How can I tell the grade level of a book?

Question

Need to present a book to 5th, 6th and 7th grades. How do I know what is right for whom?

Answer 1

Visit the children's room of a public library or a junior high or middle school library and ask the librarian for advice. In addition, you might ask him/her if you could look at their copy of latest ed. of "The Standard Catalog for Middle and Junior High School Libraries" [H.W. Wilson]. It would make their job a little easier if you would be specific about the subject matter or type of book you are considering, e.g. a fiction book, biography, book about science, book that appeals to boys, etc.

Alternately, you could visit an independently-owned book store that stocks and sells lots of books for children and seek advice from a knowledgeable sales person.

Personally I'd go see the librarians.

Answer 2

If there is a college around you with an education department - ask the reading specialist (or ask a good reading specialist at an elem. or middle school).

There are books that show teachers how to determine reading levels by the types of words used in the reading. A reading specialist should have these lists/books.

Here's a good list of how to determine a child's reading level - maybe you could reverse it and see how many of those words are in your book and determine the level that way:

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/articles/060899.htm

Answer 3

If all else fails, usually searching for the book on amazon.com will give a general age level for the book. If you don't have a specific book in mind, you can also go to amazon and search for books that are for that general age level.

Answer 4

Fountas and Pinnell have 2 books that list titles and authors and publishers and levels for book for children

Answer 5

Know the topics, analyse what's appropriate for their ages. Don't forget to refer my screen name to kids... ;-)

Answer 6

Try these:

http://rigby.harcourtachieve.com/NR/rdonlyres/DA76FD10-0E8A-4CB3-8138-D48A09C20618/0/2004ComboLevelGuide.pdf

http://als.lib.wi.us/MRList.html

http://www.eagerreaders.com/levels.html

http://www.eagerreaders.com/form.html

http://www.slco.lib.ut.us/SLCoChildrensbooklists.htm