Fiction Selection Criteria Fiction -writings that an author creates from the imagination -basically stories that lack

facts as its basis and stories that does not happen in real life Chief Characteristics: y Discernible characters y y y y y y y y y Developing Characters Interrelationship of characters and conflict Credible setting Realistic plot Particular point of view Often written in first person Use of dialog Plot holds reader s attention Reader may read material quickly

Elements y Theme -main idea or the central meaning of the story, what the story means y Plot -presents the action (what happens in the story), the story line (the sequence of events), and how the writer chooses these to present and resolve the conflict *Climax -the highest point of interest and may be the crisis or the turning point for the protagonist *Denouement -where everything is made clear which signifies the story is about to end * Ending-when twists and turns have been unraveled >Closed ending- where the readers find a satisfactory ending >Open ending- where the conclusion is left for the reader to decide Setting -where and when the action takes place and the descriptive details about the place of action

Characters -people, personified animals or inanimate objects that carries out the actions and whose actions and personal actions are limited by that character s role in the story Style -manner in which the author says something/ how the author uses words to create literature *Diction/ Word Choice- how the author gives the flavor of the time, place, and events

Point of View -the teller of the story who may be the author or one of the characters o First person- tells the story from inside the head of the character o First-Person Observer- a character not directly involved in the action tells what he/she observes using the first person I o Author- observer- a third person tells about the deed, words, gestures in an objective(free or bias) manner without going into the minds of characters or offering the author s comments o Omniscient- The author, using the third person, relates every detail of action as well as the characters conscious and unconscious thoughts and feelings o Combination- author may combine several of the above points of view through the use of dialogue, diary entries, and other techniques

Tone -tells us how the author feels about his/her subject, characters, and readers.

*CLASSICS -a book with permanence, one that remains a favorable one for more than one generation Common characters: y Strong, unique, credible characters y y y y Engaging style Appeal to readers Universal theme Memorable story

*SERIES BOOK -includes Harry Potter series, Percy Jackson series, etc Questions to consider: y Is the action fast paced? y y y y y Is the plot logically developed? Does the book meet criteria for general fiction? Will this book fill a gap for developing readers? Will it hold the reader s attention? Can this book be used as a stepping-stone to books with more character development and more complex plot? Will it physically withstand being read by a number of readers?

FICTION GENRE  Picture story books(for Children) Characteristics: y Presence of action or tension y Wide range of themes y Setting created by text and illustration y A specific point of view y Use of figurative language y Range of tone Criteria y For Literary Elements: Is the main character well rounded? Will the action maintain the young child s interest? Do the text and illustrations develop the theme? Does the text or illustrations, both, describe the setting? Does the humor appeal to children? Does the author use clear, natural language? y For Illustrations

Are the illustrations and text integrated, rather than one dominating the book? Are the details in the illustrations consistent with the text? Children will quickly spot differences. Are the illustrations authentic in terms of the cultural or geographical setting?  Historical Fiction -realistic fiction by a contemporary author about events set in an earlier time period with the characters true to that time Characteristics: y The setting represents a special time period y The characters act and speak in a manner consistent with the time period, and they reflect the values of that period Details about everyday life fit the time and place, if known There is a credible problem, goal, or conflict The plot or sequence of events is conceivable(believable/possible to imagine) The setting influences the plot There is a universal theme or common shared truth The story is told from an appropriate point of view or by a fitting narrator The story is told with a unique style or tone

y y y y y y y

Criteria: y Theme Do the episodes in the story center on themes that adhere to facts? Does the author portray the why of the event? Do the issues of the past appear real to today s readers? Do the issues present an opportunity for explanations by adults? y Plot

Does the action reflect the pace of life in that historical period? Are the action and conflict resolution in keeping with the times in which the story is set? y Setting Are time and place historically, geographically and politically accurate? Is the setting authentic in terms of what we know about the history and geography at the time of the story? y Character Does the characters mannerism, speech, dress, and attitudes reflect the historical period portrayed? Are the characters drawn convincingly as ordinary or extraordinary people who participate in these events? y Style Does the story convey a sense of life in that time period? Do the speech patterns sound right for the time period? y Point of View Are fact and fiction blended in such a way that the background is subordinate to the story? Does the story reflect the values and spirit of the historical time? Does the author present the various points of view on issues of the times? Does the dialogue convey a feeling of the period without seemingly artificial? y Tone Are notes, time lines, bibliographies, and social order authentic?

