Tough-O-Meter

We've got your back. With the Tough-O-Meter, you'll know whether to bring extra layers or Swiss army knives as you summit the literary mountain. (10 = Toughest)

(3) Base Camp

Sarah, Plain and Tall is the perfect book for beginning readers who have just graduated to chapter books. The language is simple, clear, and engaging—but there also aren't any illustrations to help guide readers along, so they'll have to rely on their stellar reading skills and a strong imagination to bring the story to life.