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Readers' Advisory: Books for English Language Learners (Libros para estudiantes de inglés)

This LibGuide helps librarians and library patrons quickly connect with popular and relevant books and eBooks by genre, theme, medium, or language.

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Searching the collections

Alief-Hayes, Eastside, Katy, Northeast (Codwell), Northline, and West Loop Campus Libraries have print collections for English-learning students to browse. These special collections are part of the circulating books and often use the spine labels ESL or ABE.

Patrons can use the Basic search function in the library Catalog to search for "rapid reads" to locate a list of quick-paced book titles written specifically for adult English Language Learners. Relevant Subject searches include Readers for new literates and High interest-low vocabulary books.

Featured Print Books (Beginner)

Cover for The high climber of Dark Water Bay

The High Climber of Dark Water Bay by Caroline Arden

Typical Audience: 9-15yrs

Themes: Canadian history, economic depression, logging, orphans

Cover of Are Black Holes Real?

Are Black Holes Real? by Sophie Washburne

Typical Audience: 7-10yrs

Themes: Astronomy, space

For a girl becoming / written by Joy Harjo ; illustrations by Mercedes McDonald

For a Girl Becoming by Joy Harjo, 23rd United States Poet Laureate

Typical Audience: 12-15yrs

Themes: Native Americans, North American Indians, Poetry, Girlhood

Melissa (or George) by Alex Gino

Melissa (previously published as George) by Alex Gino

Typical Audience: 8-12yrs

Themes: Gender identity, Transgender, Youth, Bullying, Friendship

Unspeakable: the Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford and Floyd Cooper

Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre

Typical Audience: 6-12yrs

Themes: Black History, Policing, Racism, Violence, U.S. History

 

Featured Print Books (Intermediate)

Cover for Turtles All the Way Down

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Typical Audience: 14yrs & Up

Themes: Anxiety disorders, friendship, mental health struggles, missing persons, OCD, teenage girls

Cover of All My Rage book

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

Typical Audience: 14 & up

Themes: Alcoholism, high school, forgiveness, generational conflict, immigrants, racism

Martita, I remember you or Martita, te recuerdo by Sandra Cisneros

Martita, I Remember You | Martita, Te Recuerdo (Dual-language edition) / Sandra Cisneros

Typical Audience: Adult, Español e Inglés.

Notable Native People: 50 Indigenous Leaders, Dreamers, and Changemakers from Past and Present by Adrienne Keene and illustrated by Ciara Sana

Notable Native People: 50 Indigenous Leaders, Dreamers, and Changemakers from Past and Present

Typical Audience: Teen & Young Adult

Themes: Native American history

Long Live the Pumpkin Queen by Shea Ernshaw

Long live the Pumpkin Queen / Shea Ernshaw

Typical Audience: 15yrs & up

Themes: Animated film characters, Gothic horror

Rapid Readers (Advanced, Adult) also known as "High Interest, Low Vocabulary" Books

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