Reading

July 31, 2025 by Tricia Downing 0 Comments

Celebrating National Friendship Day The Readeezy Way!

Readeezy’s digital bookshelves are full of fabulous stories about friendship, and we’ve selected a few of our favorites in honor of National Friendship Day. Read below to find the perfect story for you and your pals to read together, or make a new friend in the pages of one of Readeezy’s digital books.

Prophecy Kitty Cat

Written by: Sophia Libetti
Illustrated by: Kellyn Taylor

When Dawn came to live at her foster home, she never thought that her best friend would be a blind kitty cat. There was something also otherworldly about her, though, and Dawn came to realize that her new friend might change her life.

Why read this? Pets bring comfort to us in lonely times, and this book is a wonderful story exploring a girl’s journey of emotional healing.

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Crush

Written by: Dylan Perez
Illustrated by: Dylan Costello

Shawn, a shy freshman, starts high school hoping his brother, Dan, will show him the ropes. But Dan leaves him on his own without a friend until he meets Rachel. She takes him on an adventure that isn’t what he was hoping for and may put him in jail.

Why read this? This book explores several aspects of friendships. Sibling friendships are important, especially during times of transition. Also, we see our main character make new friends and realize that not every friendship is good for you! This is a great book for students transitioning to new schools.

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Mighty Cute

Written by: Noah Chang
Illustrated by: Shelly Zhao

Ava has created Bubblegum, her pink robot who’s her pride and joy. She joins the robotics club at school, hoping to compete in the national competition. Bubblegum isn’t eligible but an unexpected accident leaves the team needing her help.

Why read this? This is a fun story about a girl and her robot creation. This is a great book to read if your student is struggling to find a place to fit in, or is struggling with trust issues in friendships.

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Heroes’ Journey

Written by: Ian Forrester
Illustrated by: Katrina Hurley

Sir Lancer, Lady Artemis, Miss Marion, and Shay the Wizard are ordered by King Maximus to slay a dragon that has been destroying their land. Shay is really scared.

Why read this? This is a magical adventure story about the importance of teamwork and believing in yourself.

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Different

Written by: Maria Finaro Cleary
Illustrated by: Ella Kate Dewes

Emily has always had a tough time fitting in at school. But things change when she meets some new friends and gets a surprise invitation.

Why read this? This is a beautiful story of friendship, empathy, and how to grow in self-confidence. It also touches upon betrayal and trusting friends, even new ones, to bail you out of a jam.

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How a Dog Saved My Life

Written by: Debbie Schrack
Illustrated by: Nibiya Binu

A normal school day “explodes” into a disaster for Bobby when firecrackers are set off in the hallway. Read how a dog becomes the answer to his problems!

Why read this? This is a story of the special relationship between humans and their pets and emotional healing.

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Trust No Body

Written by: Kenya Sumter
Illustrated by: Erica Luo

Isabella is lonely enough to look to the internet for friends. She starts a conversation with someone who seems to understand her problems, but things turn dangerous when he wants to meet her in person!!

Why read this? This story teaches an important lesson about Internet safety and the importance of family relationships.

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The Fixers Series

Written by: Andrew Killeen
Illustrated by: Damil Nunez Reyes

The Fixers are a group of teens who have experienced failures in their lives but they work hard to redeem themselves. Their group, “The Fixers,” provide their community with all kinds of help, using their talents and their strength as a group.

Why read this? Realistic, empowering, and unforgettably fun. This trilogy hones in on the power of teamwork and the strength of friendship.

Crazylegs:

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Bossgirl:

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K-LASS:

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Conclusion

All of these books and more are available in Readeezy’s digital library right now. We hope you and your book friends enjoy National Friendship Day!

We want to know: What is your favorite book about friendship? Leave us a comment below with your answer!

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July 10, 2025 by Tricia Downing 2 Comments

Summer Reading

As a child, I enjoyed losing myself in a good book when the summer days felt long. My parents would take me to the local library, and I would search the shelves for a new adventure. The library advertised a summer reading program that rewarded readers with free chocolate-dipped ice cream cones after completing a set number of books.

Reading and free ice cream cones? Perfect summer for a bookworm like me.

Times have changed since my elementary school days. My middle schooler would rather play Roblox than open a book. I knew it was important for him to continue reading during summer break, but I wasn’t sure how to help him. I’m sure several parents and teachers can relate!

Why is Summer Reading Important?

There’s a good deal of evidence that summer reading is essential to beat the “summer slide,” a term used to explain the loss of progress a student makes during the summer break. Studies show most students experience this phenomenon. However, several factors, such as socioeconomic status and reading struggles can lead to a more dramatic decline. This article from Reading Rocket provides helpful information and cites several studies backing their findings.

