An Evaluation Guide for Fiction

Evaluations For Children ages 0-7

Author: Will Moses : A retelling from the original tale by The Brothers Grimm.
Title: Will Moses Hansel and Gretel
Publisher: Philomel Books
Summary: A poor woodcutter and his wife decide to take drop the woodcutters children in the woods and abandon them. Hansel cleverly picks up
a handful of rocks and drops them as clues which help he and Gretel arrive back at home after they are abandoned. Their Stepmother is furious
and devises another plan to drop the children very far into the wilderness. Clever Hansel uses his bread to mark the trail. The children are once
again abandoned in the woods. They fall asleep and awake after dark to find their bread trail is gone. The children become lost in the woods.
Tired and hungry, they come across a beautiful gingerbread house in a clearing in the woods. The hungry children start to snack on the house
when an old woman (who is actually a witch) comes out of the house and invites them to come in and stay with her, promising no one would
harm them there. The evil witch locks Hansel in a fattening pen and makes Gretel into her slave. The witch decides to eat Hansel and Gretel, but
quick thinking Gretel shoves the witch into the fire, unlocks Hansels pen and the two escape- bringing with them some of the old witches
fortune. Hansel and Gretel return home to find their father happily waiting for them. Their Stepmother had died from a black heart while they
were lost.
Evaluation
Plot:
Believability (absence of coincidence, sentimentality, etc.)

1 10 = 2

Comment: This was a favorite of mine as a child, but as an adult, this story seriously lacks believability.
Major dramatic question (clear early in the book?) Yes
Comment:
Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) 1 10 = 10
Comment: There is a lot of tensions and a very satisfactory conclusion.
Style and language (precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, cadence, understatement, unexpected insights, etc.)
Comment: I enjoyed the excellent use of figurative language.
Pacing 1 10 = 8
Comments: I feel this book moves a little too quickly.
Character (dynamic protagonist, characters ring true {including cultural considerations} etc.)
Comments:
Setting: (detail, texture)

1 10 = 10

Comments: The detailed illustrations in this book are beautiful.

Theme (absence of overt didacticism?)

1 10 = 10

Comments: I do not see any didacticism in this book.

Other considerations (mood, tone, etc.) 1 -10 = 9
Comments: The mood and tone are serious.
Is it a well-rounded piece? 1 10 = 10
Comments:
Overall Rating (10 high; 1 low)

1 10 = 9

Comment: Overall, I give this book a 9. I very much enjoyed the illustrations and the story.

1 - 10 = 8

1 - 10 = 10

An Evaluation Guide for Fiction

Author: The Brothers Grimm

Title: Thorn Rose
Publisher: Bradbury Press
Summary: After longing for a child, the King and Queens wish is finally granted when their daughter was born. The king threw a great feast.
Because he had 12 gold plates, he invited 12 of the 13 fairies in his kingdom. Each fairy bestowed a gift on the baby princess. After the 11 th fairy
bestowed her gift, the 13th fairy shows up in an uproar and curses the baby princess to prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die.
The 12th fairy bestows her gift and declares that the princess will not die, but fall into a 100 year sleep that shall be broken by true loves kiss. The
princess grows and eventually, pricks her finger on the spindle, and falls into her sleep. Many brave princes come throughout the years ,but none
succeed at passing the thorny bushes that have grown around the castle. At last the brave prince finally makes it to Thorn Roses side, plants a big
kiss on her lips and awakens the entire kingdom. The prince and Thorn Rose are married and live happily ever after.
Evaluation
Plot:
Believability (absence of coincidence, sentimentality, etc.)

1 10 = 2

Comment: As a child, this story was one of my favorites, but as an adult, it just isnt that believable.
Major dramatic question (clear early in the book?) Yes
Comment: It is obvious from the beginning that something bad is going to happen.
Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) 1 10 = 10
Comment: The conflict is clear. Good versus evil. The conclusion is slightly boring by todays standards.
Style and language (precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, cadence, understatement, unexpected insights, etc.)
Comment: I enjoyed the cadence of the story.
Pacing 1 10 = 9
Comments:
Character (dynamic protagonist, characters ring true {including cultural considerations} etc.)
Comments: The cultural considerations for the time that this was written are spot on.
Setting: (detail, texture)

1 10 = 10

Comments: The detailed pictues and texture within each picture is amazing.
Theme (absence of overt didacticism?)

1 10 = 8

Comments: There is no didacticism in this story.

Other considerations (mood, tone, etc.) 1 -10 = 9
Comments: From sad, to happy, to heartbreak to happiness, this book has many mood swings.
Is it a well-rounded piece? 1 10 = 8
Comments:
Overall Rating (10 high; 1 low)

1 10 = 8

Comment: I feel this classic should never be forgotten. The illustrations are breathtaking.

