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Selecting Books for Your RIF Program
Ultimately, great book selections are those that excite and challenge the children, help nurture them as lifelong learners, engage families, and serve the unique needs of individual program sites. The following general guidelines may be helpful as you develop processes that suit your program's specific needs.
- Variety is the key. Remember that children's interests may not be yours, so include books on a wide range of subjects. Look at classic children's stories, poetry, folk and fairy tales, animal stories, cartoons, riddle books, adventure, action, or mystery books, and nonfiction books on sports, science, biography, or history.
- Consider appearance and format. Look for clever graphics and titles, clear, readable type, and durable paper. When ordering books for slow or beginning readers, be sure each page contains only a few words. A large block of type can be intimidating.
- Appeal to children of all backgrounds. Part of enjoying a book is being able to identify with its characters. It's important to include books that reflect children's diverse ethnic, racial, and cultural heritages. Look for books that realistically portray the children's own experiences. In addition, offer books about different cultures to give children a glimpse of worlds beyond their own doorsteps.
- Remember advanced readers. Advanced readers deserve as much consideration as those who have problems with reading. Books that seem childish to advanced readers can kill their desire to read as surely as complicated texts can discourage reluctant readers.
- Be sure your selections include chapter books dealing with substantial topics, such as classics, contemporary fiction, and nonfiction, that will exercise the skills of strong readers and motivate them to reach even higher levels of achievement.
- Be alert for multimedia tie-ins. Make television, films, and software work for literacy by using them as launching pads for books. If a television character hits it big with children, see if you can find a book (or comic book) version of his or her exploits.
- Find books that tie-in with recent events. A space shuttle mission, for example, provides a timely lead to science fiction, science books about space, or an astronauts biography.
- Watch for popular series. By observing and talking with teachers, parents, and children, you will discover what series books are popular. If children loved the first book in a series, include subsequent installments at later distributions. Series books also act as powerful motivators because children turn to books with which they are comfortable.
- Identify adult books for older readers. When ordering books for senior high school students, look beyond the books labeled young adult or teenage fiction to find books written mainly for an adult audience. Consult the bestseller lists to get an idea of books that may interest nearly adult readers.
- Be sensitive to community standards. RIF believes children should have the widest possible selection of books. However, RIF also believes that selection committees should be aware of the community's general feelings about books that are appropriate for children. With the nearly endless range of children's paperbacks published in this country, selection committees can offer a treasure house of books without including titles that might offend the community and jeopardize the program's reputation and support. Remember, too, that RIF neither reviews nor endorses books, so local programs have full responsibility for finding appropriate titles for the children they serve.
- Look for tie-ins to motivational activities. Don't overlook opportunities to connect book distribution events with motivational activities—the two signature activities of any RIF program. For example, if you have a magic act planned, look for books on magic. If you hold an international fair, find books about other cultures.
- Consider cost. Everyone on the book selection committee should know your budget and look for books within your price range.
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