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

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

Young Henry Fleming dreams of finding glory and honor as a Union soldier in the American Civil War. Yet he also harbors a hidden fear about how he may react when the horror and bloodshed of battle begin. Fighting the enemy without and the terror within, Fleming must prove himself and find his own meaning of valor.

Unbelievable as it mayseem, Stephen Crane had never been a member of any army nor had taken part in any battle when he wrote The Red Badge of Courage. But upon its publication in 1895, when Crane was only twenty-four, Red Badge was heralded as a new kind of war novel, marked by astonishing insight into the true psychology of men under fire. The Red Badge of Courage unleashed Crane's deeply influential impressionistic style.

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