SlideShare a Scribd company logo
1 of 4
Download to read offline
Sam Tanenhaus- Editor, NY
                                                                             Times Book Review




A book review is a description, critical analysis, and an evaluation on the
quality, meaning, and significance of a book- not a retelling. Do not tell
us the plot. The idea is if you are effective at critiquing and analyzing the
book, then you will influence your audience to read the story for
themselves (or not). You can agree or disagree with a book and pinpoint             I write book
elements that are well done and other aspects that are deficient.                reviews for a living


   •   Mention the genre (you have already done this on the book page of your
       independent reading wiki) and be very sure to state whether this is fiction or
       non-fiction.
   •   Identify the narrative (point of view).
   •   Who is the author and does he/she have any particular insight towards the
       subject matter (does something about their background make sense that they
       would write this book)?
   •   Provide a (very) concise summary of the book. *** Do not be a spoiler. Simply
       provide basic background information about:
       - Setting
       - protagonist & principal characters
       - conflict (not the resolution)
   •   What is the author’s style? Is it written informally (I.e. trying to sound like a
       teenager)? What is the author’s tone (does he/she try to make a greater
       statement about a universal concept)?
   •   Does the book have a specific theme?
   •   What is the mood? LINK to an extensive list of mood and tone words.
   •   Does the author effectively employ specific literary devices/structural elements-
       characterization, word choice, dialogue, imagery, metaphor, motif?
   •   On what levels, if any, have you connected with the book?
   •   Does the book achieve its goal? If it’s meant to be humorous and light, or
       compelling and accusatory, or an exposé, is it successful?
   •   Would you recommend this book for reading and if so, to whom?

Have a look at the following book reviews (you will read all three of these from grades
8-10). Compare our guidelines from above and identify how they have implemented
these basic components.

       8- The Outsiders – by an anonymous middle school student


                   9- Of Mice and Men- review by Linda Linguvic


                               10- To Kill a Mockingbird- Alix Wilber
8- The Outsiders – by an anonymous middle school student

The Outsiders was a fascinating novel depicting the life of a boy struggling to survive in
poverty without parents. Having only two brothers to look up to, Ponyboy had to often
fend for himself. While trying to stay out of trouble with the Socs, boys from the
wealthier side of town, Ponyboy learned to depend on himself and keep his eyes close
on his goals even with the many distractions he faced. Many times during this story,
Ponyboy got into situations that ended up in fights. While being either strangled,
threatened with a knife, or plainly just beaten up, Ponyboy learned to live a hard life.
He was rescued in the nick of time, by his brothers, many times. Being the smartest and
most focused Greaser of the gang, he set his sights beyond what the average Greaser
could imagine. His goal was not to be the best street fighter in the gang but to get an
education. He imagined a life free of the hatred between the Greasers and Socs, a
life without fear and violence. Many Greasers could not live like that, but Ponyboy
could. Ponyboy was different. This story takes us though the winding journey of conflict
and heartache in not only Ponyboy's life, but in the lives of those closest to him.

I recommend this book to people who would like to know what life in an inner city
environment is like. This book will be exciting for all young adults for it addresses topics
interesting for this age group. The action and fast paced tempo in the fights,
hideaways, and rescues will bring excitement to any reader. This novel will teach any
of its readers to be grateful for what they have and due to the many suspenseful
moments throughout this novel, it will captivate the reader. I give this book an A+.




Of Mice and Men - review by Linda Linguvic

John Steinbeck wrote this classic gem in 1937. It's been a Broadway play and there
have been several adaptations of it in movies and TV. I was generally familiar with the
story but this was the first time I actually read the book. Wow! I was completely blown
away! This is the story of a two lonely and alienated men who work as farm laborers,
drifting from job to job in California. Lennie is gentle giant, physically strong but
mentally retarded. George guides and protects Lennie but also depends on him for
companionship. Together, they have a dream to someday buy a little farm where they
can grow crops and raise rabbits and live happily ever after. This, of course, is not to
be as the title suggests. "The best laid plans of mice and men" is a line in a poem by
Robert Burns, which describes how a field mouse's world is destroyed by a plow.

