Does anyone know the reading level of The Hobbit? When I was at the library yesterday I saw a book that said it was for 10-12 years olds (which would be about 5th-7th grade). I have a 13 year old son who had great difficulty with the book. Is it a good book to read to 10-12 year olds or are they suppose to be able to read it by themselves? After the disaster my son experienced with reading A Seperate Peace in his Lit class I was looking for somtehing that he could have success with. According to his MAT 7 testing he is at a 6th grade reading level. He is in 8th grade. Does anyone have any good suggestions for adventure stories for this profile?
Re: Reading level
I have just completed reading the Hobbit to my 6 and 9 year old boys. It was fantastically enjoyable leading to many night-time discussions of merit. We are now going to Lord of the Rings. The reading level throughout the novel jumps considerably making it a difficult book for 21st Century American children (aged 6 to 11) to read without adult guidance. There has been no attempt on Tolkien’s part to “dummy down” ideas to meet a reading level - therefore I’ve measured passages at the 4th grade level as well as the 14th.
This is not to discourage you from the Hobbit (or the Lord of the Rings for that matter). I would advise your reading the book with your child - immediately correcting errors - your reading difficult passages with correct intonation and so forth. You will also need to translate words with have changed meaning over the years - “gay” for instance.
There are a million good choices dependent upon your sons interests. Here are just a few that come to mind:
Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry
Maniac Magee
Swiftly Tilting Planet
Slave Dancer
The Red Badge of Courage
Night
My Side of the Mountain
I always like to choose a book with a movie so that after we finish the book, we can watch someone else’s translation (always worse than our own.) I also like reading the books with my children so we can have nice talks.
Re: Reading level
I consider The Hobbit more appropriate for 8th grade and above. If your son is reading around 6th grade has he tried Holes? or any of the Harry Potter books?
Really take him to a book store,or local lib rary ansd let him loose and let him, roam! See what he gravitates to…..! To re-build some of his bruised self-esteem, try books that he enjoys, at a level BELOW his instructional level. He needs to simplty read what he chooses, don’t worry if it’s not “the classics”. He first needs to re-ignite the spark for reading enjoyment he had as a child! Let me know if this helped! ( I am a Reading Specialist for 8th-`12th grade students in a small school district. I also am a Reading Recovery teacher for At-Risk 1st. graders.)
Re: Reading level
His reading comprehension according to MAT 7 was 6.9 but his independent reading level was 5th grade. He enjoys all the Star Trek series but these seem to be over his reading level also. HIs reading tutor is going to try and compile a list of books that meets the profile according to the testing she gave him.
I’d strongly recommend Gary Paulsen (especially Hatchet, The Crossing, The Car) and Will Hobbs (The Maze, Bearstone, Beardance). They’re good writers and storytellers, and their books seem to have decent sized print and space between lines.
You might want to search them on www.Amazon.com, as you can read a sample page online there from many of their books.