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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.

Aligned to UFLI and Other Popular Phonics Scopes and Sequences
Each collection of Developing Decoders is expertly written to align with a specific phonics scope and sequence, including the popular UFLI Foundations program. This makes them the perfect companion for your core instruction.
Research-Based and Written by Authors Trained in Systematic Phonics
Explore resources grounded in the Science of Reading that reflect both the latest research and the realities of your school's classrooms.
Text Variety with Fiction and Nonfiction Books
Provide students with a wide range of books from a variety of fiction and nonfiction genres, ensuring every learner is engaged in their reading.

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.

Developing Decoders Green Fiction Collection
Developing Decoders Complete Green Fiction Collection
220 titles + 12 anthologies, with 6 copies of each
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Developing Decoders green fiction kindergarten collection
Developing Decoders Kindergarten Green Fiction Collection
90 titles + 12 anthologies, with 6 copies of each
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Developing Decoders green fiction 1st grade
Developing Decoders 1st Grade Green Fiction Collection
182 titles, with 6 copies of each
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developing decoders green fiction 2nd grade collection
Developing Decoders 2nd Grade Green Fiction Developing Decoders Collection
170 titles, with 6 copies of each
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Developing Decoders green fiction single title collection
Developing Decoders Green Fiction Single-Title Collection
220 books + 6-pack anthology
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Green Nonfiction Collection

These 195 decodable nonfiction books are organized by grade level, written to align with the UFLI scope and sequence.

green nonfiction collection
Developing Decoders Complete Green Nonfiction Collection
195 titles, with 6 copies of each
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green nonfiction kindergarten collection
Developing Decoders Kindergarten Green Nonfiction Collection
50 titles, with 6 copies of each
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Green nonfiction first grade collection
Developing Decoders First Grade Green Nonfiction Collection
75 titles, with 6 copies of each
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green nonfiction second grade collection
Developing Decoders Second Grade Green Nonfiction Collection
70 titles, with 6 copies of each
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green nonfiction single title collection
Developing Decoders Complete Green Nonfiction Single-Title Collection
195 single books
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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.

developing decoders orange collection
Developing Decoders Orange Collection
70 UFLI-aligned decodable books
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Yellow Collection

This collection includes 164 decodable books written to align with the Fundations® progression of phonics skills.

developing decoders yellow collection
Developing Decoders Complete Yellow Collection: Levels K - 3
164 titles, with 6 copies each
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developing decoders level k yellow
Developing Decoders Yellow Collection: Level K
20 titles, with 6 copies each
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developing decoders level 1 yellow
Developing Decoders Yellow Collection: Level 1
48 titles, with 6 copies each
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developing decoders level 2 yellow
Developing Decoders Yellow Collection: Level 2
48 titles, with 6 copies each
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developing decoders yellow level 3
Developing Decoders Yellow Collection: Level 3
48 titles, with 6 copies each
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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

$179 Annually

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
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All-Access Pass

$19.99 Monthly

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
Order Now
Knack for Kneading book cover

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 ...

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

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Webinar

Decodable Texts 101: What They Are, Why They Matter, and How to Use Them

Get the research-aligned roadmap for using decodable texts. Register now to learn how to determine decodability, select high-quality books, and seamlessly integrate them into your phonics instruction.
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Workshop

Scarborough’s Rope in Action: A Practical Workshop for Reading Instruction

Learn a simple, streamlined two-day routine to teach every strand of Scarborough's Reading Rope without adding more to your plate. Attend the workshop now.

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