Developing Decoders: Decodable Books Students Want to Read
Discover a library of engaging stories, inclusive characters, and captivating books that give all students the chance to become confident readers.
What Is Developing Decoders?
Developing Decoders are collections of engaging, skill-aligned decodable books that help early readers build confidence. They feature a mix of fiction and nonfiction genres that are carefully aligned to specific phonics scopes and sequences.
Explore Our Developing Decoders Collections
Find Developing Decoders on trusted text guides like UFLI Decodable Text Guide and The Reading League's list of decodable text sources. To find the best collection for your school, read the details below.
Green Fiction Collection
220 Fiction Decodable Books and 1 Anthology of 28 Passages Written to Align with UFLI's K-2 Scope and Sequence
Empower young readers with the Green Fiction Collection—engaging decodable fiction books designed to build foundational reading skills. These stories bridge explicit phonics instruction and independent reading, helping students apply what they’ve learned while gaining confidence. Ideal for small groups, intervention, or classroom libraries.
Collection Overview
This collection includes 220 unique book titles and one anthology with 28 passages. Purchasing options include:
• Kindergarten: 90 book titles (6 copies each) + anthology (12 copies)
• First Grade: 182 titles (6 copies each)
• Second Grade: 170 titles (6 copies each)
• Complete Collection: 1,320 books (6 copies per title) + anthology (12 copies)
• Single-Title Option Available: 1 copy of each book and 1 copy of the anthology
*Titles in this collection can be found on the UFLI Decodable Text Guide.
Green Nonfiction Collection
195 Nonfiction Decodable Books Written to Align with UFLI's K-2 Scope and Sequence
Enhance phonics lessons with the Green Nonfiction Collection—engaging decodable texts that build background knowledge and reinforce phonics skills. These nonfiction titles support foundational reading while boosting confidence and sparking curiosity through real-world topics. Ideal for small groups, intervention, or classroom libraries.
Collection Overview
This collection includes 195 unique nonfiction titles. Purchasing options include:
• Kindergarten: 50 titles (6 copies each)
• First Grade: 75 titles (6 copies each)
• Second Grade: 70 titles (6 copies each)
• Complete Collection: 1,170 books (6 copies per title)
• Single-Title Option Available: 1 copy of each book
*Titles in this collection can be found on the UFLI Decodable Text Guide.
Orange Collection
70 Fiction and Nonfiction Decodable Chapter Books Based on Syllable Types
Support phonics instruction with the Orange Collection—decodable chapter books based on syllable types, ideal for older students needing review or younger readers ready for advanced text. Featuring longer plot lines and consolidated phonics patterns, these fiction and nonfiction titles offer meaningful skill practice. Perfect for programs using a syllable-type approach and easy to align with your phonics scope and sequence.
Collection Overview
This collection includes 70 unique fiction and nonfiction titles and is sold only as a complete collection with all 5 sets. Set 1 focuses on VC and CVC syllables with blends and digraphs, Set 2 focuses on VCe syllables, Set 3 focuses on CV and C+LE syllables, Set 4 focuses on VR syllables, and Set 5 focuses on VV syllables and silent letters.
•Complete Collection: 420 books (6 copies per title)
*Titles in this collection can be found on the UFLI Decodable Text Guide.
Yellow Collection
164 Fiction and Nonfiction Decodable Books Written to Align with a Popular Phonics Scope and Sequence
Enhance phonics instruction with the Yellow Collection—decodable books aligned to a widely used phonics scope and sequence and its trick words. Featuring a mix of fiction and nonfiction, each title offers focused, skill-based practice that builds confidence, fluency, and mastery. Easily match texts to your sequence using the full scope and sequence provided.
Collection Overview
This collection includes 164 unique fiction and nonfiction titles. Purchasing options include:
• Level K: 20 titles (6 copies each)
• Level 1: 48 titles (6 copies each)
• Level 2: 48 titles (6 copies each)
• Level 3: 48 titles (6 copies of each)
• Complete Collection: 984 books (6 copies per title)
Find the Right Fit for Your Classroom
Whether you need fiction or nonfiction, or books organized by skill or syllable type, there's a set designed to fit your instructional needs. Review the scope and sequence each collection is written to.
Green Fiction Collection
This UFLI-aligned decodable book collection contains 220 titles and an alphabet anthology.
