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I’m booktalking today to middle schoolers, and thought that I would share with you an article of my hints that was originally in The Edge of the Forest. (Check out the original article for an abbreviated sample booktalking session.)
If you were to ask a librarian whether she would prefer to talk about books to a room full of seventh graders or walk into a cage with some tigers, there would be a short pause. Then the inevitable question: “How many... tigers?”
It’s not that you think that the students are judging you. You know they’re judging you. The very thought transports you back to middle school when some boy pulled up your skirt in the school play and everyone called you Susie Underpants for the rest of your school career. Or maybe that was a
Friends episode.
In any case, you do not need to be afraid. You will probably be judged, but it will be less frightening than you thought. They’ll laugh if you mention that the book
Plastic Man made your car smell like rubber, but they will then move their mental attention to the topic of whether Madison really kissed Tom after the game and will Evan pound Tom or instead make a move on Annie? Important stuff.
I have not been booktalking at middle school for long, but I can share what I have learned to make your experience successful. Or perhaps convince you to give it a try.
- Dress Down
While it would be unwise to wear layered tanks and pants with “JUICY” across the butt, it would also be unwise to dress in a tailored suit with a flowered pin. While not drawing attention to your clothes, you want to look like a person who enjoys young adult books. Actually, you want to look like the kind of person who wouldn’t use the phrase “young adult books.” Start with the assumption of flat-front khakis, black V-neck T-shirt, and decent black shoes as the perfect outfit and work from that point.
- Work the Crowd
Comedians and rock stars have a warm-up act to get the audience ready for the show. You just have... well, you. If you are in an auditorium where kids are filing in, try to make a little conversation. I’ve asked kids about the shirts they made for a school project. I’ve asked if they’ve seen the latest hot movie. I’ve said hello to kids I’ve seen at the library. I’ve encouraged them to move closer to the front. All of this gives the kids a chance to warm up to me a bit. If I were coming into a class, I might not have this same chance. But I might start my booktalks with one that asked a question of the class, or ask about any projects displayed in the classroom.
- Identify the Problem Spots
Walking around also pinpoints the kids who might mouth off. I’ve subtly asked teachers if a kid will be a problem, and they’ve sat with him. I had one kid try to shock me by telling me that when he played soccer he would get hit in the balls. I said, “Wow, you must not be very good.” Snap. Then during my booktalk, I asked that kid to explain to the group how mummies are made, using his need to be noticed for good.
- Quick Introduction
I usually go to the middle school at the beginning and the end of the school year. I introduce myself, and talk about the library services for teenagers or the summer reading program. I do this quickly, walking the front of the stage and making lots of eye contact. If I see talkers, I give them a little extra eye contact.
- Beg for Tolerance
After my quick intro, I take a long pause. Then I say, “Talking in front of all of you guys is not the easiest thing librarians do. I hope that you’ll pay attention and hear about some great books. But if you can’t listen, just please don’t talk. It’s very distracting, and makes it harder for me to keep it interesting for you. Thanks.”
- Jump Right In
Lead off strong with your clearest winner. Mix up your booktalks with types of books and types of talks. I usually do one book where I ask the teens a question. Then maybe I do a straightforward booktalk. Then maybe one with a little gimmick. Then maybe I read from a book. Keep it moving and keep it fresh.
- Show No Fear
After my little “No Talking” speech, I can usually keep things quiet with steady eye contact on the talkers. If that doesn’t work, I walk near that person and talk directly to them until they get the point. My last strategy involves a completely innocent tone. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did you have something to say about the book? No. Then do you mind if I finish sharing it with the class? Thanks.” Then I move right on. Only once has someone responded with, “This is boring.” I responded, “Yeah, I can see how you would rather be writing a report. I’m sure your teacher could arrange that if you prefer.” “Nah, I’m okay,” I heard next.
- Drink Water
If you’re talking a lot, you’ll get thirsty. Enough said.
- Bring Your Best Game
Full booktalking days generally give me a headache. I take Advil before I even leave home. Do what you need to do to keep your energy up.