Steinbeck's narrative voice is seemingly simple in his descriptions of nature of as well as
the details of the bunkhouse. His characterizations of the people are magnificent. We
meet the other workers, all loners, and appreciate the beauty of the unique friendship
between Lennie and George. We meet Candy, the old man who is outliving his
usefulness. We meet Crooks, the black stable hand, shunned by the men and
therefore turning to books for companionship. We meet the cruel Curley who taunts
Lennie into a fight. And we meet Curley's wife, another lonely soul who uses her
femininity to get the wrong kind of attention.

There's tension in every word and I found myself holding my breath, knowing that
something awful would happen, my eyes glued to the page, the world of Lennie and
George deeply etched into my consciousness. I was pulled right into the story, wanting
to shout warnings as I saw the inevitable consequences. The ending was incredibly
sad, but yet satisfying. It couldn't have ended any other way. It's a small book, only 118
pages long. But it is a masterpiece and I will never forget it. I give it my highest
recommendation.




10- To Kill a Mockingbird – review by Alix Wilber

"When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the
elbow.... When enough years had gone by to enable us to look back on them, we
sometimes discussed the events leading to his accident. I maintain that the Ewells
started it all, but Jem, who was four years my senior, said it started long before that. He
said it began the summer Dill came to us, when Dill first gave us the idea of making
Boo Radley come out."

Set in the small Southern town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Depression, To Kill a
Mockingbird follows three years in the life of 8-year-old Scout Finch, her brother, Jem,
and their father, Atticus--three years punctuated by the arrest and eventual trial of a
young black man accused of raping a white woman. Though her story explores big
themes, Harper Lee chooses to tell it through the eyes of a child. The result is a tough
and tender novel of race, class, justice, and the pain of growing up.

Like the slow-moving occupants of her fictional town, Lee takes her time getting to the
heart of her tale; we first meet the Finches the summer before Scout's first year at
school. She, her brother, and Dill Harris, a boy who spends the summers with his aunt in
Maycomb, while away the hours reenacting scenes from Dracula and plotting ways to
get a peek at the town bogeyman, Boo Radley. At first the circumstances surrounding
the alleged rape of Mayella Ewell, the daughter of a drunk and violent white farmer,
barely penetrate the children's consciousness. Then Atticus is called on to defend the
accused, Tom Robinson, and soon Scout and Jem find themselves caught up in events
beyond their understanding. During the trial, the town exhibits its ugly side, but Lee
offers plenty of counterbalance as well--in the struggle of an elderly woman to
overcome her morphine habit before she dies; in the heroism of Atticus Finch, standing
up for what he knows is right; and finally in Scout's hard-won understanding that most
people are essentially kind "when you really see them." By turns funny, wise, and
heartbreaking, To Kill a Mockingbird is one classic that continues to speak to new
generations, and deserves to be reread often. --Alix Wilber

More Related Content

Viewers also liked

[인성] 당신의 눈이 되어 드릴게요
[인성] 당신의 눈이 되어 드릴게요[인성] 당신의 눈이 되어 드릴게요
[인성] 당신의 눈이 되어 드릴게요Sports Intelligence
 
Pharmacovigilance (gpv p) training in india
Pharmacovigilance (gpv p) training in india Pharmacovigilance (gpv p) training in india
Pharmacovigilance (gpv p) training in india Radhika Nagare
 
Carlos presentacion microprocesadores
Carlos presentacion microprocesadoresCarlos presentacion microprocesadores
Carlos presentacion microprocesadorescarlosffff4444
 
Análise de Regressão: aspectos teóricos e computacionais
Análise de Regressão: aspectos teóricos e computacionaisAnálise de Regressão: aspectos teóricos e computacionais
Análise de Regressão: aspectos teóricos e computacionaisRodrigo Rodrigues
 
