4 Ways to Easily Find Books at the Right Reading Level
I earn a commission from products purchased through links in this post.
One of the questions I hear all the time is, “How can I identify the grade level of books?” It can seem confusing and complicated trying to find books at the right reading level. Thankfully, you do not need a teaching degree to identify the grade level of a book!
I think it is important to note that the grade level of a particular book should serve only as a guideline. Don’t get so caught up in matching the book grade level to your child’s grade level that you create stress – for you and your child!
Think of it like Goldilocks. You want a book that is ‘just right’, not too easy or too hard.
If the book is too easy, beginning readers will not learn and practice new decoding strategies. Advanced readers will not learn new vocabulary or explore different literary themes.
If the book is too hard, students will get frustrated. No good comes from a frustrated reader. Kids need to have positive experiences reading so that they will become lifelong readers.
Easily Find Books at the Right Reading Level
Scholastic Book Wizard
Scholastic Book Wizard is how I determine grade level for the majority of the books in our home library. Just enter the title or scan the bar code on the back of the book, and information will pop up on the screen.
This website tells you the grade level equivalent, the Lexile level, and the DRA level. It also suggests other books, so it can be a great tool to find new favorites.
This is the strategy I use for choosing books for my kids when they are not with me.
Five Finger Rule
This method is incredibly simple. It requires no technology or special skills. Just open the book to a random page and ask your child to try to read it out loud. If they can read the majority of it with little to no help, then it is ‘just right’.
Many teachers call this strategy the five-finger rule. With the five-finger rule, a child is asked to hold up a finger each time they encounter a word they are unable to read. If they hold up five fingers before the end of the page, the book is likely too hard.
Apply this strategy with a grain of salt, though, especially if you have nonfiction fans. Long Latin scientific names can be difficult even for adults to pronounce!
This is my preferred strategy when my kids are with me.
Goodreads.com
Goodreads.com is great for finding book suggestions for a grade-level range.
It is a little tricky to determine an exact grade level, but it can usually be narrowed down into a range, such as 2nd – 4th grade. An online search for ‘Goodreads’ plus whatever grade level you want will turn up lists of popular titles for that grade.
The best part of Goodreads is the reviews. Reading reviews from other parents and students can be really important when your child’s reading level surpasses their age. It helps me identify adult content before assigning the book.
Goodreads also allows you to keep a running list of books you would like to read. I love this feature because it makes putting together my library list quick and easy. Goodreads will also suggest additional books based on the titles you selected.
Lexile Level
It is difficult for homeschoolers to determine their exact Lexile level because it can only be officially determined through a few specific tests. These tests can be hard to access for homeschoolers, and in my opinion, are not worth the cost or hassle.
You do not need to know your child’s exact Lexile score to find appropriate books because there is a good bit of overlap within grade levels and scores. For example, a Lexile score of 500 spans 3 grade levels.
This Lexile-to-grade correspondence chart is very helpful. It lets me know that any book with a score of 480 to 985 is likely to be a good fit with a third grader. When my kids were younger, I used the Lexile level strategy the most before the school year began when I was planning our reading books for the year.
I used Goodreads to make a list of possible book selections and then scheduled them through the year based on their Lexile level – lowest to highest. This ensured that the books were getting more difficult throughout the year.
I also used the Lexile level when ordering new books online. Many retailers list the Lexile level in book descriptions.
Finding the Right Reading Level Tips:
Don’t get locked into a specific grade level. If your child reads exceptionally well for his or her age, let them move on to more challenging books. Just be careful to search for books that do not have adult themes.
If your child struggles with reading, let them have success with books intended for younger kids. That success will encourage them to not give up.
It is okay for your child to occasionally read books that are too easy. My daughter returned often to her beloved Beverly Cleary books. She loved those books for years, and I am glad I didn’t stop her from reading them. Sometimes books can feel like old friends.
I hope these tips help you choose books at the right reading level for your kids!
Keep reading . . .