- Time Your Closing
When the bell rings, those kids are gone. I’ve learned to time some of my booktalks for right at the end. Know what time you’re got and actually work with it. This is my favorite ending booktalk: “You’ve all heard of book banning, right? Generally, it’s the content of the book that is in question. But this is the first time I’ve ever heard of a movement to have a book banned based entirely on the title. [Tell about the story.] Now, do you want to know what is this title that is so destructive to today’s kids? [Here’s the reveal of the book.] Sex Kittens and Horn Dawgs Fall in Love.” As the kids go wild about me saying the word “sex” in school — if I timed it just right — the bell rings.
You have the tools, you have the knowledge, and you have the love of books. You can do it. Go out there and face down the tigers. I mean teens.
All aboard to Take a Ride on the Reading Railroad, the latest Carnival of Children's Literature hosted by Charlotte's Library. So put away the Monopoly board for now and get reading!
And a bit late (sorry...) -- the September issue of The Edge of the Forest is up, with many features. I was delighted to find Kelly Herold's discussion of the different Anglo-American versions of Baba Yaga tales in
Via Kelly at Big A little a, here are some fantastic features in the September issue of The Edge of the Forest:
Indefatigable Kelly has edited and published the September 2007 edition of The Edge of the Forest. I have copied her excellent and already linked post.
September issue of The Edge of the Forest is now up. We have many exciting features for you, as well as interviews, reviews, and much, much more. In short, here's what's in store this month:
Don't forget to subscribe to The Edge of the Forest with our Subscribe feature. Just enter your name and e-mail address and you'll receive notification when each new issue is published.
So many goodies to share, so little time before I go to work.
You heard it here first... you know, maybe... but a sixteen-year-old translated Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows into French and put it online. He’s kind of in trouble, but I’ve got to admire the determination. And what’s the deal with the French publishing the ending of the book but running that article upside down? Silly French people.
In the Potter vein, if you want somewhere to go and talk amongst yourselves about the book, head to Scholar’s Blog Spoiler Zone and spill your guts. Also on Potter, I was surprised that my quoting the phrase “who doesn’t know Hogwarts from genital warts” didn’t get more of you to check out Defective Yeti’s hilarious post from the point of view of the Amazon warehouse employee. I mean, I just used the words “genital warts” in my blog. Do you realize what that’s going to do to my keyword searches? The least you can do is read it.
If NerdFighters (do you think that word is actually a CamelCase?) donate to the campaign of Daniel Biss or to the Foundation to Decrease WorldSuck, John Green will entertain us. At two hundred donations he says, “I will find a cat, lick it, wax two limbs of your choice while drinking a thoroughly blenderized Happy Meal from McDonald’s.” I don’t care much about the waxing or the Happy Meal, but I deeply love the idea of him going up to a neighbor and introducing himself by asking to lick their cat for a videoblog. The donations are so close. We can make it happen. Oh, and blogbuddy Kelly Fineman makes an appearance in a later video. You go, girl! If you adore Brotherhood 2.0, check out the fabulous article written by Little Willow. Her piece was also part of...
The Edge of the Forest, where I contributed a self-interview about the 48 Hour Book Challenge. Extra props to Kelly for her work getting up another great issue even after computer crashes and scheduling problems galore.
I heard from more than one place that The Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar endorses Junie B. Jones, but I’m giving the nod to Bookshelves of Doom because, man, that chick has been a posting fiend lately! Anyway, at the SPOGG Blog (what wouldn’t you give for that name), they talk about the recent blast on the books by The New York Times and support Junie B. Take that, naysayers! Personally, I am highly in favor of Junie B. Jones books, and wrote about it here.
Speaking of Junie B., remember how I said I was going to send Barbara Park my article and write her a letter for Tell an Author You Care Day (Week)? I didn’t know where to send it, but her publicist saw my post and told me that I could send the letter to her attention. Of course the email was in my new, exciting MotherReader email and I kinda had forgotten I had that new thing. But the lovely publicist forwarded my article and website on to Ms. Park, and she was thrilled with what I wrote! That makes me so happy in my heart! As it turns out, in the summer laziness I’ve been feeling, I hadn’t sent the letter yet, so I’m going to get it out of here and in the hands of my writing idol soon. Soon. Yes, soon!
On the topic of laziness, I feel the need to apologize. I thought that with less on my plate in the summer I’d be more focused, but that has not been the case. I’ve neglected to respond to emails, including forgetting that I had an entire separate email account. I didn’t send my check for the Kidlitosphere conference. (It’s in the mail!) I have books I was totally going to review, but I’ve slacked off. Generally, I just want to say that it’s not you, it’s me.
Oh, and my beach visit was lovely. We only spent one day at the ocean, but what a day. Often we see dolphins offshore, but this time they were really close. In fact, a pair of them swam about three yards away from my eleven-year-old daughter! I went running in to join her, but with my glasses on I couldn’t go deep enough. Stupid bad eyesight. Still, extremely cool.
...The Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows discussion group over at the Scholar's Blog Spoiler Zone. I'll be over to join in the discussion as soon as I finish rereading the book and taking notes.
...The late summer edition of The Edge of the Forest. Lots of good articles and reviews over there!
By: Jennie,
on 8/7/2007
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I promise kid/YA books later this week, today's more adult non fiction, but with really good reason!
I have reviews up today in the new issue of Edge of the Forest. Head over there to read lots of reviews and cool stuff, as well as my thoughts on Leap and Duchessina: A Novel of Catherine de' Medici.
Now, when reviewing a work of historical fiction, it's always nice to know something about the time period. If you're reviewing a novelization of someone's life, you should know something about that person besides what Wikipedia and Biography Resource Center (my favorite biography database) can give you.
So, I turned to
Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France by Leonie Frieda.
This is an exhaustive look at a complicated woman. Catherine was Queen of France, and mother to 3 kings of France. She held most of the power during the religious civil wars, was a contemporary of Queen Elizabeth (Elizabeth's "Frog" was Catherine's youngest son) and history has placed the blame for the Saint Bartholomew's Day massacre squarely at Catherine's feet.
Frieda has tried to free Catherine of this blame-- she paints a picture of a surgical assassination gone horribly wrong but... the fact that she wasn't guilty of massacre, just ordering the political killings of a dozen men? I'm not entirely sure that makes her better.
Frieda writes a compelling story about a place and time period I know little about. She explains context extremely well and her story is well researched and well told-- for my research, I really only needed the first few chapters, but I was so intrigued by Frieda's portrait that I had to continue reading.
There are 3 inserts of color photographs and paintings that serve as great visual aids and I really appreciated the "Cast of Characters" at the beginning of the book--it's hard to keep all those Henri's straight, plus the ever-changing Duke of Guise...
If you like biography, France, powerful women, religious history, or Renaissance history, I recommend this book.
Another powerful woman who is often a controversial figure is Madame Chiang Kai Shek.
In
Madame Chiang Kai-shek: China's Eternal First Lady by Laura Tyson Li, we get another look at a complicated and complex person.
I think Li really wanted this to be a sympathetic view of Madame Chiang Kai- Shek, but after a certain point, the material just wouldn't let her. I learned a lot about Taiwan, as well as the craziness that was the first 50 years of the twentieth century in China. (1911 brought the overthrow the the Qing Dynasty and the new Republic, which never fully gained control of all of China-- much was ruled by warlords, then the Communists were making noises so there was that war, then the Japanese were invading, so there was that war, then back to the Communists...)
After reading this book, I finally understood why Communism succeeded in China and why many saw it as a much better alternative to Chiang's government. But oh, she played the American government and people like a fiddle to get support for a losing cause for years. The KMT (Guomingdang) only lasted as long as it did because of US support...
A revealing and fascinating look at the birth of Communist China, China/Taiwanese political tensions, and the woman who stood in the middle of it all.
The May issue of The Edge of the Forest is live. Waste no time; read it from cyber-cover to cyber-cover. (I did, and I'm on the road, so if your stats show a visit from a hotel in Jersey, it's probably me.)
