A note from Leslie P. Borhaug, president of My Easy Read Books.
As an educator, working with students who were at risk of dropping out of school, I became increasingly frustrated with the lack of literature for my students that was not only written on their reading level, but was also interesting enough to keep them engaged. Often books that were written for struggling readers had simple plots. In all my years working with struggling readers, and having been a struggling reader myself, there is one key factor that is often not recognized or considered in providing literature for struggling readers.
Low reading level does not mean low-everything-else. Struggling readers often enjoy complex storylines offered by movies and video games. From my observations, they are quite tuned into the complexity of human relationships and the drama they encounter every day. So shouldn’t we provide them with books that do the same?
My books provide the educator with literature that allows their readers to build reading fluency with authentic characters and engaging plots.
I began to write under the pen-name L.B. Tillit in order to create books that provide the educator with literature that allows their readers to build reading fluency with authentic characters and engaging plots.
I have added a mini-glossary at the end of each book with technical words, text terms, or any slang. This allows for teachers of English as a Second Language learners to have easy access to the terms.
I also provide opportunities for readers to practice any of the words that are more difficult to decode. At times, due to the necessity for authenticity, I have had to use a harder word. However, once I have, I introduce it again at least one or two more times within the same chapter so the reader can practice it and have immediate success with recognizing the word they just decoded. Immediate success with building reading fluency is a key strategy.
I will continue to use my background as a teacher, my education in literacy and reading, and my own personal experiences as a struggling reader in crafting more literature and resources.
Although I founded the publishing company My Easy Read Books with books that I have created, it is my hope to soon open the door to other authors who understand the importance of quality Hi-Lo books for all ages. For authors that are willing to craft an engaging story while embracing the value of providing authentic decodable books. We have only just begun to make an impact on literacy.
To show our commitment to helping educators, we have provided a free downloadable guide for the first books in The Way I See It series.
