Teaching Students to Choose Just Right Books

Finding just right books is something that a lot of our students struggle with, especially early in the year. Some grab a book that looks fun but is way too hard. Others pick something that’s super easy just to get it over with. Then, some feel completely overwhelmed and don’t even know where to begin. That’s why I make it a point to teach this skill in the library, not just leave it up to the classroom setting.

Even though I revisit the concept of just right books throughout the year, I like to start the conversation with second graders. That’s when I introduce the Five Finger Rule and dive deeper into helping them understand what it really means to choose a book that fits them. One that’s not too hard or easy but just right. I’ve built this lesson out over the years to include read-alouds, modeling, interactive posters, and even a fun breakout game!

Starting the Conversation About Just Right Books

When it’s time to introduce just right books to my second graders, I always begin with a class discussion. We talk about what it means for something to be just right. To make it relatable, I use the example of trying on clothes. I’ll say something like, “You wouldn’t wear a pair of pants that are so tight you can’t sit down or so loose they fall off when you walk. You need pants that fit you just right.” That always gets a few giggles! It sets the stage perfectly for talking about books that fit the same way.

Once my students get the idea, I tie it directly to reading. I explain that a book needs to fit them just right, too. It has to be one they can read and also one they want to read. That second part is so important. If a student isn’t interested in the book, they’re not going to enjoy reading it, even if it’s the right level. I want them to know that picking just right books isn’t just about reading level.

From there, I introduce the Five Finger Rule. We walk through how to open a book, read a page, and count tricky words on our fingers. If they hit five fingers before the page is done, it’s probably too hard. It might be too easy if there is zero or only one tricky word. Two or three is usually just right. It’s such a simple strategy, but it really helps our young readers feel empowered when choosing books.

Using Read-Alouds to Reinforce Just Right Books

One of my favorite ways to bring the idea of just right books to life is with a read-aloud. I always reach for Goldi Socks and the Three Libearians by Jackie Mims Hopkins. It’s a fun twist on the classic Goldilocks story. Instead of trying porridge and chairs, Goldi Socks explores a house full of books. She samples different ones until she finds one that’s just right. The “libearians” who live there are thrilled to find her happily reading.

After we read the story together, we have a follow-up discussion about what Goldi Socks did right. I ask my students to think about how she made her decision and what clues she used to find her just right book. This is a great opportunity to connect the story back to the Five Finger Rule and talk about what we can do in our own library to make smart book choices.

To keep the theme going, I show students my Just Right Books posters, and we go over what makes a book too easy, too hard, or just right. These visuals stay up all year long as reminders. I also give each student a Five Finger Rule bookmark and a fun coloring page to take home. These serve as both a keepsake and a helpful tool for remembering what they learned. They’re part of my Choosing Just Right Books resource pack, so make sure to grab them to start using with your students!

Making Just Right Books Stick with a Print Breakout

After introducing just right books with read-alouds and posters, I like to take things a step further with something hands-on. That’s where my print breakout comes in. It’s an unplugged escape-room-style activity where your students help Goldilocks’ sister Gabby learn how to pick just right books. Gabby gets help from the three bears, who guide her through a series of challenges tied to the Five Finger Rule and book selection strategies.

This breakout is perfect for your second and third graders, especially once they’ve had a bit of practice choosing books on their own. The Goldilocks theme ties in beautifully, but the story and setup are easy to follow even if you haven’t read Goldi Socks and the Three Libearians. It’s an engaging way to reinforce the skills we’ve been building and encourage teamwork at the same time.

What I love most about using a breakout is how excited my students get. They don’t even realize they’re practicing literacy skills. They’re just focused on solving the clues and “unlocking” the prize. Every puzzle centers around the same big idea of learning to choose just right books. It’s the perfect wrap-up to our unit, and it keeps my students talking about the lesson long after it ends.

Revisiting Just Right Books with Upper Elementary Students

Even though the Five Finger Rule is usually introduced in the primary grades, I’ve found it just as important to revisit just right books with my third, fourth, and fifth graders. Once our school moved away from Accelerated Reader, I realized that many of our students no longer had a system to guide their book choices. Without that structure, they needed new tools to find readable and interesting books.

