A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol is a classic favorite. Younger readers might miss some of the text in its original format and language because they find it too formal. Timothy Krause is able to bring the complete text to life for these and all readers with out leaving any important part of the text behind. Clues are given in the Comprehension Checks to make sure unfamiliar words are clear.
This text brings Marley , Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the rest of the characters to life in an inviting manner without changing any of the original meaning.
As Dickens' original A Christmas Carol remains timeless, so should Krauses' text.
As for clarity, Krauses' text is fine for readers 7th grade on up, and good for advanced 5th and 6th graders.
The story remains consistent throughout. There are no "chicken runs" so to speak that cause the reader to wonder if he/she has gone on to another story.
The book can be used as four separate lessons: Marley's Ghost; The First of the Three Spirits; The Second of the Three Spirits; The Ghost of Christmas Past. Each section should immediately be taught after the one preceeding it as the book is a complete Story. It should not be broken up into different periods of the semester. Students need to be able to stay close to the whole story to obtain the full meaning of the adventure.
The organization of the text remains true to Dickens' original work and flows well.
The placement of the Comprehension Checks disrupt the reader's involvement with the text. As I came to the first Comprehension Check I felt "jerked" away from the story. These checks and the Discussion Questions would be better placed after the story ends.
The grammar is clear, consistent, correct.
A Christmas Carol is a British text and should be introduced as such to the students who will read and study it.
Timothy Krauses' A Christmas Carol is a readable, enjoyable, engaging text. It stays true to the Charles Dickens' original as it is slightly abridged to reach a younger reading audience, or those who are not accustomed to a more formal English. The Comprehension Checks, Discussion Questions and Collaborative Activities are fine for the middle school students, but for high school students and college students, the instructor may want to develop course questions and activities appropriate for the age level and course being taught.