Chapter 3: Anatomy of a Book

Chapter 3: Anatomy of a book

This chapter summarizes and shows a diagram of the important parts of a book that can be of interest to a reader. The backbone (or spine), Endpapers, and Casewrap are often the first things we look at when assessing our interest in a book. These three items can help entice a reader into purchasing or checking out a book. The book block, gutter, and headband are normally more utilitarian than the others as they keep the book together and do not often used to impress a reader. We are all told as kids to not judge a book by it’s cover, but I don’t know anyone who hasn’t done that exact thing. These parts of the book help us judge the cover and our interest, and they create the first impression of a book which is important to get someone to read it. This chapter also gives additional vocabulary that revolves around the publishing process. Mock-Up, Format, and Proofs are parts of the publishing process which might explain how people may see different versions of covers or books as they may have changed from the Mock-up to the Proof to the printed copy. The anatomy of a book can also help us evaluate the book for the interest of students. This chapter reminded me of a Ted talk I saw by Chip Kidd, who spoke about the importance of designing a book cover in his “Designing books is no laughingmatter: Ok, it is.” Ted talk. The impressions we get from the anatomy of a book can be a deciding factor in our interest to read it or recommend it to our students.

Reflection:

I think this chapter is very important, but arguably more important to children’s literature and middle grade novels than to Young adult. Book lovers fawn over books that go the extra mile to use the case wrap and endpapers to influence the reader or add an extra detail. End papers could in The Playbook uses it’s endpapers to give an aesthetic appreciation for an informational book as it is textured like a basketball and the book block is also bright orange to give a fun graphic look to an informational self help book. This book plays on the theme of sports, especially basketball, to help kids strive to do well in life. It mixes in informational articles on athletes who have overcome hardships, autobiographical vignettes, famous quotes, and rules to help guide you to be successful. All of these pieces help the book be successful, but the attention to detail on the casewrap, endpapers, and book block help the book stand out on the shelf- just waiting to be picked up and read. I think when an author does this with their publishing company it helps their book stand out, and should definitely be noticed and commended by those evaluating them.

clude, like in many fantasy books, a map of the world you are about to immerse yourself in. Or the casewrap of a hardback can reveal an extra detail to appreciate. For example, Kwame Alexander’s