El Índice de Confianza del Consumidor (ICC) cae 8,5% con respecto al mes de e...
El Índice de Confianza del Consumidor (ICC) cae 8,5% con respecto al mes de e...El Índice de Confianza del Consumidor (ICC) cae 8,5% con respecto al mes de e...
El Índice de Confianza del Consumidor (ICC) cae 8,5% con respecto al mes de e...Eduardo Nelson German
 
Montouto tutoria "Para ser tutora"
Montouto tutoria "Para ser tutora"Montouto tutoria "Para ser tutora"
Montouto tutoria "Para ser tutora"Victoria Montouto
 
Tecnologia en las aulas de clases
Tecnologia en las aulas de clasesTecnologia en las aulas de clases
Tecnologia en las aulas de clasesIbis Mayoral
 

Viewers also liked (10)

Rабота со стилови
Rабота со стиловиRабота со стилови
Rабота со стилови
 
[인성] 당신의 눈이 되어 드릴게요
[인성] 당신의 눈이 되어 드릴게요[인성] 당신의 눈이 되어 드릴게요
[인성] 당신의 눈이 되어 드릴게요
 
Pharmacovigilance (gpv p) training in india
Pharmacovigilance (gpv p) training in india Pharmacovigilance (gpv p) training in india
Pharmacovigilance (gpv p) training in india
 
Carlos presentacion microprocesadores
Carlos presentacion microprocesadoresCarlos presentacion microprocesadores
Carlos presentacion microprocesadores
 
Análise de Regressão: aspectos teóricos e computacionais
Análise de Regressão: aspectos teóricos e computacionaisAnálise de Regressão: aspectos teóricos e computacionais
Análise de Regressão: aspectos teóricos e computacionais
 
El Índice de Confianza del Consumidor (ICC) cae 8,5% con respecto al mes de e...
El Índice de Confianza del Consumidor (ICC) cae 8,5% con respecto al mes de e...El Índice de Confianza del Consumidor (ICC) cae 8,5% con respecto al mes de e...
El Índice de Confianza del Consumidor (ICC) cae 8,5% con respecto al mes de e...
 
Coca cola case study
Coca cola case studyCoca cola case study
Coca cola case study
 
Montouto tutoria "Para ser tutora"
Montouto tutoria "Para ser tutora"Montouto tutoria "Para ser tutora"
Montouto tutoria "Para ser tutora"
 
2 estacióndiana mendez
2 estacióndiana mendez2 estacióndiana mendez
2 estacióndiana mendez
 
Tecnologia en las aulas de clases
Tecnologia en las aulas de clasesTecnologia en las aulas de clases
Tecnologia en las aulas de clases
 

More from T. White

Itinerary Art History Abroad Venice Florence 2010
Itinerary Art History Abroad Venice Florence 2010Itinerary Art History Abroad Venice Florence 2010
Itinerary Art History Abroad Venice Florence 2010T. White
 
The outsiders story map
The outsiders story mapThe outsiders story map
The outsiders story mapT. White
 
Non-fiction Pico Iyer
Non-fiction Pico IyerNon-fiction Pico Iyer
Non-fiction Pico IyerT. White
 
James Joyce Araby
James Joyce ArabyJames Joyce Araby
James Joyce ArabyT. White
 
Circle map
Circle mapCircle map
Circle mapT. White
 
Tell tale heart
Tell tale heartTell tale heart
Tell tale heartT. White
 
Bradbury soft rains_1950
Bradbury soft rains_1950Bradbury soft rains_1950
Bradbury soft rains_1950T. White
 
Ss rain somersetmaughan
Ss rain somersetmaughanSs rain somersetmaughan
Ss rain somersetmaughanT. White
 
Non fiction ryszard kapuscinski
Non fiction ryszard kapuscinskiNon fiction ryszard kapuscinski
Non fiction ryszard kapuscinskiT. White
 
Destructors
DestructorsDestructors
DestructorsT. White
 
Grade 12 english syllabus 2010.2011
Grade 12 english syllabus 2010.2011Grade 12 english syllabus 2010.2011
Grade 12 english syllabus 2010.2011T. White
 
