The books selected usually fulfil traditional literary criteria, unless their popularity calls for their inclusion. The literary criteria include: realistic character development; style; and appropriate and realistic plot development. An important factor for inclusion is that the books offer realistic and/or factual information on the death and grief process. The grief process, from disbelief to acceptance and celebration of the life, should be represented in the text whether it is fiction or non-fiction. If the complete process is not shown the path toward acceptance should be clear.

The books selected reinforce the universality of the death and grief process, thus showing children and teenagers that they are not alone. To this end the majority of the books included are of recent publication and set in modern times. This enables a better identification with the characters and situations shown in the book. Some older books, or those with a historical focus, have been included if they offer something which overcomes the problem of distance between the book's time period and today.

The book should answer a majority of the following questions:

• Is the book honest?

• Does it provide accurate information about the reality of death?

• How realistic is the book's emotional impact?

• Is it needlessly frightening or confusing?

• If non-fiction, is the information even-handed and bias avoided?

• Are potentially inflammatory issues handled sensitively?

• Do the illustrations, where used, avoid stereotypes?

• Are the illustrations, where used, appropriate to the text?

• When metaphors are used, is the book aimed at older age groups, who are more able to grasp the meaning of the abstraction?

• Is death portrayed as only happening to old people?

• Are the emotions present in the death/grief process shown in an understanding light?

• Are support networks, e.g. parents, friends, counsellors, teachers, shown to help?

• Is death portrayed as a natural event?