LM_NET: Library Media Networking
Jody_Gerlock@pds.k12.nj.us
Organization: Princeton Day School
Maybe this will help...There's a U. of Alberta site called (something like)
"Writing a Critical Book Review" at:
http://libits.library.ualberta.ca/library_html/help/pathfinders/book_review.html
It not only gives good guidelines, but the professor has included a
bibliography of other sources that may help.
Sherrill Mengoni
Library Media Specialist
Oak Creek High School
Oak Creek, WI 53154
I have a very long handout from a professor at the University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee regarding book reviews. It is too long to send
here, however, I believe the professor may have received this from
"Library Journal Book Review," 249 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011;
FAX 212-463-6734. I am not sure if this address and/or FAX number is
correct at the current time, but it would probably be worth your time to
contact them and give it a try. I hope this helps.
Meredith Altshuler, Librarian
D.J. Montague Elementary
Williamsburg, Virginia
maltshul@pen.k12.va.us
I just found this on page 5 of the May issue of Book Links:
"Whether you are reviewing children's literature for colleagues or the
press, Kathleen T. Horning;s From Cover to Cover: Evaluating and Reviewing
Children's Books is the definitive guide to meeting the challenge.
Available now from $14.95 from Harper Collins." I guess it just shows that
all of us are too swamped with end of year duties to read even our favorite
journals!
Donna Luther
dluther@tenet.edu
Pasadena, TX
I just noticed in the May issue of Booklinks a book entitled "From Cover
to Cover: Evalutating and Reviewing Children's Books." Author:
Kdathleen Horning. Available for $14.95 from HarperCollins. It says it
useful to review children's literature for colleagues or the press.
Hopes this helps.
Kay Weisman
Willowbrook School
Glenview, IL
I would have replied earlier but I don't have specifics. I think K. T.
Horning has a new book out about reviewing. It was mentioned at the
Radical Change conference in Madison earlier this month. I have not seen
it, but it sounds good.
Shelley Glantz, Library Media Specialist
Arlington (MA) High School
glantz@meol.mass.edu
Reviews Editor
Technology Connection
As a long time reviewer for several journals (books and technology), I
have discovered that there is no "right" answer or formula. Each journal
has individual needs and requirements. Most of them send guidelines to
reviewers. You might want to read reviews in different journals and see
what characteristics are common to the ones which help you the most. Don't
forget that the purpose of a review is to help the reader make a decision.
Deb Logan <jd3logan@mail.bright.net>
I thought of a source at the time of your first posting... However, I
did not know if others would:
1.) Find it as valuable as I have.
2.) Find it at all!
The book to which I am referring is a library professional CLASSIC. It
is Haines'LIVING WITH BOOKS.
Many years before I even thought of being a librarian (or was even
born) it was THE text for professionals on selection. I had used it in
my undergrad work when I was first learning to write reviews and
reader's notes. Then, when I was working on my MLS, I searched and
purchased my own copy from a Tucson used book store. My copy has a 1950
copyright and it was in its 9th printing (1960).
Well for what it is worth... that is my best source. I wrote reviews
for a specialized periodical for about 6 years. The editor and I agreed
on some guidelines. Have you considered contacting review periodicals
to see if they have guidelines or style sheets? Good luck.
Jean Townes, Media Specialist townesj@PEAK.ORG
Waverly Elementary School Phone: 503-967-4617
Greater Albany Public Schools
425 Columbus
Albany, Or 97321
I am posting this to the entire list as I don't have all the information
for the source I am suggesting to answer this request for an article
about writing book reviews. I know I have just seen in a library related
professional materials catalog a new book on just that but don't remember
which company it was and I'm at home without my catalogs. I do know it
was NOT Linworth--or at least it is not in the catalog I have here at home.
Can somebody else fill in the information?
Elaine Patterson
fayette, Ohio
fay_aca_ep@nwoca.ohio.gov
I haven't seen any articles (hmmm...maybe you should do one?) but I do
review and I have the guidelines that Kliatt and Book Report have sent me.
Mary Stewart Lewis, Director of Library Media Services
The Benjamin School
11000 Ellison Wilson Rd., North Palm Beach, Fl. 33408
marystewart_lewis@benjaminschool.com
I would try Library Literature, an index for library periodicals and
books. You might also try ERIC. It's been a while since I've been in a
large college library reference section, but I know I used Library Lit.
all during my MLS program. It seems to me that I also remember another
print index that covered educational topics besides ERIC. I think it was
called Education Digest. Sorry I can't be more helpful.
Terri Duncko, KidsConnect Volunteer
South Range High School Librarian
North Lima, OH 44452
330-549-2163
SRAN_TLD@access.ohio.gov
I don't know where you could find articles on writing book reviews, however,
you might want to email professional journals and ask them to send you info
on writing reviews for them. They will have a list of criteria and perhaps
several samples.
The email address for The Book Report and Technology Connection is:
newslin@aol.com
Verne Haselwood
Department of Teacher Education
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Kayser Hall 208D
Omaha, NE 68182
(402) 554-2211
email: hasel@cwis.unomaha.edu
I'll put something in the mail. May or may not be appropriate.
EUSD <rpeasley@eusd.stan-co.k12.ca.us>:
Just saw a review recently for a whole book on writing book reviews - you
might check the ALA and Linworth catalogs. Most journals send general
guidelines when you begin reviewing for them.
Marcia Millere
Jerger Elementary School
1006 South Broad Street
Thomasville, GA 31792
Do you want to teach how to write book reviews? I think Instructor
magazine did a feature on that, but it could have been as long as 3 years
ago.
Sharron L. McElmeel (smcelmeel@cedar-rapids.k12.ia.us)
Library Media Specialist-Harrison Elem. Cedar Rapids, IA
http://www.cedar-rapids.k12.ia.us/Harrison/harrison.html
http://www.aea10.k12.ia.us/literacy/
personal page -- http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/5868/
Author of ABCs of AN AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR VISIT (Linworth, 1995)
Maybe the lack of response is because most of the articles are aimed at
professional reviewers and librarians aren't necessarily reviewers in that
sense. But I would suggest you access the back issues of Writer's Digest
-- I know they have had articles in the past about writing a good book
review. I did not respond earlier because frankly I did not have time to
do that searching for you but perhaps with the name of the publication you
will have access to a periodical index that would give you that information
via a search. Second -- a hs literary magazine, I think "Scope" had a
concise one-page article on writing reviews -- a few years back. I don't
subscribe nor am I at a high school now where I might be able to find the
article citation for you. I'm not even sure if it is indexed but perhaps
with that thread of information you will be able to ferret it out or the
woodwork. Good luck. Sharron.
Kay Ellis
Library Media Specialist
Hannibal High School
kellis@hannibal.k12.mo.us
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