Helping Your Child Select Books

If your child is just beginning to read, or is having some troubles with reading, they may have a hard time choosing a book that is appropriate for their reading level.  Kids sometimes pick books that are too difficult for them, then give up on reading when they realize that it's just too hard.  It's important for kids to have books that they are able to read so that they see reading as a fun activity, not as work. 

Here are a few techniques provided by Reading Rockets that kids can use to help them choose books that are suitable for them. 

Five finger rule

1. Choose a book that you think you will enjoy.
2. Read the second page.
3. Hold up a finger for each word you are not sure of, or do not know.
4. If there are five or more words you did not know, you should choose an easier book.

Still think it may not be too difficult? Use the five finger rule on two more pages.

Choose a book that is a good fit for you!

Read two or three pages and ask yourself these questions:

Will it be an easy, fun book to read?

• Do I understand what I am reading?
• Do I know almost every word?
• When I read it aloud, can I read it smoothly?
• Do I think the topic will interest me?

If most of your answers were "yes", this will be an easy book to read independently by yourself.

Will this book be too hard for me?

• Are there five or more words on a page that I don't know, or am unsure of?
• Is this book confusing and hard to understand by myself?
• When I read it aloud, does it sound choppy and slow?

If most of your answers were "yes," this book is too hard. You should wait awhile before you read this book. Give the book another try later, or ask an adult to read the book to you.