ACL Reviewer Information

Review Submission

Submit your reviews here.

Resources for BayViews Reviewers

How does ACL reviewing work?

-Any ACL member can review books, whether you can make it to the monthly meeting or not. This opens it up to so many more members who can now review books! Including you!

– When you want to claim a book, fill out this form and wait to receive confirmation before starting your review. We’d like to prevent duplicate reviews!

– Not sure what to review? ACL is looking for reviews of books on this list.

– Review books can be physical copies or e-books. Two great sources of e-ARCs are Netgalley and Edelweiss. Both are free and easy to use. Many reviewers check out new books from their libraries. We also have access to tangible books sent by publishers. Those can be picked up at in-person meetings. If you are unable to attend, please contact Jessica to make arrangements for pick up or delivery.

– When writing your review, check out the resources listed below for thorough guidelines. Pay close attention to the ratings criteria.

– Reviews are due at 11:59pm on the Monday before the monthly meeting. The meetings are at 9 or 10am on the second Friday of the month, either in person or by Zoom. The ACL President will send out a Zoom link to members on the Thursday before the meeting.

Questions? Email Lesley at [email protected] or Penny at [email protected].

Thanks!

Ideal Content Goals

Reviewer’s opinion is clearly stated.
Review is succinct.
Observations relevant to library work are included.
Tone is professional, honest, and heartfelt.
Formatting is standard, following ACL Style Guidelines.

Tools for BayViews Volunteer Copy Editors & Bibliographic Checkers

Ratings Rubric

The list below includes important attributes for basic types of nonfiction and fiction. An outstanding book achieves all or most of these attributes. An unsatisfactory book fails to achieve all or most of these attributes and also includes general flaws or deficiencies that argue against its inclusion in a library collection: bias, artless inaccuracies, poor design, and lack of respect for the intended audience. A book receiving an additional rating is generally considered a “good” book, without major flaws.

Biography

Outstanding

An outstanding biography for children may be documented with references, through the author’s credentials, or based on a strong connection with the person or the field. The subject of the biography should come through as a developed character, and the incidents included should provide an accurate portrayal of the world in which the person lived. The dialog should be based on diaries, letters, etc., rather than imagined. Source notes and other material should be included to support the text.

Additional

An acceptable but not outstanding biography will give an accurate account of a person's life and role in their own time as well as their relevance to an understanding of today's world. Other competent or stronger (more lively, readable, or textured) biographies of the same person might exist.

Unsatisfactory

Biography in the unsatisfactory category might include fictionalized dialog from the author’s imagination. It might lack source notes, or fail to put the subject into context. It may show a lack of balance or undue bias, or simply a poor presentation of the subject. Important events might be omitted, or minor ones magnified, to make the subject seem better or worse than the person is/was.

Fiction

Outstanding

An outstanding title is an appealing story told smoothly with freshness and originality. The story is absorbing, convincing, and carefully worked out to an honest conclusion. The characters are credibly fleshed out, authentic, and realistic, and would work as either windows or mirrors for readers. In the case of a sequel, it is able to stand alone; it isn’t necessary to have read any previous titles.

Additional

An additional novel is readable, well-written, and of interest to some young readers. Its inclusion in a library’s collection will be determined by reader interest and the size of the collection, as well as by patrons' ease of access to larger collections and earlier titles in a series.

Unsatisfactory

Unsatisfactory fiction might show a lack of respect for the reader; might include outdated or problematic stereotypes; may contain factual and grammatical errors or plagiarism; may show poor design that materially affects the book’s function; or may be characterized by poorly written text. Unsatisfactory novels have flaws that make them too inauthentic or inaccurate to be believable either as mirrors or as windows to readers.

Folklore

Outstanding

An outstanding folklore title presents an appealing and well-told story with notes or documentation of the story’s origin. It provides cultural context and respects the culture from which the story derives. If illustrated, the artwork accurately reflects the tale's culture of origin. If comparable titles exist, an outstanding work exceeds others in the quality of its presentation.

Additional

While not outstanding in presentation, an additional work of folklore might be useful because it reflects a specific culture needing more representation in a collection; includes tales from an oral tradition that are particularly hard to find, and/or tales that are particularly vibrant examples of storytelling likely to be used in library programming.

Unsatisfactory

An unsatisfactory folklore title lacks many or all of the following: source notes or documentation of the story’s origin, respect for the culture from which the story derives, a well-told story, a storytelling voice that will appeal to children, and, if applicable, well-done illustrations.

Graphic Novels

Outstanding

In an outstanding graphic novel, artwork and design function together to extend, clarify, and interpret a story that displays the strengths that characterize outstanding fiction. Illustrations flow from one panel to the next. The style, design, and content are original, artful, and appealing. If wordless, the artwork both creates the world and conveys a compelling story.

Additional

An additional graphic novel displays a union of text and illustration, but inclusion in a particular collection may be limited by space constraints and/or general appeal.

