I always get requests from parents for age and level appropriate book recommendations for young readers. I frequently post thematic reading lists and book reviews on Instagram and on the blog, but there is also a simple hack that many parents swear by, called The Five Finger Rule. You may use this hack to let your child choose the right books on their own!

Here’s how it works: Ask your child to pick a book and open the first page. Then ask them to read the page and hold up one finger for every unfamiliar, challenging, or blocking word. They may also hold up a finger for words they can’t pronounce. The number of fingers they are holding up by the end of the page will tell you whether the book is of appropriate difficulty level:

1-2 fingers: The book is too easy. 

2-3 fingers: The book is just right.

4-5 fingers: The book is too difficult.

Ideally, each page of a level appropriate book would have 2-3 challenging or new words. If the book your child chose has lesser or more unfamiliar words, then it is a good idea to look for a different book. I love the Five Finger Rule for its simplicity. It is easy to remember and is hassle free. You can use it to try out paperbacks as well as kindle editions of books. 

But some literacy specialists argue that this hack oversimplifies the complex process of development of reading. Some also feel that it takes away from the joy of choosing a cool new book based on the storyline in the blurb and the overall feel of the book, by making the process too methodical. 

My suggestion would be to try it out once for yourself. If it works for your child, you may use this hack as a starting point to encourage reader autonomy in your child, and not as a definite rule.  Reading is awesome, no matter how you choose the book!