For readers in grades 2–12

Help your struggling reader catch up — and keep up.

A patient reading buddy that reads aloud with your child, at home.

14 days free · up to 3 readers · cancel anytime

★★★★★
“Now he volunteers to read aloud in class!” — Lilia, mom of a 14-year-old
Funded in part by National Science Foundation National Institutes of Health NIDILRR Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education
BuddyBooks app book preview screen for Lost in Yellowstone BuddyBooks Set the Scene screen with an illustrated Yellowstone scene and highlighted text BuddyBooks library with illustrated book covers and reading progress for each book

Try BuddyBooks free

Best value
Annual
$10/month
Billed $120/year after your free trial
Save 50%
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Monthly
$20/month
Billed monthly after your free trial
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🏫 ESA voucher funds accepted in many states. Learn more

How Buddy reads with your child

BuddyBooks computer reading coach taking turns reading aloud with a struggling reader on a laptop

Hundreds of books they'll actually want to read

Adventure Mystery Fantasy Realistic fiction Science fiction Biography History Nature & science Humor Sports Classic literature
The Jaguar's Compass
Secrets of the Everglades
Max and the Flying Machine
Dive to the Bottom of the World
A Summer with Papa Hemingway
Tempest at Dawn: The Galveston Hurricane of 1900

Always at the right level

BuddyBooks adaptive reading support — automatically adjusting fluency scaffolding session to session for struggling readers

See exactly how they're doing

Dive to the Bottom of the World
Reading now
Reading Progress — Last 30 Days
Fluency (WCPM) and Accuracy (%)
Fluency
Accuracy
Fluency
158 wpm
▲ 30 in 30 days
Accuracy
89%
▲ 7 pts in 30 days
Dive to the Bottom of the World · Book Progress
Adventure · Level 300 62% complete
★★★★★

"He was excited about reading right away — and was really proud of himself at the end because he knew he had read all of that."

Tori · Mom of a 7-year-old
★★★★★

"BuddyBooks doesn't make her feel embarrassed when she struggles. That's everything."

Diane · Mom of an 11-year-old

Other parents have been where you are

"With my 11 year old, I can see that he's getting the reading done, and he's really enjoying it."
Stefanie — Mom of a 2nd and 4th grader
"Now he volunteers to read aloud in class!"
Lilia — Mom of a 14-year-old
"My oldest jumped from a 1st to 3rd grade reading level in the first year with BuddyBooks."
Latosha — Mom of a 2nd and 5th grader
"I'm so proud of her — and now she asks to read with BuddyBooks!"
Megan — Mom of a 10-year-old
"His speech has improved tremendously since he started using BuddyBooks."
Josh — Dad of a 9-year-old

Thousands of kids are reading stronger

7,333
readers improving
6,082
books completed
1,459,577
minutes read

Questions parents ask

What ages or grades is BuddyBooks best for? ›

BuddyBooks is designed for struggling readers in grades 2–12 and beyond. It's especially helpful for children who are behind in reading, have lost confidence, or need more supported practice to make steady progress.

How often should my child use it? ›

About 20 minutes a day, 3 times per week. Consistent practice is what builds confidence and leads to stronger progress over time.

My child learns differently. Can BuddyBooks help? ›

BuddyBooks was designed for children who struggle with reading — including many children with dyslexia, ADHD, or autism. The patient, non-judgmental pace of BuddyBooks works especially well for children who feel embarrassed or frustrated in a classroom setting. We recommend using it alongside any specialist support your child already receives, not as a replacement.

Can my child use it by themselves? ›

Yes. Most children use BuddyBooks on their own after getting started — giving them structured reading support without you needing to be present every session. You can check their progress anytime in the Parent Dashboard. Very young readers may need assistance setting up their computer or microphone for their first reading session.

Can I cancel anytime? ›

Yes. You can cancel the monthly plan anytime. It's an easy way to get started and see whether BuddyBooks is the right fit for your child — with no commitment required.

What are the computer requirements? ›

BuddyBooks works on most computers using Safari or Chrome. It's also available as an app on iPhone and iPad.

Is BuddyBooks evidence-based? ›

BuddyBooks is backed by National Science Foundation–funded research and has achieved ESSA certification — an independent evaluation by a third-party research organization confirming it meets federal evidence standards for educational effectiveness. Grade school students using BuddyBooks for one semester improved their scores on state literacy tests by 30%. It has helped thousands of kids improve their reading skills across the U.S., in public schools, after-school programs, and at home. For a closer look at the Science of Reading methods built into BuddyBooks and our published ESSA efficacy study, see our full research and evidence page →

Can I pay with a state education voucher or ESA funds? ›

Yes — BuddyBooks is approved for purchase using education savings account (ESA) voucher funds in many states. Learn more about voucher programs →

Start reading together today

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v3.2 · 2026-10-29