Young Adult Book Review #2

For my second young adult book review I chose, The Count of Monte Cristo, written by Alexandre Dumas. 

Publisher: Journal des Debats (French) Chapman and Hall (English version) 

Copyright date: 1844 / Translated version published in 1846

Pages: Unabridged version (1276) Abridged version (640) 

Genre: Historical/adventure novel

Grade Level: 9-12

Summary: Edmond Dantes is a promising young sailor engaged to a beautiful young woman named Mercedes. A few young men become jealous of Dante's perfect life and accuse him of a crime he did not commit. He is wrongfully thrown into solitary confinement at the Chateau d'If, the harshest prison which no one has ever escaped from. Will Edmond spend the rest of his life in the tiny cell? If he does escape what will he do to the people responsible for his imprisonment?

This book can be used in an English class as it is considered a literary classic today. It also contains historical events between 1815-1839. The book takes place in France, Italy and on islands of the Mediteranean during the Bourbon Restoration under the reign of Louis-Philippe. It is just before the Hundred Days, when Napoleon returns to power after his exile. Because of the historical components it could also be used in history class. 

I gave this book a rating of 3***. My ratings can be read in the chart below. 

	***	**	*	-	Comments
Plot	Plot is well developed with a sequence of events. The events are in good logical order. There is a clear conflict and resolution.	Plot contains a sequence of events. The events are in order but the conflict is not clear or does not contain a clear resolution.	There are events but they are not in good chronological order. The climax and resolution are lacking or not present.	Not addressed	*** The plot in this book is very detailed and has a clear sequence of events. There is a clear conflict and resolution.
Characters	Characters are well developed with clear roles and contribute to the story. Reader is able to personally connect with the character(s).	Characters have clear roles within the story. Reader is not able to connect with the character(s).	Character(s) are present but do not have clear roles. Reader is not able to connect with character(s).	No characters developed	*** The characters are well developed. The role and purpose of each is clearly identified. Characters are presented in a way to allow the reader to connect with them.
Style and Language	Book contains precise vocabulary, figurative language, and or dialogue. When dialogue is used it is effective and not distracting.	Book contains precise vocabulary and/or figurative language. When dialogue is used it is distracting.	Book contains very little precise vocabulary and no figurative language or dialogue.	Book contains no precise vocabulary or figurative language. No dialogue is used.	*** This book contains a lot of precise vocabulary and figurative language. Dialogue used contributes to story. It is very well written and considered a classic today.
Theme	There is a clear theme and it is easily identifiable by the story.	There is a theme but it is a little more difficult to identify.	The theme is almost impossible to identify.	There is no theme.	*** There is a clear theme in this book and it is shown throughout the story.