how to check if a book is ar,How to Check if a Book is AR

How to Check if a Book is AR

Are you looking to determine if a book is part of the Accelerated Reader (AR) program? The AR program is a widely used tool in schools to help students improve their reading skills. Checking if a book is AR-approved can be a straightforward process, but it requires a bit of know-how. Let’s dive into the various methods you can use to verify if a book is part of the AR program.

Using the AR BookFinder

The AR BookFinder is a comprehensive online database that lists thousands of books, including their AR level, point value, and other relevant information. To use this tool, follow these steps:

1. Go to the AR BookFinder website (bookfinder.arbookfind.com).
2. Enter the title of the book you’re interested in in the search bar.
3. Review the search results to find the book you’re looking for.
4. Check the “AR Level” and “Points” columns to see if the book is part of the AR program.

Keep in mind that the AR BookFinder may not have all books listed, especially newer releases. If you can’t find the book you’re looking for, try searching for it by author or ISBN.

Checking the Book’s ISBN

The ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a unique identifier for books. You can use the ISBN to check if a book is part of the AR program. Here’s how:

1. Locate the ISBN on the book’s back cover or inside the front cover.
2. Go to the AR BookFinder website (bookfinder.arbookfind.com).
3. Enter the ISBN in the search bar.
4. Review the search results to see if the book is part of the AR program.

Like the AR BookFinder, the ISBN method may not work for all books, especially if they are not part of the AR program’s database.

Using a Library’s Online Catalog

Many libraries have online catalogs that include information about the books they have in their collection. To use this method, follow these steps:

1. Go to your local library’s website.
2. Search for the book by title or author.
3. Review the search results to see if the book is listed.
4. Check the book’s details to see if it is part of the AR program.

This method is particularly useful if you have access to a library’s online catalog and are looking for books that are available in your local area.

Checking the Book’s Publication Information

Some books may have information about their AR level and point value on the copyright page or in the back matter. To check this:

1. Open the book to the copyright page or the back matter.
2. Look for any information related to the AR program, such as AR level or point value.

This method is not foolproof, as not all books will have this information. However, it can be a helpful way to quickly check if a book is AR-approved.

Using a Reading Level Calculator

Reading level calculators can help you estimate the difficulty of a book. While they may not provide the exact AR level, they can give you a general idea of whether the book is suitable for your reading level. To use a reading level calculator:

1. Go to a reading level calculator website, such as ReadingLevel.com.
2. Enter the text from the book you’re interested in.
3. Review the results to see if the book’s reading level is within your target range.

This method is not as accurate as using the AR BookFinder or checking the book’s publication information, but it can be a useful tool for making a quick assessment.

Conclusion

Checking if a book is part of the AR program can be done through various methods, including using the AR BookFinder, checking the book’s ISBN, using a library’s online catalog, reviewing the book’s publication information, and using a reading level calculator. By employing these methods, you can ensure that the book you’re selecting is appropriate for your reading level and will help you improve your reading skills.