M01 ande5832 04 se c01. indd

II. Cover the Cover.
Sometimes information such as a brief biographical sketch of 
the author is printed on the inside back cover of a paperback book, so always look. 
If nothing is there, turn the book over and look at the back cover. Most paperbacks 
will have a short synopsis of the story there. The ending is not revealed, but informa-
tion such as the name and age of the main character and where and when the story 
takes place is usually provided. Sometimes there are excerpts from reviews, and these 
may add a bit of additional information, such as the theme. (On hardcover books, 
the synopsis and reviews are on the inside flaps of the book jacket. Information 
about the author and illustrator is also provided there.) 
Next, look at the front cover. On a paperback book, or on the jacket of a hard-
cover book, you should find an illustration. If the book jacket is missing, turn to the 
first illustration in the book. Think like a detective and look for clues as to what the 
story might be about. Here are some questions that will help you make predictions: 
•
What clues can you find that tell about the setting of this story—where and 
when it happened?
•
What do you think the characters might be doing?
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P A R T I :
Entering the World of Children’s Literature
•
What does the title tell you about the story? Predict what kind of story it 
might be (fantasy, realistic, humorous).
•
What do you think might happen in this story? Why do you think so?
•
What do you think the illustrations or designs on the colored endpapers or 
title page mean? What additional information about the story can be found 
in these illustrations?
•
Do these clues remind you of events in your own life or events in other books 
you have read?