Anatomy of a Book Jacket

by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez

I was thrilled to receive the hardcover book jacket for THE GUARDIAN HERD: STARFIRE last week! Here I am the day I received it. I'm so happy, and of course, I love it!

After admiring if for a few days, I became curious about book jackets in general. It's like when my husband built our house. We had to pick out doors, and knobs, and cabinets, and baseboards etc. and I had never thought about these details before. There are so many choices, so many styles of everything that goes into a house. We had to pick a theme and then choose adornments that reflected that theme.

Ever since that experience, I notice all the little details about other people's homes. I study the width of their baseboards, the pattern of their door styles, the overlay of their cabinets, and I notice what these details say about the house.

Well, it's the same for book jackets. I studied mine intensely, soaking up the fonts, the colors, and the graphics, and then I became insanely curious about other author's book jackets. I ransacked my home, found some of the most recent books I've purchased, and I pulled off their covers.

Here are the poor naked books!

Then I lined up the covers and studied them all together. Do you see how each book cover conveys the mood of the book? 

Here's a closer look at each:

The Guardian Herd: STARFIRE

My book jacket makes a clear statement to readers--this a character driven story that is also full of life-threatening action! Star's handsome face graces the cover, the spine, and the back of the jacket--so you cannot fail to spot him even if the book is flipped over or tucked on a shelf! He's adorable and clearly in danger. This jacket implores you to enter Star's world to find out what happens to him!

Jacket Design by Sarah Nichole Kaufman. Jacket Art by David McClellan

JINX, Sage Blackwood

This cover is exceptionally intricate! A whole new fantasy world is being introduced, and it's all-consuming. The Urwald trees are even taking over the text! Jinx's expression is curious and a bit suspicious--there is mystery in this book. Are witches and wizards evil, or are they just cranky? This book jacket invites you to get lost in the pages of JINX to find out!

Jacket Art by Iacopo Bruno

WINTERLING, Sarah Prineas

Another drop-dead gorgeous cover. I spotted this in a library and had to purchase it for my daughter. It's charming with its glittering snowflakes! The contained text boxes contrast nicely to the wild action on the front of the jacket. And what is Fer looking at? Is she being chased? Or is she chasing secrets? This jacket promises a wild adventure!

Jacket Design by Tom Forget. Jacket Art by Jason Chan

LIES BENEATH, Anne Greenwood Brown

This book jacket captured my attention online and led to me asking the author if I could interview her! It's a fantastic full photo cover with text that seems to float in the water. You can't tell in my picture, but this jacket has a beautiful aqua sheen to it and the paper stock is thicker than most covers. This jacket is like a fishing lure, sparkling and inviting you to take a bite. If you do, it will drag you under and immerse you in the world of murderous mermaids and the people who love them. This jacket dares you to enter the water!

Jacket Design by Angela Carlino. Jacket Photograph by Dmitry Laudin

THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL, Soman Chainani

This jacket and the book's trailer captured my imagination! The cover pictures the intricate world Chainani created about two schools, one for good and one for evil. The school crest and mascots are featured along with the two girls who are kidnapped into the schools. The cover hints at secrets that will be revealed in the book and the castles scream fairytale--but do you notice how dark the overall cover is? This is no accident in my opinion because this is not your usual fairytale. This jacket reminds you to drop your expectations at the door because you have never read about a school like this one!

Jacket Art by Iacopo Bruno

THE WIG IN THE WINDOW, Kristen Kittscher

This jacket is wildly creative and fun, and so is the book! The age group is clear from the well-drawn, spunky characters on the cover. They are spies and here they are spying, complete with spy gear. This jacket promises some hilarious outcomes from the girls' adventures. The rich purple color adds brightness to their evening adventure. This isn't going to be a dark tale, but it will be a mysterious one! The jacket encourages you to engage your inner spy and give this book a try!

Jacket Design by Angela Navarra. Jacket Art by Marcos Calo

What do you think? Take a look at your bookshelf and study the covers. Do they convey the mood of the book? What fonts were chosen, what colors, and what is pictured on the front? Do you agree with the book designer's choices?

Maybe, like me, you will notice every detail of the books you read in the future, and appreciate the delicate choices that go into creating them!

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