How to Analyze the Works of Suzanne Collins

Gr 8 Up—Filled with colorful pictures from film adaptations, these volumes are written in a direct and relatable style that brings the basics of critical theory to life. Following a biography of the writer, the authors go back and forth between plot summaries of their subjects' works and critical analysis. A different criticism is applied to each book discussed, such as Marxist criticism to Prince Caspian and archetypal criticism to The Hunger Games. While explaining each theory, the authors do a great job of highlighting and using explanatory sidebars to give readers a real sense of how a literary essay ought to be written. Each of these chapters ends by asking readers to think critically and consider several questions about the featured book. Similarly, a great closing section called, "You Critique It" encourages students to model what they have just read and gives them helpful starting points in creating their own essays. An extensive list of resources will help teens further their research. These volumes are a great way to bring popular culture into the classroom in order to engage students and enable them to make meaningful connections to other works.—Kerry Roeder, Professional Children's School, New York City