Hi-Lo Books that Inspire Discussion

Is it possible to find Hi-Lo Books that inspire discussion? Yes, it is possible if the Hi-Lo books focus on plots and characters that reluctant readers buy into. However, finding books that struggling readers “buy into” may seem to some teachers a waste of time. Isn’t it more important to tackle the classics or required reading that you MUST get through? Shouldn’t they discuss the topics that classics inspire? The fact is, you will achieve little to nothing if reluctant readers cannot and will not read. A focus on curriculum requirements first will set you up for guaranteed failure.

However, there is hope! As a teacher in an alternative school, I was given permission to focus on what the students needed first and curriculum second. That was the year I focused on reading skills and students read books on their reading levels and had insight and reason to discuss the topics within those texts. By the end of the year, my students had 2 to 3 reading levels and finally had the tools to tackle their other classes. However, finding Hi-Lo books that inspired discussion was hard for me, and I had to be creative at times. In fact, this is one reason I write Hi-Lo books. I want teachers to have access to Hi-Lo books that inspire discussion. So, I have written books their reluctant readers can relate to and books that are on their reading level.

The Way I See It is a series where each book is from the point of view of a different teen with their own take on the challenges they encounter at Hancock High. The series explores the differences between the teens and provides insight into their diverse racial backgrounds. But it also dares to address the clashing mindsets that many teens encounter in society today. The series weaves poverty, prejudice, sexual harassment, academic and social struggles, perfectionism, drug use, homelessness, and racial tensions throughout the series, and provides a platform for discussion and a source of hope. https://www.lbtillit.com/the-way-i-see-it-series/

The Way I See It series, by LB Tillit, engages readers as they move from one book to the next. This not only builds reading fluency, but also helps prepare reluctant readers for more complex literature. https://www.myeasyreadbooks.com/

Blog Photo Credit: George Pak (Pexels)