• May be fiction, biography, or other form of nonfiction. 

• Must portray the emotional, mental, or physical disability as part of a full life, not as something to be pitied. 

• Representation of characters with disabilities should be realistic, avoiding exaggeration or stereotypes. 

• Person with disability should be integral to the presentation, not merely a passive bystander. 

• The theme must be appropriate for and respectful of the intended audience age. 

• Information on a disability must be accurate. 

2. Style • Should be well written 

• Should be engaging with distinctive use of language for plot and character development and setting delineation.

 • Book should be judged on its own merit as a self-contained entity, not as part of a series, and irrespective of supportive materials such as a CD or other supplemental material. 

3. Illustration and Design 

• Text and images should complement or enhance each other, with differentiated contrast between text, pictures, and background. 

• Format and typeface must be of age appropriate size, clearly readable, and free of typographical errors. 

• Layout should be easy to follow, enhancing the flow of the story or information.