Struggling Teen Reader? Hook Them With the Story, Reading Will Follow
Published on July 14, 2026
By Carl F.
Has your teen fallen behind their reading level? Are books for their age too hard to read while easier books are “for little kids”?
Enter Hi-Lo books! High Interest, Low Vocabulary books focus on gripping and compelling stories to help teens start and keep reading. Hi-Lo books help develop a love of reading and strengthen reading stamina, which boosts confidence and acts as a bridge to longer books and higher reading levels.
How do I find physical Hi-Lo books?
The library offers two catalogs, each with slightly different search capabilities: Vega and the Classic catalog. The Classic catalog offers more robust search options when looking for Hi-Lo reads!
- Follow this link to our Classic catalog with the pre-set search term, “high interest-low vocabulary”.
There are so many great options to choose from, so we’ve picked a few suggestions to get you going.
They Went Left by Monica Hesse
In the rubble of post-WWII Europe, a girl must solve a mystery whose answers could rebuild her family—or break her completely.
Ali Cross by James Patterson
Ali wants to be a detective like his dad, but how far is he willing to go when his friend goes missing?
Grave Message by Mary Payne
Jaylin is having a tough time at school when she receives a message from her best friend, Fatima. But she's confused: Fatima died last year.
Where can I read Hi-Lo eBooks?
Download our free app, Libby, for eBooks and eAudiobooks and log in to access Siouxland Libraries titles with your library card. Search “High-Interest/Low-Readability,” “High Interest,” or the publisher “Orca.” Here are a few eBook titles to get you going:
No Problem by Dayle Campbell Gaetz
A bleak yet ultimately hopeful story about one teen's struggle with the pressures of growing up, fitting in and getting by.
Bang by Norah McClintock
Quentin learns his friend JD has a gun. When they are caught in a robbery, JD uses the gun—with deadly results. Trying to cover up the crime and escape detection, Quentin gets in even deeper than he expected and learns that the only person he can trust is himself. Especially when his freedom—and his future—is at stake.
Topspin by Sonya Spreen Bates
Kat is thrilled to be competing in a junior tennis championship for the first time. However, when strange things begin happening that throw off a competitor’s game, Kat suspects her doubles partner may be involved.
What about eAudiobooks?
EAudiobooks can improve literacy and help teens read above their reading level, introducing them to new vocabulary and complex storylines. If you haven’t already, download the Libby app mentioned in the eBook section above. Use the filters to search for eAudiobooks for young adults that are available now or for the first book in a series that’s available now. Here are a few audiobooks to try:
This Light Between Us by Andrew Fukuda
This Light Between Us is a powerfully affecting story of World War II about the unlikeliest of pen pals—a Japanese American boy and a French Jewish girl—as they fight to maintain hope in a time of war.
The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson
A gripping mystery thriller following one girl’s search for the truth about her mother’s shocking disappearance—and even more shocking reappearance—during the filming of a true crime documentary.
The Electric Kingdom by David Arnold
When the deadly Fly Flu sweeps the globe, it leaves a shell of the world that once was. A handful of survivors navigate the woods of post-apocalyptic New England, meeting others along the way, each on their own quest to find life and love in a world gone dark.
Still have questions about books for struggling readers or Libby? Ask library staff for suggestions or to help set up Libby on your device.