How to Choose a Book for Your Beginning Reader

By FPL_Suzanne

Do you struggle with choosing the best-leveled beginning reader for your child? Each publisher’s Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 may not be the same as another’s Level 1, Level 2, Level 3. Because of that, using the Five-Finger Rule may be the tool to use when picking the appropriate-leveled beginning reader for your kiddo.

Here is how the Five-Finger Rule works:

Have your child (or you) choose a beginning reader and open it to a page in the middle of the book. Ask them to start reading the page and hold up a finger for every word they come across that they do not know. Use the following guide to decide which level book is best for your child:

• 0 – 1 finger – too easy
• 2 – 3 fingers – just right
• 4 fingers – very challenging (will need help reading the book)
• 5 or more fingers – too difficult (save for another time)

This guide works with picking chapter books as well. It’s a simple tool that will lead to more hours of enjoyable reading!