Peck's Ten Questions to Ask about a Novel

Summary :

In 1978, Richard Peck wrote ten questions to ask about a novel.  The ten questions were :

1. To help diffuse sexual polarizations and stereotyping : How would the story be different if the main character were of the opposite sex?
2. To point out setting as an author’s device : Why is the story set where it is?
3. As a consideration of tone : If you were to make a movie of the story, would you use color or black and white?  Why?
4. To see which characters add texture : If you were to eliminate one character from the story, who would it be and why?
5. So readers can identify if they are not like the main character : How is the main character different from you?
6. For the ending focus and sequential nature of chapters : Would this book make a good TV show?  Why or why not?
7. For anedoctal response of recognition : What is one thing in the story that has happened to you?
8. To hook the reader : Reread the first paragraph of Chp. 1.  What is in it that made you continue reading.  If nothing, why did you keep reading?
9. For deceptive packaging : If you had to design a new cover of the book, what would it look like?
10. For titles as narrative hooks vs. symbolic titles : What does the title of the book tell you about the book?

Reflection :

What great questions these were!  They really require a great deal of higher order thinking skills and delving deeper into titles than may have been done before.  As a librarian, these would be good questions to use in book clubs, which I plan to do on a regular basis!  They would promote deep meaningful discussions amongst students!  

As for how I could use them to evaluate YA literature, I think these would be questions I could ask myself as I am reading new titles.  It would help me form a deeper understanding of issues the author may bring up and how students could connect to the book in different ways.  

Very interesting questions to reflect upon and I can’t wait to use them with students!