1 - 10 = 10

1 - 10 = 8

An Evaluation Guide for Fiction

Author: Virginia Hamilton

Title: The Girl Who Spun Gold
Publisher: Blue Sky Press
Summary: One day, Big King went riding through the forest. He came across Quashiba and her mother laughing and stopped to talk to
them. Quashibas mother told him that her daughter could spin gold. Big King married Quashiba right away He told her she could have
everything she ever wanted, but after one year, she had to start spinning golden threads. All was fine for that year, then Big King came
and took Quashiba to a room and told her to start spinning. Quashiba was trembling and sad. She looked up and a tiny man wearing a
green hat was floating in the air. The tiny man promised to help Quashiba, but she had to guess his name. He gave her 3 nights to guess,
and 3 tries each night. Quashiba agrees and promises to name the man within 3 nights, then being tired, she fell asleep. When she awoke,
the room was sparkling with gold. She incorrectly guesses the tiny mans name. Big King came and was thrilled with her work, then led
Quashiba to another, larger room and commanded her to fill it with gold. The little man appeared again, bringing food with him. The
little man began spinning and Quashiba again fell fast asleep. When she awoke, the room was filled with gold and she resumed her name
guessing game with the little man. She incorrectly guesses his name again, and just as before, Big King returns and is so delighted with
the room that he invites his wife to have dinner with him. Big King tells her about his day out hunting and something unusual he had
seen. He perfectly describes the little man who has been helping Quashiba as he was dancing around and singing his name: Litmahn
Bittyun. After dinner, Big King tells Quashiba to spin just one more room of gold, and locks her inside. Litmahn arrives and begins
spinning gold once again. Quashiba falls asleep. When she awakes, the room is full of gold. Their guessing game begins and the tiny man
is shocked when Quahsiba correctly guesses his name. He broke into a million gold pieces that flew into the night sky and disappeared.
Queen Quashiba eventually forgave Big King and the 2 lived happily ever after.
EvaluationPlot:
Believability (absence of coincidence, sentimentality, etc.)

1 10 = 3

Comment: As a child, I loved this story. As an adult, it just isnt that believable.
Major dramatic question (clear early in the book?) Yes
Comment:
Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) 1 10 = 8
Comment:. The conflict at times is gut wrenching. The ending was nice.
Style and language (precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, cadence, understatement, unexpected insights, etc.)
Comment: I enjoyed the figurative language.
Pacing 1 10 = 8
Comments: Great pace. Not too fast, not too slow.
Character (dynamic protagonist, characters ring true {including cultural considerations} etc.)
Comments:
Setting: (detail, texture)
Comments:

1 10 = 9

The details in the illustrations are amazing.

Theme (absence of overt didacticism?)

1 10 = 10

Comments: I did not see any didacticism.

Other considerations (mood, tone, etc.) 1 -10 = 7
Comments: I give a 7 because I think the illustrations may be scary for some children.
Is it a well-rounded piece? 1 10 = 7
Comments:
Overall Rating (10 high; 1 low)

1 10 = 8

1 - 10 = 9

1 10 = 10

An Evaluation Guide for Fiction

Comment: I enjoyed the cultural twist on the classic story. I think I prefer the original though. I am glad I read this book and will at some point
probably use it.

Evaluations for Older Children

Author: Eric Kimmel
Title: The Story of Esther A Purim Tale
Publisher: Holiday House
Summary: After the King of Persia shuns his wife away in disgrace, the King decides to remarry. He summons all the maidens in the land
to the palace. A man named Mordacai brings his niece Esther to the palace. Esther is worried because of the way that she and Mordacai
worship. Mordacai eases Esthers fears and Esther is chosen as the queen. Mordacai overhears the palace guards plotting to kill the king
and reveals the plot to the kings officers, who were very thankful to Mordacai. Afterwards, the kings chief minister, Haman came riding
into the streets and his servants proclaimed that everyone should bow down. Everyone but Mordacai bowed.. Hamans guards tried to
force Mordacai to bow, but he was very strong. Mordacai proclaimed that he would only bow to God. Haman was angry and vowed to
take revenge on Mordacai, his family and his entire people. That evening, Haman tricked the king, wrote out a proclamation stating that
all Hebrew, young and old were to be killed. Mordacai tore his clothes, poured ashes on his head and sat at the palace gates. Esthers
servants noticed him there and she came out to speak to her uncle. Mordacai begged Esther to speak to the king about the proclamation.
Esther was fearful because t go to the king without being summoned could mean death. Esther was brave, dressed in her finest robes, she
entered the kings throne room, he smiled, and pointed his scepter at her, inviting her to enter. The king tells Esther he desires her
happiness and offers her half of his kingdom. Esther invites the king to a feast and asks him to bring Haman with him. Hamans head
swells with pride. Hamans wife tells him to build a gallows 100 feet high to hang Mordacai from. That night, the king could not sleep. He
summoned his scribes to read to him. He asks how they had repaid Mordacai for saving his life. When he finds out Mordacai has not
been repaid, he summons Haman and tells him to treat Mordacai to the finest royal robe, crown and horse and to parade him through
the city. At dinner the following night, just as Haman is about to ask for permission to execute Mordacai, the king thanks Esther for such
a lovely feast and asks to grant her anything she desires. Esther throws herself at the kings feet and begs that he spare her life, her
uncles life and all of her people. When the king reads of Hamans proclamation, he is furious and commands that all Hebrew people will
be safe from it. He renounces Haman and has him and his entire family hung on the very gallows that Haman had been building for
Mordacai.
Evaluation
Plot : Believability (absence of coincidence, sentimentality, etc.)