While researching this topic, I came across an insightful resource from the Brave New Teaching podcast. The teachers who were featured developed a resource for parents, teachers, and educators of secondary students called “The Summer Reading Rescue.” In this episode/webinar, several strategies are discussed to support summer reading.

What is the Reading Culture at Home/School?

The Summer Reading Rescue host raised an interesting concept called the “reading culture” of the school. She prompted the listeners to consider what messages are being given about reading. Is reading fun? Is it only for academic growth? Is all reading encouraged, or only certain “approved” books?

These are fantastic questions for both parents and teachers to consider.

I’m an avid reader, and I often discuss the books I read with my son, mostly because I get excited when I read an excellent book and have to share with whoever happens to be around. I hope this shows him that reading can be fun by hearing the excitement in my voice when describing my most recent favorite book.

Similarly, I try to find books about topics he’s interested in. He loves superheroes and anime, so we often buy him graphic novels. I’ll admit, this was a struggle for me at first. I didn’t appreciate graphic novels as a legitimate form of literature until I researched the genre. For my middle schooler, this format engages him. He struggles to create word pictures when reading traditional books, so graphic novels help him understand the story.

We’ve also discovered his retention is better when he listens to audiobooks rather than reading text. I’ve borrowed audiobooks from a library app that he showed interest in. Though he still needs a little reminder, my middle schooler has a positive experience reading.

Parents and teachers, it’s essential that we keep an open mind when it comes to reading. We may have preconceived notions of what a “book” should be, but we must keep in mind a student’s learning style, preferences, and abilities.

What is our tone when we talk about reading? Do we share our excitement when we read? Do we encourage various reading options, or do we have specific ideas of what counts as “reading”? Is reading seen as a potential hobby or another assignment?

Using Social Media to Encourage Reading

I read an interesting article about what parents need to know about BookTok by NewYorkFamily.com, with some good suggestions. Most middle and high schoolers are already on social media, and maybe parents and teachers can talk with them about what influencers in their age group are saying about books. Parents could search TikTok or Instagram for book reviews they think might spark interest and share it with their child. Viewing influencers talk about books might intrigue a hesitant reader.

However, not every book or topic discussed on BookTok or Bookstagram may be appropriate for some students. Each parent and teacher should carefully consider how to approach these apps and how to navigate these communities.

A student may be more willing to read if the follow-up assignment is engaging. The article BookTok for Secondary Learners: How Social Media is Shaping Literacy and Reading provides insight into how social media is shaping the reading landscape. Several fun assignments are suggested as alternatives to back-to-school book reports, such as creating a book trailer or a BookTok-style review video. Students can be creative and allow their personalities and tech skills to shine. And there’s no reason they have to wait to go back to school to create one!

Show Your Local Library Love!

Public libraries are a great resource, especially for lower-income families. They often have summer reading programs and fun events planned during the summer. My middle schooler enjoyed the Pokémon treasure hunt in which we participated last summer; he followed clues around the library to the “treasure”: a variety of books to choose from at the children’s book check-out counter.

Library apps like Libby and Hoopla make it even easier to borrow books; all you need is a library card to access eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines. Hoopla even offers a selection of music and movies as part of its digital library.

Hoopla features a “Kids Only” mode, allowing only age-appropriate titles to be accessed on a device. I downloaded this app for my middle schooler, and he borrows books often. I can see everything he borrows and the progress he’s made from my device.

Readeezy Books are Perfect for Summertime Reading

Readeezy cares about year-round reading, and we offer several books perfect for summertime. An active student may enjoy Sink or Swim, a book about a surfing competition. If your family is going on vacation, bring along Vacation Island Mystery and read a fun and spooky story. Readeezy has a story for every reader.

Readeezy aims to support students with various reading struggles. Its digital books have a text-to-speech option and illustrations on every page. Students answer questions while they read along, boosting comprehension and vocabulary skills.

No matter the season, Readeezy is a great resource for young readers.

We Can Fight the Summer Slide!

Parents and teachers ultimately want to see their students succeed, and so do we at Readeezy. We aim to help young readers, especially those experiencing reading difficulties, discover a spark for reading and literacy.

I still get pushback from my middle schooler when I suggest he read a book instead of more time on screens. He may never be as much of a fan of reading as I am, and that’s fine.

My goal is to support my middle schooler the best I can and make reading as appealing as possible. I know each parent or teacher reading this article shares that goal for their students.

Let’s make summer reading fun!

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June 12, 2025 by Tricia Downing 0 Comments

Audiobooks: Accessible and Enjoyable for All Readers

As a young child, I owned several Disney Read with Me books that came with a cassette tape to play as I read the book. It was my first introduction to the audiobook format. I loved seeing the story come to life in my imagination with the dynamic recording. There were voice actors and music, an immersive experience for the reader.

Other than my Disney Read with Me books, I didn’t own any audiobooks due to their price. Audiobooks were costly and consisted of several cassettes. If one cassette was lost, the book felt incomplete. Whole chapters would be missing, and the experience was ruined. CD storage was easier, but still costly.

As a visually impaired woman with a love for reading, I am thrilled with the accessibility of audiobooks. Thanks to innovations in technology, I can find popular titles and store them on my phone for easy use. I’m a huge advocate of the audiobook format, not only for those with visual impairments like me. Audiobooks can open a world of possibilities for many people interested in reading.

I was excited to learn that the Audio Publishers Association (APA) made June Audiobook Appreciation Month. According to APA, the month aims to celebrate the joy, accessibility, and growth of the audiobook format as well as promote the educational, entertainment, and inclusive value it brings.

A Brief History of Audiobooks

Did you know Thomas Edison invented audiobooks—kind of?

According to this article from National Today, when Edison invented the phonograph, he wanted to record books for people with visual impairments. Edison hoped the invention would bring enjoyment to the visually impaired reader. One of the first “audiobooks” was a verse from a Dickinson poem. Unfortunately, the phonograph couldn’t hold more than 15 minutes per side, making it costly and impractical for the recording of longer chapter books.

With the invention of the 60-minute cassette tape in the 1970s, audiobook production could increase to include longer books. The real boom occurred with the invention of CDs, allowing for more storage space and easier packaging than cassette tapes.

The format has seen a boost in popularity since the ease of use has increased. Over 51% of U.S. adults (18+) have read an audiobook in their lives at least once. Several people engage with audiobooks on their morning commutes, while performing daily chores, on long plane rides, and while taking long leisurely walks. An audiobook allows listeners to complete a book quicker since they can multitask, increasing readership among adults.

Several audiobooks are purchased through subscription services such as Audible and Spotify Premium, as well as retail bookstores. Audiobooks are more expensive than other formats, according to this article comparing various book formats. Audiobook production can be costly, consisting of hiring a narrator, securing studio space, and employing engineers to produce and edit the mix.

Libraries are a major resource for avid audiobook listeners. Over 40% of the audience receives audiobooks from their public library system, according to the previously linked article from National Today. Apps like Hoopla and Libby provide hubs for readers to find favorites, borrow audiobooks, and return them all from the comfort of their homes. This makes audiobooks more affordable than ever, granting anyone with a library card access to the digital library.

Studies show lower-income families have traditionally had less access to the audiobook format; however, with the rise in digital content, readers from all backgrounds can access materials. Digital libraries are essential for equality among readers of all formats.

Audiobooks as a Helpful Resource

Some critics from the literacy community question the legitimacy of the audiobook format, claiming it isn’t truly reading or a “cheat.” Nothing could be further from the truth, as studies have shown audiobooks stimulate the same areas of the brain as reading a book does. The reader is engaging with comprehension, imagination, and vocabulary; they are simply processing it differently.

Audiobooks are helpful resources for students facing barriers to reading. According to the article “The Benefits of audiobooks for All Readers”, the format provides a way to introduce the student to vocabulary words and more complicated sentence structures, allowing the reader to become familiar with new words over time. Audiobooks also enhance the ability to imagine the story in one’s mind, a skill that increases reading comprehension.

The article notes how today’s students are bombarded with visuals. Entertainment options like video games, social media, and movies easily provide an image for younger readers, but they are not as comfortable with visualizing a picture based on words alone. Audiobooks aid the reader in making a mental image, which helps the student understand the scene.

When a student engages with more books, they become familiar with more words. The article goes on to point out that studies have shown reading 20 minutes a day is effective and has a positive impact on vocabulary. Audiobooks enable students to read more frequently.

Several students benefit from audiobooks: those with reading comprehension struggles, students with learning disabilities, English language learners, and visually impaired students. Audiobooks promote equality in the classroom, making all students feel comfortable engaging in the classroom’s reading conversation.

How Readeezy Implements Audio in Our Books

Readeezy aims to provide inclusive access for middle and high school readers. Every book in our digital library features a text-to-speech function, allowing the reader to listen to the book while following along with the text. As stated above, the audio feature enhances the reading experience for several types of readers. The addition of illustrations on every page helps students form a vivid image of the story, assisting them in comprehension and vocabulary skills.

We are passionate about providing this format with our stories to engage readers where they are. Readeezy hopes to spark a love of reading in middle and high school students. These years are crucial for developing a lifelong interest in reading, and we implement various educational strategies to fit various accessibility needs.

As a blind reader, I am thankful for the advancements in technology that make audiobook accessibility a reality for all readers.

Join us at Readeezy in celebrating Audiobook Appreciation Month and all the joy this inclusive format brings!