Green Nonfiction Collection
These 195 decodable nonfiction books are organized by grade level, written to align with the UFLI scope and sequence.
Orange Collection
This collection includes 70 fiction and nonfiction decodable chapter books based on syllable types, written to align with UFLI's scope and sequence.
Yellow Collection
This collection includes 164 decodable books written to align with the Fundations® progression of phonics skills.
Unlock 900+ Digital Decodable Books with the All-Access Pass
All the decodables you need in one easy-to-use digital platform, built to support every reader.
All-Access Pass
The annual digital All-Access pass includes complete access to the following:
- Access to 900+ decodable books aligned to popular phonics scopes and sequences
- A digital interactive reader that lets students listen, record themselves, and replay for fluency practice
- Lesson plans for every book reflecting all strands of Scarborough’s Reading Rope
- Progress monitoring and printable materials to further support students
- Search capabilities so you can search by skill to find the right books for your students
All-Access Pass
The monthly digital All-Access Pass includes access to 30 titles per month and their supporting materials, including:
- Selections from 900+ decodable books aligned to popular phonics scopes and sequences
- A digital interactive reader that lets students listen, record themselves, and replay for fluency practice
- Lesson plans for every book you choose reflecting all strands of Scarborough’s Reading Rope
- Progress monitoring and printable materials to further support students
- Search capabilities so you can search by skill to find the right books for your students
Connecting Letters and Sounds
Reading isn’t something we’re born knowing how to do; it’s a skill the brain needs to learn. That’s why decodable texts are so powerful. They give students the right kind of reading practice by matching what they’ve been taught in phonics, helping them connect letters and sounds with confidence.
Backed by brain science, this approach strengthens the pathways needed for fluent, automatic reading. Decodable books guide students to apply their skills in a real context, building word recognition, boosting confidence, and unlocking reading success.
Don't Just Take Our Word for It ...
“As the instructional coach at my school, we just purchased the second-grade set. They are fabulously aligned to the second-grade scope and sequence. The kids and teachers LOVE them. These are by far my favorite decodables.”
“My school bought the physical copies to enhance our UFLI implementation. Teachers love them and say that kids are more engaged. Lit coaches liked them because they came with a title (or a few) aligned to each of the UFLI lessons.”
“We recently purchased the entire green set for our teachers, and I purchased the digital subscription to use with my students. Worth every cent! The kids love the books, and with the digital subscription, they can read the book on their devices during e-learning. ”
“Love. Love. Love these. Paired with the UFLI lesson slides together they hit all six strands of the reading rope. Also, I love the visuals and diversity of characters. I teach middle school ESL, and they are not too babyish like a lot of other resources.”
“We love our digital subscription. They have the aligned green and orange books that align with UFLI's scope and sequence. We use these with our older students who we use UFLI for intervention, as they were longer and more interesting.”
“We use these in K-2 at my school, and we love them!! Love that they are aligned with UFLI and easy to find!”
FAQs
What makes Developing Decoders different from other decodable books?
Grounded in the Science of Reading, our decodable books go beyond simple decodable sentences to include engaging stories with diverse characters and a mix of fiction and nonfiction genres. The content is carefully aligned to specific phonics scopes and sequences, making these books an effective tool for targeted practice.
What is the purpose of a decodable text?
Decodable texts serve as a crucial tool for early readers. They provide a structured way for students to practice the phonics skills they have been explicitly taught. This systematic practice builds fluency and confidence as they apply their knowledge of letter-sound relationships to new words. This systematic practice is key to developing skilled readers. Click to read more about the research behind decodable texts.
How do I know which collection is right for my students?
Each of our Developing Decoders collections is written to align with a specific phonics scope and sequence. We offer collections that can be used as a stand-alone resource or as a supplemental tool alongside other popular foundational reading programs. See the progression of skills for each collection and discover which is the best fit for your school.
Are the books available in both print and digital formats?
All of our books are available in both print and digital formats. Our digital All-Access Pass gives you a full library of our decodable books, with access to both digital and printable versions, providing flexibility for a variety of classroom settings.
Explore Ways Decodable Texts Can Be Implemented into Classrooms
5 Ways to Use Decodable Readers in Small Group Instruction
Decodable Texts 101: What They Are, Why They Matter, and How to Use Them
Scarborough’s Rope in Action: A Practical Workshop for Reading Instruction
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