Book Talk Format

Your book talkscript must be written on 3”x5” cards that will be glued into your journal once the report has been delivered to the class. You are expectedto use the cards to guide you as you present. The talk must be about a book that you’ve recorded in the book card file, that I have seen you reading in class, and that is featured in your reading record. It shall include the following:

  1. State the book’s title, author, and number of pages
  1. Describe the book’s setting. This would include a description of the main character’s world and the general time frame of the story. If settings vary, explain.
  1. Identifyand describe the main characters in the book. Include examples of actions, reactions, thoughts and feelings that bring the character to life. Keep in mind that youidentify through association, such as “Phoebe Caulfield is Holden’s sister,” or role, such as “KatnissEverdeen is a teenage girl from District 12 who fights in the Hunger Games.” You also thendescribe through physical descriptions, personality descriptions, and actions. “Phoebe is 11 years old and she worries about Holden.” “Katnisshas become very skilled at archery by hunting for food every day in District 12 with her friend Gale.”
  1. Give a two minute review of the book. A good review will give a sense of what the book mainly is about without giving away too much or telling your audience how the book ends. The best reviews tell us enough of the story to leave us wanting to read it ourselves. Good reviews also evaluate the work. Out of five possible stars, how would you rate the book, and why? When evaluating, you must consider things like whether the book was worth your time and effort, or whether there was anything about it that made it difficult for you to read, or that you think could have been better?
  1. Select a passage—at least fifty words long, and no longer than 300—to read to your audience. Before reading to us, set up the passage so we know what’s going on just before where you start reading. You may skip some text when you do your reading. Again, be sure you don’t give away the ending or any important surprises that would spoil the reading for somebody else.

Your talk is worth 50% of your Independent Reading grade. The other 50% is your Notice and Note log.