The Big Sleep

December 1, 2024

K-Gr 2-This set in the "Supersonic Phonics" series shares many of the same flaws seen throughout the series. The writing is weak, with plotlines that lack a clear, logical sequence, making it difficult for young readers to stay engaged. The illustrations, though varied, come across as clunky and fail to elevate the reading experience. Additionally, while the text is categorized as decodable, it is not structured to provide the necessary 80-100 percent accuracy for effective phonics practice. As a result, emergent readers may struggle to build fluency and confidence. The text does not consistently align with targeted phonemes, which limits opportunities for focused practice. Although marketed for early readers, this level, like some others in the series, doesn't fully deliver on its promise of supporting phonics development. VERDICT While these titles may appeal to some readers, the overall lack of cohesion in both content and phonics focus reduces its effectiveness as a decodable resource.

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