Unsatisfactory

An unsatisfactory graphic novel might contain types of content flaws also seen in unsatisfactory fiction. It might be difficult to follow the action. Panels may not be clearly sequenced. There may be a mismatch between text and art. The text and/or art may be of low quality.

History

Outstanding

An outstanding history title makes past eras come alive for the reader, through accurate, compelling, and unbiased text. The author considers multiple viewpoints and documents sources. If needed, clear maps, a bibliography, footnotes, and an index are included.

Additional

An acceptable book of history will present an accurate and unbiased account of a particular period in history and will include documentation of sources. Inclusion in a particular collection will be based on coverage of the topic, currency of the existing collection and patron interest.

Unsatisfactory

Unsatisfactory history might be biased, inaccurate in more than a couple of details, lacking in source notes, fictionalized, a mixture of facts and guesswork, or written in a way that will confuse or mislead the reader.

How-to Books

Outstanding

An outstanding how-to book provides clear and complete directions while encouraging creativity. The text engages readers, while appealing illustrations elucidate steps and concepts. Suggested activities are well suited to the interests and abilities of the intended audience. Often, an outstanding how-to book approaches a topic and/or materials from a unique and useful perspective.

Additional

An acceptable how-to book conveys accurate and safe instructions, but its purchase for an existing collection is dependent on whether the collection already has sufficient current materials and/or patron demand for such a title.

Unsatisfactory

Directions might skip steps or be unclear. Lists of materials might be incomplete, or children might be encouraged to do tasks that are developmentally inappropriate or unsafe. Illustrations of the finished product might be missing or poor.

Picture Books

Outstanding

An outstanding picture book is a union of text and illustrations. The illustrations extend and interpret the story. The style, design, and content are original, artful, and appealing. If wordless, the illustrations both create the world and convey a compelling story.

Additional

An additional picture book tells an appealing story in a way that resonates with younger readers, but may contain either text or illustrations that are not equally strong; may feature a familiar storyline told better elsewhere, or may cover a topic of general but not overwhelming interest.

Unsatisfactory

Pictures and text might be mismatched in age appeal or quality. Might lack originality or contain major deficiencies in page design, text, and/or illustrations. Some books in this category might otherwise be effective, but might include outdated cultural stereotypes and/or factual and grammatical errors that detract from the book’s function.

Poetry

Outstanding

Poetry should represent a new perspective with an economy of well-chosen words. It must speak to children, not at, or about them. Outstanding poetry demonstrates uniqueness and uses language in fresh ways. Any illustrations extend and enhance the text while leaving room for the reader’s imagination. Anthologies include poems that are not widely available elsewhere.

Additional

Books of poetry recommended for additional purchase use language and poetry conventions well in a way that will appeal to young readers. Inclusion in a particular collection depends on how well poetry on that particular topic, or for a particular age of reader, or type of use will enhance the current collection.

Unsatisfactory

Unsatisfactory poetry might have serious flaws in meter or rhyme, where such are intended. Ideas or word choice are clichéd. In the case of an anthology, individual poems might be good, but the poems might be easily available elsewhere, or the selection might reflect outdated standards.

Readers

Outstanding

An outstanding reader has all the qualities of an Additional reader and presents a story that is well-written, memorable, and original. Beyond providing clues to the text, skillful illustrations enhance the book’s appeal to developing readers. The book should motivate the emergent reader, and allow them to create a successful and enjoyable reading experience.

Additional

An additional reader features simple, straightforward sentences and illustrations that provide clues to the text. Usually words are repeated. The book design supports the reader with a large font, adequate spacing, and an uncluttered background. The book might be broken into very short chapters. An effective reader should motivate the emergent reader, and allow them to create a successful reading experience.

Unsatisfactory

Might contain major deficiencies in page design, text, and/or illustrations. Might include too many difficult words for the intended audience, frustrating the reader. Pictures and text might be mismatched in age appeal or quality.

Science

Outstanding

An outstanding science book is current, accurate, and highly readable. Language and technical information are well suited to the age of the intended audience. Illustrations are clear and detailed. Captions, source notes, and other supporting materials are included.

Additional

An acceptable but not outstanding book of science is clear and accurate with illustrations that explain and clarify the text. Purchase by a particular library is determined by the need for subject coverage and currency of similar titles already in the collection.

Unsatisfactory

The subject matter, the age of the intended audience, and the vocabulary might be mismatched. More than a couple of small flaws in accuracy are evident. Illustrations might be unclear and/or unhelpful. Information in the text might be obsolete, or documentation and source notes might be inadequate. Guesswork might take the place of scientific rigor.

Sports Books

Outstanding

An outstanding sports book is compelling and exciting, creating dramatic moments without resorting to clichés. Any statistics appear judiciously without bombarding the reader. Illustrations reflect a diversity of gender, race, and body types when appropriate.

Additional

An acceptable sports book includes accurate and current information on sports history, athletes, and/or playing techniques

Unsatisfactory

Unsatisfactory sports books might be biased, filled with clichés and/or mistakes, or inappropriate for the intended audience. The writing might be dull.