Book Trailer Criteria

Step One: Study the Masters (and note what you like and what you don't like)

• Wintergirls by Laurie Halse
• Eternal by Cynthia Leitich Smith
• The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaimen
• Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
• Dear John by Nicholas Sparks 
• How to Ruin your Boyfriend's Reputation by Simone Elkeles

Take a look at the winners of a book trailer contest and The HarperTeen YouTube channel too.

**Tip: Always include the Title and Author of the book.

Step Two: Tell a story

• Select images that show the tone of the book: scary, suspenseful, futuristic, romantic? (are there any symbols or metaphors that stand out, what do you think the characters look like, how do you picture the setting?)
• Select short, snappy text (What words might propel the trailer, often text posed in the form of a question works best)
• Include a voiceover

Step Three: Search for images and music that are CC licensed or on royalty-free sites

• Select music and sound effects
• You can always use your own images and sound 

Step Four: Use the right tool for the job

• Animoto
• iMovie
• weVideo
• Youtube

Step Five: Ready, Set, Launch!

• Does it make me curious about the book? •Does it make me want to read the book?
• Do the transitions make sense?
• Do the graphics fit the tone of the book?
• Does it grab my attention?
• Does it address the key points on my assignment?
• Don’t give away the ending without a spoiler alert!

Adapted from the VOYA article by Pamela Lowell - Five Easy Steps to Making a Great Book Trailer that your Students - and Even Technophobes (like me) - Can Master, February 2010