One Minute Booktalks
The Underneath
Thursday, December 10th, 2009 | Children, Ages 9-12 | No Comments
The Underneath by Kathi Appelt with drawings by David Small. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2008.
Ages 8-12
Fantasy
Booktalk: A pregnant calico cat has been abandoned by the side of the road. She meets a dog that has been abused. Together, they make a life, teaching the kittens not to venture from underneath the house. The owner of the house, Gar Face cares only about himself and capturing the King Alligator. If Gar Face discovers the kittens, he will use the kittens as alligator bait!
Note to adult sponsor: This beautiful Southern gothic tale needs to be discussed chapter by chapter. Three separate stories occur, but are blended into a satisfying ending. Gar Face owns the abused dog, Ranger, but the reader discovers that Gar Face has also been abused. Like Captain Ahab, Gar Face is obsessed with capturing the alligator—even if he must use animals as bait. In spite of the horrifying abuse presented within the text, love and sacrifice are the main themes.
Tricking the Tallyman
Thursday, December 10th, 2009 | Children, Ages 9-12 | No Comments
Tricking the Tallyman by Jacqueline Davis and S.D. Schindler, illustrator. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2009.
Ages 7-10
Read-aloud
Booktalk: Phineas Bump has come to a small town many, many years ago to do one thing. He needs to find out exactly how many people live in this town. The United States government has sent him on this journey. But no one trusts him. Find out how he tricks the townspeople after they trick him!
Note to adult sponsor: In 1790 the first United States census was taken and many people were suspicious of telling any personal information. They thought they would have to pay more taxes. Actually, the US government needed these numbers to figure out how many Representatives each state sends to the House of Representatives in Washington, DC. Sadly, in 1790 the Native Americans were not counted at all and slaves were counted as three-fifths of a person. The text has a humorous story, but includes an author’s note to explain the census process. A great discussion book, and then include one of the many activities from TeacherVision,www.teachervision.fen.com/american-colonies/teacher-resources/6606.html
Jumped
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 | Young Adult, Ages 13-18 | No Comments
Jumped by Rita Williams-Garcia. New York, NY: Harper Teen/Harper Collins, 2009.
Ages 14-18
Realistic fiction
Booktalk: The word is buzzing all over school. Girl fight. Pass it on. Girl fight. When? Fight starts after school. Trina gets in Dominique’s space. Of course, Dominique has to get revenge. Trina doesn’t even know Dominique is mad. Only Leticia knows. Will she tell?
Note to adult sponsor: This short novel occurs during one school day. Dominique is mad because of poor grades keeps her from playing basketball. She turns her anger on Trina who doesn’t even know she has upset Dominique. Leticia knows about the upcoming fight, but doesn’t tell anyone in authority—or even Trina. Some mild profanity, but the book is unforgettable and, unfortunately, all too realistic.
All God’s Critters
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 | Young and Restless, Age 2+ | No Comments
All God’s Critters by Bill Staines and Kadir Nelson, illustrator. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster for Young Readers, 2009. Ages 5-8 Read-aloud Booktalk: All God’s critters have a place in the choir! Join in with me because everyone has a part!
Note to adult sponsor: Although the music and lyrics are contained in the back, you can also use this with participating children imitating talking (low, high, loud), clapping and imitating the animal sounds. Free printable color pages of animals are available on the Web site www.akidsphoto.com/critters/index.html
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 | Young Adult, Ages 13-18 | No Comments
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart. New York, NY: Hyperion, 2008. Ages 13-18. Realistic fiction. Booktalk: Everyone thinks Frankie is a pretty girl with no brains. Even her boyfriends think she is just a dumb “Bunny Rabbit.” Then Frankie discovers the secret society at her private school called the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds. She also discovers that she will never become a member because she is female. So she secretly plots to undo this society. How? That’s for her to know and for you to find out!
Note to adult sponsor: This book is unusual in plot because it discusses the secret societies within prestigious colleges and private schools. A note following the text explains the sources the author uses for her story about boarding schools, boys, clubs, pranks, and interventionist art. These sources and ideas will led to fascinating discussions about the need for secret societies. No profanity or sexual scenes make this recommended reading for Mother Daughter book clubs.
