EVALUATING CHILDREN'S FICTION

Before Reading
What kind of book is this?

What does the reader anticipate from the
          Title?

          Dust jacket illustration?

          Size of print?

          Illustrations?

          Chapter headings?

          Opening page?

For what age range is this book intended? How can you tell?

Plot
Does the book tell a good story? In your opinion, what makes the story effective or ineffective?

Will children enjoy it? Why or why not?

Is there action? Does the story move? Provide specific examples to support your answer.

Is the plot original and fresh? In what ways?

Is the plot plausible and credible? What events seem particularly plausible and/or implausible?

          Is there preparation for the events? How does the author prepare the reader for major plot developments?

          Is there a logical series of happenings? Analyze a sequence of events and explain how the events do or do not follow a logical sequence.

Is there a basis of cause and effect in the happenings? Offer several examples of cause and effect that appear in the book.

Is there an identifiable climax? If so, describe the climax.

How do events build to a climax? What techniques does the author use?

Is the plot well constructed? Why or why not?

Setting
Where does the story take place? How do you know?

How does the author indicate the time in which the story is set?

How does the setting affect the action, characters, or theme?

Does the story transcend the setting and have universal implications? If so, what are those implications?

Theme
Does the story have a theme? What is the theme?

Is the theme worth imparting to children? Why or why not?

Does the theme emerge naturally from the story, or is it stated too obviously? Offer examples to support your answer.

Does the theme overpower the story? How does the author balance theme and story?

Does the book avoid moralizing? Describe a moralistic moment in the book or a moment in which the author successfully avoids moralizing.

How does the author use motifs or symbols to intensify meaning? What motifs and symbols does the author employ?

          In conversation?

          By thoughts of others?

          By thoughts of the character?

          Through action?

Are the characters convincing and credible? Why or why not?

Do we see their strengths and their weaknesses? If so, what are they and how are they addressed in the text? If not, do the characters feel incomplete? How?

Does the author avoid stereotyping? Explain how a character in the book defies or fulfills a stereotype.

Is the behavior of the characters consistent with their ages and background? Offer examples to support your response.

Is there any character development or growth? How do the main characters change over the course of the story?

Does the author show the causes of character behavior or development? How does the author link cause and effect?

Style
Is the style of writing appropriate to the subject? Why or why not?

Is the style straightforward or figurative? How can you tell?

Is the dialogue natural and suited to the characters? Quote examples of natural/unnatural dialogue that appear in the story.

How does the author create a mood? Is the overall impression one of mystery? gloom? evil? joy? security?

Point of View
Is the point of view from which the story is told appropriate to the purpose of the book? Why or why not?

Does the point of view change? If so, how does the book's shifting point of view/consistent point of view affect the reading experience? If not, do you think the author should have shifted the point of view? Why or why not?

Does the point of view limit the reader's horizon, or enlarge it? Explain your answer.

Why does the author choose this particular point of view? Do you think the author's choice is effective, or would you approach the story from a different angle?

What is the author's personal and cultural point of view? How can you tell?

Additional Considerations
Do the illustrations enhance or extend the story? Offer examples to support your response.

Are the pictures aesthetically satisfying? Why or why not?

How well designed is the book? Are there any design flaws or special strengths?

Is the format of the book related to the text? In what way?

What is the quality of the paper?

How sturdy is the binding? Would the book hold up to repeated readings?

How does the book compare with other books on the same subject?

How does the book compare with other books written by the same author?

How have other reviewers evaluated this book? Do you agree with their evaluations?

What age range would most appreciate this story? Why?