[Publib] The Hobbit

[Joshua Neff]

I read "The Hobbit" when I was in 2nd or 3rd grade. The animated TV special
first aired when I was in 2nd grade, and I loved it enough to seek out the
book and read it. It didn't seem all that difficult a read at the time. I
don't know if this says anything in particular about the book's reading
level, though. (I didn't read "Lord of the Rings" until much later, high
school at the earliest.)
 

--Joshua M. Neff
Indian Creek Branch
Olathe Public Library


 

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From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Meghan Miller Brawley
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 8:44 AM
To: Victoria Kemp
Cc: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Publib] The Hobbit


My mom taught 3rd grade for a zillion years, and at one point about 30 years
ago taught 4th grade near you in the Carrolton-Farmers Branch area. Anyway,
she read The Hobbit to her 4th graders, so I'm guessing the book was about a
6th-grade level book even then. I remember reading it in late elementary
school, too. 
I WILL agree that the LOTR stuff is far advanced from 6th grade, but I think
The Hobbit was a bit easier (and more interesting ... I know -- blasphemy).
But this is all anecdotal and probably not much help. Maybe the kiddo can
just read The Hobbit for fun, and another book for school? Two books at once
... stranger things have happened! 
-Meghan


On 2/5/07, Victoria Kemp <victoria.kemp at flower-mound.com> wrote: 

Dear listmates,
I had an unusual problem over the weekend. A parent called to say his
child had to read a book for a book report. The book had to be an 8th
grade reading level. The child wanted to read "The Hobbit, or there and 
back again." The child's teacher said this book was not 8th grade
reading. I was stunned. I did not read this book until I was a junior in
high school (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth) and I was a really 
advanced reader (if I do say so myself). Lo, and behold, when you look
up "The Hobbit," the ATOS (whatever that is) reading level is 6.6. I
assume this means it is 6th grade reading level. What is up with this 
accelerated reading thing? How in the world could "The Hobbit" be
classed so low? I think it would take an exceptional 6th grader to read
this book, especially in light of all the current ranting regarding the 
lack of reading done in our schools.
Am I missing something here? Inquiring minds want to know.
Sincerely,
Viccy Kemp
The opinions are my own; the library wouldn't want 'em!


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Meghan Miller Brawley
Graduate Student
School of Information Science
University of Tennessee - Knoxville

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