| By Tiffany Schofield, Senior Acquisitions Editor, Thorndike Press |
Emerging bilingual students face unique challenges in acquiring English proficiency. Providing them with appropriate resources is essential. Large print books are a simple literacy solution that’s proven to be effective. According to a recent study, almost two-thirds of teachers reported that using large print text led to faster English acquisition by their students. Additionally, 42% of teachers noticed improved decoding skills in ELL students who read large print. These statistics highlight the significant impact large print books can have on ELL student language development.
If you’re looking for a no-tech way to make a big difference in literacy skills for Spanish-speaking students, check out the new collection of Spanish-language youth large print titles from Thorndike Press. Our books are completely unabridged and printed on high-opacity paper, keeping them similar in size to the standard print edition.
Thorndike Press Large Print Books: Helping Students of All Reading Levels Succeed
For Thorndike Press, subtle differences mean big advantages. By using a 16-point font with expanded spacing between words, high-contrast black ink, and 1/3 more line spacing, Thorndike Press large print books are easier for students of all reading levels to enjoy. Plus, our large print books are produced with the same cover art and are similar in size and weight as the standard print edition.
Thorndike Press books are specifically designed to support students in their language development journey. By providing students with accessible reading materials in their native language, we can help young readers build their vocabulary and grammar skills and improve their reading comprehension. We share your commitment to helping students feel more confident in their reading abilities and make a smoother transition to English.
Benefits of Large Print Books for ELL Students
Large print books offer a range of benefits for everyone, particularly young and developing readers. The larger font size and increased spacing between words and lines make reading more accessible for students still mastering language and reading skills. This format helps reduce eyestrain and allows students to focus on the content rather than struggling to decipher individual words. Large print books promote a love of reading that extends beyond language acquisition by making reading an enjoyable and less frustrating experience.
Diversity and Inclusivity in Literature
Thorndike Press is a leading publisher of large print books, including Spanish-language titles for youth. We believe in the power of inclusive literature to empower emerging bilingual students. By providing accessible reading materials in both English and Spanish, we are creating a supportive learning environment that caters to the unique needs of English language learners.
Our Spanish-language youth large print titles bridge students’ first language and English, allowing them to develop language skills while maintaining a connection to their cultural background. Diversity and inclusivity are critical to our success in providing students with the tools they need to succeed academically.
Available Titles in the Spanish Collection
Lupe Wong no baila (Lupe Wong Won’t Dance) by Donna Barba Higuera
9798885795036 (English: 9781432899752)
$26.99
JUV Fiction
Ages 8–12
Grades 3–7
A feisty Chinese Mexican American 7th grader wants to be the first female pitcher in the MLB.
*Booklist and Kirkus
Pura Belpré Honor, 2021
Sid Fleischman Award for Humor
La última cuentista (The Last Cuentista) by Donna Barba Higuera
9798885795029 (English: 9781432899714)
$26.99
JUV Fiction
Ages 10–14
Grades 5–9
Earth has been destroyed by a comet, and only a few hundred scientists and their children have been chosen to journey to a new planet.
*Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and SLJ
Pura Belpré Award, 2022
SLJ’sBest of the Year
Newbery Medal 2022
Efrén dividido (Efrén Divided) by Ernesto Cisneros
9798885795012 (English: 9781432888947)
$26.99
JUV Fiction
Ages 8–12
Grades 3–7
Efrén worries about his parents; although he’s American-born, his parents are undocumented.
*Booklist, Kirkus, and Publishers Weekly
Pura Belpré Award Winner
Estrella de mar (Starfish) by Lisa Fipps
9798885795005 (English: 9781432890964)
$26.99
JUV Fiction
Ages 10+
Grades 5–12+
Ellie is tired of being fat-shamed but has allies who love her as she is. With this support, Ellie might cast aside the Fat Girl Rules.
*Booklist, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and SLJ
SLJ Best of Books 2021
Michael L. Printz YA Honor
Escuela de espías (Spy School, Spy School Series, Book 1) by Stuart Gibbs
9798885793803 (English: 9798885796743)
$26.99
JUV Fiction
Ages 8–12
Grades 3–7
Twelve-year-old Ben Ripley leaves his school to attend the CIA’s secretive Espionage Academy, an elite science school.
“Funny and suspenseful, this book is perfectly pitched for middle-grader and tween boys.” —The Horn Book Guide
Campamento de espías (Spy Camp, Spy School Series, Book 2) by Stuart Gibbs
9798885793810 (English: 9798885796750)
$26.99
JUV Fiction
Ages 8–12
Grades 3–7
As Ben, a student at the CIA’s school for future agents, goes to spy camp, he receives a threat from the evil organization SPYDER.
