In the United States, between 39-40% of fourth graders perform below the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) basic level in reading, meaning they struggle with basic comprehension.
The Wright City R-II School District is working to improve this number for its students.
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In the United States, between 39-40% of fourth graders perform below the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) basic level in reading, meaning they struggle with basic comprehension.
The Wright City R-II School District is working to improve this number for its students.
Before the 2025-26 school year, the district spent $3,000 to purchase 45 audiobooks for students.
West Elementary Principal Sara Meadows said that after she and Assistant Principal Erin Hammel sat down to address the problem in their school, the Wonder Books solution became the clear choice.
“We did some research over the summer, and we partnered with our librarian because we’ve seen the need for reading and the large gaps and deficits we have as a society,” Meadows said. “We sat down, Ms. Hammel and I, with her reading interventionist background, and we thought to ourselves, ‘How do we make reading an equitable playing field?’ So that all students in our community can enjoy the love of literacy. We looked to see what other schools around us were doing and they really have started to build their audiobook library. ”
At the November meeting of the R-II school board, students at West Elementary gave a presentation on the program’s effectiveness and the need for more ‘Wonder Books’ audiobooks.
These Wonder Books support readers who struggle and also aid English learners. They engage all students through voice, sound, and story, building confidence and comprehension. Fourth-grader Peyton Pugh said the books are having the desired effects on students.
"Wonder Books have made reading fun, and now I have way more confidence when I read,” Pugh said.
The interactive audiobooks not only make it easier for students to follow along, regardless of reading level, but also keep them engaged in their reading. Third-grader Carter Hammel said that the new tool took some getting used to, but it has now become his favorite way to read.
"At first I didn't know why the books were asking me questions, but now I love the challenge to answer the questions,” Hammel said.
The Wonder Books cover a wide range of subjects, making learning fun for students with just about any learning preference.
After the students presented to the board on the importance of the tool, they asked the group to support purchasing more books to help a larger group of students at the school.
