What's a Good Book?
Identifying Quality Literature for Children
"One does not write for children. One writes so that children can understand. Which means writing as clearly, vividly, and truthfully as possible. Adults might put up with possible lapses, children are less tolerant." Leon Garfield
Elements of good literature vary according to the genre of the book, but the quotation above contains the essence of all good writing. Common to all genres, we look for style appropriate for the subject or characters, clarity, an original voice with something new to say which lives in the reader's mind after the book is closed. The originality may have to do with beauty of language, presentation of a theme which causes the reader to ponder its relevance to her life, characters about whom the reader cares because of their careful development and universal predicaments, an engaging and consistent plot, encountering new worlds or cultures presented in an authentic way, or the excitement of learning something new in a non-fiction work. Some works will share many of these characteristics.
Other, specific, criteria will help evaluate various genres, but the best method is still to read widely and compare and discuss the books you are reading so that eventually you will develop your own standards of excellence and be able to place new works read in your internal hierarchy of books you would want to use in class, and you will know why you are selecting these books. You may want to ask yourself some of the following questions as you evaluate the books you read.
Questions to guide evaluation
Historical fiction: Are the facts and setting presented with accuracy? Do they help engage the reader or overwhelm the plot and characters? Do the characters act in ways appropriate to the times?
Modern fantasy and science fiction: Is the setting imaginative and original? Is the world presented internally consistent so that the reader can believe in whatever magical or strange characters or worlds are presented? In the case of science fiction, is the future world or technology presented scientifically or technologically plausible?
Nonfiction or information books: Are the facts accurate and up to date? Is it well organized? Does the book include a bibliography of sources the author used? Does the author distinguish between fact, theory, and opinion? Are the illustrations used appropriate, do they have useful captions and are they used in logical places in the text? Are there additional helpful features such as glossaries, indexes, and books and websites for additional reading?
Picture books: Are the illustrations appropriate to the subject and style of the text? Do they give clues to the setting, plot, and characters? Do they extend the information in the text? Are they appropriate to the age of the reader? Is the text worthy of the pictures? Would you want to hear it more than once?
Poetry: Do the concentrated and carefully chosen words and thoughts capture our imagination and feelings? Is the language precise, rhythmic? Do the poems present new insights or associations to the reader? Are the words presented on the page in an aesthetically pleasing manner? Do the illustrations add to the mood or overwhelm the words?
Realistic fiction: Are the characters and plot believable? Is the style appropriate to the setting and characters? Does the plot have conflict and/or suspense enough to carry the reader along? Is the setting described in enough detail for us to picture what the characters are going through? Do the characters grow and change in relation to the story's events? Do themes evolve naturally from the story or do they seem tacked on to emphasize a moral? Is there some hope left to the young reader at the end of the book? Try to ask yourself if the author has achieved her aims, not what you wish the book to have been.
Traditional literature: Is the story respectful of and true to the culture being portrayed? Does the story read as though it could be told aloud? Do we come away with some flavor of the culture being portrayed, through word patterns, colloquialisms, or characters' names? Is the style colorful and compelling, employing storytelling techniques that hold readers' and listeners' attention? If illustrated, do the pictures match the tone of the text and inform us about the culture? Are they accurate to the culture portrayed in the story? If appropriate, is there a note on where the tale was originally collected?
Susan Golden, Retired, Children's Literature Specialist Belk Library, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 1/14/2003