Reading List

General Questions About Dyslexia

Do you have a reading list geared to children with dyslexia?

Because the goal of the Davis program is to enable children to read at their appropriate grade level or above, we do not maintain separate reading lists for dyslexic children. Of course, a child cannot be expected to read above their ability level without extra help, but they will be motivated mostly to read books that their friends are reading or that are about topics of interest to them.

As a parent, I personally feel that it is important that children be exposed to literature that is stimulating and cultivates a love of language, rather than aiming for a reduced or limited vocabulary. Before age 11 my son could barely read, but the few books he did attempt were those which captured his imagination and to which he had been introduced by a teacher reading aloud in class. He loved the "Indian in the Cupboard" series by Lynn Reid Banks, though it was very difficult for him to read at the time.

There are large print versions of books available and audiobooks; both of these alternatives will help the dyslexic student without depriving them of the joys of reading (or hearing) the words as intended by the author. E-books may also be a good alternative, as they can be enjoyed in conjunction with software that will help a reader decipher unknown words.

If a child or adult is reading below grade level, I would suggest books by award-winning children's authors that are interesting and entertaining for older children as well as those in the specified age range. Some books that my children have enjoyed are the illustrated picture books of Patricia Polacco, or the works of Roald Dahl.