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    "Just Right" Books


    Do you remember Goldilocks' quest in the fairy tale "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" to find the porridge, chair, and bed that were "just right"?  Selecting a book can sometimes feel the same way.  Just as Goldilocks found that some porridges were too hot or too cold and others were just right, beginning readers often have difficulty finding books that are "just right" and not too hard or too easy.

    GOLDILOCKS METHOD

    "Too Easy" books
    1. The book is short .
    2. The print is big.
    3. You have read the book before.
    4. You know all the words in the book.
    5. The book has lots of pictures.

    "Too Hard" books
    1. The book is long.
    2. The print is small.
    3. There aren't many pictures in the book.
    4. There are a lot of words that you can't figure out.
    5. There's no one to help you if you get stuck.
    6. You don't know much about this subject.

    "Just Right" books
    1. The book looks interesting.
    2. You can figure out most of the words in the book.
    3. Someone has read this book aloud to you.
    4. You have read other books by this author.
    5. There is someone to give you help if you need it.
    6. You know something about this subject.
     

    GOLDILOCKS TEST


     
     When you are reading a book you can try asking yourself these questions to help you find a book that is "just right" for you.

    Too Easy Books

     As you read, ask yourself these questions.  If you answer "yes" to most of the questions then the book is probably too easy for you.  You can still have fun reading it, but next time try to choose a book that is a little more challenging.

    1.  Have you read this book many times before?

    2.  Do you understand the story very well without much effort?

    3.  Do you know and understand almost every word?

    4.  Can you read it smoothly and fluently without much practice or effort?


     Just Right Books

     As you read ask yourself these questions.  If you answer yes to most of them then the book you are reading is probably "just right" for you.  These are the books that will help you make the most progress in your reading.  Read, enjoy and learn from the experience!

    1.  Is this book new to you?

    2.  Do you understand most of the book?

    3.  Are there a few words per page that you don't recognize or know the
    meaning to instantly?  Remember to use the     Five Finger Test.

     4.  Can someone help you with the book if you hit a tough spot?


     Too Hard Books

     As you read ask yourself these questions, if you find that you answer yes to most of these questions, then the book is probably too hard for you.  Don't forget about the book, try it again later.  As you gain experience in choosing "just right" books, you may find when you pick the book up again that it is "just right"

    1.  Are there more than a few words on a page that you don't recognize or know the meaning?  Remember the      Five Finger Test.

     2.  Are you confused about what is happening in most of the book?

    3.  When you read are you struggling and does it sound choppy?

    4.  Is everyone busy and unable to help you if you hit a tough spot?


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