Choosing appropriate and interesting literature to read may be difficult but with a little practice or help, it becomes easier. Going to the library or bookstore without knowing what you want or need may take a long period of time. In this activity, you will be introduced to a simple way of selecting a literature to read.
How do I select literature?
There are a number of ways to select literature. You can select a book by level, genre, interests, topic, or theme or a periodicals by the content. You may also select literature by the cover, author, series or recommendation. By answering some of these questions each time you want to select literature, you will be able to make a good choice.
Know your reading level.
Which level are you currently reading? Your reading level describes the text you are capable of reading and comprehending with little assistance. Your reading level may be different from your grade level, so check with your teacher to determine your reading level. Here are some possibilities:
4.0-4.9 |
5.0-5.9 |
6.0-6.9 |
| 7.0-7.9 |
8.0-8.9 |
9.0 and above |
When you determine your reading level, the literature you want to read are then labeled as either just right, easy, or challenging. The labels relate to your reading level and the level of the book you want to read. If you read a book:
At level = just right
Below level = easy
Above level = challenging
Books in a library may be organized by topic, genre, interests, authors, etc. Periodical are organized by title of the publication. Adventurers read from a variety of genre. Here are a few ideas of the choices you will have to make.
Which genres do you enjoy?
| HISTORICAL FICTION | INFORMATIONAL BOOKS | POETRY |
| PICTURE BOOKS | REALISTIC FICTION | SCIENCE FICTION |
| FANTASY | FOLKLORE | BIOGRAPHY |
| MYSTERY | PERIODICALS |
What are your interests?
| BABY SITTING | SPORTS | VIDEO GAMES |
| COMPUTERS | CARS | SHOPPING |
| COLLECTING | ART | DRAMA |
| MUSIC |
Do you want to learn more about a specific topic?
| BIRDS | OCEANOGRAPHY | WORLD WAR II |
| TURBINES | FRIENDSHIPS | SPACE |
| GREAT MIGRATION |
Do you want to read literture someone has recommended?
Out of the Dust
Bud, Not Buddy
Tales Mummies Tell
Do you make selections according to popularity?
Do you make selections based upon the illustrations?
Do you enjoy books by a specific author? or those in a series?
Paula Danziger
What is a good choice?
A good reading choice is literature that is "just right" and is interesting. If you are reading for a specific purpose, it meets the criteria of the required text. After you decide the genre, author, or topic, the next step is to locate the literature.
Let me know how your habits about selecting books!
Your feedback will help me determine appropriate books for the classroom library and provide information about your reading habits. You should complete the form 5 times this year--once in September, November, February, April and June.
Click on the book to complete the form. After you complete the form, go to Book List.
