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Choosing Books

Choosing books for your beginning reader
Children should begin first grade with many reading skills in place, including the ability to:
  • Write their first and last names, using upper and lowercase letters
  • Recognize the sounds of most letters in the alphabet and use those sounds to recognize some easy words
  • Recognize that words are made up of sounds blended together
  • Be able to read and write about 20 high frequency words (sight words)
  • Follow a familiar, easy book by pointing to the words
  • Read a familiar book that has a repeating text pattern

Sometimes it can be confusing and a little frustrating to find books that match your new reader's skill level. To make this easier, the West Bloomfield Township Public Library has divided its Easy Reader collection of books into four groups to help parents select books at appropriate reading level for their first grader.