The Five-Finger Test

A just-right book is not too easy and not too hard. The five-finger test helps you check. Open the book to any page and start reading. Each time you come to a word you do not know, put up one finger. At the end of the page, count.

Zero or one finger: the book might be easy, which is fine for fun. Two or three fingers: just right, a little challenge. Four or five fingers: the book may be too hard right now. You can save it for later or read it with a grown-up.

• 1Read one page and put up a finger for each unknown word.
• 2Two or three fingers means just right.
• 3Four or five means try it later or with help.