This culturally diverse, gender-balanced anthology is organized by seven themes of human relationships: Parents and Children, Sisters and Brothers, People in Love, Wives and Husbands, Friends and Enemies, Students and Teachers, and People Alone. Within each category, readings are also grouped by subthemes and subject clusters—often based on essential mythical or biblical themes. The text also features four example-filled chapters on reading skills, critical analysis, and writing about literature.