Also available in Spanish




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TINA ATHAIDE, of Asian Indian descent, was born in Uganda, Africa. She has a degree in education and currently works as a reading resource specialist at an elementary school in California. When not writing, Tina enjoys gardening, playing the piano, and practicing yoga. She lives in Temecula, California, with her husband and their beagle, Casper.


MARIA VICTORIA "VICKY" TORREY, of Puerto Rican descent, was born in New York City. She has a master’s degree and is working toward her doctorate, both in bilingual education. Vicky is also a Reading Recovery® teacher. She loves to photograph people, especially children, and she has written and photographed several beginning reader stories. Vicky lives in Florida with her husband and their three daughters.

Download the BEST FRIENDS Guided Reading Lesson Plan by clicking here

Guided Reading Guided reading levels were assigned by certified Reading Recovery® teachers and literacy experts using the guidelines identified in Guided Reading and Matching Books to Readers by Irene C. Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell (Heinemann).

Intervention Intervention levels were assigned by certified Reading Recovery® teachers and literacy experts and are intended for use in early intervention and one-on-one tutorial programs, including Reading Recovery® programs. These levels are not officially authorized by Reading Recovery®. Reading Recovery® is a registered servicemark of The Ohio State University.

DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment) The DRA levels were determined using information in the Developmental Reading Assessment Resource Guide by Joetta Beaver (Celebration Press).

All level placements may vary and are subject to revision. Teachers may adjust the assigned levels in accordance with their own evaluations.