Choosing Titles to Review - Check the current list of Titles to Go online, looking for titles that interest you. If you need more information about a title, go to Amazon and look for reviews of this title.
- Using the form online to request titles, first copy the items you have chosen in the order of interest to you. Choose extra titles, in case some are assigned to another reviewer.
- Submit the list to the editor.
- The editor will respond with your assignment.
- When the books come, send the editor a list of titles received (if you don’t do this, she may ask the publisher to send the book again, and that’s not good practice).
- Then send the review within three weeks (mark your calendar when the book arrives), or earlier, if possible.
- If you see a title not offered by CLJ, but you would like to review, contact the editor. Include exact title, author, and publisher, and ISBN.
Reviewer Guidelines Rating System - *5 Outstanding —a book which impacts someone’s life or thinking
- 5 Excellent—well written, among the very best
- 4 Good—definitely worth reading
- 3 Fair—to be read for relaxation or to meet needs for information
- 2 Poor—poor writing or editing; read only if very interested
- 1 —What can we say? Not much going for this title.
- Recommended with caution (may be used with any of the above ratings)–Note reservations within the review.
- Not recommended (may be used with any of the above ratings)–Note problems within the review.
With fiction, the rating includes the quality of plot development/pacing, characterization, sense of time and place, mood and atmosphere, dialogue, depth of perception, sensitivity of writing, use of humor. Be aware that some books are character driven, so character development is extremely important. Others are plot driven, so character development isn’t as critical; plot is.
With nonfiction, the rating includes quality of the information, up to date, stimulates further inquiry, adds to the understanding of the topic, illustrations which are informative and appropriate.
Many of the CLJ ratings are fairly high, most ranging from 3 to 5. The reason for this is that all books are prescreened before being offered to reviewers. With a limited number of reviews, we concentrate on titles which show promise for the Christian library. Editor’s note. Designating Interest Levels of the Item You Are Reviewing Please choose the primary audience of the book, using the abbreviation on the left to designate your choice. If, in your mind, there is a strong secondary audience, either younger, older, or both, include that audience(s) in parentheses following the primary designation. Note that the grade levels overlap a bit. · PS Birth-Kindergarten · PRI Grades K-3 · INT Grades 3-6 · MS Grades 6-9 · HS Grades 9-12 · Adult Post High school and up · All ages Back to Top
Writing the Review General Guidelines for all books See additional information in the special sections on picture books, fiction, nonfiction, and series below. Heading: Give exact, complete title (from the title page, not the cover), space, forward slash /, statement of responsibility as seen on the title page.
Like this: Hood / by Stephen Lawhead. HS (Adult) Rating: *5
The Vienna prelude : a novel / by Bodie Thoene.
Adult (HS) Rating: 5 Body: Write the body of the review as described below, 200-300 words, plus 50 more for each additional book in a series.
Write in the present tense. Include title near the beginning of each review, and author(s) and illustrator(s) somewhere in the review. A title used as part of a thought, but not as a title itself, does not fulfill this requirement. Use the title as a title of the particular book you are reviewing.
Problems with the book? Name these problems objectively, but do not give your own opinion.
For example, some Christians do not wish their children to be exposed to unicorns. If a unicorn is found in the book you are reviewing, say so. “There is a unicorn in the book.” Or demonstrate by using the word unicorn in a sentence telling the plot of the book. If there is a negative character quality or action in the book, tell how (or if) the situation is resolved. How things are handled may determine whether something is really a problem. For example, a bad attitude in a character is not a problem if that attitude is addressed and the situation resolved appropriately.
Does this book confirm Christian ethics and morality? If not, where does it deviate? Note items below and give specifics. How prevalent is the factor? (If the book seems one you cannot recommend in spite of its problems, use "Not recommended.")
Problem with morals: - Premarital sex
- Unwed parents
- Gay/lesbian lifestyles
- Erotic scenes or themes
- Immodesty or nudity
- Ethics
- Language
- Slang bordering on profanity
- Profanity
- Vulgar/obscene terms
- Occult/magic/witchcraft
- Horror or violence
- New Age philosophy
- Racism
- Evolution
- Any other deviation of behavior or attitude
- Halloween
- Black magic
- Pagan celebrations of Easter, Christmas, etc.
