Booktalking with Teens

A booktalk is nothing less than performance art. To do it well, you must look at dramatic structure, character development, scene-setting, and the placement of response points. You must learn performance techniques to keep the talk fresh, and learn how to connect with and solicit responses from an audience.

Everything librarians need to know to get the most out of booktalking with their teen readers.

Everything librarians need to know to get the most out of booktalking with their teen readers.

Booktalking with Teens prepares and inspires librarians to get the most out of booktalking by probing teen reading experiences, illustrating step-by-step booktalk writing instructions, building booktalk programs, and coaching booktalk performance.

The book begins by exploring the emotional and intellectual experiences teens report when they read, then examines the many themes, genres, and topics of teen fiction, graphic novels, classics, and nonfiction. The second section focuses on writing booktalks and the third on selecting booktalks for different audiences. Performance topics include preparation for performance, delivery techniques, and interacting with teens. Finally, you will discover how to align your booktalk program with the vision and goals of your library and school district and how to use the expertise, energy, and excitement of booktalking to empower the library staff and raise the library's visibility and value in the community.

• Shows how booktalks are written, from the inside out, by deconstructing and analyzing a variety of the author's booktalks
• Includes a handout that can be used for a school visit, showing library promotional information, an annotated bibliography of booktalks, and website and contact information