Parent Guides
What to read next after a favorite series, books for specific ages and situations — every recommendation rated for reading level and content intensity.
When a Book Purchase Circles Back to a Classroom
HootRated is free for teachers, ad-free for kids, and funded by book purchases — a small share of which goes back to local public schools. Here's how the circle works, and why we built it this way.
George Marzouka ·
How Teachers Can Get Families Reading at Home (Without the Guilt Trip)
The home reading environment is one of the biggest levers on a child's literacy — and the usual homework-style asks quietly work against it. Here's the evidence on what to ask families to do, and what to stop asking.
George Marzouka ·
Books Like Baby-Sitters Little Sister for 8-Year-Olds
Explore delightful reads for kids inspired by Baby-Sitters Little Sister, focusing on friendship and family.
George Marzouka ·
Books Like Baby-Sitters Little Sister for 6-Year-Olds
Explore delightful books for kids that capture themes of friendship, family, and adventure.
George Marzouka ·
How to Get a Whole Class Reading: The Evidence-Based Playbook
Points, prizes, and reading logs feel productive and quietly kill the thing they're meant to grow. Here's what the research actually shows about motivating a classroom of readers — and how to build a book collection that fits every kid.
George Marzouka ·
When Your Child Stops Reading: What Actually Works (and What Backfires)
Your kid used to devour books and now won't pick one up. Here's what the research really says about restarting a stalled reader — including the popular tricks that quietly make it worse.
George Marzouka ·