Nonfiction Reviewer Checklist

For online submissions:
fill out this form and cut and paste your review into the "Review Text" field at the bottom of this page. Then click the "Send to SLJ" button.

For e-mail submission:
fill out this form and hit the "Send to SLJ" button at the bottom of this page, then send the review as a Word document attachment or in the body of your e-mail message. E-mail your submission to sljbookreview@reedbusiness.com. Please verify that you have filled out this form prior to sending in your review.

Your review must include sufficient specific descriptive information to be helpful to your colleagues who will not see this book. Be sure that you have included a brief plot summary and a discussion of the book's literary quality.

Content or scope of the book:


Point of view or bias of the author:


Fictionalizing (dialogue, feelings, thoughts, incidents):


Style
Comment in your review on the following and answer briefly below:

Is the writing:
Clear Confusing    Lively    Dry

Is there oversimplification to the point of being unclear or misleading?
Yes  No

Comparison

What other books have a similar scope for the same age range and how do they differ from this title? (if applicable)


If a revision, what changes have been made since the previous edition? (if applicable)


Publisher and Date of original (if applicable):


Potential appeal to intended audience:
GENERAL   LIMITED   STRICTLY FOR REPORTS   NONE

Why?


Is it for the beginner with no background in the subject (If extensive background in the subject is required, note this in the review.):
YES   NO

Quality of illustrations (be sure to comment on this in your review):
EXCELLENT   ABOVE AVERAGE   AVERAGE   POOR   INFORMATIVE   MERELY DECORATIVE

Ethnic/gender/cultural representation (if applicable):


Organization:
EXCELLENT   AVERAGE   POOR

Recommendations:
First Purchase
For General Purchase
Additional Purchase
Not Recommended (This should be implicit in your review without using the words "not recommended".)

Outstanding Book:
Do you feel this book is outstanding*?
YES  NO

* Important book because of high quality, wide appeal or usefulness to most library collections and recommended for first purchase by both school and public libraries. (If you have given the book an outstanding review and yet do not feel it should be starred, please explain.) Stars are editorial decisions; however we do want your comments.

If necessary, feel free to expand your review by citing examples or giving fuller explanations of what the book includes or omits, or how it is misleading or inaccurate.

Additional Comments (optional):


Review Text (please cut and paste review into the provided field):


Reviewer's E-mail address:


Reviewer's Phone Number: