The Five Finger Test

Open the book to the middle. 

Choose a full page of words. 

Read the page out loud. 

Hold up a finger each time you come to a word you don't know or understand.   

Hold up your thumb:  Thumbs Up!  You knew all but one word! This book will be pretty easy for you.

Hold up two fingers: (thumb and first finger to make an "L"): "L" stands for Learning.  You might need some   help, but it will be a good learning book for you.                            

Hold up three fingers: (3 middle fingers to make a "W"): "W" is for Warning.  You can read this book, but it is a warning that it might be frustrating and you may not enjoy it.

Hold up four, five or more fingers:  This is a stop signal. This would be a good book to stop reading by yourself and start  reading with a buddy. Find someone who can read this book with you and then look for another book you will enjoy by yourself.