3. It has a good cover?

4. YES! You can judge a book by its cover. If it looks good, try it.

5. The title sounds good?

6. YES! If it sounds good, try it… Harvey’s Horrible Snake Disaster, The Bodies in the Besseldorf Hotel, After Fifth Grade, the World!

7. Always check out the same book?

8. NO! Do NOT be afraid to try something new!!!

9. It was recommended by a friend ?

10. YES! If you like doing the same things, you will probably enjoy reading the same books.

11. The book flap or back cover blurb sounds good.

12. YES! This will give you a quick “hint” about the book…without having to read the whole thing!

13. It’s short?

14. NO! The books with the fewest pages are not always the best. You could be bored. The book may be too easy for you.

15. The first sentence or paragraph or page is intriguing. “There’s nights up in this corner of New England when the mists seethe and writhe their way down from the mountains, and the dogs start to howling, and the hair on the backs of cats stand straight up as they scream and spit at things invisible to human eyes. On those nights, the people of our village of Coven Tree gather inside their houses and lock their doors and are afraid. For it’s then that the Devil stalks among the hills and forests, looking for souls to claim.” (Bill Brittain, Devil’s Donkey)

16. The first sentence or paragraph or page is intriguing. YES! If the book starts off with a BANG, it will only get better!!! If it GRABS you, hold on. “There’s nights up in this corner of New England when the mists seethe and writhe their way down from the mountains, and the dogs start to howling, and the hair on the backs of cats stand straight up as they scream and spit at things invisible to human eyes. On those nights, the people of our village of Coven Tree gather inside their houses and lock their doors and are afraid. For it’s then that the Devil stalks among the hills and forests, looking for souls to claim.” (Bill Brittain, Devil’s Donkey)

17. It was made into a movie?

18. YES! If you loved the movie, you might also love the book! The book is almost always BETTER than the movie!

19. It was on my summer reading list?

20. YES! You usually only read one chapter of your summer reading book. Don’t you want to know how it ends? Aren’t you curious about the other books?

21. You know and like the author’s other books?

22. You know and like the author’s other books? YES! If you like one of the author’s books, look for the others, too.

23. You’ve read and like other books in that series/in that genre/ with that theme/or on that subject?

24. YES! Find out more about familiar characters. See what happens to them next!!!

25. The chapter titles sound unusual. 1.Things NOT to tell your parents. 2.Nobody here but us chickens. 3.Bunnies Aren’t Dumb 4.Dr. Diaper 5.Injury Report Haiku

26. The chapter titles sound unusual. YES! Aren’t you curious to find out what the characters will be doing in these chapters? 1.Things NOT to tell your parents. 2.Nobody here but us chickens. 3.Bunnies Aren’t Dumb 4.Dr. Diaper 5.Injury Report Haiku

27. It’s cheap?

28. NO! The cost of the book does not matter. You can borrow books from the library for FREE!!!

29. It’s on display in the library.

30. The “Lopez Guarantee” YES! If it is on display in the library, I recommend it. Give it a try. Let me know what you think. (Tell your friends, too!)

31. YES!!!

32. NO!!!

33. Great Job! You know how to choose a great book!!!