St chekhov work of art
St chekhov work of artSt chekhov work of art
St chekhov work of artT. White
 
Grade 10 english syllabus 2010.2011
Grade 10 english syllabus 2010.2011Grade 10 english syllabus 2010.2011
Grade 10 english syllabus 2010.2011T. White
 
J. russell schedule 2010.2011
J. russell schedule 2010.2011J. russell schedule 2010.2011
J. russell schedule 2010.2011T. White
 
M.ricker schedule 2010.2011
M.ricker schedule 2010.2011M.ricker schedule 2010.2011
M.ricker schedule 2010.2011T. White
 
T.white schedule 2010.2011
T.white schedule 2010.2011T.white schedule 2010.2011
T.white schedule 2010.2011T. White
 
Aisc mandatory writing list grades 9 12
Aisc mandatory writing list grades 9 12Aisc mandatory writing list grades 9 12
Aisc mandatory writing list grades 9 12T. White
 
Grade 8 english syllabus 2010.2011
Grade 8 english syllabus 2010.2011Grade 8 english syllabus 2010.2011
Grade 8 english syllabus 2010.2011T. White
 

More from T. White (20)

Itinerary Art History Abroad Venice Florence 2010
Itinerary Art History Abroad Venice Florence 2010Itinerary Art History Abroad Venice Florence 2010
Itinerary Art History Abroad Venice Florence 2010
 
The outsiders story map
The outsiders story mapThe outsiders story map
The outsiders story map
 
Non-fiction Pico Iyer
Non-fiction Pico IyerNon-fiction Pico Iyer
Non-fiction Pico Iyer
 
James Joyce Araby
James Joyce ArabyJames Joyce Araby
James Joyce Araby
 
Tree
TreeTree
Tree
 
Cornell
CornellCornell
Cornell
 
Circle map
Circle mapCircle map
Circle map
 
Tell tale heart
Tell tale heartTell tale heart
Tell tale heart
 
Bradbury soft rains_1950
Bradbury soft rains_1950Bradbury soft rains_1950
Bradbury soft rains_1950
 
Ss rain somersetmaughan
Ss rain somersetmaughanSs rain somersetmaughan
Ss rain somersetmaughan
 
Non fiction ryszard kapuscinski
Non fiction ryszard kapuscinskiNon fiction ryszard kapuscinski
Non fiction ryszard kapuscinski
 
Destructors
DestructorsDestructors
Destructors
 
Grade 12 english syllabus 2010.2011
Grade 12 english syllabus 2010.2011Grade 12 english syllabus 2010.2011
Grade 12 english syllabus 2010.2011
 
St chekhov work of art
St chekhov work of artSt chekhov work of art
St chekhov work of art
 
Grade 10 english syllabus 2010.2011
Grade 10 english syllabus 2010.2011Grade 10 english syllabus 2010.2011
Grade 10 english syllabus 2010.2011
 
J. russell schedule 2010.2011
J. russell schedule 2010.2011J. russell schedule 2010.2011
J. russell schedule 2010.2011
 
M.ricker schedule 2010.2011
M.ricker schedule 2010.2011M.ricker schedule 2010.2011
M.ricker schedule 2010.2011
 
T.white schedule 2010.2011
T.white schedule 2010.2011T.white schedule 2010.2011
T.white schedule 2010.2011
 
Aisc mandatory writing list grades 9 12
Aisc mandatory writing list grades 9 12Aisc mandatory writing list grades 9 12
Aisc mandatory writing list grades 9 12
 
Grade 8 english syllabus 2010.2011
Grade 8 english syllabus 2010.2011Grade 8 english syllabus 2010.2011
Grade 8 english syllabus 2010.2011
 

Recently uploaded

Easter in the USA presentation by Chloe.
Easter in the USA presentation by Chloe.Easter in the USA presentation by Chloe.
Easter in the USA presentation by Chloe.EnglishCEIPdeSigeiro
 