When I teach upper elementary students about just right books, I tweak my approach a bit. Instead of having them count tricky words on their fingers, I ask them to monitor their understanding as they read a page or two. The book might be too hard if they’re stumbling over vocabulary or not grasping what’s happening. If it feels too simple or boring, it might be too easy. I encourage them to aim for books that challenge their thinking without making them frustrated.

One of my favorite ways to teach this is by modeling the process myself. I grab three books. One that’s clearly above their level, one that’s too simple, and one that’s just right. As I preview each one, I talk through my thoughts. I make sure to point out how a cool cover isn’t always the best choice. Our students really benefit from watching an adult go through the same decision-making process. It helps them build confidence and understand that choosing just right books is a skill, not a guessing game.

Extra Ways to Explore

Once my students have the basics down, I like to revisit just right books in fun, fresh ways throughout the year. One tool I return to often is Choosing a “Just Right” Book, a video that shows real students modeling how to find just right books. It walks through the process from start to finish. It uses a shelf marker, reading the back cover, flipping through pages, and deciding if it fits. It’s short, clear, and a great refresher.

Another fun idea that gets students moving is the shoe lesson. I ask my students to take off their shoes and go “shopping” for a new pair by trying on classmates’ shoes. They have to do this without choosing their own! It’s a silly but powerful way to help them understand that not every shoe or book will fit everyone. We talk about how just right books are personal. What’s perfect for one reader might not work at all for someone else.

I also love to read Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind during this unit. It’s a sweet story about a teacher who refuses to give up on a student who hasn’t found the right book yet. It reinforces the message that everyone can be a reader. Sometimes, it takes a little time and patience to find the perfect fit. That’s what choosing just right books is all about.

Helping Reluctant Readers Find Books

Sometimes, the biggest challenge isn’t teaching the concept of just right books. It’s narrowing down the options. For some of our students, especially reluctant readers, walking into a library full of books can feel overwhelming. That’s why I often pull a small collection of high-interest, level-appropriate books ahead of time and display them in a special spot. Giving them fewer options actually helps them feel more successful.

When our students are browsing from a curated group of just right books, their confidence grows. They’re more likely to finish what they start, feel good about their choice, and keep coming back for more. Isn’t that what we want? For them to feel successful and enjoy the process of reading?

Another strategy I use with my older students is a book tasting. It’s a chance for them to sample different genres and types of books at rotating stations. This helps them discover new favorites they might not have picked up otherwise. It also gives them language to describe what kinds of just right books they enjoy. If you want to learn more about setting up a book tasting, make sure to read how to host a book tasting.  

Get Free Posters and Bookmarks for Teaching Just Right Books

Over the years, I realized that my Goldi Socks-themed posters were perfect for primary grades, but my older students needed something a bit more mature. That’s when I created a new set of just right books posters and bookmarks with an emoji theme. They match my Emoji Themed Library Decor and still include all the helpful tips about book selection, but in a format that appeals to older readers.

These emoji-themed materials are available for free in my Resource Library. If you’re already a subscriber, you can log in here with your secret password and download them anytime. If you’re not on my email list yet, sign up here, and you’ll get access to my entire library of freebies as soon as you confirm your email.

Having posters and bookmarks on hand makes it so easy to reinforce the concept of just right books throughout the year. Whether you use them during check-out time or stick them in take-home folders, they’re a helpful visual reminder that your students can refer back to over and over again.

Let’s Help Every Reader Find Their Just Right Books

Finding just right books can be a game-changer for your students. When they understand how to pick a book they can read and want to read, everything else starts to click. Reading becomes more enjoyable. Confidence grows. Suddenly, the library becomes one of their favorite places to be.

If you’re ready to make book selection easier for your students and more fun, check out my Choosing Just Right Books Resource Pack and print breakout activity. They’re designed to support everything we’ve talked about here and make the whole process feel like a celebration of reading. Here’s to helping every child find their just right book!

Save for Later

Don’t want to forget these ideas for teaching your students how to choose just right books? Be sure to save this post to one of your favorite Pinterest boards, whether for your school library, literacy lessons, or reading strategies. That way, when you’re getting ready to kick off independent reading or need a quick refresh mid-year, everything you need is just a click away!