At Storyshares, we've always operated on a foundational truth: students won't engage or advance their reading skills unless they have access to content that genuinely matters to them. This core belief is why we build high-interest materials for older students, and it's the philosophy we brought to our newest collaboration.
We are thrilled to announce a major expansion of our partnership with 95 Percent Group — the launch of the 95 Readables™ nonfiction series for Grades 2–5.
This exciting new series brings the rigor of Science of Reading instruction together with the critical need for captivating, cross-curricular content, ensuring students can confidently transition from "learning to read" to "reading to learn."
Why Nonfiction Matters for Striving Readers
The path to literacy success involves more than just decoding; it involves building knowledge and curiosity. As learning becomes increasingly text-based in later grades, the ability to tackle informational texts is non-negotiable.
Our collaboration was designed to solve a simple problem: how do we give striving readers the confidence to explore challenging, grade-level content?
The answer lies in integrating our strengths: 95 Percent Group's proven structured literacy approach combined with Storyshares' passion for accessible, meaningful content.
Closing the Gap Between Phonics and Knowledge
The 95 Readables nonfiction series is a groundbreaking resource that supports literacy growth in two critical ways:
- Direct Alignment to Phonics: Chapters are intentionally aligned with weekly phonics and word study instruction. This provides students with immediate, contextual opportunities to apply new skills and build reading fluency right after they learn them.
- Captivating, Accessible Content: Developed by our network of Storyshares authors from around the world, these books center on exciting science topics — from animal habitats to planets and stars. The use of vivid photography and dynamic writing makes complex concepts accessible, helping students build essential content-area knowledge without feeling overwhelmed.
As our CEO, Louise Baigelman, shared, "Our collaboration with 95 Percent Group has allowed us to combine our shared passion for meaningful, accessible storytelling with the proven power of structured literacy. The 95 Readables™ nonfiction series gives students a chance to see the world through the lens of science while reinforcing the critical reading skills they need to succeed.”
At Storyshares, we’re proud to have cracked the code on how to create meaningful, compelling texts written at foundational levels for students in grades 3+. If you’re looking to expand your library for older striving readers, contact us to learn more.