Reading good literature opens wide the windows of the world to students. A body of materials which will link the student with the general experience of mankind is provided in this book. This collection of titles is divided into ten units presenting experiences common to people in all times and societies. Certain works have been selected to provide as wide a scope as possible and while something will interest each reader, all of the titles in this collection will not be suitable for all students. Books such as Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, The Chalk Garden, The House of Mirth, On Golden Pond, The Chocolate War, 2001: Space Odyssey, The Great Gatsby, Great Expectations, and Ivanhoe represent the quality books from all spectrums that this book features. The book includes a reading level identification for and a short description of all 150 featured books and then provides tests for each book. Each test in this volume contains three types of questions. A set of objective questions will measure the student’s understanding of the reading content., such as the basics of plot and setting. Five short-answer questions require more inferential responses about the larger ideas that the author wishes the reader to grasp. A final challenge essay asks the student to express observations on what has been read and to support those observations with information gained from the book, other books, and life. 100 More Great Books is constructed in the same format and contains seven units grouped in types of books: Adventure and Survival, The Maturing Self, History in Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and the Supernatural, Social Issues and Moral Challenge, Success and Achievement and Reflections of the Family. It recommends classics such as Pilgrims Progress, Jacob Have I Loved, Across Five Aprils, A Wrinkle in Time, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Anna and the King of Siam, Tess of the D’Urbervilles and many more. - Rachel S.

Customer Review

 
Dena L. from Wasilla, AK wrote the following on 09/15/2007:
This is my find of the year! Tired of generating dislike for great books by assigning them, I bought this and the accompanying 100 More Great Books for my high school student with the understanding that, so long as she reads and responds to several great books each month, she was free to choose any title that (we have and) suited her fancy. (I also stocked a bookshelf with many of the titles, but did avoid a few titles that had mature and possibly disturbing themes.) The book provides a summary of each title, an indication of easy, medium, and difficult texts, and for each title there is the option of a quiz, short answer test, or challenge essay topic. Answers (or at least the general idea sought for essays)are provided, so if you haven't read or don't recall what happened in all 150 of these, you're covered. The author's philosophy is that, set loose upon great books, students will learn to love them. So far, the author seems to be right. Highly recommended!