Books in Literature Guides series

REA's MAXnotes for Charlotte Bronte's Jane EyreMAXnotes 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.

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.In CliffsNotes on The Heart of Darkness & The Secret Sharer, you come to understand how each of these stories deals with the "dark side" of the human character. Heart of Darkness is a journey up the Congo River to where an ivory agent, Kurtz, has succumbed to human weakness and evil, and has disintegrated into a grotesque creature. The Secret Sharer is an allegorical examination of a timid man who struggles to stifle the more physical and dangerous part of himself. Eventually, he resolves this duality and becomes more daring—and, therefore, more complete.This concise supplement to Joseph Conrad's The Heart of Darkness & The Secret Sharer helps you understand the overall structure of the novels, actions and motivations of the characters, and the social and cultural perspectives of the author. Features that help you study include Part-by-part summaries and commentariesCharacter maps that graphically illustrates the relationships among the charactersCritical essays that provide expert insight on the novels' structureReview sections that test your knowledgeClassic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in the series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format.In CliffsNotes on Oliver Twist, you’ll meet a dear, grateful, gentle orphan who, “instead of possessing too little feeling, possessed rather too much.” The CliffsNotes commentaries, summaries, and character analysis will show you why this sweet, sad, and moving story is considered to be one of Dickens' greatest works (and one of his more politically-charged ones). You’ll also find Life and background of the author, Charles DickensA short introduction to the novelA list of charactersEssays about symbolism, style, setting, and moreA review section that tests your knowledgeClassic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

This one-of-a-kind guide to running literature circles, based on Sharon Creech’s Walk Two Moons, 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.

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.In CliffsNotes on Henry V (the final play in Shakespeare's political tetralogy), you once again meet young Prince Hal who is now the ideal Christian monarch, King Henry V. To retain power and increase revenue, he finds he must lead his soldiers in battle against France to reclaim land and titles.A character study on King Henry V and a close look at sixteenth century politics shed light on the Bard's intentions for the play. You'll also explore synopses of the three related history plays that lead up to Henry V. Count on CliffsNotes on Henry V for detailed summaries and commentaries on every scene to help you appreciate the complexity of the play.Other features that help you study include A list of characters and their rolesAn interactive quizEssay topics and review questionsClassic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

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.In CliffsNotes on The Taming of the Shrew, you explore one of Shakespeare's most beloved, and imitated, works. In this play within a play, Petruchio, the man from Verona, marries Kate (the shrew of the story), so that Kate's younger sister Bianca may be allowed to take on several suitors and choose one to marry.Summaries and commentaries lead you, act by act, through this Shakespearean classic, and critical essays give you insight into Shakespeare's historical basis for the play, as well as role playing in The Taming of the Shrew. Other features that help you study includeCharacter analyses of the main charactersA character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the charactersA section on the life and background of William ShakespeareA review section that tests your knowledgeA Resource Center full of books, articles, films, and Internet sitesClassic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

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.In CliffsNotes on Tess of the d'Urbervilles, you explore Thomas Hardy's literary classic as the author challenges many of the Victorian sensibilities of the 19th century by writing about such topics as immoral sex, murder, illegitimate children, and the unmarried living together. In the novel, you follow the journey of Tess as early events in her life lead her down the road to tragic ruin.Chapter summaries and commentaries take you through Tess's journey, and critical essays give you insight into Hardy's view on religion, as well as his use of setting and comparisons. Other features that help you study includeCharacter analyses of the main charactersA character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the charactersA section on the life and background of Thomas HardyA review section that tests your knowledgeA ResourceCenter full of books, articles, films, and Internet sitesClassic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

REA's MAXnotes for Dante's The Divine Comedy I: Inferno 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.