How challenging should reading be?

[AleHouseWench]

I'm not sure if I'm right or if I need to give my head a shake so am open to all advice. I firmly believe my son (year 1) should be on at least the next level of reading book. He reads everything he gets almost fluently, uses expression and understands what's going on.

I don't feel that he's being challenged at all. Surely there should be some words he's struggling with or just can't get at all in each book otherwise how is ever going to learn.

I have shown him some examples of higher level books (which he has also had home from school) which he can still read well.

What are you thoughts? Does anyone know what criteria schools use to move them up.

I just wanted to gain some outside opinions before I spoke to his teacher. TIA

"Is this acceptable in a state primary?" It certainly isn't! Can't the teacher read with her in a group of one? Books should match the child's needs/ability not fit into nice little groups!

Mrz, my ds had group of one, once. He didn't enjoy it. He'd rather read in lower level group and read with other children.

My ds was lime in spring term reception. I was worried back then, for not having any children in similar levels. Even in year2, there wasn't anybody at same level. Still, he kept progressing, and in ks2, there are others who are at/almost similar levels.

Once you can read fluently, as long as you keep reading, it will be fine, ime. Of course it's better if school can accommodate your dc's needs, but reading is one thing that can be helped at home quite easily.

We don't do guided reading Irvine (never have even when it was promoted as good practice) and we don't have ability groups. So every child is in a group of one otherwise known as individuals

I know, mrz. I am not a fan of ability grouping either.
My native country does no ability teaching.(As far as I know.)
I never experienced ability groups. We always had whole class teaching.

We do whole class reading instruction so text is challenging for all.

Thanks for comments everyone - the book I was talking about was the group reading book, which is the one we are supposed to read together at home. She's on gold level at the moment but read many of the same books in reception already - funnily enough they seemed to be able to cope with her individually in reception.
The other book she gets sent home is a RWI one and they read those independtly in the classroom but that too is far too easy. She enjoys the RML programme though

The RWI book should match her phonic knowledge and ability