Accelerated Reader Levels Color Chart - Explaining AR Reading

Here’s an explanation of Accelerated Reader levels by color. It’s a great way they rank books according to a child’s reading level and comprehension, but better when YOU understand what they mean. (originally published 10/15, affiliate links present)

What is book level in Accelerated Reader?

Our school, as well as many others around, use a reading program called Accelerated Reader (AR we call it). I have three children and once they hit the second grade they were tested.

Then they were assigned a color according to their reading level, and chose books in that color (colors typically shown with a sticker on the spine as you see here).

Reading Levels Explained

Once they are done with their book they can take tests on the computer that test their comprehension of the book and if they pass they earn points, they love that!

Well as a parent when your first child comes home and says “I’m a yellow reader,” you aren’t quite sure what that means. Yes there are AR reading levels and each is associated with a book color.

After some time you learn a bit about AR, but being as though it is a school program it is hard to know what books you should be buying for your child to read at home (that was my question anyway).

There is more extensive information about the AR program here if you want to go into depth. I was curious to find books in my children’s levels so…….I went searching.

AR Reading Level Printable PDF Chart

Here is a free printable ar reading levels sheet you can keep handy too.

Accelerated Reading Levels Chart

If you are curious, and haven’t seen an ar reading level color chart is shown above. The number correlates to the level reader they are. F

or example, my daughter is in the first grade yet she is a “yellow reader”, meaning she is reading at a 2.6-3.0 grade level (second grade in the 6th month of school to 3rd grade reading level).

Most children don’t participate in Accelerated Reading until the second grade so if yours are in Kinder or first you may not have encountered this yet but you will and you can keep this as a resource for yourself next year.

What do the AR reading levels mean?

Every book that has an AR reading quiz is given a point value. Points are based on the difficulty of the book, and length (number of words). AR points are ways of measuring how much reading practice children are getting.

How do I find the AR level of a book?

There are a few websites and APPs you can use.

Lexile can help match readers with texts
Accelerated Reading APPs
- Levelit and Literacy Leveler
- Level It Books can organize, level, and track books too

AR Reading

Teachers usually have libraries in their classrooms with rows upon rows of books with different colors so there are great choices for each leveled reader.

Each series is typically the same level. Such as, most Junie B. Jones books are in the yellow level (yes, I hear about this curious girl every day!), but some are not such as some of the Magic Treehouse books you see here.

Some are in the yellow category and some are in the pink level (slightly different). Here are some popular chapter book series in each level. Great for Christmas presents and stocking stuffers.

It’s always fun to get a new book and finding one in their reading level is best so they aren’t frustrated or choosing something that is below their ability. If your little one is advanced this is important for what children should know before Kindergarten so they can be ahead of the rest.

Two children's books are displayed: Junie B. First Grader and Journey Under the Sea, both identifiable by their accelerated reader levels by color, making it easy for young readers to find a perfect match for their reading journey.

Click on the box / book in the intended level to search books in that color and purchase. I hope this helps in your quest to find and understand AR reading levels or Accelerated Reader levels by color.

Then you can purchase appropriate books for your child. Starting at the correct level is important for them to feel successful. Slowly, have them work toward the higher levels as time and they progress. To make reading really fun create a reading nook at home. They’ll love it.

Accelerated Reader Levels by Color

Light Blue Level .1-1.5 is going to go beyond just their sight words. For that you should start with BOB books really and continue on from there. For this first level you can find the book and this series here to purchase for your child.