Curated OER
What Makes a Novel a Novel?
As your authors prepare to write a hypothetical novel, they need all the inspiration they can find! Using a book they have already read (and enjoyed), learners complete a literary analysis by filling in eight short-answer...
Curated OER
What Makes a Novel a Novel?
They always say to write what you know. This approach is used to get middle schoolers prepared to write novels of their own. Using a favorite book as a model, potential novelists respond to prompts that ask about characters, plot, main...
Nancy J. Keane
Booktalks: Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson
Two booktalks are offered here to spark interest in Anderson's book.
Nancy J. Keane
Booktalks: Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson
This brief booktalk includes enough details to help entice readers to pick up "Prom."
Nancy J. Keane
Booktalks: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Three booktalks to choose from here to help spark interest in Anderson's acclaimed book, "Speak."
Other
Ncrel: Home Literacy Activities for Preschoolers
This list of suggestions for encouraging a love of reading and the development of pre-reading skills is very helpful. It contains sections on Daily Reading, Book Talk, Extended Discourse, Language Play, Writing, and Dramatic Play....
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Literature Circles With Primary Students, Self Selected Reading
Students respond to self-selected books in journals and talk about their books daily in small groups. The teacher guides students by offering suggestions and writing with them in dialogue journals.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Talking About Books to Improve Comprehension
This lesson is a conversation-starter! In this lesson, students learn about striking up deep-thought conversations and staying on topic in the form of a book talk.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Interactive Reading Project
In this lesson plan, students are motivated to read and learn how to discuss literature by discussing books they are reading via e-mail.
Nancy J. Keane
Booktalks: Nothing but the Truth by Avi
Three different book talks are given here, to use in introducing or sparking interest in reading Avi's "Nothing But the Truth."
Nancy J. Keane
Booktalks: After the First Death by Robert Cormier
Spark interest in Cormier's book using this booktalk by veteran booktalker Nancy Keane.
Nancy J. Keane
Booktalks: The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
Two quick booktalks to choose from here, both designed to interest students in reading Cormier's classic YA novel.
Nancy J. Keane
Booktalks: Fade by Robert Cormier
Looking for a quick, interesting way to introduce Fade? This brief booktalk by veteran booktalker Nancy Keane might be just what you need.
Nancy J. Keane
Booktalks: Dreamland by Sarah Dessen
This booktalk introduces Sarah Dessen's Dreamland in a few quick minutes. It also identifies the subjects covered in the novel, for teacher reference.
Nancy J. Keane
Booktalks: This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
Two ways to introduce This Lullaby to a class or to entice individual readers to pick it up are offered here.
Nancy J. Keane
Booktalks: The Truth About Forever
There are three different booktalks here to introduce "The Truth About Forever" to a young audience. Subject headings for the novel are also included.
Nancy J. Keane
Booktalks: Seek by Paul Fleischman
The brief booktalk here can help pick up reader interest in "Seek" by Paul Fleischman. Includes a link to an audio excerpt.
Nancy J. Keane
Booktalks: Godless by Pete Hautman
Here's a quick booktalk to pique the interest of students in Hautman's 2004 book, Godless.
Nancy J. Keane
Booktalks: Invisible by Pete Hautman
Pete Hautman's "Invisible" can be talked up to students with this brief booktalk. Includes subject headings for the book.
Nancy J. Keane
Booktalks: Rash by Pete Hautman
Respected librarian and booktalker Nancy Keane offers this brief booktalk to get students interested in Hautman's satirical novel, "Rash."
Nancy J. Keane
Booktalks: Sweetblood by Pete Hautman
Two booktalks are available here for Pete Hautman's vampire and diabetes tale, "Sweetblood."
Nancy J. Keane
Booktalks: The Books of Fell by m.e. Kerr
You can use this site to get an idea of what the book is about, or to help you entice readers' interest. Includes a list of subject headings for the book.