BTW, if anyone wants to join Pooja Makhijani, and Sandhya Nankani, and me for a last-minute spontaneous lower-Manhattan meet-up after work on Thursday ("drinks" with the three of us probably means cold glasses of sweet lassi), send an email to mitaliperk-at-yahoo-dot-com and I'll reply with details.
The May issue of The Edge of the Forest is packed with great articles and book reviews.
I am most interested in investigating JacketFlap. I signed up for JacketFlap last fall after seeing it in my sitemeter, and then forgot about it. I signed up again last month when I saw is linked around. I am still learning to use it effectively but the potential is huge. Connect with everyone interested in children's book publishing, read blogs, learn about what publishers are interested and what books are hot. Anyone here know more? Leave me a comment with your tips please!
Kelly tells us there's more in TEOTF:
Allie (Little Willow) discusses The Bermudez Triangle: Too Cool for School? and profiles author Deb Caletti.
Kim Winters talks to children's writers on retreat about what they are reading and why for the In the Backpack column, and gets personal about writing for children in A Day in the Life.
Kelly Fineman interviews David Lubar in our Blogging Writer feature.
Reviews in all categories--from Picture book to Young Adult. (There are tons of reviews this month.) They've added an interview archive for your convenience.
Best of the Blogs covers THE scandal of the month (you know which one...)
Don't forget to subscribe to The Edge of the Forest with the Subscribe feature. Just enter your name and e-mail address and you'll receive notification when each new issue is published.
The Edge of the Forest will return June 10. Please let Kelly know if you would like to contribute a feature story or a review.
Honestly, I was going to copy two entire posts from Big A, little a and paste them here, but apparently I don’t know how to do that and retain the links. So instead I’ll have to link only to the Edge itself, and the allow some text to tempt you to delve further.
The May issue of The Edge of the Forest is up. Here’s what’s in store this month:
Kelly interviews Kerry Madden and investigates JacketFlap. Allie discusses “The Bermudez Triangle: Too Cool for School?” and profiles author Deb Caletti. Kim Winters talks to children’s writers on retreat about what they are reading and why for the In the Backpack column, and gets personal about writing for children in A Day in the Life. Kelly Fineman interviews David Lubar in our Blogging Writer feature. There are reviews in all categories — from Picture Book to Young Adult — and Best of the Blogs covers THE scandal of the month (you know which one...)
Don’t miss the 14th Carnival of Children’s Literature, to be held one week from today at Chicken Spaghetti. Stop by there and email your submission or use the form at the Blog Carnival site. The deadline is Thursday.
Thanks, Kelly, as today I only had the energy to slap in a couple of links and edit a smidge.
Jinks, Catherine. 2007. Evil Genius.
Cadel Piggott is a genius. There’s no denying it. But that doesn’t always mean he makes smart decisions. The reader first meets the hero, Cadel, when he is seven years old. Already placed several grades ahead, he is a genius when it comes to everything but people. Alone. Isolated. Cadel rarely makes the effort to make friends. After all, his classmates have always been older than him. Significantly older than him. But luckily, Cadel has one person in the world he can talk to. One person who understands him. That person is Dr. Thaddeus Roth. This “counselor” who helps troubled youth takes a special interest in Cadel. But all isn’t what it seems as the story unfolds. Secrets. Lies. Half-truths. Plots. Schemes. Manipulations. Betrayals. Cadel isn’t always a likable hero, but his story is full of one adventure after another.
Read the rest of my review in May's issue of The Edge of the Forest. Also of note: I made the 'best of the blogs' section as well!
Hanson, Mary. 2007. How To Save Your Tail: If You Are A Rat Nabbed By Cats Who Really Like Stories About Magic Spoons, Wolves with Snout-Warts, Big, Hairy Chimney Trolls...and Cookies Too.
Do you like fractured fairy tales? Do you love new retellings of old favorites? Do you like Arnold Lobel’s Mouse Soup? How To Save Your Tail might be the book for you. It had me from the very beginning: “Once upon a time, in a grand castle, there lived a rat named Bob, who was fond of baking and wild about reading” (1). While baking has obvious hazards, it is his love of books which leads Bob into the most dangerous experience of his life.
