ESLReads are are digital read-aloud (and print) books for young adult and adult learners of English, based on author Lauren Piovesan’s work with low literacy, refugee background learners in schools and her volunteer work with AMEP adults. She saw a need that wasn’t being fulfilled by publishers, and decided to create books faced on the issues her learners faced, with titles like Filan and Mariam Go to a Café, Layla Wants a Job, Sayed’s Test, Taw Meh Can Speak and Zahra Has an Appointment.

The books cover five different themes: health, social and emotional wellbeing, everyday life, work, and civics. The stories are at 4 levels, so can be used in a multi-level classroom, and learners can read on their phone, since this is the one piece of technology they are all likely to own.

Her website is here, at eslreads.com and although the focus there is on the digital books, she is happy to talk to librarians about how to obtain physical paperback copies.

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