How to Read Literature Like a Professor for Kids by Thomas C. Foster

Reviewed by Lori
Title: How to Read Literature Like a Professor for Kids

Author: Thomas C. Foster

Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 70445

Description: Demonstrates how to make everyday reading more rewarding by helping readers understand the symbols, themes, narrative devices and forms, and contexts of literary works, in an edition geared toward young readers.

 Rubric Rating: Level 4 - Love It

 Why I Read It: I quite like literary analysis and looking for deeper meaning while reading.

 Notes: Wow, I really liked this book. As someone who already has an English degree I kept thinking how much this book would have helped me if I’d read it before starting University. The book looks at various themes that are used in literature from weather, myth, fairy tales, food, seasons, symbolism, illness and many others. The chapters each focus on their own theme and use various examples from different books and poetry. I found the writing both entertaining and informative. This book would probably be better titled – “How to read literature like a professor for students” as this book is best for those students in high school English courses. The title “for kids” and the cartoonish cover design makes the book look like it’s intended for elementary schools or younger readers. Teachers may also  appreciate this novel as chapters can be used as an introduction to teaching symbolism in novels studied in class.

 Recommended Readers: Great Teacher Resource, High School Students studying English

 Themes: Literary Analysis, Symbolism, Looking for Meaning, Literary Criticism, Essay Writing, Reading and Understanding

 Cross-Genre Links:
Book:  How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines (by same author)
Movie: InkHeart
Music: Word Crimes by "Weird Al" Yankovic

Inquiries and Activities: 

  • Read any of the books referenced in this text.  Look at the different symbols the author use. 
  • Are there multiple ways of interpreting a symbol?
  • Create a chart that shows both the positives and negatives associated with the following symbols: rain, snow, fire, forests, youth, age
  • Write a poem using symbols to help you express your ideas

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