Redeeming factors which make the book a good choice for our readers? Overcoming the difficulties? Realistic change of heart? For instance, if there is an incident of premarital sex in the book, say so, but if there is redemptive quality associated with the problem, describe that as well. Also tell whether the incident is presented in explicit detail, or if the author mentions it appropriately in context.
The presence of immorality or unacceptable language should be viewed from the standpoint of the intended reader, and evaluated according to how the problem is resolved or not resolved. Keep in mind that the Bible contains some pretty difficult stories, but they are there to demonstrate how God works in the lives of his people.
Please present the information to the reader, but do not judge. The readers will judge for themselves how they see the problems. Always keep in mind that we (and our readers) represent the broad spectrum of Christianity. What offends one may not offend another. Therefore we must present the information and then stand aside and let the reader come to his or her own conclusion. Note the presence of fantasy, magic, the unicorn, Halloween, or any other factor which might offend some Christians.
Does the book reflect a particular bias, such as hard line environmentalism? Or a political point of view? Just state this as a fact.
Doctrinal stance. This is not a problem, but something our readers will need to know. Just state it as a fact.
Our readers range from very conservative Protestant to Roman Catholic to non- Christians interested in finding clean books for their readers. So let's remember to state the doctrinal position of the book, but not editorialize on it. This includes not suggesting or stating which library should or should not add this title. Thanks for letting our readers determine for themselves what is appropriate for their libraries.
Sign your name at the end. Please do not add any other words to your signature. Reviewing Picture Books Summarize the story or describe the information in 100 words or less. Write a critique of 200 words or more. Original Stories, Fairy Tales, Folktales If this story is told in other versions or illustrated by other illustrators, note how the books compare. Information Picture Books · Quality of information · Information up to date · Stimulate further inquiry · Illustrations · Informative · Appropriate · Clear Is this book an early reader? Or best suited for reading aloud or storytelling? If it's an early reader, with levels marked, please include the reading level in the body of your review. Within your sentence, just after the levels, in parentheses tell the source of the levels (back cover, publisher's website, etc.). Like this: This book is intended for ages 4-6 (publisher's website).
Will it appeal to a broad or limited group of children? Characterize the pictures and type of art: · Medium (watercolor paintings, pen and ink drawings, etc.) · Style (folk, realistic, cartoon, etc.) · Quality · Appropriateness of page layout and design · Do the illustrations reinforce the mood or action of the text? · Are the pictures and text of even quality? Or is one better than the other? How will this book benefit the reader? Use character qualities, values, information... any type of benefit to the young reader or listener. Back to Top Reviewing Fiction Books Plot SummarySummarize the plot in 150 words or less. Don't give away the ending. Describe or name the genre: western fiction, historical fiction, suspense, science fiction, fantasy, romance, contemporary fiction, legal fiction, mystery fiction, etc.
CritiqueIn a critique of 150 words or more, consider the effectiveness of: Plot development/pacing
Characterization Sense of time and place Mood and atmosphere Dialogue Depth of perception Sensitivity of writing Use of humor
How will this book benefit the reader? Use character qualities, values, information...any type of benefit to the reader.
If this is an adult book, how do you think young adults would benefit from reading this book? See here an example of an excellent fiction review.
Reviewing Nonfiction Books Content summary (150 words or less): Describe the content or scope of the book. Point out particular point of view or the bias of the author. Is the book accurate? Information documented?
Critique (150 words or more): Quality of information Information up to date Stimulate further inquiry Add to the understanding of the topic Valid, accurate Illustrations o Informative o Appropriate o Clear o Of adequate size o Placed as close as possible to relevant text o Note black/white where color would be more useful o Clearly and correctly captioned Note the presence and consider the accuracy of: · Charts · Diagrams · Maps · Reproductions · Appendix · Index · Bibliography · Chronology · Notes · Musical Score
How will this book benefit the reader? Use character qualities, values, information...any type of benefit to the reader.
If this is an adult book, how do you think young adults would benefit from reading this book? Reviewing Series Books Describe the series as a whole, and where appropriate, give brief summaries of the plots or contents of each book. You are allowed 150 words or less for the description, and 150 words or more for the critique, plus up to 50 extra words for each title, used as you see best. Back to Top
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