Reinforcing Literature

Each student is allowed to choose a book from a section in the library allotted to the elementary,middle or senior division. After reading their books,the students must write a review based on a format specified by their English teacher. “Students are instructed to write the author’s name followed by the book’s publication details and a summary of the story. The also need to answer why they liked or disliked the book,which character they liked and why,whether they were convinced with the ending and how they would have wanted the story to end,” says Rosy Leblond,English teacher-in-charge of the Literary Enrichment Programme. “English is a skill that needs to be practised. The purpose of this programme is to inculcate the habit of using the dictionary to learn new words,encouraging the ability to imagine and the fluency to write,” informs Leblond.

At first,the students grumbled as they saw this programme only as additional homework. But as they took up books and read them,they found it to be a way to unwind and de-stress. “I read a story about a man who had a crush on the girl who lived below his home. She had a pet turtle and wanted to make it grow faster,so the man gave her some nonsensical advice and just to prove himself right,he would buy a bigger tortoise and replace her pet tortoise with it,” describes Jessica Mehta,student of standard V. “I enjoyed reading the book,it was hilarious,” she smiles. Jonaki Gupta,student from class X,and due to give her ICSE exams,says,“I am not an addictive reader,but I do read some books that grab my attention. For the review,I read Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons over the weekend. Writing the review was not such a difficult thing and it does not add a huge burden to our syllabus as well. I want to read something by Jean Sasson next.”

As more and more movies are made based on books,some students still feel the need to read a thick novel,investing more time and effort into it than watching the movie. “I have read most of Johm Grisham’s novels. The Firm is my favourite,as it is based on corporate America and law. I usually read science fiction,but for the review,I picked up Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown,because all the books I wanted to read had been picked up by other students,” says Rishab Moorjani,a student of class XI. “For the review,I had put down the way in which the facts were represented in the novel. I watched the movie,which was interesting,but the book was far more informative. When you read a book,you make the scene in your head and when you compare that with what a director and his crew has created on celluloid,most of the time,you will find a world of difference. When a book is commercially adapted into cinema,most of the important facts are left out,” says he.