Read the rest of my review in May's issue of THE EDGE OF THE FOREST. (Middle grade Fiction).
I'm heading away for the weekend, but here are some places to go, Fire Escape visitors:
A new issue of The Edge of the Forest online children's literature journal is up! Click here to read all the great content, including:
- My article about the Warriors series. I've been fortunate enough to be a part of this phenomenon, through hosting several Erin Hunter chats and through my interaction with the fans on my message boards. And yes, I've read all twelve books so far!
- An interesting article from Gary Elliott of Lifelongreader about using Mortal Engines as a novel study in teaching English at the International School in Dubai, UAE. The class even created a web site about the book.
- An article about the The Cybils, by Kelly Herold (Big A little a), Allie (Bildungsroman) and Anne Boles Levy (Book Buds).
- An interview with Carrie Jones, author of Tips on Having a Gay (ex)Boyfriend, conducted by Kelly Fineman. It's a great interview, and Carrie Jones is fascinating and funny. This is totally not the kind of book I would ever read (I'm not fond of teen books about high school) but by the time I finished the interview, I really wanted to read the book!)
- The Sounds From the Forest podcast interviews Rachna Gilmore, author of A Screaming Kind of Day and Lights for Gita.
- Pam Coughlan, aka MotherReader, interviews Grace Lin.
- Kim Winters, Kat's Eye Journal for Writers, interviews children's author Lauren Myracle.
All this and more, including great reviews, Best of the Blogs, Kids Picks, and In the Backpack, can be found
here.
has been out now for a bit. Hurray, and thanks to Kelly Herrold and all the contributors. Features that have caught my eye so far, since I just started reading through it:
Liz's interview with Kirby Larson, author of Hattie Big Sky (historical fiction set in 1918 Montana, and a 2007 Newbery Honor book)
Nonfiction reviews of Diego, a picture book biography (1994) of artist Diego Rivera conceived
The March edition of The Edge of the Forest is out and I have to say that the interviews and articles for this month are probably the best yet.
Indefatigable Kelly has a write up of Readergirlz.
Pam MotherReader Coughlan has an insightful and inspiring article about what it takes to become a B-List Blogger and member of this terrific community of Kitlitospherians.
Liz Burns's interview with author Kirby Larson is outstanding.
Adrienne Furness explores the expanding presence of Sock Monkeys in children's books.
Allie has one of her thoughtful and fascinating interviews, this time with author Jenny Han.
Kim Winters describes the Day in the Life of Laura Ruby.
Interesting reviews, What's in the Backpack and Sherry Early's Kid Picks of homeschoolers plus a podcast with Daniel Pinkwater...
Bravi, team!
The March 2007 issue of The Edge of the Forest is now up, featuring interviews with Newbery Honoree Kirby Larson and with the hilarious Jenny Han. There are also reviews in all categories — from Picture Book to Young Adult. (Don’t miss Brian Farrey’s “Open Letter to Adam Selzer.”) Lots of other features to numerous to mention make this a must-read ’zine.
The Edge includes my new article, “Be a B-List Blogger.” I felt I needed to give some tips back to the book blogging community after being asked so many times about my own rise to B-list fame. Okay, maybe I was asked once. And now that I think about it, the question may have been if I could “go all night long,” but anyway, I took it as a cry for help.
I entered the kidlitosphere in complete and utter naiveté. My husband had been bugging me for a year to get a blog, after the many times I would bug him about including some adult book or some earth-shattering thought of mine on his blog. Then one day I just decided to do a blog about books. We set up the site, and I started writing. I knew nothing of other book blogs. I hadn’t followed blogs at all. I was actually quite surprised to find out how many were out there, and how good they were. While I started writing pretty much for myself and my friends, I soon wanted to be part of the larger community. But how?
The answer to that question is contained in my article at The Edge. Most of the tips came to me along the journey. Some of them were only available to me upon reflection. But I hope that the suggestions can help other bloggers that are struggling with their own road to blog-improvement.
