EVALUATING NONFICTION BOOKS

Accuracy and Authenticity

• Is the author qualified to write about this topic? Why or why not? Has the manuscript been checked by authorities in the field? How is that information conveyed, and who evaluated the information?




• Are the facts accurate according to other sources? Offer examples of accurate or inaccurate facts presented in the book.




• Is the information up-to-date? How can you tell? What outdated material appears in the book? What breaking developments does the text include?




• Are all the significant facts included? If not, what facts are missing?




• Do text and illustrations reveal diversity and avoid stereotypes? Explain.




• Are generalizations supported by facts? Provide examples to support your response.




• Is there a clear distinction between fact and theory? How does the book draw this distinction?




• Are the text and illustrations free of anthropomorphism and teleological explanations? If not, how do these elements appear in the illustrations, and what effect do they have on the book's credibility?

Content and Perspective

• For what purpose was the book designed?




• Is the book within the comprehension and interest range of its intended audience? Describe the intended audience. In what ways is the book appropriate or inappropriate for that audience?




• Is the subject adequately covered? Are different viewpoints presented? Describe how the book provides or fails to provide a thorough, comprehensive approach.




• Does the book lead to an understanding of the scientific method? How? Does it foster the spirit of inquiry? In what ways?




• Does the book show interrelationships? What interrelationships does it examine? If it is a science book, does it indicate related social issues? What related social issues does it address?

Style

• Is information presented clearly and directly? Provide examples to support your response.




• Is the text appropriate for the intended audience? Why or why not?




• Does the style create the feeling of reader involvement? If so, how? If not, what is lacking?




• Is the language vivid and interesting? Offer several examples to support your answer.

Organization

• Is the information structured clearly, with appropriate subheadings? Offer examples of well structured or poorly structured information and subheadings.




• Does the book have reference aids that are clear and easy to use, such as table of contents, index, bibliography, glossary, appendix? What makes them easy or difficult to use? What elements are lacking?

Illustrations and Format

• Do the illustrations clarify and extend the text or speak plainly for themselves? How?




• Are size relationships made clear? Give an example.




• Are media suitable to the purposes for which they are used? Why or why not?




• Are illustrations explained by captions or labels where needed? Are the captions and labels informative and well placed?




• Does the total format contribute to the clarity and attractiveness of the book? How?