Prescribed medication order and communication skills.pptx
Prescribed medication order and communication skills.pptxPrescribed medication order and communication skills.pptx
Prescribed medication order and communication skills.pptxraviapr7
 
5 charts on South Africa as a source country for international student recrui...
5 charts on South Africa as a source country for international student recrui...5 charts on South Africa as a source country for international student recrui...
5 charts on South Africa as a source country for international student recrui...CaraSkikne1
 
Diploma in Nursing Admission Test Question Solution 2023.pdf
Diploma in Nursing Admission Test Question Solution 2023.pdfDiploma in Nursing Admission Test Question Solution 2023.pdf
Diploma in Nursing Admission Test Question Solution 2023.pdfMohonDas
 
M-2- General Reactions of amino acids.pptx
M-2- General Reactions of amino acids.pptxM-2- General Reactions of amino acids.pptx
M-2- General Reactions of amino acids.pptxDr. Santhosh Kumar. N
 
Ultra structure and life cycle of Plasmodium.pptx
Ultra structure and life cycle of Plasmodium.pptxUltra structure and life cycle of Plasmodium.pptx
Ultra structure and life cycle of Plasmodium.pptxDr. Asif Anas
 
Practical Research 1: Lesson 8 Writing the Thesis Statement.pptx
Practical Research 1: Lesson 8 Writing the Thesis Statement.pptxPractical Research 1: Lesson 8 Writing the Thesis Statement.pptx
Practical Research 1: Lesson 8 Writing the Thesis Statement.pptxKatherine Villaluna
 
HED Office Sohayok Exam Question Solution 2023.pdf
HED Office Sohayok Exam Question Solution 2023.pdfHED Office Sohayok Exam Question Solution 2023.pdf
HED Office Sohayok Exam Question Solution 2023.pdfMohonDas
 
Philosophy of Education and Educational Philosophy
Philosophy of Education  and Educational PhilosophyPhilosophy of Education  and Educational Philosophy
Philosophy of Education and Educational PhilosophyShuvankar Madhu
 
UKCGE Parental Leave Discussion March 2024
UKCGE Parental Leave Discussion March 2024UKCGE Parental Leave Discussion March 2024
UKCGE Parental Leave Discussion March 2024UKCGE
 
The Singapore Teaching Practice document
The Singapore Teaching Practice documentThe Singapore Teaching Practice document
The Singapore Teaching Practice documentXsasf Sfdfasd
 
How to Add Existing Field in One2Many Tree View in Odoo 17
How to Add Existing Field in One2Many Tree View in Odoo 17How to Add Existing Field in One2Many Tree View in Odoo 17
How to Add Existing Field in One2Many Tree View in Odoo 17Celine George
 
In - Vivo and In - Vitro Correlation.pptx
In - Vivo and In - Vitro Correlation.pptxIn - Vivo and In - Vitro Correlation.pptx
In - Vivo and In - Vitro Correlation.pptxAditiChauhan701637
 
Drug Information Services- DIC and Sources.
Drug Information Services- DIC and Sources.Drug Information Services- DIC and Sources.
Drug Information Services- DIC and Sources.raviapr7
 
DUST OF SNOW_BY ROBERT FROST_EDITED BY_ TANMOY MISHRA
DUST OF SNOW_BY ROBERT FROST_EDITED BY_ TANMOY MISHRADUST OF SNOW_BY ROBERT FROST_EDITED BY_ TANMOY MISHRA
DUST OF SNOW_BY ROBERT FROST_EDITED BY_ TANMOY MISHRATanmoy Mishra
 
Education and training program in the hospital APR.pptx
Education and training program in the hospital APR.pptxEducation and training program in the hospital APR.pptx
Education and training program in the hospital APR.pptxraviapr7
 
How to Show Error_Warning Messages in Odoo 17
How to Show Error_Warning Messages in Odoo 17How to Show Error_Warning Messages in Odoo 17
How to Show Error_Warning Messages in Odoo 17Celine George
 
