Review by Booklist Review
Opening with a quickly and effectively illuminated scene from Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun and continuing through such high-school syllabus texts as The Odyssey, Shakespeare's works, a sonnet by Christina Rossetti, and more, this introduction to literary methods, tropes, and symbols is refreshingly accessible. Without condescension, Foster adapts some of the concepts that he presents in his adult titles, including How to Read Literature like a Professor (2003), with kid-friendly examples, such as Dr. Seuss stories that show how a universal literary theme can play out in a specific work without losing its universal meaning. With a closing short story that invites young readers to try out their newfound analytical skills, this slim guidebook can provide language art students with just the right open window to catch the academic breeze of enlightenment without leaving them cold. An essential purchase for all library collections where there are readers new to exploring literature as a fine art, beyond reading for uncritical pleasure.--Goldsmith, Francisca Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 6-9-This companion to the author's adult titles is geared toward young people who want to get a bit more out of J.K Rowling or Dr. Seuss. Foster uses both of these authors, along with Shakespeare and Homer (not Simpson), to illustrate various approaches to literature. He argues that there is really only one story, that of a journey or quest, and that it takes shape in many forms, in novels, plays, and poems. The book also delves into symbolism, irony, and the political and geographical aspects of literature. Readers will enjoy seeing Green Eggs and Ham from Foster's perspective of how food is often more than just a meal. Of course, he also touches on how the Bible, folk and fairy tales, and ancient literature form the basis of many of our favorite stories. His passion for literature is evident, and the text is readable and encouraging. While it would be a rare reader who would be familiar with every title the author cites, the arguments that he poses are solid and the examples are always apt. Students won't find literary research here, but they will find some valuable guidance on how to read critically and hopefully be inspired to read more widely.-Carol Fazioli, Barth Elementary School, Pottstown, PA (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Foster introduces literary analysis in short, easily digestible chapters employing very little jargon. Thoughtfully using canonical literature, children's classics, and contemporary children's novels, he ensures that everyone will find something they know in his analyses. Unfortunately, the concluding "Test Case"--Mansfield's "The Garden Party"--with a relatively erudite interpretation undermines much of the sensible and empowering work of previous chapters. Ind. (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The New York Timesbest-selling How to Read Literature Like a Professor is redacted for teachers of young readers. The premise behind Foster's works is that there's a "grammar of literaturea certain set of patterns, codes, and rules that we can learn to use when we're reading a piece of writing." If students learn that grammar, they can read better and appreciate more about what's going on in the books they read. Short essays offer insights into myth, symbols, setting, Shakespeare, the Bible, quests and various themes. The author shares a "big secret: there's only one story"--all stories grow out of other stories and contribute to the mix, and what students are doing as they learn to read more widely and insightfully is joining a conversation between old books and new. The title and cover, though--actually, the whole premise of this volume--are misleading: This will work best as a guide for teachers of young people, providing many interesting insights into a range of children's and young-adult literature, from Green Eggs and Ham to Twilight, along with adult literature accessible to younger readers, such as Dracula, A Raisin in the Sun, and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. An upbeat and engaging guide to literature for English teachers working with young readers. (reading list, acknowledgments, index) (Nonfiction. 12 up)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
