If you’re unfamiliar with Epic! (or haven’t revisited it in a while), it’s a digital reading platform packed with thousands of high-quality books, audiobooks, learning videos, and quizzes, designed for kids aged 12 and under. It’s been around for a while, but recent updates and thoughtful teacher tools have kept it fresh and highly relevant in today’s classrooms.
What Is Epic!?
Epic! is essentially a giant digital library tailored for kids. The platform is home to over 40,000 books from major publishers like HarperCollins, National Geographic, and Macmillan. These books cover everything from classic stories to STEM nonfiction, graphic novels, bilingual texts, and high-interest titles aligned with current curriculum trends.
For teachers, Epic! offers a free version called Epic School, which allows access to their full catalog during school hours (7 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time, Monday to Friday). Outside of those hours, students can still read but only with a paid Epic Unlimited subscription via families.
Key Features Teachers Will Love
Here’s where Epic! really shines for educators:
Massive Book Selection
The range is impressive. Whether you're looking for levelled readers for Year 2 or high-interest science articles for Year 7, chances are Epic has it. There's even a growing collection of bilingual books for ESL/EAL students.
Audiobooks and Read-to-Me
Perfect for developing readers or differentiation. Audiobooks can support comprehension, and "Read-to-Me" books highlight text as they read aloud, great for early literacy or struggling readers.
Progress Tracking & Assignments
Teachers can create student profiles and assign specific books or videos. You can monitor what students are reading and how much time they’re spending on the platform - ideal for promoting accountability and tracking engagement.
Device-Friendly Access
Epic! works on web browsers and through iOS/Android apps. Students can read at school on Chromebooks, then pick up at home on tablets (if parents subscribe to Epic Unlimited).
Search & Filtering
Looking for a specific level or subject? Epic’s filtering system makes it quick to find exactly what you need - even when you’re short on planning time.
How Much Does Epic! Cost?
Free for Teachers - Epic School
Epic School is 100% free for educators and students during the school day (7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday - Friday). All you need is a verified teacher account, and you’re good to go.
Paid Option - Epic Unlimited
For access after hours and on weekends, families can opt into Epic Unlimited, which costs:
- $11.99/month (USD) or
- $79.99/year (USD, at time of writing)
Some teachers partner with parents to encourage Epic reading at home, and Epic does offer a 7-day free trial for families to test it out.
Pros and Cons for the Classroom
Here’s a quick breakdown if you’re deciding whether to jump in:
Pros
- Huge content library with popular and curriculum-aligned books.
- Free educator access - a big win for budget-conscious classrooms.
- User-friendly interface for both teachers and students.
- Supports independent reading, whole-class tasks, and literacy rotations.
- Differentiation-ready with audio, read-to-me, and multiple reading levels.
Cons
- Time-limited access for free version can be a hurdle if students need evening or weekend reading time.
- Requires reliable internet - downloads aren’t available in Epic School.
- Not a full LMS - while you can assign and track books, it’s not a replacement for your main platform like Google Classroom or Seesaw.
Is It Worth It?
If you're teaching primary or early secondary and want a reliable, engaging digital reading tool that’s low-effort but high-impact, Epic! is absolutely worth exploring.
It won’t replace your library, but it will massively expand it - especially for reluctant readers, digital natives, or when you just need an extra literacy station that runs itself.
You can explore Epic! for Educators and sign up for free here: getepic.com/educators