How to Add a many2many Relational Field in Odoo 17
How to Add a many2many Relational Field in Odoo 17How to Add a many2many Relational Field in Odoo 17
How to Add a many2many Relational Field in Odoo 17Celine George
 
Clinical Pharmacy Introduction to Clinical Pharmacy, Concept of clinical pptx
Clinical Pharmacy  Introduction to Clinical Pharmacy, Concept of clinical pptxClinical Pharmacy  Introduction to Clinical Pharmacy, Concept of clinical pptx
Clinical Pharmacy Introduction to Clinical Pharmacy, Concept of clinical pptxraviapr7
 

Recently uploaded (20)

Easter in the USA presentation by Chloe.
Easter in the USA presentation by Chloe.Easter in the USA presentation by Chloe.
Easter in the USA presentation by Chloe.
 
Prescribed medication order and communication skills.pptx
Prescribed medication order and communication skills.pptxPrescribed medication order and communication skills.pptx
Prescribed medication order and communication skills.pptx
 
5 charts on South Africa as a source country for international student recrui...
5 charts on South Africa as a source country for international student recrui...5 charts on South Africa as a source country for international student recrui...
5 charts on South Africa as a source country for international student recrui...
 
Diploma in Nursing Admission Test Question Solution 2023.pdf
Diploma in Nursing Admission Test Question Solution 2023.pdfDiploma in Nursing Admission Test Question Solution 2023.pdf
Diploma in Nursing Admission Test Question Solution 2023.pdf
 
M-2- General Reactions of amino acids.pptx
M-2- General Reactions of amino acids.pptxM-2- General Reactions of amino acids.pptx
M-2- General Reactions of amino acids.pptx
 
Ultra structure and life cycle of Plasmodium.pptx
Ultra structure and life cycle of Plasmodium.pptxUltra structure and life cycle of Plasmodium.pptx
Ultra structure and life cycle of Plasmodium.pptx
 
Practical Research 1: Lesson 8 Writing the Thesis Statement.pptx
Practical Research 1: Lesson 8 Writing the Thesis Statement.pptxPractical Research 1: Lesson 8 Writing the Thesis Statement.pptx
Practical Research 1: Lesson 8 Writing the Thesis Statement.pptx
 
HED Office Sohayok Exam Question Solution 2023.pdf
HED Office Sohayok Exam Question Solution 2023.pdfHED Office Sohayok Exam Question Solution 2023.pdf
HED Office Sohayok Exam Question Solution 2023.pdf
 
Philosophy of Education and Educational Philosophy
Philosophy of Education  and Educational PhilosophyPhilosophy of Education  and Educational Philosophy
Philosophy of Education and Educational Philosophy
 
Prelims of Kant get Marx 2.0: a general politics quiz
Prelims of Kant get Marx 2.0: a general politics quizPrelims of Kant get Marx 2.0: a general politics quiz
Prelims of Kant get Marx 2.0: a general politics quiz
 
UKCGE Parental Leave Discussion March 2024
UKCGE Parental Leave Discussion March 2024UKCGE Parental Leave Discussion March 2024
UKCGE Parental Leave Discussion March 2024
 
The Singapore Teaching Practice document
The Singapore Teaching Practice documentThe Singapore Teaching Practice document
The Singapore Teaching Practice document
 
How to Add Existing Field in One2Many Tree View in Odoo 17
How to Add Existing Field in One2Many Tree View in Odoo 17How to Add Existing Field in One2Many Tree View in Odoo 17
How to Add Existing Field in One2Many Tree View in Odoo 17
 
In - Vivo and In - Vitro Correlation.pptx
In - Vivo and In - Vitro Correlation.pptxIn - Vivo and In - Vitro Correlation.pptx
In - Vivo and In - Vitro Correlation.pptx
 
Drug Information Services- DIC and Sources.
Drug Information Services- DIC and Sources.Drug Information Services- DIC and Sources.
Drug Information Services- DIC and Sources.
 
