As a youth services librarian here at the West Chicago Public Library District, I’m familiar with the anxiety some parents and caregivers feel when reading with their child. What books should they be reading? Are they keeping up with their peers? Why can’t our second grader read War and Peace yet? Teacher says we’re doing great, but what does that really mean? Librarians have a unique role when it comes to literacy. While teachers utilize various standards and curriculum to instruct students in reaching milestones based on age, grade level, ability, and the ever-looming assessment exams, librarians work toward creating safe spaces for kids to explore their interests and develop a love of reading! An important, perhaps deceivingly simple part of raising avid readers is finding just right books, at any age and any reading level. One of our most effective tools as librarians for finding the right book at the right time is the Five Finger Rule.
For me, finding just right books can be daunting. Of course I’m looking to develop a robust, diverse selection of materials that appeals to a wide range of reading abilities and interests to maintain our living collection for the people of West Chicago. For kids and their caregivers, searching for one right book can be challenging, too. Reading for pleasure, reading together, researching a topic, learning vocabulary, following story arc, character development, and so much more go into choosing a book. Fortunately, this can be as simple as 1,2,3,4,5!
What is the Five Finger Rule?
To begin, select a book, hopefully from here in the West Chicago Public Library District’s Youth Services Department. Despite what you may have heard, choosing a book by its cover is completely acceptable in this case! Pick something that excites the reader! The five finger rule starts with having them begin reading the book, holding up a finger for every word that is unfamiliar, or they cannot pronounce. Do this for a page or two. Have your reader count how many fingers they hold up after each page. Then, use the Goldilocks Principle to determine a “just right” book.
1 Finger = Too simple – Maybe just for fun, but let’s find something a little more challenging
2-3 Fingers = Woohoo! Just Right!
4-5 Fingers = Too difficult – Best to find a reading buddy or try again later
Once you’ve explored this Five Finger Rule technique with your reader for a bit, they should feel empowered to select something independently. As with any new skill, practice makes better! Find books that appeal to both you and your reader. Find things from your childhood you can share that can make an impactful memory for you both! Make connections through common interests and learn more about one another through differences.
Is it Okay to Read Books that are Too Simple, or Too Difficult?
A few words about too simple and too difficult; they’re both fantastic! Don’t feel the need to abandon a book because it’s too simple. Even as an adult, I LOVE reading picture books (though perhaps I am a bit biased as a youth librarian)! Books that seem too simple can boost a reader’s confidence and allow for complex connections with illustrations. Too difficult books are merely opportunities for reading together. And as for reading something over and over…and over AGAIN? While exhausting, any opportunity for repetition in reading is almost always a good thing. Some of the most memorable experiences I’ve had with my own kids has been reading particular books ad nauseum (A piece of cake by LeYuen Pham and Sam and Dave dig a hole by Mac Barnett in particular come to mind).
Of course, this technique is not a flawless system for developing life-long readers, but a general guideline for self-selection. The Five Finger Rule works best for kids beginning to read Picture Books, developing their skills with Early Readers, and transitioning to Chapter Books. A magnitude of resources, from Scholastic articles on leveling to various leveling systems charts used in education are worth investigating to help caregivers understand more about norms, expectations, and most importantly; your little one. Librarians utilize a multitude of resources, including the American Library Association’s Youth Media Awards to find some of the most celebrated literature. The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award (Recognize that middle name, anyone?) is awarded each year to “the most distinguished American book for beginning readers”. Geisel Award criteria specifically look at important skills young readers need to develop their abilities. For our younger WCPLD patrons who aren’t yet ready to read words, Wordless Picture Books offer amazing opportunities to practice storytelling.
If you’re looking for a ‘just right’ book for your loved reader, try the Five Finger Rule and see where it takes you. All you need is something to read and five little fingers. And who’s to say you can’t use your toes? If you want more powerful early literacy techniques, don’t hesitate to reach out to our dedicated youth librarians and staff at the West Chicago Public Library District! We are here to help you with a host of resources, techniques, tools, and tactics to get your young readers ready. You can reach us by filling out a contact form, emailing ask@wcpld.info, by calling 1-(630)-231-1552, or by dropping by to speak with staff in-person.
See you at the library!
By Luke Sutton
Youth Services Manager and Librarian,
West Chicago Public Library District