Rapunzel’s Revenge
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 | Children, Ages 9-12 | No Comments
Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon Hale and Dale Hale, illustrator. New York, NY: Bloomsbury USA, 2008.
Ages 9-12
Graphic novel
Booktalk: I guess you know the story about Rapzunel letting down her hair and marrying a prince. What if Rapzunel meets Jack the Beanstalk? Try this comic book for a twisted tale of adventure.
Note to adult sponsors: This graphic novel is appealing because of its color graphics, hair-raising adventures, and strong female character. Of course, it ends happily as all folktales do. I recommended this for the middle school because of the word “pregnant” but, if this is no problem, add this one to younger library collections.
The Twilight Companion
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 | Young Adult, Ages 13-18 | No Comments
The Twilight Companion: The Unauthorized Guide to the Series by Lois H. Gresh. New York, NY: St Martin’s Griffin, 2008.
Booktalk: Whether you’ve read the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer doesn’t matter. This book is about more than the series. Instead, the author tells us about vampires, werewolves, mental telepathy and so many other things you are just dying to learn.
Note for an adult sponsor: This book is loaded with discussion questions so nothing will become stale—not even a vampire’s dinner. What’s great about this book is that it can lead to reading the Twilight series or other horror books or films. A romantic quiz, werewolf quiz, and several vampire quizzes are included to keep the atmosphere spicy.
Looks
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 | Young Adult, Ages 13-18 | No Comments
Looks by Madeleine George. New York, NY: Viking/Penguin Group, 2008.
Ages 13-18
Realistic fiction
Booktalk: Have you ever wanted revenge? What if someone at school makes fun of you? What if a friend betrays your trust? Meghan Ball is obese; Aimee Zorn is anorexic. They don’t seem likely friends. And they aren’t friends until a popular girl and boy belittle them. Now they want revenge.
Note for adult sponsor: This open-ended novel is one of the best books about bullying because it also covers eating disorders, family dysfunction, and school cliques. Meghan has been a friend with Cara Roy since grade school, but when Meghan gains weight, Cara drops their friendship. Aimee Zorn is the anorexic new girl who is a poet. When Cara plagiarizes Aimee’s poem, Aimee wants her poem back. Meghan and Aimee plot to humiliate Cara and the basketball star and bully, J-Bar. Also highly recommended as a group read because of the probing questions (without answers) the author offers.
Dinothesarus
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 | All Ages | No Comments
Dinothesaurs: Prehistoric Poems and Paintings by Douglas Florian. New York, NY: Atheneum, 2009.
All Ages
Read-aloud
Booktalk: Who likes dinosaurs? Maybe you wouldn’t want to meet one, but most of us love reading about dinosaurs. This book, Dinothesaurs, has a poem for every type of dinosaur. Want to learn more? Then listen.
Note to adult sponsor: The bold illustrations were created on a paper bag with a variety of media, providing an entertaining collage. The humorous text provides a playful look at each type of dinosaur with helpful pronunciations. The back lists a glossary, list of dinosaur museums and fossil sites and a selected bibliography. Could also be useful for all types of older readers, especially reluctant readers. For a Web site with dinosaur activities and coloring pages, trywww.ivyjoy.com/coloring/dinosaur.shtml
Harry Houdini for Kids
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 | Children, Ages 9-12 | No Comments
Harry Houdini for Kids: His Life and Adventures with 21 Magic Tricks and Illusions by Laurie Carlson. Chicago, IL: Chicago Review Press, 2009. Ages 9-12.
Biography. Magic.
Booktalk: Who was Harry Houdini? He was the world’s most famous magician. He could escape from anything: handcuffs, locked jail cells and even tightly bound boxes thrown into a river! Of course, Houdini never told the secret of these tricks. But Houdini did share some of his easiest tricks and these tricks are revealed in this book.
Note to adult sponsors: Harry Houdini (born Eric Weiss, 1874-1926 in Budapest, Hungary) lived a rag-to-riches story through his magic. He was also a movie star, aviator, illusionist and American spy. Book contains many sidebars with magic tricks, timeline and resource list. Try www.akahoudini.org for images, facts, and games.