How to Look at the Cover of a Book for Literature Circles

Literature circles are like formal book clubs for students.

Looking at book covers for literature circles aids the teacher and student in several different objectives. However, the book cover must be analyzed in a constructive, productive and opened-ended way in order to encourage the selection and discussion of a book. The book cover should be treated as a gateway to the story inside it, and used as an analytical tool to spark a student's interest. The more engaging the cover is, the more students will be excited to read and talk about the book.

Things You'll Need

• Book
• Paper
• Pen or pencil

Instructions

1. Examine several different books covers if you and your students are determining what book to read. All of the book covers should be reader-friendly and inviting. Remember that a book cover can heavily influence your students' decision on whether to read it or not.

2. Choose book covers that are more illustrative for younger students. Illustrations can tell their own stories which can encourage students to read them. Propose book covers without illustrations to older students and let them discuss the style of the cover and any other aspects they find worthy of mention.

3. Analyze the book cover. Use the book cover of one book or several books to initiate a discussion with your students. Pass the books to the students in the literature circle. Book covers don't have to be analyzed to be chosen; they can be used to initiate a discussion of a book that is currently being used by the literature circle.

4. Initiate a discussion with the literature circle. Issue a prompt related to the book cover. Focus on the style of the cover and what kind of book it is. Ask the students for opinions.

5. Direct the circle to analyze different aspects of the book cover. The students should carry their own discussion, but you should set its foundation. Allow your students to decide what aspects to discuss.

6. Suggest a discussion on the theme and tone the book cover implies for the book. Ask the students if they see any foreshadowing or if they have certain perceptions about the characters of the book if the characters are drawn on the cover.

7. After the students read the book, compare the book's story to the perception or tone the book cover sets. Advise the students to describe the cover and the book itself and compare them to each other.

8. Have the students critique the book cover. Allow the group's artist or illustrator to come up with discussion topics or activities relating to the cover.

9. Encourage the literature circle to develop written responses to the book cover. Advise each student to use his or her opinion, and to write critical analysis pieces about the cover. Suggest that your students write about some of the same elements discussed in the group.

References

• Literature Circles Resource Center: Choosing Books for Literature Circles
• Appalachian State University: Dept. of Leadership and Educational Studies: Dr. Beth Frye: Guided Reading Literature Circle Discussion Group Unit RE4030
• Literature Circles Resource Center: Making Discussions Work

Resources

• National Council of Teachers of English: Standards for the English Language Arts
• Literature Circles Resource Center: Extension Projects
• Appalachian State University Students: Dr. Frye: Literature Circle Units