Review (and Giveaway!): Teaching Literature in High School

During my planning time this summer, I sat with my Reading Lists for College-Bound Students book in hand and a course descriptions file from a random high school in Georgia on my computer screen, trying to figure out how in the world to design a high school lit class for Brianna. Yes, she's only in 8th grade, but I'm looking at this year as our practice year for high school.


So, there I sat, trying to figure it all out. I was asking myself questions such as:

• What books should I include (because that reading lists book has lots of books listed!)?
• How many books should a typical lit class entail?
• How should I grade a class like this?
• Is there a logical way to tie the class to our history and/or science topics?

I was starting to sweat, when my Curr-Click newsletter was delivered to my in-box. There, just under the featured freebie for the week, was the answer to my dilemma: an e-book entitled, Teaching Literature in High School! When I saw the topics covered, I immediately emailed the author, Meredith Curtis and begged politely asked if she'd be interested in allowing me to review her book.


She graciously agreed and I'm so glad she did. Her book was just what I was looking for and it really helped answer many of my questions and ease my fears. Some of the topics covered include:

• How to Create Your Own Classes
• Sample Classes You Can Use
• British Literature
• American Literature
• Remedial Literature Classes

Not only does Meredith offer class outlines that you can use straight out of the book, but she also gives guidelines on how to grade a literature class, including how many books should be read to earn each letter grade, A through C. I guess lower than that is simply not an option. ;-)


She also gives some wonderful background information about many of the authors whose books she features, helping you gain a better understanding of what was going on, historically, during the authors' lifetimes. She even includes a look at the history of many of the books themselves.


Teaching Literature in High School also offers tips on helping kids understand the basics of analyzing a book, including understanding the characters and tone, and recognizing the plot, theme, and worldview of the books they'll be reading. There is even a section that includes tips on writing a literary research paper! This book has it all -- literature, composition, and a little bit of history all rolled into one.


You'll even find tips on using a book club as a literature course and, my personal favorite, using blogging to teach literature. This 172-page e-book is packed with ideas that you can put to use immediately -- even if you have younger children, thanks to two lists of great books for younger children geared toward kids of elementary age. You can purchase the book as an immediate download either through Curr-Click or TOS Magazine's Old Schoolhouse Store for just $15.


You could also win a copy right here! Meredith has graciously agreed to give away a copy of her e-Book, Teaching Literature in High School and it's easy to win. Just leave a comment and you'll automatically be entered. The winner will be chosen by random drawing on Friday, August 21 and notified by email. One comment per person, please, and you must leave an email contact in your comment. If I can't contact you, your entry will be disqualified.


**Updated to add: Congratulations to Mamosa, lucky number 8! She wins a copy of Teaching Literature in High School.