Decodable Readers vs. Leveled Readers: What’s the Difference?

There is no shortage of books labeled as “easy-to-read.” While this may seem like good news for educators and beginning readers alike, a quick glance at the different options on the market reveals that not all “easy-to-read” books are built the same.

“Easy-to-read” books generally fall into two broad categories: decodable readers and leveled readers. Between the two, which option is the most beneficial for beginner readers? Decodable books and leveled books are fundamentally different, meaning that each option has pros and cons.

What are Decodable Readers?

Decodable readers are books that contain 80% or more decodable text, meaning that the words within them adhere to phonics skills that follow a set scope and sequence. The scope and sequence in most phonics programs move from what is easiest for students to learn developmentally, often beginning with short vowels and CVC words (like cat, dog, bug, tip) before moving to more complex vowel sounds and spelling rules.

What are Leveled Readers?

Rather than being categorized as more or less difficult based on phonics skills that have or have not been learned, leveled books determine difficulty based on other factors, which vary from series to series. Some use word or sentence length and complexity, while others level based on frequency of words contained.

Weighing Your Options

When choosing books for beginner readers, it helps to remember that both decodable books and leveled books serve different purposes. Each comes with unique strengths and limitations. Understanding these can guide you in making the best choice for your child or student. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of each.

Decodable Readers

Pros:

1. Phonics practice – Decodable readers are unmatched in their ability to reinforce specific phonics skills. To be successful readers, students need plenty of practice with decoding each new phonics skill they learn.
2. Independent reading – Because decodable readers focus on phonics skills students have already learned, they are able to read independently, which builds confidence.
3. Clear, systematic progression – Leveled readers are often leveled in a way that is unclear or inconsistent. Decodable books follow a set scope and sequence, so it is easy to tell what skills your child or student has already practiced and what skills they have yet to work on.

Cons:

1. Less variety – Certain topics or genres are uncommon in decodable readers due to limited vocabulary. Your child or student may want to read a nonfiction book about dinosaurs, but because most dinosaur names are not decodable, there likely won’t be a decodable option for them.
2. Can lack authentic phrasing – In addition to limited subject matter, the language and phrasing used in decodables can become repetitive or unnatural for the sake of decodability.

Leveled Readers

Pros:

1. Authentic Language – Leveled readers do not adhere to the same language restrictions that decodable readers do. This often results in the language and phrasing within leveled books to sound more natural and less repetitive than decodable books.
2. Wide variety – It is no secret that young readers often gravitate towards books that feature their favorite things. Leveled readers tend to have a wider variety of subject matter compared to decodable readers. Even if a die-hard dinosaur lover cannot decode the word “tyrannosaurus” independently just yet, choosing a leveled reader about dinosaurs for them could aid in fostering their love of books and reading.

Cons:

1. Can encourage guessing – Many leveled readers use illustrations or context to prompt readers to guess words on the page. Beginner readers should be taking every opportunity to strengthen their decoding skills, and too much guessing may cause them to avoid attempting to decode words.
2. Less phonics practice – Leveled books are not leveled based on phonics skills, so they provide limited opportunity to reinforce phonics concepts.
3. Can mask struggles – With a combination of encouraged guessing and unclear skill progression, leveled readers can conceal reading difficulties in some students, preventing them from making decent progress.

Which Option is Best?

Though it sounds cliché, the best “easy-to-read” option will vary from student to student. For beginner readers, the best option is undoubtedly decodable readers, as they encourage independent reading and build strong decoding skills. Without being encouraged to decode each word on the page, beginner readers can become prone to guessing based on illustrations or context, meaning they aren’t truly reading!

While it is not ideal that they encourage guessing and provide limited phonics reinforcement, the occasional leveled reader to expose students to slightly more authentic text and high-interest subject matter can be beneficial as well. Decodable books are a powerful scaffolding tool that can help build readers up to reading grade-level text independently. Relying on leveled books may mask gaps in reading skills, leading students to struggle to independently read grade-level text.

With that being said, leveled readers do have a place in education. If a beginner reader wants to read a leveled reader with their favorite TV show character in it, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that—they may just need a bit of help to decode unfamiliar or irregular words within it. If they have plenty of other opportunities to practice decoding independently, this is not a problem at all.

For students that have already learned the fundamentals of reading but continue to struggle, leveled readers (especially nonfiction ones) can be a viable option that engages student interests and helps to improve their reading fluency.

Additionally, many leveled books are leveled based on the amount of high-frequency, conversational words, which can make them easier for English Language Learners (ELLs) to read and comprehend. At the end of the day, building strong readers isn’t about choosing one type of book and excluding the other—it’s about using the right tool at the right time. Decodable books lay the essential groundwork for decoding skills and independent reading, while leveled readers can broaden exposure and keep students motivated.

If you’re looking for decodable readers that balance systematic progression with engaging, age-appropriate content, consider Brainspring’s new Talewinds Decodable Readers, which were purposefully designed to support skill-building and spark genuine interest. By combining the right mix of practice and enjoyment, you can set your child or student on a path to reading success that lasts a lifetime.