What is a book talk?

You can think of a book talk as being similar to a movie trailer or movie preview.

The purpose of a book talk is to “sell” the book to asmall or large group.

  1. The book talker should give enough of the plot to interest the listener, but should not give a summary of the entire book. Don’t give away the important part. Never give away the ending. Just highlight the interesting points.
  2. The book talker should read chosen passages (1 longer or 2 shorter ones) to the listeners. The purpose is to grab the audience’s interest, give a feel for the way the writer writes and make each listener want to read the book. Some talkers end the book talk with a cliffhanger.
  3. The book talker presents the book talk orally and should have the book as a visual prop.

How do book talks differ from book reviews?

Although similar, they perform different functions. In a book review, the reviewer is judging the book. The book is recommended or not and may contain criticism. A summary of the plot may be included. In a book talk, a recommendation is assumed.

Things to Discuss in Your Book Talk

  • Tell us the title, the name of the author, and the genre. (e.g. fantasy, mystery, realistic fiction)
  • Do some research on the author and tell us about other books he/she has written. (There may be some information on the book cover.)
  • Tell us about the setting. Where and when did the story take place?
  • Who is the main character in your book? Describe him/her.
  • Was there a conflict or struggle that the character had to overcome?
  • Share some story details but don’t give away too much of the plot.
  • What was the mood of this novel: funny, sad, exciting?
  • What was the theme? (The central idea or lesson about life that the author wants to know.)
  • Why did you like it? What do you remember most about the book?
  • You may want to read a passage from your novel: an interesting quotation, a piece of good description or a memorable line or paragraph.
  • Who would you recommend this book to and why?
  • Why should the viewer want to go out and get this book?

Newspaper article Comic Strip Different type of Book Jacket or Cover

Comic strip

Lesson Plan for Booktalks

Objectives:

To sell the idea of reading for pleasure.

To encourage students to share with others in an informal, non-threatening situation.

To humanize books.

Materials Needed:

  • 1 handout (What is a book talk?) for students
  • 1 lesson plan for teachers

Step One: Hand out “What is a book talk?” Discuss what a book talk is and how it differs from a book review.

Step Two: Share the sample book talks by reading aloud or by allowing students to read the samples aloud. Point out to students that the 2 book talks on Where the Heart Is are different because no two people look at a book in the same way. There are four examples.

Step Three: Part of giving a book talk is reading part of the book aloud. Discuss how to choose what to read to the other students.

Don’t read the ending.

Choose a passage that reflects the writer’s voice clearly. If the book is humorous, find a funny passage.

Just don’t give away anything that would affect the enjoyment for someone who wants to read the book.

Choose a passage that affected you in some way – you laughed, smiled, cried, or responded to it in some emotional way.

Step Five: Below are 4 examples of Book Talk projects. With each project you are to include a 1-3 paragraph typed or neatly written paper about your project and what you are representing. Remember to include – Title, author, genre, setting, characters, plot, conflict-problem (no solution), mood, theme, and why you chose this book.

State Standards:

Strand 1: Reading Process

Concept 5: Fluency

PO1. Read from a variety of genres with accuracy, automaticity (immediate recognition), and prosody (expression).

Concept 6: Comprehension Strategies

PO1. Predict text content using prior knowledge and text features (e.g., illustrations, titles, topic sentences, key words).

PO2. Generate clarifying questions in order to comprehend text.

PO3. Use graphic organizers in order to clarify the meaning of the text.

PO4. Connect information and events in text to experience and to related text and sources.

PO5. Apply knowledge of organizational structures (e.g., chronological order, sequence-time order, cause and effect relationships, logical order, by classification, problem-solution) of text to aid comprehension.

Strand 2: Comprehending Literary Text

Concept 1: Elements of Literature

PO1. Describe the author’s use of literary elements:

  • theme (moral, lesson, meaning, message, view or comment on life),
  • point of view (e.g., first vs. third, limited vs. omniscient),
  • characterization (qualities, motives, actions, thoughts, dialogue, development, interactions),
  • setting (time of day or year, historical period, place, situation), and
  • Plot (exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution).

PO2. Explain different elements of figurative language, including simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, symbolism, allusion, and imagery in a literary selection.

PO3. Compare (and contrast) works within a literary genre that deal with similar themes (e.g., compare short stories, novels, short stories, poems).

PO4. Compare interactions among major characters and minor characters in literary text with emphasis upon how the plot is revealed through action of the dialog.

Strand 3: Comprehending Informational Text

Concept 3: Persuasive Text

PO 2. Evaluate the appropriateness of an author’s word choice for an intended audience.

Strands 1, 2, 3 The Process and application of writing.

