150 Great Books: Synopses, Quizzes, & Tests for Independent Reading

by Bonnie Helms

The selected works, both classic and contemporary, appeal to many interests, reading abilities, and maturity levels. Each title under consideration contains a plot summary, three evaluation tools (a 20-question quiz, 5 short-answer questions, and a challenge essay question), answers and suggested responses, glossary of literary terms, and bibliographical entries.

The 150 titles are arranged in ten
1.Tales of Adventure and Survival (such as The African Queen, A Night to Remember, and The Once and Future King)
2.Coming of Age (such as Great Expectations, Christy, and Macho)
3.History in Fiction (such as The Great Gatsby, Exodus, and Becket)
4.Tales of Fantasy and Science Fiction (such as Fahrenheit 451, Harvey, and The Hobbit)
5.The Literature of Social Issues (such as I Am the Cheese, Black Like Me, and Animal Farm)
6.Overcoming Handicaps (such as The Miracle Worker, On Golden Pond, and I Never Promised You a Rose Garden)
7.The Top of the Ladder (such as Auntie Mame, Anchorwoman, and All Creatures Great and Small)
8.Tales of the Dark and Mysterious (such as Where Are the Children?, The Mousetrap, and Nine Coaches Waiting)
9.Childhood Remembered (such as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, My Antonia, and The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds)
10.Tales of Love and Romance (such as Pride and Prejudice, The Peacock Spring, and The Beloved Invader)
The original literary works are not included.

456 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986