This is a great list for selecting outside reading books. Some of these books though include themes that may be offensive and as such it may be a good idea to consult with your parents, librarians, counselors, and/or Mr. Williamson about your reading selection. This can help you choose the best book for you from among your many options.


How to Write An Effective Book Review

Introduce the subject, scope, and type of book

· Identify the book by author and title

· Specify the type of book (fiction, nonfiction, biography, autobiography, etc.)

· Mention the books theme

Briefly summarize the content

· For a nonfiction book, provide an overview, including paraphrases and quotations, of the book’s thesis and primary supporting points

· For a work of fiction, briefly review the story line for readers, being careful not to give away anything that would lessen the suspense for future readers.

Provide your reactions to the book

· Describe the book

o Is it interesting, memorable, entertaining, instructive? Why?

· Respond to the author’s opinions

o What do you agree with? And why?

o What do you disagree with? And why?

· Explore issues the book raises

o What possibilities does the book suggest? Explain.

o What matters does the book leave out? Explain.

· Relate your argument to other books or authors

o Support your argument for or against the author’s opinions by bring in other authors you agree with.

· Relate the book to latger issues

o How did this book affect you?

o How have your opinions about the topic changed?

o How is the book related to your own course or personal agenda?

Conclude by synthesizing your ideas

· Close with a direct comment on the book

· Tie together issues raised in the review and create an interesting and new insight

· Offer advice for potential readers

Escales, Maria. "Literacy Education Online: Writing Book Reviews". St. Cloud State University. March 9, 2009 .

Thursday, March 12, 2009

A Death in the Family by James Agee

A Death in the Family remains a near-perfect work of art, an autobiographical novel that contains one of the most evocative depictions of loss and grief ever written. As Jay Follet hurries back to his home in Knoxville, Tennessee, he is killed in a car accident—a tragedy that destroys not only a life, but also the domestic happiness and contentment of a young family. A novel of great courage, lyric force, and powerful emotion, A Death in the Family is a masterpiece of American literature.

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