Possible New Readers for 103 level

This is a review of two books I considered for English 103. I have decided to use the second one, What Matters In America. So here are outlines for each of the books. Hope it helps.

READINGS FOR TODAY (Gary Goshgarian: Penguin, approx. $33.00, 2008)
Review by Anita Cruse
Recommend for English 103

Authors
The authors represent a diverse group as far as gender, ethnicity, age and experience

Original Sources (some of them)
Time The Guardian
Washington Post Smithsonian Magazine
Wall Street Journal The American Prospect
Atlantic Monthly The Chronicle of Higher Ed
New York Times New York Times Magazine
London Times New York Law Journal

Content
A. Introductory “lessons” on critical reading including effective practices that would provide a really good foundation for ACTIVE, ENGAGED, EFFECTIVE, ANALYTICAL Reading. (i.e. Annotating, Summarizing, Questioning, Outlining, Journaling), Includes writing component but at a level I think would support the vital relationship between reading and writing and not as an instructional book for teaching 80.
B. Themes – relevant and would resonate with a diverse student population:
Family Identity
Television Gender
Global Warming Race and Racism
Immigration University System

C. Follow-Up Opportunities – Each piece is followed by questions for critical thinking, analysis, further study, writing ideas, etc.

D. Varying length (2 pages, 5 pages, 8 pages, for example)

E. Each theme has Viewpoints, two pieces on same issue for multiple perspectives (an SLO in ES)

WHAT MATTERS IN AMERICA (Gary Goshgarian: Penguin, app. $36.00, 2010 brand new)
Review by Anita Cruse
Recommend for English 103

Authors
The authors represent a diverse group as far as gender, ethnicity, age and experience

Original Sources (some of them)
Time Huffington.com
The New Black Magazine Smithsonian Magazine
Wall Street Journal The American Spectator
The Boston Globe Applied Developmental Science
New York Times New York Times Magazine
Los Angeles Times New York Law Journal

Content
A. Introductory “lessons” on critical reading including effective practices that would provide a really good foundation for ACTIVE, ENGAGED, EFFECTIVE, ANALYTICAL Reading. (i.e. Annotating, Summarizing, Questioning, Outlining, Journaling), Includes writing component but at a level I think would support the vital relationship between reading and writing and not as an instructional book for teaching 80.

B. Themes – Somewhat more specific and narrow than in other Goshgarian book reviewed.
Is Fast Food Responsible For A Crisis In Public Health?
What Does Freedom of Speech Really Mean?
What’s the Big Deal About Immigration?
Can Religion and Science Coexist?
Why Do We Work?
Is Climate Change a Pressing Problem or Pumped-Up Propoganda?
Do the Media Promote a Culture of Fear?
Is the Internet Changing Our Social Lives?
Does Personal Privacy Have Limits?

C. Prereading Format includes
Connecting to the Topic Words in Context

D. Follow-Up Opportunities – Each piece is followed by questions in this format:
Considering the Issues
Craft and Content
Critical Thinking
Writing About the Issues

E. Varying length

F. Each theme has Viewpoints, two pieces on same issue for multiple perspectives (a SLO in ES)
G. Each theme includes section called Visual Connections (like Rereading America)