Good Reads

How did the author make the book believable? In other words, how true is the emotional reality of the story…

Discuss one of the main characters. How did the author make this character unique and believable? What issues
does this character grapple with? How does the character evolve across the book? How were you able to relate to the characters? (You may wish to discuss the main character’s relationship to other characters)

Discuss the setting. Was the setting essential to the plot of the book? Explain why or why not. Does it add depth to the book?

What did you learn about the time period in which the book was set? Do you think the time period was described accurately? How do you know?

What elements of the author’s style and language drew you into the book? Explain and give examples. Examine the poetic or literary devices used in the text (i.e. simile, metaphor, flashback, onomatopoeia, imagery, alliteration, personification, symbolism). What does the author draw upon to write this story? Are there patterns, repeated phrases, predictable structures?

What factual information did you learn? Did anything surprise you? How do you know if this information is accurate?

What does the book remind you of from your own life?

What special meaning or message does the book convey to you? Do you think this is a worthwhile theme for elementary/middle-level students? Explain.

How does the point of view affect your reading? Who is the implied reader or intended audience of the book? Whose background knowledge is privileged in reading this text?

How does this story relate to the world as you see it?

Are any characters privileged or marginalized? How are the lived experiences of historically minoritized populations represented in the text? **

What moral values and social-political messages (race, gender, religion, class, poverty, environment, immigration, education, homelessness, etc.) are dominant in the text? Does the author foster social consciousness? **

In this text, who had the power to make choices for a better world? **

Does the author present cultural details and markers authentically and multidimensionally? Are these cultural details integrated naturally? **

Is the author/illustrator a cultural or #OwnVoices insider (e.g., Do they self-identify as a member of the community portrayed in the book?)?Has the book been endorsed by a reputable organization and/or insider with expertise? **

Does the author use details accurately and does this work avoid stereotypes? Does the author use language authentically? **

What experiences did the author bring that would help them represent the culture or social/environmental issue fairly? **

How does the author build tension in the book? How does the mood of the book contribute to the tension?

What classroom connections/activities naturally link to this book. Discuss a specific resource, strategy, activity you would incorporate into your classroom.

What reading/writing mini-lesson could be taught through this book or passages from the book?