her students' books were either too simple and felt babyish or too hard to read. This left many kids frustrated and less interested in reading.
Louise worked with students who faced several hurdles, like:
Even though these students were smart and aware, their reading levels held them back. This gap made it hard for them to keep up in other subjects like science, social studies, and math. Reading is key to learning in all areas, so falling behind hurts more than just literacy.
To fix this, Louise started a national writing contest through StoryShares. The goal was to create books that older kids could read and enjoy. The contest invited teachers who write their materials, writing students, and new authors looking for a chance to share their stories.
Writers were helped to create stories that used clear language and shorter sentences. The stories were meant to feel real and interesting without sounding childish.
One winner, Jacob the Bee Man, was written by a mom whose son struggled with reading. The story shows a teenager dealing with problems and changing for the better. It used simple words but told a strong, real story. A student liked it so much he wrote a prequel.
This proved that when kids find books that match their reading and life, they want to read more. StoryShares builds books like these to help kids ages 8 to 18 grow their reading skills and love for stories.
StoryShares started with a mission: to create books that older struggling readers could enjoy. But soon, it was clear that this needed to become a bigger project that could help many students, not just a few.
After StoryShares launched its writing contest, it shifted to building a system. The process involved:
Starting with eBooks made sense because they were easy to share. This approach allowed StoryShares to grow quickly without worrying about printing or shipping.
The writing contest didn't stop after the first round. It grew into a global community of writers from over 150 countries. Many of these writers now contribute regularly, creating stories that meet the needs of older students who struggle with reading.
Around 70% of middle school students still struggle with reading. While early grades get a lot of attention, there's less focus on older students who need help. Most schools assume that students should be able to read by fourth grade, but many can't. Without the right support, these students fall behind.
StoryShares built a digital platform that lets users search for books by age, interest, and reading level. It also includes features like:
With over 500 titles available, StoryShares expanded into printed books. Many schools still prefer physical copies. By offering both eBooks and printed versions, StoryShares ensures every student can find a book they can read and enjoy.
Starting a program to help students read takes more than good ideas. It means learning new skills along the way. Here are key lessons that shaped how this effort grew and changed over time.
When starting a new program, no one knows everything right away. It's common to learn while doing. This might include managing money, dealing with rules, or leading teams.
However, it helps to keep focused on the main goal. Many ideas and advice will come from others. Leaders must learn to say no when an idea doesn't match their mission. Staying clear on priorities helps the program grow better.
Most reading help still goes to younger kids. Older students, however, still need extra support. Today, reading help and regular classes stay separate. This causes more work for teachers and confusion for students.
The next important step is to bring regular teaching and reading support together. Students can keep up in class while getting extra reading help. Making this change can help more students succeed without extra stress on teachers.
Everyone learns in their own way. Some kids easily get ideas just by reading words on a page. Others need pictures or real-life examples to understand better. Many students have trouble in class simply because teachers don't match lessons to how they learn best.
Teachers play a big role in how students feel about learning. Think about teachers you remember most clearly:
Great teachers help students feel noticed. When kids feel a teacher understands them, they feel more confident. Moreover, this confidence helps them keep learning.
Students don't always know how to ask for help. They might feel nervous or embarrassed. They might not know what words to use. Adults shouldn't expect students to always speak up when something feels confusing.
Teachers and parents must watch closely and respond when students struggle. That way, the student won't feel alone or afraid to ask.
If you're a teacher or a parent, do this one thing right away. Notice what your student cares about most. Maybe it's animals, sports, or even adventure stories.
Use that interest to plan lessons, choose books, and guide their learning. Kids pay closer attention when lessons connect to something they love.
However, it's not only about learning more. It's also about helping students feel they belong and matter. When students feel this way, they try harder and learn more easily.
In conclusion, helping struggling readers requires understanding and support. These students often face challenges like language barriers or learning differences. However, with the right tools, they can succeed.
Simple books with clear language help them stay engaged. Teachers can also make a big difference by offering clear lesson plans and easy-to-follow guides.
Parents and teachers should focus on what interests the student. Whether it's sports, animals, or adventure, using these interests helps them stay motivated. When students feel understood, they build confidence and keep trying.
StoryShares shows us that when books match students' reading level and interests, they are likelier to read and enjoy. Creating a learning environment where struggling readers feel supported and encouraged is important.
Struggling readers can succeed, but they need the right help. By using simple tools, understanding their needs, and keeping them engaged, we can help them improve.
With the right support, struggling readers can build their skills and gain confidence. Let's work together to ensure every student has the chance to grow.
Struggling readers are students who face challenges in reading due to various factors. These can include learning differences, language barriers, or a lack of appropriate reading materials that match their abilities.
Many books are either too simple and feel childish or too complex for older students. Struggling readers need materials that match their age and skill level to stay engaged and learn effectively.
StoryShares provides books specifically designed for older readers, using simpler language and real-life themes. These books help struggling readers stay interested while improving their reading skills.
The books from StoryShares are age-appropriate, culturally inclusive, and written with clear language. They are designed to engage older students and help them develop a love for reading.
Teachers can help by offering clear lesson plans, easy-to-follow guides, and workbooks. These tools provide step-by-step support, making it easier for struggling readers to build confidence and improve.
