Reading Guide for Families

Choosing the Right Book.

Here are some things to look for in choosing the right book for your child.

Babies (birth to 1 year)

Board books with

·         High contrast images

·         Rhyming text

·         Activities

·         Bedtime themes

Toddlers (1 to 2 years)

Picture Books with

·         Counting & ABCs

·         Colors & shapes

·         Rhyming text

·         Activities

·         Bedtime themes

Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Picture Books with

·         Favorite characters, subjects

·         Rhyming text

·         Classic tales

·         Activities

·         Bedtime themes

Beginner Readers (Grades K-2)

Reading Levels 1, 2, 3 or 4 with

·         Favorite characters, subjects

·         High-frequency words or sight words

·         Poetry

·         Books about the world around them

Read to me books with less than 50 pages

Intermediate Readers (Grades 3-5)

Beginner & Intermediate Chapter Books with

·         Larger sized text

·         Fewer images throughout chapters

·         Fiction and nonfiction subjects

·         Favorite authors, genres, styles, etc.

·         Humorous stories

·         Poetry

Middle School Readers (Grades 6-8)

Chapter Books with

·         Challenging reading

·         Fiction and nonfiction subjects

Magazines & Newspapers with

·         Favorite subjects

·         Challenging reading material

Good Reading Habits

Make reading an enjoyable experience and help your child create good reading habits by

·         Modeling good reading habits

·         Visiting your local library, school library or bookstore weekly

·         Choosing slightly challenging books

·         Having books easily accessible

·         Creating a quiet study area

·         Reading as a family

·         Taking turns reading

·         Discussing the reading selection

·         Learning new words everyday

·         Relating the story to your child and  world around them

·         Reading to your child as an infant

·         Reading everyday

·         Reading everything around you

·         Creating and telling stories frequently

·         Acting out stories

·         Singing and rhyming with your child

·         Writing with your child

·         Attending Library programs

Using Book Lists

There are many resources to help you find the right book for your reader. 

Recommended Book Lists

You can find many book lists online.  Here are a few available sites for parents and kids.

www.ala.org/alsc/

www.Kidsreads.com

www.Teenreads.com

www.goodreads.com

www.scholastic.com

Visit our website for more online resources, www.sugargrove.lib.il.us

Kids’ Book Awards

Newbery Medal: Awarded annually to the author with the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.

Caldecott Medal: Awarded annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book.

Geisel Medal: Awarded annually to the Author(s) & illustrator(s) of most distinguished American children’s book for beginning readers.

Awards Selected by Grade School Children

Grades K-5 read book nominees & vote on their favorite title.

Monarch Award: Grades K-3

Bluestem Award: Grades 3-5

Caudill Award: Grades 4-8

©2012 Sugar Grove Public Library