eBooks & Audiobooks

Professional Learning eLibrary

Access professional ebooks on topics including literacy, EdTech, classroom management, culturally responsive teaching, and more. These titles are provided with unlimited simultaneous use, meaning multiple staff members can read the same material at the same time - great for PD or school-wide reads. 

Click the Sign in with Microsoft button to access.

If you have questions or experience any issues while using these eBooks, please contact Lauren Bull.

Sora eBooks & audiobooks

Explore the more than 12,700 student-interest eBooks and audiobooks available in Sora, UGDSB's digital reading platform. The collection includes books suitable for different age and reading levels across K-12, including fiction as well as graphic novels, picture books, high-interest nonfiction, and read-alongs.

To sign into Sora for the first time, follow the steps below:

1.  Access Sora from the student UGCloud landing page or click here.

2.  Select "Find my school", then click "No, I'll search for my school" and type in Upper Grand District School Board. Select the matching result. 

3.  If prompted, sign in with your board-issued email address and password. 


If you experience any issues using Sora, please contact terryjames.library@ugdsb.on.ca. 

Getting Started with Sora For Educators
NEW Read to Me Feature (tutorial video)
NEW Get hold notifications

Sora "How-To" videos

Learn more about using Sora, including:

  • Strategies for finding books

  • Navigating eBooks and audiobooks within the Sora platform

  • Managing your account

Note: Videos are hosted on Sora/OverDrive's YouTube channel. Please do not share directly with students.

Sora interactive slide - Featuring TJRC staff member Erin!

click here to see interactive slide on google slides

Sora accessibility features

Learn more about Sora's accessibility features, including:

  • Read-along eBooks and audiobooks

  • Screen reader compatibility

  • Dyslexic font & high contrast mode

  • Audio playback options

  • Keyboard shortcuts, and more!

Search in Sora with Ranger - Introduce young students to Sora

Playaways and Wonderbooks

Playaways and Wonderbooks are texts in accessible formats - great for students who are learning to read in English, students who have print disabilities...the opportunities are endless! 

A Playaway is a pre-loaded audiobook that does not require downloads or internet connectivity. The physical device is roughly the size of an iPod or MP3 player and allows students to take the books they’re reading wherever they go. A Wonderbook is a hybrid resource - a full text book with a Playaway-style audiobook built right in. This allows students to follow along while listening to the text read aloud. There is also a Learning Mode with Wonderbooks that provides further extensions for literacy skills development. 

Playaways and Wonderbooks are available for fiction and nonfiction texts written for a variety of audience and reading levels - they are currently only published in English. 

To borrow a Playaway or Wonderbook from TJRC, search for “Playaway” in Insignia to see the titles currently available. Playaways and Wonderbooks can be borrowed from the Terry James Resource Centre just like regular books - come in person or place a reserve online to have the book sent to your site via board courier.

photo of a playaway device

Photo of a Playaway device

Photo of several books formatted as Wonderbook devices

Photo of several books formatted as Wonderbook devices

Photo of a Wonderbook device

Photo of a Wonderbook device

NoveList & NoveList K-8

The NoveList and NoveList K-8 platforms are book databases that provide access to information, recommendations, and professional reviews about all kinds of books. Search for a book to see suggested grade and reading levels, key topics and themes, and suggestions of similar titles - great for developing literature circles or supporting students with independent reading.

NoveList and NoveList K-8 recognize UGDSB staff and students automatically, so no need to enter a username or password. To access NoveList or NoveList K-8, navigate to the student UGCloud landing page and select from the drop-down menus at the top of the page - the sites should automatically sign you in.

If you experience any issues using NoveList or NoveList K-8, please contact terryjames.library@ugdsb.on.ca. 

Finding books in NoveList and NoveList K-8 using Appeals

Using book themes in NoveList and NoveList K-8

Tumblebooks

An online collection of animated read-aloud picture books, read-along chapter books, National Geographic videos, non-fiction books, and graphic novels. Platform and content available in both English and French.

Grades K-6

Unlimited, simultaneous use