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CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING FICTION BOOKS
Text
The Writing:
- Writing style suitable for intended audience in terms of subject matter, reading level,
word choice, sentence/paragraph structure, wit, readability, length, and interpretation
- Concepts and vocabulary relevant to students' ages and abilities
- Correct use of grammar, spelling, and sentence structure where required
- Error-free information
Appropriateness:
- Presentation compatible with the intellectual maturity of intended audience and selected
type (e.g., picture book, YA literature)
- Formatting (page layout, print size) reflects targeted students
- For picture books, link between text and illustrations is clear and aesthetically
pleasing
- For beginning readers, sections and chapter divisions reflect age group
- For poetry books, use of traditional devices evident and skillful
- For young adult fiction, fluid narrative true to selected genre (e.g., fantasy, short
story, coming of age)
- Easy-on-the-eyes paper (color and texture)
- Information relevant to North Carolina's K-12 curriculum
Illustrations
Cover:
- Attractive
- Clearly indicates what book is about
- Appropriate for targeted audience
Interior Illustrations:
- Aesthetic complement for narrative
- Appropriate and relevant
- Characterized by variety
- Adequate in size and legibility
- Sufficient in frequency and number
- Lack of bias (sexual, ethnic, religious, etc.)
- Color where needed
Potential Instructional Uses
- Supplement or support lessons
- Whole-class, cooperative group, or independent study
- Gifted and talented
- Remedial
- Enrichment
- Leisure reading
- At-risk
Reasonable price in comparison to similar books.
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