Level 1 (early Kindergarten)
(Note: Books at this level are available only in Inuktitut.)
- 8–12 pages
- No text; images only
- Highly engaging photos or illustrations tell a story in sequence
- Introduces children who cannot yet read to how books work
Level 2 (early to middle Kindergarten)
(Note: Books at this level are available only in Inuktitut.)
- 8–12 pages
- One symbol per page
- Focuses on the sounds of the language
- Highly supportive images help readers decode the symbols
Level 3 (middle to late Kindergarten)
(Note: Books at this level are available only in Inuktitut.)
- 8–12 pages
- One word per page
- No punctuation
- Highly supportive images help readers decode the words
Level 4 (late Kindergarten)
- 8–12 pages
- One sentence per page
- Sentences are very short, basic, and repetitive
- Basic punctuation (periods only)
- Highly supportive images help readers decode the sentences
Level 5 (early Grade 1)
- 8–12 pages
- One sentence per page
- Sentences become longer and more varied
- Punctuation includes mostly periods, with very few question marks and exclamation marks
- Highly supportive images help readers decode the sentences
Level 6 (early to middle Grade 1)
- 8–12 pages
- More complicated and varied sentences
- Punctuation includes mostly periods, with some question marks and exclamation marks
- Highly supportive images help readers decode the sentences
Level 7 (middle to late Grade 1)
- 8–16 pages
- Sentences increase in length and complexity
- Punctuation includes mostly periods, with some question marks and exclamation marks
- Supportive images
Level 8 (late Grade 1)
- 12–24 pages
- Sentences increase in length and complexity
- Dialogue is introduced in fiction texts, indicated by the word “said”
- Supportive images, but more information now coming from the text
Level 9 (early Grade 2)
- 16–32 pages
- Longer, more complex sentences
- Varied punctuation
- Dialogue is included in fiction texts
- Supportive images, but more information now coming from the text
Level 10 (middle Grade 2)
- 16–32 pages
- Generally 2–5 sentences per page
- Sentences and stories become longer and more complex
- Varied punctuation
- Dialogue is included in fiction texts
- Readers rely more on the words than the images to decode the text
Level 11 (late Grade 2)
- 24–32 pages
- Sentences become complex and varied
- Varied punctuation
- Dialogue is included in fiction texts and is necessary to understand the story
- Readers rely more on the words than the images to decode the text
Level 12 (early Grade 3)
- 24–40 pages
- Sentences are complex and vary in length
- Lots of varied punctuation
- Dialogue is included in fiction texts and is necessary to understand the story
- Readers rely on the words to decode the text; images are present but only somewhat supportive
Level 13 (middle Grade 3)
- 24–56 pages
- Sentences can be more complicated and are not always restricted to a structure that readers are familiar with
- Some unfamiliar themes and genres are introduced
- Readers rely on the words to decode the text; images are present but only somewhat supportive
Level 14 (late Grade 3)
- 24–64 pages
- Chapter books are introduced
- Readers may be exposed to new genres (such as science fiction, mysteries, biographies) and unfamiliar themes and settings
- Illustrations are somewhat supportive and may not be included on every spread of pages
Level 15 (early Grade 4)
- 40–100 pages
- Fiction books are usually chapter books
- Readers are exposed to unfamiliar concepts and multiple perspectives
- Variety in genres (such as mysteries, fantasies, biographies, guide books) is seen more frequently
Level 16 (late Grade 4)
- Wide variation in book length
- Books explore topics that are less familiar to readers and expose readers to different perspectives related to ability, ethnicity, language, and culture
- Problems in fiction books are more complex
- Variety in genres (such as mysteries, fantasies, biographies, guide books) is seen more frequently
Level 17 (early Grade 5)
- Wide variation in book length
- Information is presented in a variety of text features
- Readers are exposed to genres that require high-level processing, including literary classics, myths and legends, fantasy, and poetry
- Topics extend the reader’s knowledge and broaden global understanding