1 10 = 10

Comment: This story is very believable

Major dramatic question (clear early in the book?) Yes
Comment: From the beginning, you are left wondering what will happen to Esther and Mordacai.
Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) 1 10 = 10
Comment:
Style and language (precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, cadence, understatement, unexpected insights, etc.)
Comment:
Pacing 1 10 = 10
Comments: I enjoyed the pacing of this story.
Character (dynamic protagonist, characters ring true {including cultural considerations} etc.)

1 - 10 = 10

Comments: The cultural basics of this story ring true.

Setting: (detail, texture)

1 10 = 10

Comments: I very much enjoyed the Illustrations. They are very detailed and full of texture.
Theme (absence of overt didacticism?)

1 10 = 10

Comments:
Other considerations (mood, tone, etc.) 1 -10 = 10
Comments: While the mood is dark, the overall tone of the story is good.

1 10 = 8

An Evaluation Guide for Fiction

Is it a well-rounded piece? 1 10 = 10
Comments: I feel that this is a well-rounded piece
Overall Rating (10 high; 1 low)

1 10 = 10

Comment: Overall I give this book a 10. I enjoyed the writing and the illustrations of this brave character.
Author: Ruth Ann Musick
Title: The Telltale Lilac Bush
Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky
Summary: This book is a collection of 100 folklore tales from the people of the state of West Virginia. Each tale is divided up into a genre
of tale. The genres include: Jealous Rivals, Wives Who Return, Ghostly Children, Murdered Kinsmen, Omens of Death, Deadly Visions,
Headless Ghosts, Hidden Money, Haunted Places, Negro Slaves, Murdered Peddlers, Mine Ghosts. Growing up, my favorite tales were:
A Loyal Dog, A Skeleton Hand, Grandfathers Clock and The Telltale Lilac Bush, with the books namesake story being of a murdered
wife who is buried under the lilac bush outside of the front window. The lilac bush continually knocks on the window until it is found
where the missing wife had been buried.
Evaluation
Plot:Believability (absence of coincidence, sentimentality, etc.)

1 10 = 10

Comment:
Major dramatic question (clear early in the book?) Yes
Comment: The major dramatic question for me was will the next story be scarier than the last?
Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) 1 10 = 10
Comment: There is a LOT of tension in the tales in this book. The conflict in each tale is clear. The resolution for each tale may or may not
be satisfactory, depending on your view of life.
Style and language (precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, cadence, understatement, unexpected insights, etc.)

1 - 10 = 10

Comment: The unexpected insights, figurative language and understatement in this book make it hands down my favorite folklore book.
Pacing 1 10 = 10
Comments: Character (dynamic protagonist, characters ring true {including cultural considerations} etc.)

1 - 10 = 10

Comments: The cultural considerations and the way that each character is built up and told within a few paragraphs make this book
fascinating to me. I enjoyed the way each character is described and is built into West Virginian culture as if they had been there forever.
Setting: (detail, texture)

1 10 = 10

Comments: Each individual tale is written differently, but I very much enjoyed the details and descriptive language in this book.
Theme (absence of overt didacticism?)

1 10 = 10

Comments:
Other considerations (mood, tone, etc.) 1 -10 = 10
Comments:
Is it a well-rounded piece? 1 10 = 10
Comments:
Overall Rating (10 high; 1 low)

1 10 = 10

Comment: Overall, I give this book a 10. The figurative language within its pages is amazing. I feel that I grew to love folklore because of
this book. Starting in third grade, I was read this book every year during the month of October. The first time I heard it, I was terrified.
As I grew older, I realized that this type of tale was ingrained in the culture of the people of my home state. I am happy that I finally have
a place to describe it.