C = Cover

A = Author

N = Number of pages

I = Illustrations

T = Title

B = Blurb

E = Excerpts of

F = First page

O = Opinion of others

R = Reverse/verso

M = my friends say?

E = Entirety (too big?
too small? font/book)

Vaughn, Martha. "Authority, collection development". KnowledgeQuest, Jan/Feb 2010

How to find a good book (see also the book: Goldie Socks and the three libearians, by Hopkins)

"Don't judge a book by its cover"

but, maybe judge it by the number of copies!
if we have more than one copy of a book,
it's probably a good book

1. Look at the COVER of the book - and read INSIDE front cover "blurb" Dictionary -- n. A brief publicity notice, as on a book jacket. BACK of the book "blurb" (short summary about the story)

2. Read the first page. See if it grabs your attention right away. Sylvie had an amazing life, but she didn't get to live it very often ‘Where’s Papa going with that ax?’ said Fern. You wouldn't think we'd have to leave Chicago to see a dead body. Most of the time John Midas was a nice boy. That fool of a fairy Lucinda did not intend to lay a curse on me. Not every thirteen-year-old girl is accused of murder, brought to trial, and found guilty. I am bit by fleas and plagued by family. On the morning of the best day of her life, Maud Flynn was locked in the outhouse singing ‘The Battle Hymn of the Republic. The bear had been their undoing, though at the time they had all laughed.

3. Look at the SPINE for a label

• Genre label - adventure, fantasy, historical fiction, humorous, mystery, science fiction -- and biography
  

• Fiction

• If you recently read one type of genre - and liked it - find another!
• award label
  

  • GOLDfor winner

    SILVERfor honor or 2nd place

  • Newbery award for best children's fiction
  • O'Dell award for best historical fiction
  • Edgar Alan Poe award for best mystery
• colored label
  • GREEN means it was a YRC (Young Reader's Choice) nominee (grades 4, 5, 6)
  • YELLOW means it was a Sasquatch Reading Award nominee (grades 3, 4, 5)
  • RED (light) means it was a Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award nominee (grades 2, 3, 4)

4. If you recently read an AUTHOR you enjoyed, find another also by that author.

5. Look at the PAGES, the number of pages, what a page looks like, the illustrations. Will this be a comfortable read? Remember the length of a book has nothing to do with how good it is.

6. Read a page - will this book be too easy or too hard - remember even skinny books can be at a high reading level, like some picture books!

• 5 finger rule - if you read a page and you find 5 words you can not read, it is too hard

7. Check out some READING LISTS- some recommended by students for students - all listed on the Library homepage

• Newbery winners poster - or online list from ALA
• Authors and books listed by genre - cards by south door
• Sasquatch book list sponsored by WLMA
• Young Reader's Choice book list sponsored by PNLA
• Book reviews online
• St. Joseph new books lists - 3rd&4th - 5th&6th - 7th8th
• St. Joseph's summer reading suggestions

8. Read about what you are INTERESTED in - your hobbies, sports, activities, or what you want to learn more about. Use the online CATALOG

9. Check our and explore the NON FICTION (Dewey Decimal numbers) section of the library - BROWSE the shelves.

10. Ask a friend - ask a teacher - ASK a LIBRARIAN!