My Story

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Here’s a little bit about how “My Book Boost” was started.  Back in the summer of 2010, I was a stay-at-home-mom doing some reading tutoring.  Working with beginning readers has always been a favorite part of teaching for me, so it was a perfect way to earn a little extra money and keep in the world of teaching.

When I was tutoring a child who was just starting 1st grade, I found myself sifting through books at the library looking for texts that he could read at a good level, without frustration.  Even when I went to the section labeled “Kindergarten”, some of the books were surprisingly difficult.  I started ranking the difficulty of the books I was using with him, using a leveling system I created.  I thought it’d make easier planning for me as I tutored more children in the future.  It did!

I realized other tutors, parents, family members, and teachers could benefit from the leveled list I was creating.  I worked on it on weekends, after the kids went to bed, and other times.  I did a little bit each day.  I’m thrilled that the list is available and hopefully others will find it as useful as I do! I’m using it now with my son, who is in Kindergarten.  It’s a great companion to what he’s doing at school.  Happy reading!

 

Below is the information for the free sample.

Levels 1-3 are approximately Kindergarten level and levels 4-15 are approximately 1st grade level.

 

Level 1

Hug by Jez Alborough

25 Mammals Every Child Should Know by Jim Arnosky

Picture This… by Alison Jay

 

Level 7

Whose Hat Is It? by Valeri Gorbachev

I Like Stars by Margaret Wise Brown

Time to Sleep Sheep the Sheep by Mo Willems

 

You can also download the free sample here

 

Linked With:

Or so she says I Can Teach My Child No Time For Flash Cards
The Homeschool Village Photobucket For the Kids Friday


Copyright © 2012 mybookboost.com

Comments

  1. Thanks for the great info. I have twins in kindergarten, so this is so helpful! I just likned up some tips for helping young readers at Inspire Me Monday and noticed you link. Thanks again! Have a great day!

  6. You can find similar information on arbookfind.com for free. It will give you the AR book level based on the difficulty of the vocabulary and word count per page. It is a nice guide for reading levels. At the library where I am a children’s librarian it is the resource we use to help organize our early readers on the shelves.

    • Hi Amy,
      That sounds like a useful resource. The unique thing about the My Book Boost list is that the books are listed in a specific order going from easier to more difficult. It saves a lot of time for parents! (=
      Carrie

  7. Carrie, it’s Brooke (again). Your site is so awesome! I just discovered My Book Boost (not your blog, but the other). I’m so excited to have time to go through everything you have to offer! A girl/teacher after my own heart! Thanks so much!

  9. I think this is such a great idea! I got frustrated many times trying to find simple books when my son was just beginning to read. Thanks for linking up to Trivium Tuesdays!

  12. I’m so glad you linked up to Tell Me a Tale last week! It was fun to discover your site and the awesome resources you’re providing. Leveling books has been something I’ve attempted, but not gotten very far with, so I’m anxious to look around and see more!
    Pam

    • Thanks so much Pam!
      I’m looking forward to linking up more in the future!
      Carrie

  13. Thanks for linking up! Thanks for doing this! It is quite a project. When I was earning my master’s degree in reading, I did action research with my first grade class on how to self select good fit books. Boushey and Moser’s Daily 5 helps but there are many other strategies. This is just an idea but perhaps when tutoring you could explain to the child how you selected a good fit book so that it will transfer to him or her. That is the hardest part about creating proficient readers (helping them find good fit books).

    groovyeducator.blogspot.com

    • That is so true Groovy Educator! Choosing a just right book is a skill to be taught in itself! I”ll definitely think more about how to incorporate that!
      Carrie

email: mybookboost@gmail.com