ECPA Christian Book Awards
CHILDREN / YOUTH
Category Description and Judging Criteria
Category Description
This award is for material whose audience is children or youth and includes both fictional and non-fictional material. This category is inclusive of the following:
Preschool Children
Elementary Children
Youth
Judging Criteria - For children’s picture books
(Using a scale of 1-10)
1. Characterization
Do the author and illustrator create convincing, memorable characters to which the child can relate?
2. Content
Do the story and illustrations appeal to the intended audience, holding a child’s interest and/or encouraging him/her to continue looking at or reading the book?
Is the approach original and creative?
Is there a logical sequence of events?
Is the material consistent with a Christian worldview?
3. Theme
Is the title appropriate and engaging?
Does the message overpower the story or is it a natural, well-integrated component of the story?
Is the theme age-appropriate and well-developed?
4. Writing Style
Is the vocabulary age-appropriate?
Do specific and concrete details appeal to the senses?
Do the rhythm and word choice engage the audience?
5. Illustration / Design
Does the cover of the book make the audience want to look at it/read it?
Do the illustrations correspond to text, enhance characterizations, and inspire the imagination?
Does the type and format contribute to the overall design and readability of the book?
6. Impact
Does the story respond to a need, fulfill an interest, or imaginatively engage the intended audience?
Do all the elements of the book contribute harmoniously to a total impact of excellence?
Judging Criteria - For early readers, chapter books, and mid- and young adult fiction
(Using a scale of 1-10)
1. Characterization
Does the author create convincing, memorable characters to which the child/youth can relate?
If there is dialogue, does it contribute to the characterization and flow naturally?
2. Content
Does the content/story appeal to the intended audience; does it hold a child’s interest or encourage him/her to continue looking at or reading the book?
Is the approach original and creative?
Is there a logical sequence of events?
Is the content consistent with a Christian worldview?
3. Theme
Is the title appropriate and engaging?
Does the message overpower the story or is it a natural, well-integrated component of the story?
Is the theme age-appropriate and well-developed?
4. Writing Style
Is the vocabulary age-appropriate?
Do specific and concrete details appeal to the senses?
Do the rhythm and word choice engage the audience?
Are there errors in spelling, grammar, paragraphing, and punctuation?
Are words used incorrectly?
5. Design
Does the cover of the book make the audience want to look at it/read it?
If illustrated, do the illustrations correspond to text, enhance characterizations, and inspire the imagination?
Does the type and format contribute to the overall design and readability of the book?
6. Impact
Does the story respond to a need, fulfill an interest, or imaginatively engage the intended audience?
Do all the elements of the book contribute harmoniously to a total impact of excellence?
Judging Criteria - For all non-fictional material for children and youth.
(Using a scale of 1-10)
1. Audience
Is the audience clearly defined or understood from the cover or presentation of the book?
2. Content
Is the perspective and reading level consistent with the purpose of the book?
Is the information appropriate to the audience?
Is the content well-developed and organized logically?
Are the main points presented in a clear, engaging manner?
3. Writing Style / Mechanics
Does the style of writing make it accessible to the intended audience?
Are there errors in spelling, grammar, paragraphing, and punctuation?
Are words used incorrectly?
4. Author
Does the author have sufficient experience/employment in the field to be considered highly knowledgeable?
5. Design / Format
Do the cover, color, layout, and text size facilitate the reading experience?
Does the format of the book facilitate the purpose of the book?
6. Impact
1. Does the work meet a need in the intended audience and/or fulfill a need in the marketplace?
Is the presentation fresh and compelling in nature?
Does the book have the potential to make an impact on the worldview or lifestyle of the audience?
Download the Word document
CHILDREN / YOUTH
Category Description and Judging Criteria
Category Description
This award is for material whose audience is children or youth and includes both fictional and non-fictional material. This category is inclusive of the following:
Preschool Children
Elementary Children
Youth
Judging Criteria - For children’s picture books
(Using a scale of 1-10)
1. Characterization
Do the author and illustrator create convincing, memorable characters to which the child can relate?
2. Content
Do the story and illustrations appeal to the intended audience, holding a child’s interest and/or encouraging him/her to continue looking at or reading the book?
Is the approach original and creative?
Is there a logical sequence of events?
Is the material consistent with a Christian worldview?
3. Theme
Is the title appropriate and engaging?
Does the message overpower the story or is it a natural, well-integrated component of the story?
Is the theme age-appropriate and well-developed?
4. Writing Style
Is the vocabulary age-appropriate?
Do specific and concrete details appeal to the senses?
Do the rhythm and word choice engage the audience?
5. Illustration / Design
Does the cover of the book make the audience want to look at it/read it?
Do the illustrations correspond to text, enhance characterizations, and inspire the imagination?
Does the type and format contribute to the overall design and readability of the book?
6. Impact
Does the story respond to a need, fulfill an interest, or imaginatively engage the intended audience?
Do all the elements of the book contribute harmoniously to a total impact of excellence?
Judging Criteria - For early readers, chapter books, and mid- and young adult fiction
(Using a scale of 1-10)
1. Characterization
Does the author create convincing, memorable characters to which the child/youth can relate?
If there is dialogue, does it contribute to the characterization and flow naturally?
2. Content
Does the content/story appeal to the intended audience; does it hold a child’s interest or encourage him/her to continue looking at or reading the book?
Is the approach original and creative?
Is there a logical sequence of events?
Is the content consistent with a Christian worldview?
3. Theme
Is the title appropriate and engaging?
Does the message overpower the story or is it a natural, well-integrated component of the story?
Is the theme age-appropriate and well-developed?
4. Writing Style
Is the vocabulary age-appropriate?
Do specific and concrete details appeal to the senses?
Do the rhythm and word choice engage the audience?
Are there errors in spelling, grammar, paragraphing, and punctuation?
Are words used incorrectly?
5. Design
Does the cover of the book make the audience want to look at it/read it?
If illustrated, do the illustrations correspond to text, enhance characterizations, and inspire the imagination?
Does the type and format contribute to the overall design and readability of the book?
6. Impact
Does the story respond to a need, fulfill an interest, or imaginatively engage the intended audience?
Do all the elements of the book contribute harmoniously to a total impact of excellence?
Judging Criteria - For all non-fictional material for children and youth.
(Using a scale of 1-10)
1. Audience
Is the audience clearly defined or understood from the cover or presentation of the book?
2. Content
Is the perspective and reading level consistent with the purpose of the book?
Is the information appropriate to the audience?
Is the content well-developed and organized logically?
Are the main points presented in a clear, engaging manner?
3. Writing Style / Mechanics
Does the style of writing make it accessible to the intended audience?
Are there errors in spelling, grammar, paragraphing, and punctuation?
Are words used incorrectly?
4. Author
Does the author have sufficient experience/employment in the field to be considered highly knowledgeable?
5. Design / Format
Do the cover, color, layout, and text size facilitate the reading experience?
Does the format of the book facilitate the purpose of the book?
6. Impact
1. Does the work meet a need in the intended audience and/or fulfill a need in the marketplace?
Is the presentation fresh and compelling in nature?
Does the book have the potential to make an impact on the worldview or lifestyle of the audience?
Download the Word document