 Fantasy -realistic in most details, but they do require readers who are willing to suspend their disbelief about a character, theme, or setting Characters:

y y y

y y y y Criteria  Plot

Characters that include humanlike animals, stereotypes of good and evil, heroes and heroines with magical powers, or extraterrestrial beings A problem, goal, or conflict, sometimes between forces of good and evil A plot that may include adventures of the characters, or in science fiction, a heroic battle for the common good A climax, resolution of conflict, or accomplishment of the good A theme of universal truth A clear point of view A tone or style that is special in some way

Does the story move from reality to the imaginative without breaking the credibility of the story? Are events interrelated?  Theme Does the story deal with a universal truth? Will the reader understand the symbolic significance of the theme  Setting Do the setting reflect originality on the part of the author? Is the setting appropriate for the story  Style Does the author skillfully use words, phrases, symbols, and allegory to create images? Are the images credible? Do the supernatural aspects have credibility? Does the reader sense that the author has a creative imagination? Is the science fiction story based on a scientific fact or hypothesis? Does a science fiction novel encourage considerations of the emotional, psychological, and mental effects of futuristic ideas, conflict, and change? Does the science fiction novel involve the reader in considering unlimited possibilities and in raising questions about the other forms of life?

 Mysteries -can be set in the present, the past, or the future *Foreshadowing-the author provides clues to what will happen later on, providing a pattern of prediction Criteria: Is the tension created by unexplained events? Do the characters change because of the conflict? Does the action keep the plot moving? Does the plot hold the reader s interest? Does the author involve the reader in solving the mystery?  Animal Stories -stories in which animals behave like human beings, animals behave as animals but with the ability to talk, and animals behave as animals Criteria: Does the author use the observer point of view to create a realistic story? Does the author avoid being unrealistic and sentimental (affected by emotions)? Does the author s description of the setting add to the tension? Does the setting add credibility to the story?  Sports Stories -stories about team sports like soccer, football, baseball, and basketball than about individual sports Criteria: Does the story have a theme beyond the winning of a game? Does the main character develop and grow because of events or conflicts in the story? Source:  Van Orden, P. J. & Strong, S. (2007). Children s Books: A Practical Guide to Selection. New York: Neal-Schuman Publisher, Inc.  The World Book Encyclopedia. (2010). Chicago: World Book. Criteria for Evaluation of Fiction Books: Style Appeal to the general-interest reader

Literary merit Relationship to existing collection Reputation of publisher Cost Source: Collection Development Policy. New Garus Public Library(2012). Retrieved January 08, 2012, from http://www.newglaruspubliclibrary.org/collectionpolicy.html Fiction Print Resources Fiction includes picture books, beginning readers, early chapter books, graphic novels and novels. Purpose: y provide enjoyment and entertainment y stimulate the imagination y develop language y extend the student s experience y develop discriminatory and independent readers y support the curriculum y develop life-long readers Readability: y text and print size appropriate to the intended reader y text is smooth to read, clear and concise y reading level of the item matches the user s experience and capability Language: y appropriate to the plot, theme and characters y imaginative and interesting with natural dialogue and vivid descriptions y concepts developed by the language are appropriate for the age/maturity of the intended reader y style of writing is appropriate to the genre y provides the opportunity for students to practise/develop/extend literacy skills Content: y Plot o stimulates the readers imagination o encourages awareness of issues o story is interesting and entertaining o sequence of events is logical and (within the genre) believable o factual elements are correct y Theme o easily identified o resolution of conflict within acceptable moral codes and behavioral modes o avoids moralizing and didacticism y Characterisation

convincing and credible uses natural and suitable dialogue characters develop and grow avoids stereotyping by gender, race, disability or culture Other considerations: y comparative merit with other items by the same author, in the same genre or by other authors Page Layout: y content well spaced and logically organized y background color/borders/illustrations do not interfere with readability of the text Illustrations: Include here cover, end papers, within text, textless y appropriately placed/positioned y clear, attractive and/or interesting y purpose: o enhance/extend elements of the story o enhance readability of the text y appropriate to the reading/interest/maturity level of the reader Bias: y avoid stereotypes in text or illustrations y avoid biased opinions/value judgments y reflects gender equity principles of social justice (includes race, sex, physical and intellectual disability, cultural grouping) Sensitive Issues: y elements of language may be unacceptable to some members of the school community y treatment of issues eg. sex, violence, drugs, AIDS, death, religion, the supernatural
o o o o

Source: CMIS School Library Support.(2011) Retrieved January 10, 2012, from http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/library/selection/sel23.htm#top

Reported by : Wakat, Gladys K. BLIS 2