A common misconception is that libraries organize their shelves according to grades or reading levels. I regularly get asked “where are your 2nd-grade books?” or “where are your reading level K books?”
However, libraries are not organized based on level. Generally speaking, a public library’s children’s department will have Early Readers, Juvenile Picture Books (JPIC), Non-Fiction (organized by the Dewey Decimal System), Graphic Novels, Holidays, Foreign Languages, CDs/Audio Books, Fiction (chapter books), and any special collections or featured topics (ex. Own Voices).
It can be confusing for patrons if they are only familiar with schools recommending books based on their child’s reading levels. Although reading advancement is highly encouraged, and public librarians are fully aware of the guided reading levels used by schools and testing (Fountas & Pinnell Guided Reading Levels), it is not the only way we recommend books to children and caregivers.
I will provide three ways I suggest books that supplement reading advancement.
Publishing Levels
The 5 Finger Rule
Personal Interests
Publishing Levels
Publishers we see among our children’s collection usually utilize their own guided reading levels. For example, HarperCollins Children’s Books organizes their early reading books through “I Can Read! Levels”. Their leveling is more simple with only 6 levels: My Very First, Shared My First Reading, Beginning 1 Reading, Reading 2 with Help, Reading 3 Along, and Advanced 4 Reading. Popular books such as Pete the Cat, Pinkalicious, Biscuit, Fancy Nancy, Amelia Bedelia, Flat Stanley, Guinness World Records, and many others can be found at HarperCollins.
F&P Reading Levels can be heavy and complicated to caregivers and parents, and publishing levels are more user-friendly, providing more background. Check out other publishing houses and their guided reading levels (ex. Penguin Random House)
The 5 Finger Rule
A very simple tool caregivers can utilize to find a suitable book for their child is their own hands. How? Well, first start by finding a possible book for the child. Ask the child to turn to a random page and begin reading the words aloud. For every word that proves difficult or that the child does not know, put up a finger. By the end of the page:
If all of your fingers are up, the book in question may be too challenging.
If only a few fingers are up, the book is at a good level to start with. There are enough challenges for the child, but not too many where the child will become frustrated and tired.
If there are no fingers up at all, the book may be too easy. However, if the child wants it, it can be a great opportunity to build on confidence and enjoyment.
The 5 Finger Rule is used by many educators and is an easy tool for caregivers and readers themselves to use!
Personal Interests
Personally, my favorite and most desired goal, especially working with young children, is to get them excited and motivated to read. This will eventually lead to independent and individual exploration, which is what we want for a child. A child who is confident and intrigued will discover their personal passions and interests.
There are ways to connect a child’s reading level to their interests. If a child enjoys non-fiction more than chapter books, many publishing houses will categorize their non-fiction books into their guided reading levels (such as the Who Was series in Penguin Random House).
Before a child can be dedicated to reading, they have to enjoy it. Enjoyment is an important early literacy skill, and for many children, it lacks…
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Reading levels and advancement is important. However, it should not be the only reason to read with your child. Many times I will recommend books with a wide age-range like birth to age 8. This is because every child reads on a different level. Those children who are struggling should not feel pressure to read and be on the same level as classmates. Finding books that can provide excitement and joy, and at the same time a learning experience, will establish a love of reading. This will carry on with the child as their educational journey continues.
Always encourage a challenge, but do not make it your sole focus.
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