An Introduction to Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

In my introductory English classes this year, I am requiring my students to listen to audiobooks.  This is an ongoing assignment that will help to develop a lot of skills.  I won't go into all of the research and pedagogy now, but I did want to share one of the resources I created.

This semester, there are four book choices; the most contemporary book option is Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer.  According to Foer, this book is about grief and continuing with life after loss.  The basic story line combines two tales: a nine-year-old in New York who is trying to cope after his dad dies in the 9/11 attacks, and his grandfather, who survived the bombings in Germany during WWII.  It is, at times, both realistic and absurd, funny and heart-wrenching, awkward and beautifully written. 

To view my Prezi presentation on Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, click on the link:
http://prezi.com/jquxa0ursml_/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share.  It ioffers a brief introduction to the book.

If you enjoy Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, you may also like The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak.