What is the "5 finger method"? http://mag.hdsb.ca/litcirc/5finger.htm Sometimes it is difficult to know if a book is going to be too easy or too hard by just looking at it. The "Five Finger method" is one way to "test" a book before you spend too much time with it and get frustrated. 1. First choose the book you think you would like to read. 2. Find a page of text somewhere in the middle of the book. Find a page with lots of words and few or no pictures. 3. Begin to read the page. It is best to read the page aloud or in a whisper if possible while doing the test so you can hear the places where you have difficulty. 4. Each time you come to a word you don't know, hold one finger up. 5. If you have all five fingers up before you get to the end of the page this probably too difficult for you right now. Try it again later in the year. If you need help finding a book, ask your teacher or librarian. 6. If you have no fingers up when you finish the page, then the book may be too easy a read for you. 7. If you have less than five fingers but more than one or two fingers up when you finish reading the page, the book may be just what you need challenge you.