List of Book Talk Ideas

  1. Do a costumed presentation of your book. Dress either as the author or one of the characters.
  2. Write a letter from one character to another character.
  3. If a journey was involved, draw a map with explanatory notes of significant places.
  4. Make a diorama and explain what it shows.(Either the setting or a main event.)
  5. Make a new jacket with an original blurb.
  6. Participate with three or four classmates in a television talk show about the book.
  7. With another student, do a pretend interview with the author or with one of the characters.
  8. Find a song or a poem that relates to the theme of your book. Explain the similarities.
  9. Draw a comic-book page complete with bubble-style conversations showing an incident in your book.
  10. Write a paragraph telling about the title. Is it appropriate? Why or Why not? (8 sentences typed or neatly written in pen on non-lined paper.)
  11. Decide on an alternate title for the book. Why is it appropriate? Is it better than the one the book has now? Why or Why not? (8 sentences typed or neatly written in pen on non-lined paper.)
  12. Make a travel brochure inviting tourists to visit the setting of the book. What types of activities would there be for them to attend?
  13. Write a letter to the main character of the book. (Friendly letter format with 2 paragraphs 5-8 sentences each paragraph.typed or neatly written in pen on non-lined paper. )
  14. Make three or more puppets of the characters in the book. Prepare a short puppet show to tell the story to the class.
  15. Write a description of one of the main characters. Draw or cut out a picture to accompany the description. (8 sentences typed or neatly written in pen on non-lined paper.
  16. Rewrite the story as a picture book. Use simple vocabulary so that younger students can enjoy it.
  17. Write a diary as the main character would write it to explain the events of the story. Must have at least 5 entries.
  18. Make a map showing where the story took place.
  19. Make a mobile showing pictures or symbols of happenings in the book.
  20. Make a collage representing some event or part of your book.
  21. Create a radio ad for your book. Write out the script and tape record it as it would be presented. Don't forget background music!
  22. Make a "wanted" poster for one of the characters or objects in your book. Include the following: (a) a drawing or cut out picture of the character or object, (b) a physical description of the character or object, (c) the character's or object's misdeeds (or deeds?), (d) other information about the character or object which is important, (e) the reward offered for the capture of the character or object.
  23. Research and write a 1 page report on the geographical setting of your story. Include an explanation as to why this setting was important to the effect of the story.|
  24. Find the top 10 web sites a character in your book would most frequently visit. Include 2-3 sentences for each on why your character likes each of the sites.
  25. Create a board game based on events and characters in the book you read. By playing your game, members of the class should learn what happened in the book. Your game must include the following: a game board, a rule sheet and clear directions, events and characters from the story.
  26. Make models of three objects which were important in the book you read. On a card attached to each model, tell why that object was important in the book.
  27. Complete a series of five drawings that show five of the major events in the plot of the book you read. Write captions for each drawings so the illustrations can be understood by someone who did not read the book.
  28. Plan a party for the characters in the book you read. In order to do this, complete each of the following tasks: (a) Design an invitation to the party which would appeal to all of the characters. (b) Imagine that you are five of the characters in the book and tell what each would wear to the party. (c) Tell what food you would serve and why. (d) Tell what games or entertainment you will provide and why your choices are appropriate. (e) Tell how three of the characters will act at the party. (f) What kind of a party is this? (birthday, housewarming, un-birthday, anniversary, etc.)
  29. Construct puppets and present a show of one or more interesting parts of the book.
  30. Use magazine photos to make a collage about the story.
  31. Do a collage/poster showing pictures or 3-d items that related to the book, and then write a sentence or two beside each one to show its significance
  32. Create a newspaper for your book. Summarize the plot in one article, cover the weather in another, do a feature story on one of the more interesting characters in another. Include an editorial and a collection of ads that would be pertinent to the story.
  33. Construct a diorama (three-dimensional scene which includes models of people, buildings, plants, and animals) of one of the main events of the book. Include a written description of the scene.
  34. Make a Venn diagram of the people, events or settings in your story.
  35. Make a poster advertising your book so someone else will want to read it.
  36. Create a power point and present it to your peers. (Title, Author, Genre, Setting, part of the plot, and include one slide of your favorite part of the book. Have at least 5 Slides.)

Group Number: ______Student Name: ______

BOOK TALK Rubric – Group Evaluation form:

Category / Description / Points Possible / Points Earned
TITLE: / The book title andis Capitalized correctly. / 5
AUTHOR: / Name of the author and correctly capitalized. / 5
GENRE: / Type of book (examples: mystery, folktale, horror, nonfiction, etc.). / 5
SETTING: / Where and when the story takes place. / 5
WRITING PIECE
(MINIMUM 5 SENTENCES) / Final draft – typed or neatly written in pen. Description relating to project. (not on lined paper) / 25
PROJECT NAME:
______
PROJECT NUMBER:
______ / Represents the book Shows time & effort
Chosen from list provided. / 25
Creativity/Neatness / Correct spelling; clearly typed or written, design is appealing to the eye. / 10
Presentation / Presented using eye contact, prepared & practiced, voice/volume / 15
Book Reading / Read aloud favorite part / 5
TOTAL

Two positive comments:

  1. ______
  2. ______

One needs improvement comments:

  1. ______