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Bryfonski, Dedria
9 Reviews
(3)
YA
Social Issues in Literature series.
The Huxley volume in this reliable (if not always inspired) series stands out. The timeliness of debate surrounding bioethics makes it useful; the editor is careful to maintain neutrality by presenting a well-chosen selection of essays. The volumes on Hansberry and Knowles are dependable but less likely to elicit enthusiasm from students. Reading list, timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Social Issue in Literature titles: Bioethics in Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, War in John Knowles's A Separate Peace, and Gender in Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun.
Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac
(3)
YA
Social Issues in Literature series.
The Huxley volume in this reliable (if not always inspired) series stands out. The timeliness of debate surrounding bioethics makes it useful; the editor is careful to maintain neutrality by presenting a well-chosen selection of essays. The volumes on Hansberry and Knowles are dependable but less likely to elicit enthusiasm from students. Reading list, timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Social Issue in Literature titles: Bioethics in Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, War in John Knowles's A Separate Peace, and Gender in Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun.
Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac
(3)
YA
Social Issues in Literature series.
These books feature short essays, focused biographical pieces, interviews, and excerpts of critical articles selected from a range of reputable secondary sources. Background information on the author, thematic exploration of the named subject, and contemporary applications of the topic extend the significance of the literary work. Reading list, timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Social Issues in Literature titles: Mental Illness in Ken Kesey's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Colonialism in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart, The American Dream in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, and Social and Psychological Disorder in the Works of Edgar Allan Poe.
Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac
(4)
YA
Social Issues in Literature series.
Each collection reprints short pieces introducing the author's life, investigating one theme of his or her title work, and exploring related issues in contemporary society. These collections are most helpful when the theme is central to the work, as the environment is to Walden; in other cases (the Hamlet volume, for example), the approach is a little restrictive. Reading list, timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Social Issues in Literature titles: The Abuse of Power in George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, Patriarchy in Sandra Cisneros's The House on Mango Street, Corruption in William Shakespeare's Hamlet, and The Environment in Henry David Thoreau's Walden.
Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac
(3)
YA
Social Issues in Literature series.
These collections of short essays and excerpts from longer works are divided into three sections: background on the authors, critical discussions, and contemporary thematic materials. Drawing from different disciplines and points of view, each volume provides a varied selection of genuinely useful resources, making decent starting points for student research. Reading list, timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Social Issues in Literature titles: Peer Pressure in Robert Cormier's The Chocolate War, Violence in William Golding's Lord of the Flies, and Race in Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac
(3)
YA
Social Issues in Literature series.
These collections of short essays and excerpts from longer works are divided into three sections: background on the authors, critical discussions, and contemporary thematic materials. Drawing from different disciplines and points of view, each volume provides a varied selection of genuinely useful resources, making decent starting points for student research. Reading list, timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Social Issues in Literature titles: Peer Pressure in Robert Cormier's The Chocolate War, Violence in William Golding's Lord of the Flies, and Race in Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac
(3)
YA
Social Issues in Literature series.
Each collection features at least eighteen essays reprinted from a variety of sources, including academic journals and popular periodicals. The articles explore the author's life, thematic issues in his work, and contemporary perspectives on related topics. Lists of thematically similar novels in addition to discussion questions further deepen the material. Reading list, timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Social Issues in Literature titles: Male and Female Roles in Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises[c1], Industrialism in John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, Women's Issues in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, and Workers' Rights in Upton Sinclair's The Jungle.
Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac
(3)
YA
Social Issues in Literature series.
These books feature essays reprinted from a variety of sources. Each volume is arranged in three sections, with writings exploring the author's biography, a textual issue, and views on that issue. Drawing from different disciplines and points of view, the essays create a critical conversation rather than providing definitive answers, making decent starting points for student research. Reading list, timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Social Issue in Literature titles: Depression in J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, Political Issues in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter Series, Issues of Class in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Suicide in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, and Racism in The Autobiography of Malcolm X.
Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac
(3)
YA
Social Issues in Literature series.
These books feature essays reprinted from a variety of sources. Each volume is arranged in three sections, with writings exploring the author's biography, a textual issue, and views on that issue. Drawing from different disciplines and points of view, the essays create a critical conversation rather than providing definitive answers, making decent starting points for student research. Reading list, timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Social Issue in Literature titles: Depression in J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, Political Issues in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter Series, Issues of Class in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Suicide in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, and Racism in The Autobiography of Malcolm X.
Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac
9 reviews
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