DUST OF SNOW_BY ROBERT FROST_EDITED BY_ TANMOY MISHRA
DUST OF SNOW_BY ROBERT FROST_EDITED BY_ TANMOY MISHRADUST OF SNOW_BY ROBERT FROST_EDITED BY_ TANMOY MISHRA
DUST OF SNOW_BY ROBERT FROST_EDITED BY_ TANMOY MISHRA
 
Education and training program in the hospital APR.pptx
Education and training program in the hospital APR.pptxEducation and training program in the hospital APR.pptx
Education and training program in the hospital APR.pptx
 
How to Show Error_Warning Messages in Odoo 17
How to Show Error_Warning Messages in Odoo 17How to Show Error_Warning Messages in Odoo 17
How to Show Error_Warning Messages in Odoo 17
 
How to Add a many2many Relational Field in Odoo 17
How to Add a many2many Relational Field in Odoo 17How to Add a many2many Relational Field in Odoo 17
How to Add a many2many Relational Field in Odoo 17
 
Clinical Pharmacy Introduction to Clinical Pharmacy, Concept of clinical pptx
Clinical Pharmacy  Introduction to Clinical Pharmacy, Concept of clinical pptxClinical Pharmacy  Introduction to Clinical Pharmacy, Concept of clinical pptx
Clinical Pharmacy Introduction to Clinical Pharmacy, Concept of clinical pptx
 

