These book reviews are written for publishers, as well as librarians, teachers, and parents. When writing your reviews, consider the following:

• Proofread your reviews before posting them.
• Review the tips below for writing excellent reviews and check out the printable worksheets to use during or after you read the book.
• Check out some sample reviews.

Here are some quick tips for writing book reviews for fiction, nonfiction, and picture book titles:

Fiction Tips

• How convincing and accurate are the time and place?
• Are facts about the setting worked naturally into the text or story, or do they seem added on?
• Are the characters realistic?
• Do readers see them grow and develop within the story?
• Do they act in ways logical for their ages and circumstances?
• Does the plot’s action develop consistently and naturally?
• Is it original or is it written to a formula?
• What is the author trying to say?
• What can a reader experience or learn about themselves or others from reading the book?
• Is the language appropriate to the subject?
• Is dialog natural and in balance with the narration?
• Is the illustration style suited to the text?
• Do the illustrations accurately reflect facts and atmosphere of the story?
• Is the binding durable and of good quality?
• What is the approximate age appeal of the book?
• Note any controversial elements that might prove problematic (the emphasis here is to inform, not judge.)
• Common on other books similar in theme or topic, or by the same author.

Nonfiction Tips 

• Scope – what does the book cover?
• Accuracy of the text and illustrations
• Currency
• Bias, and authority of the author
• Appropriateness to subject and target age group in terms of concepts, terminology, and arrangement.
• Presence of features such as tables of contents, glossaries, further reading suggestions, indexes, etc.
• Illustrations, maps, and charts – are they informative, well-placed in the text, and appropriate to the subject matter?
• Consider the format, and general appearance. Is the binding durable, easy to open, and of good quality?
• What is the estimated age of the target audience? Is the language, structure, and vocabulary appropriate to this audience?
• Note any controversial elements that might prove problematic (the emphasis here is to inform, not judge.)
• Biographies – is the character realistically portrayed and in appropriate contexts, or are they presented inaccurately?

Picture Book Tips

• Are the illustrations in harmony with the text?
• Are they appealing to the target audience?
• Are the wise and shape of the book appropriate to the age group and content?
• Is the layout of the text and illustrations creative and attractive?
• Is the binding durable, easy to open, of good quality?
• What is the appropriate age appeal of the book?
• Note any controversial elements that might prove problematic (the emphasis here is to inform, not judge.)
• Check out this article from The Horn Book for further picture book tips.