Shelfie
A free class reading log for K–5. Every book a student finishes becomes a spine on one shared class shelf, and the whole class reads toward rewards you choose.
- Free
- Grades K–5
- Class reading goals
- Pass It On
- No accounts
A class shelf that fills up as your students read
A teacher on TikTok asked for a way to get students excited about reading by tracking the books the whole class reads. In Shelfie, each book a student finishes goes on the class shelf as a spine: colored by genre, thicker for longer books, and more worn as more classmates read it. Students sign in with their name and two secret pictures, rate the book, and can pass it on to a classmate who should read it next. Project the class board and everyone watches the shelf grow toward the next class reward.
From a class list to a growing shelf
Make a class
Type a class name and what your class calls you, then paste your class list: one name per line, "Last, First", or straight from a spreadsheet. Shelfie keeps first names and last initials only, and gives each student two secret pictures. You get a class link for students and a private teacher link for you.
Students sign in with two pictures
Students open the class link on any device, tap their name, then tap their two secret pictures in order. There are no emails or passwords. Print login cards to give each student their pictures. Shelfie signs them out when they tap Done or after 5 idle minutes.
Log a finished book
Tap I finished a book and search for the title. Results show a book's pages and points: 1 point for finishing, plus 1 for every 100 pages. If the book isn't there, type the title and pick picture book, short chapter book, chapter book or big book. Then pick Loved it, Liked it, It was OK or Not for me, and add a one-line note if you want.
Pass it on to a classmate
Pick a classmate who should read the book next, or skip. Your classmate finds a Pass It On ticket for the book waiting on their shelf. If they finish the book, you both get a Book Matchmaker stamp.
What's in Shelfie
A shelf for every student
Each student has their own shelf with their books and a buddy: a dog, cat, owl, frog or dragon they pick and name the first time they sign in. Pass It On tickets from classmates wait under the shelf, with Want to read. For books of 100 pages or more, I'm halfway through a book pays part of the points early, and the book lies flat on the shelf until they finish it.
Surprises, not rankings
At 3, 6, 10 and 14 points and on up, students earn a surprise. Some are an accessory for their buddy. Others are a pick of one of three things for their shelf, like a reading lamp that glows warmer with every book or a pennant that gets a new letter for every book. Students never see a classmate's points: the board shows only the class total.
A teacher page only you see
Open the board to project the class shelf and the goal bar. Students' notes wait in Notes to check until you press Show it or Keep private, and the book counts either way. Readers lists each student's books, points, current book and last book. Class goals start at 50, 100, 150 and 200 points, and you can change the rewards. Export CSV downloads every book your class has logged.
A family link for each student
Print family cards and each family gets a QR code for their child's page. The page shows how many books their child has read, the book they're reading now, the last book with their rating and note, a question to ask about it, and how close the class is to its next reward. It never shows other children's names.
Built for the classroom
- The board checks for new books every 15 seconds, and the Calm switch stops its motion.
- When the class reaches a goal, paper bookmarks drift down the board.
- Read to me reads each student screen aloud for younger readers.
- Notes with a blocked word always wait for you, even when note approval is off.
- No book logged in 2+ weeks lists students who could use a nudge, on your page only.
- Start a new year empties the class shelf and keeps your class list.
First names only, and no student accounts
Students sign in with their name and two pictures, with no emails, passwords or accounts. Shelfie keeps first names and last initials only. Anyone with the class link can see those names, but books and notes need a sign-in. Your teacher link is the only way into your teacher page, so keep it somewhere safe. Book searches go through Flint to Open Library, and Shelfie shows no book covers. If nobody logs a book or opens the teacher page or board for 15 months, the class is deleted with everything in it.
Shelfie questions
What is Shelfie?
A free digital reading log from Flint for K–5 classes. Every book a student finishes becomes a spine on one shared class shelf that you can project for the class.
Is Shelfie free?
Yes. Shelfie is free, and neither you nor your students need an account.
Which grades is it for?
Grades K–5. Students tap names, pictures and faces, and Read to me reads student screens aloud, so younger readers can log a book with a grown-up's help.
How do students sign in?
They open the class link, tap their name and tap their two secret pictures in order. Print login cards from your teacher page to give each student their pictures. If a student forgets, open their page from Readers to see or change their pictures.
How are points counted?
Every finished book is 1 point plus 1 for every 100 pages, up to 7 points. Reading a book again earns 1 point. Points add up to a class total, and class goals unlock rewards like Read outside or a Pajama read-in.
Can classmates see each other's notes?
Only after you press Show it on your teacher page. You can turn note approval off in Settings, but a note with a blocked word always waits for you.
Can families see their child's reading?
Yes. Print family cards from your teacher page. Each card has a QR code for one child's page, which shows that child's books and never other children's names.
Tell us how your class reads
Send an idea, a bug or something you wish Shelfie did. Every message goes to the Flint team that built Shelfie.
