Is there a database for reading levels?

[megan123]

My dd has become a free reader today and I'm so pleased for her. She stopped at level 13 and we've agreed she will read books from home. The only thing is I have no idea of their reading level. Is there a national database or similar which gives reading levels for kids books? The first book she's chosen is Aristotle by Dick King-Smith but I'm worried the teacher will find this a bit too young? Next she wants to read the Daisy and the Trouble with Life series, and she may go for her entire Mr Men Collection! Are they suitable at all?

[Hassled]

I very much doubt there's some sort of database. And to be honest - it doesn't matter. Reading should be about pleasure and enjoyment - as long as she's reading something, sometimes something easy and sometimes something that stretches her a bit and introduces some new words/ideas, then please just relax about it all. If you make reading seem competitive or a chore or another mountain to have to climb, then you'll kill the enjoyment.

Re suitability of specific books - you haven't said how old she is.

[megan123]

Thanks Hassled. sorry she's year1. i really don't mind what she reads so long as she's reading. I guess i just want to make sure she's challenged sometimes, because she will want to go for Mr Men and joke books and anything about fluffy kittens!

[HoneyandHaycorns]

She's doing fine, stop worrying about her being "challenged". Just let her read what she wants and enjoy it! Nothing wrong with the mr men! :)

I think you can encourage her to be a bit more adventurous with her reading by reading other stuff aloud to her. I found that my dd was eager to read a range of books to herself after having first "discovered" them with me.

[megan123]

thank you both. I agree, children love to be read to and mine will sit and listen for hours if they can x

[HoneyandHaycorns]

I found that my dd would get really into something that I was reading to her, so she would read ahead because she didn't want to wait for the next installment! :) When she realised that she could read the more adventurous stuff to herself, there was no stopping her - no more rainbow fairies for us!

Classics are great - we have really enjoyed reading the books that I loved as a kid. We both secretly read ahead without telling each other! :)

[megan123]

Can I ask how old your dd is and what classics you've been reading together?

[HoneyandHaycorns]

We've read loads of classic children's books - I am loving the chance to revisit old favourites! :) Recent hits include:

Ballet shoes (and several other Noel Streatfield titles)
Heidi (which made me cry )
The Secret Garden
The Little Princess
Charlotte's Web
All the Narnia books
What Katy Did (though it took dd a while to get into this)
The Borrowers
Pippi Longstocking
Anything by Enid Blyton (not really classics, maybe, but I do like a bit of Malory Towers!)

and loads more which I can't think of right now!

I love these books because they are old friends, and have really stood the test of time. They're also great for vocabulary development - I occasionally have to turn to the dictionary myself when dd asks me what some of the words mean! And dd cannot put them down!

She is six, and at the younger end of year 2.

[PatriciaHolm]

The Daisy series are good for this level, yes, and I would suggest Judy Moody as well - DD loves those (she reached the same level in Yr 1). Roald Dahl usually goes down well too.

TBH DD likes reading a whole range - even her old picture books, which she enjoys reading to her little brother! It's all practise.

[Iamnotminterested]

OP I thought you meant suggesting setting up a database for Mumsnetter's DC's reading levels!

[omgomgomg]

Don't knock joke books.

DS1 (like your dd , also free reader in Y1) increased his vocabulary a lot reading joke books as the play on words in many jokes can introduce a great many new words which you can explain and talk about.