Building confidence, one reader at a time.
Hi‑Lo Books for Libraries
Many librarians see students drifting away from books and wish they had the right ones to re-engage them. This is especially common in the middle school years, when stories can feel too long or too young to capture interest. That is why I write Hi-Lo books for libraries that spark curiosity and bring students back to reading.
My Hi-Lo books for libraries are written to meet readers right where they are, so every student in your library can feel that reading is possible and even exciting again.
When Students Stop Checking Out Books
This disengagement does not happen overnight. It builds slowly, through one unfinished book or frustrating chapter at a time. Librarians begin to notice checkout patterns change, with students avoiding the fiction sections or turning only to the easiest materials they can find.
Over time, confidence erodes, and students start to see themselves as “non‑readers,” a label that can follow them for years. This mindset shift can be difficult to reverse once it takes hold, especially when students stop seeing reading as something they can enjoy or succeed at.
Providing hi-lo books for libraries is one of the most effective ways to help students reconnect with reading. These books bridge the gap between interest and accessibility, offering short, engaging stories that appeal to teens while remaining approachable for developing readers. With the right titles on the shelves, librarians can inspire confidence, foster a sense of achievement, and remind even the most reluctant readers that stories can be exciting and rewarding.
Stories feel too long to finish
Vocabulary becomes a barrier instead of a bridge
Available titles feel too young for their age
Students stop checking out books entirely
Readers gravitate only to magazines, comics, or non-book materials
Interest shifts to screens and away from print
Struggling readers keep choosing the same books over and over rather than trying something new
Students avoid library visits altogether
Hi-Lo Books That Bridge the Gap
When collections include stories designed with this reading and interest level in mind, doors open again. Books with approachable length, supportive vocabulary, and themes that resonate with tweens and teens can help readers experience success, one chapter at a time. These small wins strengthen confidence and draw readers back to the library, reminding them that the shelves really do hold stories meant for them.
Support every reader
Make the library a place where all can belong.
Engage student interests
Stories with age-appropriate, relevant themes.
Encourage fluency
Books that feels manageable, not overwhelming.
Encourage completion
Offer stories that can be finished in a reasonable time.
Close the gap
Books that fit between “too easy” and “too hard.”
Order Hi-Lo Books for Libraries
My books are available through IngramSpark, making it easy to add them to your library’s collection. Titles can be ordered directly through Ingram or through any wholesaler or library supplier that sources from IngramSpark, including Baker & Taylor, EBSCO, and Library Bound.
If your library does not order directly from IngramSpark, you can simply request the titles through your usual purchasing platform, and your wholesaler will be able to fulfill the order.
My books are also available through Amazon, though library pricing and processing options may be more convenient through your standard distribution channels.
Meet the Author
Author and Literacy Coach
I’m a certified teacher who has specialized in literacy for more than 25 years. In that time, I’ve worked closely with families, spoken with countless parents, and listened to their concerns about kids who struggle to read. Again and again, I saw the same frustration and heartbreak: kids who felt defeated by books and parents who felt helpless to change it.
After years of listening, I knew it was time to act. These books grew out of that mission to give readers stories that respect their age, honor their interests, and help them discover the joy of reading again.
The Reading Success Collection
The Amiverse Chronicles is just the beginning. New books and resources will be released each month, offering Hi-Lo books for libraries, written at an AR 3.5-4 reading level.
Each title is designed with reluctant and developing readers in mind, giving librarians options that help bridge the gap between readability and imagination.
The Amiverse Chronicles
Scorched, Book One of the Amiverse Chronicles, is being released in November 2025. Then over the following two months, book two and book three will be released.
Adventure and Fantasy Series
New fantasy and adventure books are on the way. Written at the grade 3.5–4 level, these stories are designed for students ages 10–15, combining engaging plots with accessible reading to build both excitement and confidence.
Student Reading Guide
Each book will include a student reading guide featuring comprehension questions and a word study section designed to keep readers engaged and to support their understanding of the story.
Reading Comprehension Books
A series of reading comprehension books will be developed at a grade 3.5 level. These books will feature themes and topics that reflect the interests of students ages 10–15, providing engaging, age‑appropriate content while building essential reading skills.