Booktalking with Teens »

This comprehensive guide includes everything librarians need to know to get the most out of booktalking with their teen readers.

VOYA

"Booktalking with teens breathes life into books and invites teens into libraries." So begins Kristine Mahood's extensive volume on booktalking. Booktalking's purpose is to persuade others to read the book being discussed, and Mahood lays out in detail how to do just that. Each of the nine sections in the book deals with one aspect of booktalking with teenagers. The sections include "The Value of Booktalking," "Looking for Books That Teens Will Want to Read," "Building Your Booktalk Program," and "Finding Audiences," among others. Mahood also reviews the four basic booktalk styles and how to create and craft each style as to not bore the audience. Describing these talks as a balance between show and tell, the author spends much time describing the performance aspect of booktalking in order to hook readers. Samples of booktalks for current YA books in each of the styles are included. Clearly well-versed and passionate about booktalking, Mahood succeeds in tackling every angle in creating captivating booktalks. This comprehensive resource is especially valuable for new librarians and teachers, while those looking to increase their booktalking skills will also be well-served. Each section is a detailed look at one aspect of the booktalk, and each has an extensive list of additional resources for further exploration. Parts of some sections do fall flat, such as descriptions about musical arts and opera and what to eat and drink before booktalks. Additional elements describing the performing aspect and rewriting booktalks make booktalking seem like a daunting task at times; however, these missteps are minor in an otherwise engaging and well-organized work. Reviewer: Jeff Mann

Series Foreword ix

Acknowledgments x

Introduction xi

1 The Value of Booktalking 1

Booktalks 1

Learning to Read 3

Types of Reading 5

Are Teens Reading? Sure! 6

Booktalking Connects Teens with Books 14

References and Suggested Reading 15

2 Looking for Books That Teens Will Want to Read 19

Listen to Teens Describing Their Reading Experiences 20

Cruise the Shelves—In Bookstores 24

What's on YourSpace? 25

Best Sellers 27

Surprises 30

References and Suggested Reading 31

3 Books 33

Realistic Fiction for Teens 35

Young Adult Genre Fiction 46

Comics, Graphic Novels, and Manga 54

Contemporary Adult Fiction 57

Classic Literature 57

Popular Nonfiction 60

References and Suggested Reading 68

4 Public Speaking, Spoken Arts, and Musical Arts 69

Public Speaking 70

Spoken Arts 82

Musical Arts 87

References and Suggested Reading and Listening 92

5 Writing Booktalks 95

What Makes a Book Booktalkable? 96

Booktalk Styles 97

Write from the Heart 118

A Few Words about Nonfiction 119

Booktalk Writing Methods 120

Surefire Booktalk Writing Techniques 128

Beginnings and Endings 135

Booktalk Buddies 139

Finishing Details 143

References and Suggested Reading 148

6 Building Your Booktalk Program 151

How Many Booktalks? 152

Book Categories 154

Book Tags 155

Sample Book Categories and Book Tags 162

A Few More Tags 164

Program Models 165

Program Themes 171

Building Booktalk Programs with Presentation Software 172

References and Suggested Reading 179

7 Finding Audiences 181

Get with the Program 182

Be True to Your School 184

Writing and Designing Hahdouts 185

Selling Your Presentation to Your Library 190

Selling Your Presentation to Schools 192

References and Suggested Reading 200

8 Performing Booktalk Programs 201

Preparing to Perform 202

Before You Go 210

Packing Up 210

Getting There 211

From Front Door to Stage Set 214

It's Showtime! 216

Booktalk Program 221

Wrapping It Up 227

After the Show 231

References and Suggested Reading 232

9 Booktalking Transforms Libraries 235

Booktalking Transforms Outreach to Teens 236

Booktalking Transforms Reader's Advisory 238

Booktalking Transforms Book Promotion 239

Booktalking Transforms Teen Web Pages 241

Booktalking Transforms Teen Activities and Events 245

Booktalking Transforms Outreach to Schools and Communities 249

Booktalking Transforms Librarians 251

References and Suggested Reading 253

Appendix: Books 257

Selected Resources 281

Index 285