On a personal, related note, in my article I mention that commenting on blogs helps get you noticed, and I want to say to some bloggers who comment here, that I do notice you and I do appreciate your support. I often bookmark blogs that are new to me, and I visit occasionally to see how they’re growing up. I rarely put a blog that is just starting out on my blogroll, because I think everyone needs time to find their voice. And honestly, sometimes I just forget. I am not an organized person, and I am at this point a deeply overwhelmed person, so there are things that just don’t happen. But I am happy that you read MotherReader, and I hope you keep coming back until the day you’re an A-list blogger and I’m begging you for a little blog-time. ’Cause that’s how things roll in the fast-paced, high-stakes world of blogging.
They've done it again. A consummate feat. Go there now to feed your bibliomania.
the new issue of the edge of the forest went live (with a review of my Rickshaw Girl to boot) ...
the Children's Book Council and USBBY announced their list of 39 outstanding international books published in 2006, narrowing the choices from a field of 250 books ...
dozens of kid lit peeps had a blast in the bar nine (bar me and Jen Robinson, who were partying on the other coast in a more sedate venue; pix of my whirlwind California Dreamin' book tour to come with my mother in gorgeous array painting alpanas) ...
hordes of other book folk (and some of the ones hobnobbing at bar nine, of course) attended the SCBWI conference in New York ...
cynsations went down right when Cynthia Leitich Smith's new novel Tantalize (Candlewick) was scheduled for release, and she's blogging at hubby's site (they come in handy, don't they? hubbies and their sites) ...
the literate world continued to wait in breathless anticipation for the announcement of the Cybils awards (TBA TOMORROW!) ...
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The Edge of the Forest is ONE year old and celebrating! Check out this month's edition! I have an interview with Joe Craig, author of the Jimmy Coates series! His second book in the series, Jimmy Coates: Target will launch March 1, 2007 here in the USA. Also (as summed up at Big A, little a ...)
So, Mo sent me a little something. Signed sketchbooks — including the famous Pigeon one — and an original Monster in Underpants picture! It’s a perfect way to introduce my interview with the man himself. On this site is one part, a little teaser. At The Edge of the Forest, you’ll find the rest of the interview, along with other reviews, articles, and features.
Teaser question: How did the sketchbooks get started? Who do they go to? And how, exactly, did the Pigeon go from being the sketchbook to a picture book?
That’s three teaser questions and consequentially requires dull exposition about the early 1990s.
Ahem. Back in the early 1990s (yawn!), I was part of a very young, very dissolute literary scene centered around a guy by the name of S. Pratt. Pratt had two things going for him: he put out a monthly ’Zine1 that older, less dissolute literary types apparently read, and he lived in a big loft where you could really party.2
Being dissolute, my friend quickly ran out of stuff to fill his ’Zine,3 so I suggested hijacking one issue with New Yorker-style cartoons that I’d doodled over the previous year.
The issue was a success, as it filled all the required pages and doubled as an xmas card for my clients and friends. So, the next year we made another. After a few years, Ersatz dissolutely dissoluted and Curious Pictures4 started to “publish” them annually. Staples were replaced with binding, the covers had two (count ’em, two) colors, and things generally appeared semi-professional.5
Some of the books are collections of cartoons, others short stories, or more serious illustration. Essentially, the sketchbooks are an outlet for me to play and experiment with things that otherwise no one in their right minds would publish.
This January I shipped out my 14th edition of the Mo Willems Sketchbook, entitled Mr. Willems’ Essential Reference Guide to MONSTERS IN UNDERPANTS [Abridged and Incomplete]. It is, as you might guess, a guide to various Monsters and their undergarments.
The most “famous” of these sketchbooks, I suppose, is the original version of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, which fell into the hands of an agent who was amused, who in turn showed it to multiple publishers, who were not.
Two years later my agent stumbled across an editor silly enough to be enthusiastic about the Pigeon and before I knew it, I was glamorously doing internet interviews.6
The King of the Creeps called to Emil and Karl. "I know that we were Counting on Grace," he said, "but it looks like that Sweet Thang has failed."
"You know I will not let you down, your highness," said Emil, "I see Your Eyes in Stars, I daily sing your praises, Over a Thousand Hills I Walk With You to the ends of the very..."