“Clever descriptions and plot twists make this a top-notch summer read.” —The Horn Book Guide
Merci Suárez se pone las pilas (Merci Suárez Changes Gears) by Meg Medina
9798885792448 (English: 9781432860363)
$26.99
JUV Fiction
Ages 9–12
Grades 4-7
Thoughtful, strong-willed sixth-grader Merci Suárez navigates difficult changes with friends, family, and everyone in between.
*Booklist, Kirkus, and Publishers Weekly
Newbery Winner, 2019
Merci Suárez no sabe bailar (Merci Suárez Can’t Dance) by Meg Medina
9798885792455 (English: 9781432886905)
$26.99
JUV Fiction
Grades 9–12
Ages 4–7
Merci takes on seventh grade, with all its travails of friendship, family, love—and finding your rhythm.
*Booklist, Kirkus, and Publishers Weekly
Tumbos (Tumble) by Celia C. Pérez
9798885794992 (English: 9798885782685)
$26.99
JUV Fiction
Ages 9–12
Grades 4–7
A young girl collects the missing pieces of her origin story from a family of legendary luchadores she’s never met.
*Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and SLJ
Pura Belpré Honor
Fantasma (Ghost, Track Series, Book 1) by Jason Reynolds
9798885795050 (English: 9781432860868)
$26.99
JUV Fiction
Ages 10+
Grades 5–12+
Ghost wants to be the fastest sprinter on his elite middle school track team, but his past is slowing him down.
*Booklist, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and SLJ
Cybils Award
Bank Street CBC Best Children’s Book of the Year
YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults
National Book Award Finalist
Patina (Track Series, Book 2) by Jason Reynolds
9798885795067 (English: 9781432865795)
$26.99
JUV Fiction
Ages 10+
Grades 5+
A newbie to the track team, Patina must learn to rely on her teammates as she tries to outrun her personal demons.
*Booklist and Kirkus
New York Times Notable Book
YALSA Reluctant Reader Pick
Antes de ser libres (Before We Were Free) by Julia Alvarez
9798885795074 (English: 9798885795135)
$28.99
YA Fiction
Ages 12+
Grades 7–10
Anita is surprised to discover her family is involved in the secret movement to end the bloody rule of the dictator General Trujillo.
*Publishers Weekly
Alas salvajes (Wings in the Wild) by Margarita Engle
9798885795043 (English: 9798885795142)
$28.99
YA Fiction
Ages 12+
Grades 7–10
The Cuban government arrests Soleida’s artist parents, forcing her to escape alone to Central America where she meets Dariel.
*Kirkus and Publishers Weekly
Yaqui Delgado quiere darte una paliza (Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass) by Meg Medina
9798885792431 (English: 9781432874216)
$28.99
YA Fiction
Ages 14+
Grades 8–11
Piddy Sanchez deals with bullying at her new school and struggles to survive, discovering who she really is.
*Kirkus and SLJ
Las fuentes del silencio (The Fountains of Silence) by Ruta Sepetys
9798885795517 (English: 9781432870331)
$28.99
YA Historical Fiction
Ages 12+
Grades 7–12
Under the grasp of the Spanish Civil War, Daniel, son of an oil tycoon, is introduced to Ana through his passion for photography.
*Booklist, Kirkus, and Publishers Weekly
Horn Book Best Books of the Year
Kirkus Best YA Historical Fiction
Blue Ribbon Center for Children’s Books, 2019
Y si lo logramos: una historia Nuyorican (When We Make It: A Nuyorican Novel) by Elizabet Velasquez
9798885794985 (English: 9798885797375)
$28.99
YA Fiction
Ages 14+
Grades 8–11
Sarai navigates the strain of family traumas, the pressures of toxic masculinity, and housing insecurity in a gentrifying Brooklyn.
*Booklist, Kirkus, and SLJ
Yo no soy tu perfecta hija Mexicana (I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter) by Erika L. Sánchez
9798885795524 (English: 9781432874407)
$28.99
YA Fiction
Ages 14+
Grades 9–12
Julia must come to terms with losing her sister and finding herself amid the pressures of growing up in a Mexican-American home.
*SLJ
National Book Award Finalist
YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults
All titles will be published on February 7, 2024. Preorder online for speedy delivery, or contact your Thorndike Rep.
All Thorndike Press Spanish-language youth large print titles are available through major wholesalers.
