Step 1: Review this sheet with your literature circle group. Assign one person to read to to the group.
Literature Circle Book Talk Expectations
A book talk is a short presentation (3-5 minutes) that you will give to your classmates about the book you read in your literature circles. The purpose of the book talk is to expose your classmates to a book they haven’t read and to convince them that it is worth reading.
What you should do in your book talk (in no particular order):
-Display the book in a way that lets all of your classmates see the cover.
-State the title and why it is significant.
-State the author’s name and provide a brief background
-Discuss the setting.
-Discuss the plot without giving away the ending.
-Discuss the main characters.
-Identify and elaborate on conflict.
-Read a significant passage to the class that you think will peak interest in this book (1/2
page).
-Explain who would be interested in reading this novel.
-Be engaging for those listening.
What you should NOT do in your book talk:
-Read a summary from a sheet of paper. The only part you should read is the passage
select. Everything else should be you “talking” to the class.
-Give away the ending to your book
-Mumble or speak too low
-Talk about how much you dislike reading
-Talk about what a horrible book this was but never give any reasons....or just saying, “It
was boring.”
Step 2: Assign one group member as a recorder. As a group, discuss the following questions and have your recorder fill in the blanks. This is to get you thinking and help you plan your book talk. Avoid reading off this sheet during your book talk.
Title: _________________________________________________________________
Author: _______________________________________________________________
Genre: ________________________________________________________________
3 facts about the author:
Why is the cover art of the book significant?
Who are the main characters?
What are these characters like and what role do they play in the story?
Which characters do you like/dislike? Why?
When and where does the story take place? How is the setting important in the story?
What is the main conflict of the book?
What are some important events in the book? Do not give away anything that will spoil the outcome of the book.
Choose a significant / interesting passage from the book that you would share with the class. What passage will you read and why? Briefly summarize here and include the page number.
Explain what’s happening just before the passage you will read. You will need to explain this to the class so they can better understand the passage:
What theme(s) are represented in this novel?
What kind of people would enjoy this book?
Can you think of any other books that are similar to this book?
What would each member of the group rate this book on a scale of 1-10 (1=hated it, 10 = loved it)? Have each group member explain the rationale for his/her score.
Step 3: When Ms. Grinnell calls your group to present, stand at the front of the class and deliver an interesting, enthusiastic presentation. You will have five minutes to cover
all of the things listed in the “What you should do in your book talk” instructions on page one. Good luck!
Rubric for Book Talk
Display and describe book (significance of cover art, title, etc.) ______________
Author information (name, background, interesting facts) ______________
Setting ______________
Plot ______________
Conflict ______________
Main characters ______________
Passage ______________
Audience (who should read this book?) ______________
Delivery (volume of voice, eye contact, interest) ______________
Legible completion of graphic organizer ______________
Scoring scale:
All items successfully discussed/completed using specific examples from the text = 100
Most items successfully discussed/completed using specific examples from the text = 90
Half of items successfully discussed/completed using specific examples from the text = 80
Minimal use of text examples and incomplete items = 70
This assignment was modified and adapted from the original at http://www.gms.boone.kyschools.us/summer_reading_8th_grade-2012.pdf
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