Selecting a Book at Your Reading Level
A rule of thumb:
- Choose a book.
- Open to any page and read it.
- Hold up one finger for each word you don't know.
- If you hold up 4 fingers and a "thumb" by the end of the page, the book is too hard for you.
- Put it back and try another book.
- If you do not reach your "thumb", the book should be just about right for you to read.
- Enjoy it!
Ten Ways to Pick a Great Book…
- Its book jacket is spectacular.
- The title is catchy.
- A friend, or someone whose reading taste you trust, recommended it.
- You love the other books by that author or in that series.
- You are a fan of books on that subject, theme, or genre.
- The book flap or blurb sounds intriguing
- The chapter titles seem interesting.
- The first sentence or paragraph grabs your attention.
- It was made into a movie.
- It's on display in the library!
Adapted from:
Freeman, Judy. "Booktalking: ten ways to pick a great book." Knowledge Quest March / April 2002 : 48-52.