Choosing the Right Book

DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER!

CHOOSING A BOOK THAT'S "JUST RIGHT"

What part of the library?

Do you want a short story that you can read quickly? Try the Everybody books.

Do you want a chapter book that will take you several days to read? Try the Fiction section.

Do you want a book of facts? Try the Nonfiction or Biography sections.

Do you have a favorite author? Look on the shelf with the other books by that author, or look in the online catalog under that author's last name.

Do you have a special interest (Civil War, skating, etc.)? Check the online catalog for books about that topic.

Okay, I found a book. How do I know it's right for me?

Is there a kind of book you usually like (mysteries, adventures, etc.)? Look at the inside cover of the book jacket, or on the back of a paperback book. Does it sound like the kind of book you like?

Do you have a special interest (Civil War, skating, etc.)? The book jacket or back cover will give you clues about what the book is about.

But how do I know if the book is too easy or hard?

USE THE FIVE-FINGER METHOD
Open up the book to the first page (or any other page) and read it.

If you find one word (or less) on the page that you have trouble reading... Give the "Thumbs Up" signal to show that you knew all but one word. This book will be pretty easy for you.

If you have trouble reading two words on a page... Stick out your thumb and your first finger to show that you knew all but two words. This will make the shape of an "L," which stands for "Learning." You may have to have some help reading this book, but it will be a good learning book for you.

If you have trouble reading three words on a page... Hold up your three middle fingers. This makes a "W," which stands for "Warning!" It doesn't mean that you can't read the book, but it's a warning that the book may be frustrating for you.

If you have trouble reading four, five, or more words on a page... Flash all five fingers. This book would be a good book for someone to read out loud to you!

I checked out a book, but now I don't like it!

Is it too hard?

Too hot!
A book that's too hard will be frustrating and boring for you. Come back to the library and try the five-finger method again.

Is it too easy? Are there just a few words on each page?

Too cold!
If you can read a page of the book in just a few seconds, you will probably get bored with the book, and it won't keep you entertained until your next trip to the library. Come back and use the five-finger method to find a book that will meet your needs better.

Most importantly...Is the book interesting to you?

Just right!
If you don't like the book, nothing else matters. It doesn't matter how many awards the book has or how many lists it is on. The important thing is that you like it. Come back to the library and get something you like!

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Do you want a short story that you can read quickly?	Try the Everybody books.
Do you want a chapter book that will take you several days to read?	Try the Fiction section.
Do you want a book of facts?	Try the Nonfiction or Biography sections.
Do you have a favorite author?	Look on the shelf with the other books by that author, or look in the online catalog under that author's last name.
Do you have a special interest (Civil War, skating, etc.)?	Check the online catalog for books about that topic.

Is there a kind of book you usually like (mysteries, adventures, etc.)?	Look at the inside cover of the book jacket, or on the back of a paperback book. Does it sound like the kind of book you like?
Do you have a special interest (Civil War, skating, etc.)?	The book jacket or back cover will give you clues about what the book is about.

If you find one word (or less) on the page that you have trouble reading...	Give the "Thumbs Up" signal to show that you knew all but one word. This book will be pretty easy for you.
If you have trouble reading two words on a page...	Stick out your thumb and your first finger to show that you knew all but two words. This will make the shape of an "L," which stands for "Learning." You may have to have some help reading this book, but it will be a good learning book for you.
If you have trouble reading three words on a page...	Hold up your three middle fingers. This makes a "W," which stands for "Warning!" It doesn't mean that you can't read the book, but it's a warning that the book may be frustrating for you.
If you have trouble reading four, five, or more words on a page...	Flash all five fingers. This book would be a good book for someone to read out loud to you!

Is it too hard? Too hot!	A book that's too hard will be frustrating and boring for you. Come back to the library and try the five-finger method again.
Is it too easy? Are there just a few words on each page? Too cold!	If you can read a page of the book in just a few seconds, you will probably get bored with the book, and it won't keep you entertained until your next trip to the library. Come back and use the five-finger method to find a book that will meet your needs better.
Most importantly...Is the book interesting to you? Just right!	If you don't like the book, nothing else matters. It doesn't matter how many awards the book has or how many lists it is on. The important thing is that you like it. Come back to the library and get something you like!