Video:Find the Right Reading Level in the Children's Book Section

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Transcript:Find the Right Reading Level in the Children's Book Section

Wandering into the children's section of a bookstore can be a bit like walking into a Wonderland for the literary. With the wide variety of books available, how do you know which books are right for your reader?

Find the Reading Level in the Children's Book Section

Board books are at the youngest end of the spectrum and are aimed at babies and toddlers, and have thick cardboard pages that are easy for little ones to hold. These types of books often rely on textures and colors to stimulate and engage their young audience. Pat the Bunny‚ by Dorothy Kunhardt, is a time-tested classic still loved and chewed on by babies today.

Reading Level in the Children's Book Section

Picture books, such as the Little Golden Books series, can be enjoyed by a wide age range. Early readers are usually between 4 to 8 years old, and still enjoy being read to but also like to try to read themselves. The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, and Horton Hears a Who are great examples from the best-selling children's author of all time, Dr. Seuss.

Other Reading Levels in the Children's Book Section

Middle grade books are generally intended for 8 to 12 year olds while young adult (known as "YA" books are usually written for 14 to 21 year olds. Upper middle grade is a slightly nebulous distinction that can be used for books that fall into the gap between the two age groups. These categories depend greatly on subject matter and the maturity level of the protagonists.Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney falls into the category of middle grade, while the Twilight series falls into YA. Anything from Harry Potter to the Chronicles of Narnia or The Hobbit can fall in between.

Determining a Reading Level

When determining a reading level, it's important to take your individual reader's ability and interests into consideration. It's also good to remember that not... every bookstore organizes their books in the same categories. When in doubt, it's always a good idea to ask your friendly bookseller for clarification and advice. School reading tests also offer online lists, where you can match your child's reading level to a list of recommended books that challenge them to increase their reading capabilities.Just remember, the farther up the age ladder, the more complex the plots get and the more grown-up the subject matter. There's an extremely wide variety of books available at every reading level, so there's sure to be at least one that captures your reader's imagination.

I'm Jonathon Stewart, with About.com.