Ready Readers
Books in the Ready Reader collection are written especially for kindergartners through second graders who are learning to read independently. They span a wide range of reading abilities and the colored tape on a book’s spine may be used as a guide in making your selection. The tape color does not indicate a grade level.
Look on the book spine!
When you visit Youth Services, check the spines of the books to navigate the Ready Reader collection by reading level.
Emergent: Getting Ready to Read (Red)
- These books are dedicated to learning letters, the sounds they make, and word recognition
- Simple, short stories
- Large print
- Repetitive, predictable, and/or rhyming text
- One or two lines of text on each page
- Uses decodable words and some sight words
- Basic punctuation
- Illustrations with white space filling in the rest
- Clear visuals that give clues about the words and story
- This level typically requires adult assistance
Early: Beginning to Read (Blue)
- Continued clear picture/word connection for reading support or confirmation
- Clear storyline
- More words on each page and frequently used words
- Continued use of repetition, rhyming, and predictable text
- Occasional unfamiliar words and longer sentences
- May be a range of font sizes
- Wider variety of punctuation
Transitional: Beginning to Read Independently (Yellow)
- Longer, more complex sentences and storylines; not as predictable
- Several lines of text per page
- 20 or more words per page
- Fewer repetitive patterns and rhymes
- Illustrations used for reading support and for story “atmosphere”
Fluent: Reading Independently (Green)
- Longer sentences and more complex vocabulary
- More complicated plot
- Includes contractions and conversations in quotes
- Text supports natural breaks (e.g., chapters)
- Illustrations used primarily for story “atmosphere”
- Little or no assistance required
Download a printable pamphlet of our color-coded leveling system
Five Finger Rule
Your child's own personal book leveling system
• Have your child read any text-filled page of a book.
• When your child comes across a word they do not know, have them hold up one finger.
• At the end of the page, if your child has five fingers up, then the book is too difficult.
• If your child has no fingers up, then the book is too easy.
• Two or three fingers up is just about right!