BuddyBooks gives your child a patient reading partner and the daily practice they need — at home, on their own.
Available with ESA and similar state-funded voucher programs · Grades 2–12
BuddyBooks takes turns reading aloud with your child — one paragraph at a time — so they're never facing a hard passage alone.
Matched to your child's reading level and interests.
BuddyBooks continuously adjusts how much support it gives — reading more with your child when they struggle, and stepping back as they gain confidence.
BuddyBooks automatically adjusts the level of support session to session.
No more guesswork. The parent dashboard tracks fluency, accuracy, and reading progress so you always know where your child stands.
"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."
"BuddyBooks doesn't make her feel embarrassed when she struggles. That's everything."
Available through many ESA and state-funded voucher programs
Hear it from the families themselves — in their own words.
With my 11 year old, I can see that he's getting the reading done, and he's really enjoying it.
BuddyBooks is approved in many states through education savings account (ESA) programs and other state-funded voucher programs. Depending on your state, you may be able to get BuddyBooks at no out-of-pocket cost.
Find your state’s voucher program🏫 Purchase through ClassWallet, Odyssey, or your state’s voucher program portal. Learn more
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.
About 20 minutes a day, 3 times per week. Consistent practice is what builds confidence and leads to stronger progress over time.
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.
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.
BuddyBooks works on most computers using Safari or Chrome. It's also available as an app on iPhone and iPad.
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 →
Yes — BuddyBooks is approved for purchase using education savings account (ESA) voucher funds in many states. Learn more about voucher programs →
The reading features are identical — Buddy Reading, Review Mode, the large book library, and fluency tracking. The ESA programs and schools edition simply adds BookChat, an AI layer trained on each student’s book that answers comprehension questions in real time.