What Happens Next? cover

Reading Metrics

Grade Level Lower Grades (LG K-3)
Book Level 2.8
Points 0.5
Fiction/Nonfiction Nonfiction
Word Count 212
Points per Word 0.002358

Description

After putting the trash outside, a curious child watches the trash truck arrive and wonders where all the waste goes. The story follows the journey of everyday items like metal cans and plastic bottles from the curb to the recycling facility. Readers learn how these materials are sorted, cleaned, and turned into new products. The book introduces the basics of the recycling process in a simple, engaging way for early readers.

Quick Summary

If your kid's ever asked what happens to the stuff you throw away, this is the book for them. Baker takes readers on a simple journey from curbside pickup through the recycling process, showing how metal and plastic get sorted and reprocessed into something new. At just over 200 words, it's a quick read that won't overwhelm struggling or reluctant readers, but the visual format and straightforward explanations make it satisfying for kids who just want the facts. Parents will appreciate that it covers the basics without getting bogged down in complicated details, making it a great starting point for discussions about environmental responsibility. This pairs really well with other simple "how stuff works" books if your child wants to dig deeper into the topic. The AR level of 2.8 means it's accessible for first and second graders reading on their own, though the short length also makes it workable as a read-aloud for kindergarteners curious about trash trucks and recycling.