Book Talk Definitions from former participants
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1.  grimmc@pionet.net
Book Talk Definition

1. A way to stimulate interest in reading a good book.
2. No age boundaries.
3. People, who read, naturally give book talks to each other as they share their love of a favorite book, author, or genre.
4. To transfer a love of reading to another person.
5. Given to critique books.
6. May be used to praise or put down a book.
7. Attention grabbing
8. An advertisement for an author or book.
9. Can be organized around plot, character, theme, author, genre, mood, and scene.
10. Of short length, 30 seconds to 5 minutes.
11. Oral and/or written
12. Used with visual (posters, book covers, displays, stuffed animals, maps, illustrations) or auditory effects to stimulate interest.

Cindy :->

2.  Books can't talk...so I guess it means we do the talking!  What an exciting way to encourage my students to read by sharing a part of a story with them.  I can't wait to try it!

There are several important stipulations I will remember when giving a booktalk.  I won't ever tell the ending of the book, no matter how much I want too!  I won't present a book that I haven't read, no matter how busy I am!  I won't read the book, though it sure would be easier.

I will enthusiastically act out parts of the book, though I am shy by nature.  I will use questions, though I'm used to giving facts.  I will include lots of visuals, though I'm not very artistic.

Finally, I will remember that variety is the key to exciting children about books, so I won't get stuck in a rut.  I will try using scenes, plots, characters, moods, and genres to amaze my listeners.

This is short and to the point, just like those booktalks!

LeAnn Kjergaard
lkjerga@gilligan.esu7.k12.ne.us (LeAnn Kjergaard)


 
3.  Booktalk is telling a story for entertainment without telling the outcome.  Booktalks are not used as reviews and they have no relation to the value of a book.  Joni Bodart says the most important thing is to keep the audience listening and to arouse their curiosity.  The two most important sentences in a booktalk are the first and last.  It must be about a book that has been read prior to the demonstration.  Pictures, movements, and questions may be used but on does that talking.  The ending of the story is never told.

Ethel Rother
erother@genie.esu10.k12.ne.us

4.  After reading the information about Booktalks, I think they are a very creative "book report".  They are exactly how you want every student to present a book to the class only you're not sure how to help or have the time to help each student make their presentation as effective as they can.  They differ from Book reports in that the end of the book should not be given.

When doing booktalks we need to be like a used car salesman. Point out the really good parts so they look past the rust and buy it anyway.  When giving a book talk make those best parts appeal to the listener so that they will want to check out this book ASAP.  Make the suspense kill the listener.  By selling the book instead of telling the book it gives the presenter more of a challenge and a goal to work on while developing the book talk.  Anyone can tell about a book, but can anyone sell a book?

Jean
jgranqui@mother.esu1.k12.ne.us

5.  cbrewer@genie.esu10.k12.ne.us (Candi Brewer)

To me a booktalk is a book review with ATTITUDE!;-)  Instead of the usual "just the Facts, Ma am" you want to entice, lure, expand, show-off, entertain, and enjoy letting them know about the book.  A book report is the old fashioned way and the booktalk is the new fangled way of selling the kids about a book you just know they will want to read.


6.  pcassell@htcnet.com (Peggy Cassell)

A BookTalk is a technique used to motivate students to read books that they may not have picked up on their own.  Usually it is brief, under 5 minutes, uses a gimmick or a technique which catches the attention of the audience and is followed with enough of the story line to leave the listener hanging and wanting more.  One of the techniques to catch the audience's attention may the use of props, noises or something surprising or startling.   It is a time when the actor/actress comes out in the booktalker.


7.  berghay@plvwtelco.net (Jeanne Bergstrom)

Book talk may be defined as a book review or a book critique. Introducing a book to a group of people, you need to get their attention, keep their attention, but never give away the ending.  You must present the book to the audience with enthusiasm, excitement and leave them hanging to find out how it ends.  The presenter has to have read the book and the book has to be of interest to them.  The introduction is important to grab the attention of the readers.  Depending on the age group of your readers, one may start out with a song or a puppet play and lead the readers into the
characters and the setting of the book.  Interesting parts may be presented, but expressions on faces, pictures, and voice should be used to continue explaining the different scenes.  If the scene is exciting, smile :).  If sad or frightening, frown :(.  Having fun with a book mark will encourage your audience to run to their library, check out the book and read it from cover to cover.  Reading puts imagination and
creativity back into the minds of the readers.