THOMAS & FRIENDS First Grade reading levels

The Long List!

Here is the Long List which features more information, including bookcovers. 

If you'd like to go back to short list, go here.


Thomas Goes Fishing

This was one of our favorite books to share when David was younger. In this funny story Thomas ends up with fish in his boiler! And those fish will tickle both Thomas and your small fry :]

Reading Information:
Word Count: 147
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 1.0 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 88053
--sample pages available 


Fast Train, Slow Train

Told in rhyme, this book retells the classic Tortoise and the Hare story using Steamies -- principally gentle Edward and cheeky, vane James.

The 'official' sources say that this book is at the Beginning 1st Grade level, but I wonder if a mistake hasn't been made. The text seems at a higher level than that. Take a look at Amazon's sample pages and see for yourself.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 225
Page Count: 36
Accelerated Reading level: 1.0 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 130163
--sample pages available


Animals Everywhere!

New  in 2011 we actually haven't read this one. The story is about some mischievous monkeys who release circus animals, and Thomas and the gang help to gather them all up again.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 246
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 1.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 143851
--sample pages available 


Thomas And The School Trip

Love this one. It's a classic Thomas story where Thomas and Bertie first seem at odds, but end up working together.

The day begins with Thomas being sad and jealous of Bertie because the bus gets to take the school children on an excursion and Thomas must work. At the end though, Bertie breaks down and Thomas gets to come to the rescue. A fan pleaser.

"Thomas wants to help.
But then he will be late-
much too late.
Stop or go.
Help or hurry.
What should Thomas do?"

Reading Information:
Word Count: 319
Page Count: 30
Accelerated Reading level: 1.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 7295
Lexile: 40L
--sample pages available


Happy Birthday, Thomas

Oh my, this one brings back memories! My son used to kiss the last page of this book every time we read it.

In this story Thomas thinks no one remembers that it's his birthday... but, of course, we know better. GREAT book to give as a birthday gift to other Thomas fans.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 213
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 1.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 7220
Lexile: 220L
--sample pages available 

¡ Feliz cumpleaños, Tomás!
Word Count: 199
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 1.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 7220 SP
--sample pages available 


Thomas and Percy and the Dragon

In this book Thomas sees a Dragon! and it scares him quite a bit until he finds out that it is merely a parade float. This isn't my favorite Thomas book but children will like reliving the live action adventure with our Steamie friends.

No look inside unless you use Amazon's Kindle software.

"Percy hears a rumble.
Something is coming.
Percy opens his eyes."

Reading Information:
Word Count: 191
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 1.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 117220
--sample pages available 


Gordon's New View

Gordon was big.
Gordon was tall.
Gordon liked his view from the Yard.

But Gordon didn't have a view at first, only a blank wall to look. That is, until an accident has him crashing through.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 178
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 1.2 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 117214
--sample pages available 


James Goes Buzz, Buzz

This is a very popular story featuring that splendid James and his run-in with a hive of bees!

Children will LOVE James' funny expressions and his poor swollen red nose.

"Bees are very loud!" said James.
"Do not make them mad," said Trevor. "They may sting you!"
"Hmmmph!" said James. "I am not scared of a bunch of bees!"
James puffed off.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 280
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 1.2 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 81243
--sample pages available 


Trouble In The Tunnel

Oh my gosh, here's one we haven't read. It's derived from the Misty Island Rescue DVD and that's all the description that seems to be available.

Special Note: I believe publisher has the wrong book pages in the 'look inside'.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 276
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 1.3 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 138767
--sample pages available 


Henry and the Elephant

This is one of those Thomas books where if your child hasn't seen the video, they might not be able to make much sense of what is going on.

In the video version Henry finds a blocked train tunnel. He pushes some cars to try to clear the mess, only to have them push back! The "blockage" turns out to be an escaped circus elephant. The elephant is enticed out, but when Henry wheeshes steam the surprised elephant sprays him with water. The book approximates this tale.

The Foreman had a plan.
Henry could push trucks
into the tunnel.

"Wheesh," said Henry.
Henry did not like
tunnels.
He was scared.

More difficult words include: grumbled, something, grunted, foreman, scary, hardest, backwards, and laughed.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 276
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 1.4 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 112552
--sample pages available


Easter Engines

Thomas is all ready to lead the Easter Parade when Sir Topham arrives in the yard with an urgent assignment. Can Thomas get it done in time?

It is Easter morning.
James, Percy and Thomas
are being washed
for the Easter parade.

"We are
bright and shiny,
like Easter eggs!"
says James.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 279
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 1.4 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 148679
--sample pages available 


Henry's Bad Day

Henry has a new paint job and he's so happy with it that when it begins to rain he hides in a tunnel rather than get wet and dirty. Sir Topham Hatt, of course, is not pleased that the passengers are inconvenienced so he has workmen build a wall to keep Henry from chugging out. (I know. Not really sensible, but such is life on Sodor.)

The stalemate continues until the day when Gordon breaks down. Having had enough of not being a 'useful engine' Henry pleads with Sir Hatt to be freed.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 306
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 1.5 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 108905
--sample pages available


Secret of the Green Engine

This one is based on the Blue Mountain Mystery DVD.  Something strange is happening at the Blue Mountain Quarry, and Thomas the Tank Engine is digging for answers!

Word Count: 241
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 1.5 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 152715
--sample pages available

Thomas and the Shark
by Wilbert Awdry
Illustrated by Richard Courtney

Salty needs Thomas' help to get a big shark to the Sodor aquarium.  A shark?!?  Will it be too much for Thomas?

Word Count: 241
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 1.5 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 152715


Thomas' Railway Word Book

I can't find this book so I can't exactly describe it (and there is no look inside) except to say that it's a sort of Alphabet/dictionary-type book with railway terms.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 185
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reading level: 1.9 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 45531


compiled by Pam.