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Books in Literature Guides series

  • Romeo and Juliet

    Judy Clamon, English Literature Study Guides

    Paperback (Research & Education Association, March 1, 1995)
    REA's MAXnotes for William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet MAXnotes offers a comprehensive summary and analysis of Romeo and Juliet and a biography of William Shakespeare. Places the events of the play in historical context and discusses each act in detail. Includes study questions and answers along with topics for papers and sample outlines.
  • Literature Circle Guide

    Susan Van Zile

    Paperback (Scholastic, Inc., July 1, 2002)
    This one-of-a-kind guide to running literature circles, based on Theodore Taylor’s The Cay, shows teachers how to organize small discussion groups that work! Includes stimulating questions and writing prompts that motivate students to think and respond thoughtfully. As students dive into lively discussions, they learn to identify themes, analyze vocabulary, recognize the author’s craft, and respond meaningfully to the text—all of which meet state and national language arts standards! For use with Grades 4-8.
  • Stranger, The

    Kevin Kelly, English Literature Study Guides

    Paperback (Research & Education Association, July 24, 1996)
    REA's MAXnotes for Albert Camus' The StrangerMAXnotes offer a fresh look at masterpieces of literature, presented in a lively and interesting fashion. Written by literary experts who currently teach the subject, MAXnotes will enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the work. MAXnotes are designed to stimulate independent thought about the literary work by raising various issues and thought-provoking ideas and questions.MAXnotes cover the essentials of what one should know about each work, including an overall summary, character lists, an explanation and discussion of the plot, the work's historical context, illustrations to convey the mood of the work, and a biography of the author. Each section of the work is individually summarized and analyzed, and has study questions and answers.
  • Literature Circle Guide

    Kathleen Simpson

    Paperback (Scholastic, Inc., July 1, 2002)
    This one-of-a-kind guide to running literature circles, based on Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s Shiloh, shows teachers how to organize small discussion groups that work! Includes stimulating questions and writing prompts that motivate students to think and respond thoughtfully. As students dive into lively discussions, they learn to identify themes, analyze vocabulary, recognize the author’s craft, and respond meaningfully to the text—all of which meet state and national language arts standards. For use with Grades 4-8.
  • Brave New World

    Sharon Yunker, English Literature Study Guides

    Paperback (Research & Education Association, June 12, 1995)
    REA's MAXnotes for Aldous Huxley's Brave New WorldMAXnotes offer a fresh look at masterpieces of literature, presented in a lively and interesting fashion. Written by literary experts who currently teach the subject, MAXnotes will enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the work. MAXnotes are designed to stimulate independent thought about the literary work by raising various issues and thought-provoking ideas and questions.MAXnotes cover the essentials of what one should know about each work, including an overall summary, character lists, an explanation and discussion of the plot, the work's historical context, illustrations to convey the mood of the work, and a biography of the author. Each chapter is individually summarized and analyzed, and has study questions and answers.
  • Waiting for Godot

    Rita Wilensky, English Literature Study Guides

    Paperback (Research & Education Association, Sept. 11, 1996)
    REA's MAXnotes for Samuel Becketts's Waiting for GodotMAXnotes offer a fresh look at masterpieces of literature, presented in a lively and interesting fashion. Written by literary experts who currently teach the subject, MAXnotes will enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the work. MAXnotes are designed to stimulate independent thought about the literary work by raising various issues and thought-provoking ideas and questions.MAXnotes cover the essentials of what one should know about each work, including an overall summary, character lists, an explanation and discussion of the plot, the work's historical context, illustrations to convey the mood of the work, and a biography of the author. Each chapter is individually summarized and analyzed, and has study questions and answers.
  • Faulkner's Short Stories

    James L. Roberts

    Paperback (John Wiley & Sons, Dec. 31, 1997)
    The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background.CliffsNotes on Faulkner’s Short Stories explores five of William Faulkner’s psychologically complex narratives: A Rose for Emily, That Evening Sun, Barn Burning, Dry September, and Spotted Horses.Follow a common thread of Southern mores and prejudices as the author from Mississippi masterfully creates enduring settings and characters. This concise supplement includes commentaries and glossaries on all five short stories. Other features that help you understand these important works areBackground on the authorAn introduction to YoknapatawphaCounty, the mythical county seating of Faulkner’s makingCritical essay on the author’s styleAn interactive quiz, review questions, and suggested essay topicsClassic literature or modern modern-day treasure — you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.
  • CliffsNotes on Hardy's The Return of the Native

    Frank H Thompson

    Paperback (Cliffs Notes, Dec. 15, 2003)
    The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format.CliffsNotes on The Return of the Native carries you through this timeless romantic classic about an ambitious beauty and the two men who will seemingly sacrifice everything to claim her. CliffsNotes helps you explore this novel by providing you with summaries and commentaries, book by book. You’ll also gain insight into the author Thomas Hardy, and discover what led him to write The Return of the Native. Other features that help you study includeA list of characters and their descriptionsAnalyses of the main characters to unravel their motivationsCritical essays on the theme, setting, and point of view of the novel, and moreReview questions and essay topicsA selected bibliography for more studyClassic literature or modern modern-day treasure — you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.
  • CliffsNotes on Kingslover's The Bean Trees

    Suzanne Pavlos

    Paperback (Cliffs Notes, Sept. 15, 1999)
    Kingsolver's style is poetic, blends realism with lyricism, and is interspersed with humor. Many critics call her style "a Southern novel taken West." This novel is about the primacy of family, community, and the importance of an emotional support system for the individual.
    O
  • The Woman Warrior

    Soon-Leng Chua, Margaret Pho Choo Chua

    Paperback (Cliffs Notes, Oct. 30, 1998)
    This is a powerful study of what it is like to grow up Chinese in America. The dichotomy of values and the cleaving of a life in two cultures, which must yet be lived in one united whole, make this both compelling and informative.
  • Toni Morrison's Paradise

    David M. Gracer, English Literature Study Guides

    Paperback (Research & Education Association, July 16, 1999)
    REA's MAXnotes for Toni Morrison's Paradise MAXnotes offer a fresh look at masterpieces of literature, presented in a lively and interesting fashion. Written by literary experts who currently teach the subject, MAXnotes will enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the work. MAXnotes are designed to stimulate independent thought about the literary work by raising various issues and thought-provoking ideas and questions. MAXnotes cover the essentials of what one should know about each work, including an overall summary, character lists, an explanation and discussion of the plot, the work's historical context, illustrations to convey the mood of the work, and a biography of the author. Each chapter is individually summarized and analyzed, and has study questions and answers.
  • Julius Caesar

    Joseph E. Scalia

    Paperback (Research & Education Association, July 18, 1994)
    REA's MAXnotes for William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar The MAXnotes offers a comprehensive summary and analysis of Julius Caesar and a biography of William Shakespeare. Places the events of the play in historical context and discusses each act in detail. Includes study questions and answers along with topics for papers and sample outlines.