For those who are comfortable with Boolean searching, NoveList offers an edit field to enter your own Boolean search. Using this page assumes that you are already knowledgeble of Boolean operators and construction. (Scroll down for sample Boolean entries.)

To get to the Freehand Boolean page in NoveList:

1. Click the Search Our Database tab.
   
2. Click on the Boolean Search link.
   
3. Select the Freehand Boolean Search link which is just under the Search and Clear buttons for the Guided Boolean Search.

Note that there is a Field Codes link which displays the available field codes you can use.

Search Tip: You can also access the different reading levels by using the code "RL" with its associated numeric code:

Example: To search the database by Lexile score without entering a subject, consider this search: (LX GE 850 AND LX LE 950) AND (RL 2)

This search will retrieve all Young Adult titles with Lexile scores between 850 and 950. (LX=Lexile; GE = greater than or equal to; LE = less than or equal to).

Additional Sample Searches:

Consider the following examples where freehand Boolean searches address issues that cannot be addressed with a Guided Boolean search:

Example #1:

SU France AND (XY 17th century OR XY seventeenth century)

NoveList uses both numbers and words to describe centuries. This search will find titles that have France as a subject heading and have either 17th century OR seventeenth century in the subject headings, descriptions or reviews.

Example #2:

(SU mystery OR SU thriller) AND (FT fast paced OR FT page turner)

In this search, NoveList will retrieve titles that have mysteries or thrillers in their subject headings and "fast paced" or "page turner" used in a review.

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