How to Write a Book Review

  • 1. Sam Tanenhaus- Editor, NY Times Book Review A book review is a description, critical analysis, and an evaluation on the quality, meaning, and significance of a book- not a retelling. Do not tell us the plot. The idea is if you are effective at critiquing and analyzing the book, then you will influence your audience to read the story for themselves (or not). You can agree or disagree with a book and pinpoint I write book elements that are well done and other aspects that are deficient. reviews for a living • Mention the genre (you have already done this on the book page of your independent reading wiki) and be very sure to state whether this is fiction or non-fiction. • Identify the narrative (point of view). • Who is the author and does he/she have any particular insight towards the subject matter (does something about their background make sense that they would write this book)? • Provide a (very) concise summary of the book. *** Do not be a spoiler. Simply provide basic background information about: - Setting - protagonist & principal characters - conflict (not the resolution) • What is the author’s style? Is it written informally (I.e. trying to sound like a teenager)? What is the author’s tone (does he/she try to make a greater statement about a universal concept)? • Does the book have a specific theme? • What is the mood? LINK to an extensive list of mood and tone words. • Does the author effectively employ specific literary devices/structural elements- characterization, word choice, dialogue, imagery, metaphor, motif? • On what levels, if any, have you connected with the book? • Does the book achieve its goal? If it’s meant to be humorous and light, or compelling and accusatory, or an exposé, is it successful? • Would you recommend this book for reading and if so, to whom? Have a look at the following book reviews (you will read all three of these from grades 8-10). Compare our guidelines from above and identify how they have implemented these basic components. 8- The Outsiders – by an anonymous middle school student 9- Of Mice and Men- review by Linda Linguvic 10- To Kill a Mockingbird- Alix Wilber
  • 2. 8- The Outsiders – by an anonymous middle school student The Outsiders was a fascinating novel depicting the life of a boy struggling to survive in poverty without parents. Having only two brothers to look up to, Ponyboy had to often fend for himself. While trying to stay out of trouble with the Socs, boys from the wealthier side of town, Ponyboy learned to depend on himself and keep his eyes close on his goals even with the many distractions he faced. Many times during this story, Ponyboy got into situations that ended up in fights. While being either strangled, threatened with a knife, or plainly just beaten up, Ponyboy learned to live a hard life. He was rescued in the nick of time, by his brothers, many times. Being the smartest and most focused Greaser of the gang, he set his sights beyond what the average Greaser could imagine. His goal was not to be the best street fighter in the gang but to get an education. He imagined a life free of the hatred between the Greasers and Socs, a life without fear and violence. Many Greasers could not live like that, but Ponyboy could. Ponyboy was different. This story takes us though the winding journey of conflict and heartache in not only Ponyboy's life, but in the lives of those closest to him. I recommend this book to people who would like to know what life in an inner city environment is like. This book will be exciting for all young adults for it addresses topics interesting for this age group. The action and fast paced tempo in the fights, hideaways, and rescues will bring excitement to any reader. This novel will teach any of its readers to be grateful for what they have and due to the many suspenseful moments throughout this novel, it will captivate the reader. I give this book an A+. Of Mice and Men - review by Linda Linguvic John Steinbeck wrote this classic gem in 1937. It's been a Broadway play and there have been several adaptations of it in movies and TV. I was generally familiar with the story but this was the first time I actually read the book. Wow! I was completely blown away! This is the story of a two lonely and alienated men who work as farm laborers, drifting from job to job in California. Lennie is gentle giant, physically strong but mentally retarded. George guides and protects Lennie but also depends on him for companionship. Together, they have a dream to someday buy a little farm where they can grow crops and raise rabbits and live happily ever after. This, of course, is not to be as the title suggests. "The best laid plans of mice and men" is a line in a poem by Robert Burns, which describes how a field mouse's world is destroyed by a plow. Steinbeck's narrative voice is seemingly simple in his descriptions of nature of as well as the details of the bunkhouse. His characterizations of the people are magnificent. We meet the other workers, all loners, and appreciate the beauty of the unique friendship between Lennie and George. We meet Candy, the old man who is outliving his usefulness. We meet Crooks, the black stable hand, shunned by the men and
  • 3. therefore turning to books for companionship. We meet the cruel Curley who taunts Lennie into a fight. And we meet Curley's wife, another lonely soul who uses her femininity to get the wrong kind of attention. There's tension in every word and I found myself holding my breath, knowing that something awful would happen, my eyes glued to the page, the world of Lennie and George deeply etched into my consciousness. I was pulled right into the story, wanting to shout warnings as I saw the inevitable consequences. The ending was incredibly sad, but yet satisfying. It couldn't have ended any other way. It's a small book, only 118 pages long. But it is a masterpiece and I will never forget it. I give it my highest recommendation. 10- To Kill a Mockingbird – review by Alix Wilber "When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow.... When enough years had gone by to enable us to look back on them, we sometimes discussed the events leading to his accident. I maintain that the Ewells started it all, but Jem, who was four years my senior, said it started long before that. He said it began the summer Dill came to us, when Dill first gave us the idea of making Boo Radley come out." Set in the small Southern town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Depression, To Kill a Mockingbird follows three years in the life of 8-year-old Scout Finch, her brother, Jem, and their father, Atticus--three years punctuated by the arrest and eventual trial of a young black man accused of raping a white woman. Though her story explores big themes, Harper Lee chooses to tell it through the eyes of a child. The result is a tough and tender novel of race, class, justice, and the pain of growing up. Like the slow-moving occupants of her fictional town, Lee takes her time getting to the heart of her tale; we first meet the Finches the summer before Scout's first year at school. She, her brother, and Dill Harris, a boy who spends the summers with his aunt in Maycomb, while away the hours reenacting scenes from Dracula and plotting ways to get a peek at the town bogeyman, Boo Radley. At first the circumstances surrounding the alleged rape of Mayella Ewell, the daughter of a drunk and violent white farmer, barely penetrate the children's consciousness. Then Atticus is called on to defend the accused, Tom Robinson, and soon Scout and Jem find themselves caught up in events beyond their understanding. During the trial, the town exhibits its ugly side, but Lee offers plenty of counterbalance as well--in the struggle of an elderly woman to overcome her morphine habit before she dies; in the heroism of Atticus Finch, standing up for what he knows is right; and finally in Scout's hard-won understanding that most people are essentially kind "when you really see them." By turns funny, wise, and
  • 4. heartbreaking, To Kill a Mockingbird is one classic that continues to speak to new generations, and deserves to be reread often. --Alix Wilber