10 Questions to Ask About a Novel



Ten Questions to Ask About a Novel by Richard Peck (1978)
Richard Peck, a talented writer who received numerous awards, created ten questions that can help students evaluate novels by making connections and thinking critically. These questions are simple and they may apply to all novels. They are great to help students decide whether the book or author is appealing to them. After answering these questions, students may realize that they love or loathe the book. If they love the book, they will come to the librarian and ask her to help her look for more books similar to the one he just read. As librarians, we must be familiar with the following questions because we may need to guide students who are struggling with finding their favorite genre or sub-genre:

l. What would the story be like if the main character were of the opposite sex?

2. Why is the story set where it is?

3. If you were to film the story, would you use black and white or color and WHY?

4. If you could not use all of the characters, which would you eliminate and WHY?


5. How is the main character different from you?


6. Would this story make a good TV series? Why/not?


7. What one thing in the story has happened to you?


8. Reread the first paragraph of Chapter 1. What is in it to make you read on? If
nothing, why did you continue to read?

9. If you had to design a new cover for the book, what would it look like?

10. What does the title tell you about the book? Does it tell the truth?

Richard Peck | Penguin Random House. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2018, from https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/23514/richard-peck
Our Keynote Speaker for July! (2012, January 31). Retrieved November 2, 2018, from https://aseraserburns.wordpress.com/2012/01/31/our-keynote-speaker-for-july/  

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