And then I read a book

And then I read a book.

Book Review

You will be reading one novel per month. You will be responsible for obtaining the book by using the Queens Public Library, finding an online version, or buying it. Your choice on how you obtain the required book you must read upon which you write a book review. One a month, so pace yourself.

An Example: Elizabeth Gold's Brief Intervals of Horrible Sanity

[Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec - Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May]

For FUN: Which BOOK are you?

A book review is a reader's summation, reflection, opinion of a certain reading. For this exercise, you will read certain American novels selected from certain periods of time. This is a way of providing you with an overview of the American literary landscape from the point of view of novels. Novels are not easy to teach in a class, because readers are always at different parts of the novel and classroom discussion breaks down quickly. I'd prefer for each of you to pace yourselves through a novel a month and then review each one. As you look for topics to review, consider how the novel is a literary account of the times in which it was written. Some moral or ethical statement might be made; the characters may represent a certain human condition which is universal in time and place; or it just may reflect on life is some quirky way. Your review of each novel should direct itself to how the novel reveals a truth to you. In your review you want to be sure to highlight at least two incidents from the novel which support your statements. And in your conclusion I want you to reflect on how this novel is still relevant today or how it applies to your own life or observations about life. Is the novel still a reflection of our society today? Is it still relevant, beyond its language and setting? Have you learned more about yourself and your society by reading it? These are just some of the questions you may ask yourself as you read each novel.

Now on a more practical note, you may be asking yourself just why do we need to read these novels. Well, on that practical note, these novels will serve you very well on the SAT, Regents, AP exams, college, and light cocktail party conversation, or you wanted really practical? When you see someone you may want to meet reading a book you know something about. Is that practical or what??

I will be discussing certain matters in class and each of you and I will be speaking constantly about your progress on these novels and on the work as it begins to be posted. Classroom discussion wil be general and then those students reading the same novels will get togther to discuss them. References to other book reviews would be adopting some good hypertext writing habits.

What kinds of sentence starters might you use:

More Ideas to get started.

Some Resources to help you better understand the Book Review:

20th Century's 100 best novels

Author Interviews A number of publishing houses and well-regarded independent booksellers have placed author interviews on their respective Web sites, but this particular one from the massive Powell's Books in Portland, Oregon may be one of the most intriguing online collections available. Containing over 50 interviews.

Bookbrowse carefully selects from the most interesting current books and provides you with multiple reviews and a substantial excerpt of each."

New York Times Book Review Online.

Overbooked for ravenous readers

An Annotated List for high school.

Book Choices for 2003 Children, young adults, teachers, and librarians vote for their favorite newly published books for the Choice booklists. Published annually by the International Reading Association, students can use these lists to find a book to read.

25 Ideas to Motivate Young Readers Get your students excited about reading. Here are 25 activities contributed from Book It! program teachers.

ReadWriteThink The International Reading Association, National Council of Teachers of English, and MarcoPolo Education Foundation have teamed up to provide educators with quality reading and language arts resources.

Kids Who Read! The largest book club in the world is a virtual book club that allows kids to discuss literature, ask questions, share ideas, and reflect. Children may pose their questions and share ideas with the author of the book they are reading.

Children's Book Council Encourage your students to read! Celebrate this year's Children's Book Week: Free to Read, November 17-23. The Children's Book Council offers a wealth of resources to kick off the event.