1. Book Review Workshop PSLA: May 1, 2009 Presented by Amy Pickett –Librarian, Ridley High School –M.L.I.S., University of Pittsburgh –S.L.J. Reviewer since 2005

2. Qualifications to Review for S.L.J.: »School or Public Librarians »Teachers of children’s literature »CURRENTLY* working with »Children »Young adults »Two sample reviews *REQUIRED

3. Writing Reviews Is …

4. Great Reasons to Review Books: Stay ahead of the curve! Read future award–winners before they go to press! Expand your collection! Read outside your comfort zone! See your name in print! Share your professional expertise!

5. Drawbacks: Not all titles will appeal to you Deadlines don’t always match your calendar Some topics are extraneous to your collection The solution: Communicate with your editor!

6. S.L.J.’s Review Guidelines 250 words! 250 words! Do you recommend the book for purchase? Do you recommend the book for purchase? Why or why not? Why or why not? Focus on critical evaluation Focus on critical evaluation Limit plot summary Limit plot summary Discuss illustrative material Discuss illustrative material Quality, effectiveness, clarity Quality, effectiveness, clarity Indicate controversial content Indicate controversial content

7. S.L.J.’s Review Guidelines Consider audience reactions Consider audience reactions Include comparisons Include comparisons Author, publisher, publication date Author, publisher, publication date Comment on back matter Comment on back matter Do not repeat bibliographic information Do not repeat bibliographic information Do not quote publisher’s promotional copy Do not quote publisher’s promotional copy

8. The Review Process Preview the book Read the book Draft a plot / content summary Examine previous editions and/or comparable titles Evaluate the book’s: quality, appeal, usefulness Make a recommendation! Preview the book Read the book Draft a plot / content summary Examine previous editions and/or comparable titles Evaluate the book’s: quality, appeal, usefulness Make a recommendation!

9. Art of the Negative Review

10. Art of Being Edited (The Ego-Free Reviewer)

11. Now It’s Your Turn! Use the checklist as a guide Include a brief summary Include enough descriptive information to be helpful to librarians making purchasing decisions Discuss the book’s overall quality Evaluate the book’s potential use Do you recommend it for purchase? –How will it enhance the collection? –Does it relate to curriculum? –Why is it worth the money? –What type of population will most benefit from access to this title?

12. Merge onto the Review Superhighway! »Visit www.SLJ.comwww.SLJ.com »“For Reviewers” link on home page »Note: Checklists are available here »Online Reviewer Application link »Two reviews must accompany your application (one positive, one negative)

13. Hit the Ground Running!  Contact S.L.J. to apply  Include book reviews in your newsletter  Teach students to write book reviews  Submit student reviews to local newspapers  Display student-authored reviews in your library  It’s S.L.J.’s world … but others live in it!  VOYA  www.VOYA.com --> Submissions --> Reviewing  TriState Young Adult Review Committee  www.TriStateReviews.org

14. Thank You! apickett_74@yahoo.com amy_pickett@ridleysd.k12.pa.us 610-237-8034 x 1223