Book Review: Believers in Love by Alan Clay


Believers in Love by Alan Clay is a whimsical novel told in the style of a stream of consciousness~think The Notebook or Nim's Island.

Each chapter is told from a different character's viewpoint and point of view making this a great text with which to teach those elements of a narrative.

The prose/fiction lends itself to the fantastic while staying grounded to realistic fiction. The ending is circular so the writing teacher could pull the beginning and ending excerpts as a way to teach circular endings. It's easy enough that even older elementary kids could do it.

Each section begins with a motivational, Zen-like observation that could be pulled and used as close reads or as writing prompts.

The characters are likeable and easily identifiable so you could teach how authors tell the reader about character as well.

The word choice is easy enough for fifth graders and appropriate for a senior level AP class.

My verdict: Great all around choice for teachers and students of all ages.

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