Handbook for Literary Analysis Book II: How to Evaluate Prose Fiction, Drama, and Poetry Paperback – May 8, 2013

I was very excited about this item at first - it's hard to find a text which includes various aspects of literary analysis, especially one aimed at high school level students. However, once I was able to properly go through it, I found very little of substance. Each topic is given only a cursory overview. Most of the book consists of long excerpts from novels, but without any accompanying analysis. The sample student essays are a nice feature, but at $30 a book, I'd rather actual lessons. I didn't feel the series was worth $60, not when we ended up having to cull our lessons from the internet and other resources.I ended up returning both books in the series.ETA: For the same amount of money, I found this item: Backpack Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing (4th Edition)  to be much more helpful. At 1000 pages, it is able to amply cover almost all aspects of literary analysis. Terms are clearly explained, example stories are provided, analysis is offered, and the author also suggests how to apply what is learned to one's own writing. In addition, there are critical thinking questions after each story, and at the end of each chapter. The final few chapters offer insight on how to write clear essays. Note that this is a university level text, and as such, some of the selections may be too mature for younger readers. However, I have so far found only a few stories I would prefer my 15yo daughter not read.