SELECTION CRITERIA History Historical Fiction QUALITY OF WRITING

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SELECTION CRITERIA History & Historical Fiction

SELECTION CRITERIA History & Historical Fiction

QUALITY OF WRITING & ILLUSTRATIONS u FICTION – Is plot engaging? – Are the

QUALITY OF WRITING & ILLUSTRATIONS u FICTION – Is plot engaging? – Are the characters well developed? – Does the setting connect to the story? – Are the facts balanced with fiction, the historical background always subordinate to the story? – Will the reader leave the story understanding more about that particular time or place?

QUALITY OF WRITING & ILLUSTRATIONS con’t. u NONFICTION – Does the text have voice

QUALITY OF WRITING & ILLUSTRATIONS con’t. u NONFICTION – Does the text have voice to interest young people? – Is the scope of the topic appropriate to the intended audience? – Does the organization and format of the book make is easily accessible? – Do the illustrations clarify and extend the text?

AUTHENTICITY u FICTION – Is there evidence of how the author acquired necessary background?

AUTHENTICITY u FICTION – Is there evidence of how the author acquired necessary background? – Is there any contradiction or distortion of know events of history? – Is the narrative language appropriate to the time, including figures of speech? – Does the story reflect the values and spirit of that time?

AUTHENTICITY, con’t. u NONFICTION – Is there ample documentation? – Is the information up

AUTHENTICITY, con’t. u NONFICTION – Is there ample documentation? – Is the information up to date? – Do the illustrations accurately portray the topic? – Is there a clear distinction between fact and theory? – Are different points of view on issues of the time presented or acknowledged?

FREE OF CULTURAL BIAS u FICTION – Are the characters portrayed as individuals without

FREE OF CULTURAL BIAS u FICTION – Are the characters portrayed as individuals without stereotyping? – Does the dialogue maintain the natural cadence of the native language or dialect without making it difficult to read? – Do people of color lead as well as follow/solve their own problems?

FREE OF CULTURAL BIAS, con’t. – NONFICTION u Do the illustrations contain accurate, authentic

FREE OF CULTURAL BIAS, con’t. – NONFICTION u Do the illustrations contain accurate, authentic representations of people and scenes? u Is the culture accurately portrayed from the point of view of someone inside the cultural group? u What kinds of experts reviewed the text? u Does the author avoid oversimplification?

CURRICULAR RELEVANCE u FICTION – Does this book contain sufficient history to be used

CURRICULAR RELEVANCE u FICTION – Does this book contain sufficient history to be used to meet social studies standards? – Does the book provide information about a particular era or way of life? – Would this book be best used by the whole class, by a small group, or as an unassigned supplemental text?

CURRICULAR RELEVANCE, con’t. u NONFICTION – For what educational purpose is the book intended?

CURRICULAR RELEVANCE, con’t. u NONFICTION – For what educational purpose is the book intended? – Does the book foster critical thinking? – Who is the implied audience? – What curriculum standards might be addressed with this book? – Would this book be best used by the whole class, by a small group, or as an unassigned supplemental text?

u “You think your pain and heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the

u “You think your pain and heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me the most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who had ever been alive. ” u James Baldwin, 1924 -1987