"Enough already! Your syrupy phrases are enough to make me crave The Loud Silence of Francine Green, and nothing's worse than a mime," said the king.
"A Klepto is," muttered Karl under his breath, as he watched Emil pocket a small sculpture of a Black Duck.
"I've called you here to announce to the world at large that the new Edge of the Forest issue has arrived with reviews of ten books in Twentieth Century YA Style, among other fine interviews, reviews, and articles. The Aftershocks of such marvelous works of writing will be felt far and wide," said the king. "Let everyone know that the issue is ready for the people!."
"It shall be done," said Emil, as he and Karl bowed and walked out of the room.
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By:
[email protected] (Mark Blevis and Andrea ,
on 1/15/2007
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Just One More Book! is a regular contributor to the online Children’s Literature Monthly Journal, The Edge of the Forest. This information-packed online resource includes book reviews, interviews, the latest news from the online children’s/YA literature community and much more.
Our monthly audio segment is called Sounds from the Forest.
This month, Mark speaks with Rhody Cohon and Stacia Deutsch, co-creators of the Blast to the Past historic chapter book series, about writing time travelling children’s books as an antidote to boredom.
Participate in the conversation by leaving a comment on this interview, or send an email to [email protected].
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Oops, I almost forgot to write about two important things, so I hope Kelly will forgive me. And Kelly, I did try to comment on your computer woes but Blogger won't let me in for some reason; after my own laptop's recent unauthorized encounter with a beverage, I can definitely sympathize.
The latest edition of The Edge of the Forest has been out for a while now, with all sorts of goodies,
News from Big A little a: the December issue of your favorite on-line children's literature monthly is up. Enjoy the winter stroll along The Edge of the Forest.
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Wow, great post! You would make an excellent middle school teacher. Not that I'm wishing that on you...
Thanks for the tips, and the Monday morning laughs!
You are a treasure, MR. I hope the tigers don't eat you today.
Awesome. Takes me back to my days of substitute teaching in middle school. (My trick? LEARN THEIR NAMES. Use the seating chart. Listen as they talk to each other. Once the kids knew I could identify them by name, they were less likely to be trolls.)
Ah, I so wish I'd had this advice 10 years ago as a newbie librarian. Thanks for posting it now, though. It's good to have for when/if there's been a huge run on tigers and I have to do storytelling at middle-schools.
And if you go back and do that every day for 6 hours a day, you'll be a middle school teacher, which, like laura, I would not wish on you or anyone else unless you/they (why?) chose that for a profession!
Great tips. They probably work on an adult crowd, too.
Loved this post. Reminds me why I stick with teaching primary tigers.
Actually, I preferred teaching middle school to any other group. Never wanted to teach below fourth grade, and going into the high school to sub intimidated me. I also have to say that I've been pretty lucky. I booktalk to seventh and eighth graders just once a year, but in almost every class, they are polite and at least pretend to be attentive. But your tips are very good. I always wonder before I go just how much I'm going to get ragged on (behind my back) for something I'm wearing or something I said. I do wish I had more time to be relaxed and actually have a certain order in my presentation. But I have twenty minutes to tell them about my summer reading program and as many books on their (extensive) summer reading list as possible, so I usually just grab books and talk fast. I do ask beforehand what level readers they are and, when possible, what kind of books they seem to like, so I do have at least some basis for choosing whichever books are on display. I'd add one more tip: don't talk about the same books in every class unless you have a several (6+) copies available. It's frustrating for them to get excited about reading a book and then have to wait for weeks while kids who got there first read it.
Thanks for the love guys. It takes a lot of energy, but I love talking to these kids. There's a lot of interest still in reading with this age, though in a group they tend to hide it behind a "whatevah" type of posture.
Reading Fool, I hear you on presenting different books. This time I brought about twenty and I didn't repeat any book more than twice. I'm always interested to see what goes out the next day - or week.
Great Advice.
The thing I have noticed this week at the middle school I am subbing at, is the light that comes into a 7th grader's eyes when they realize that you love a book as much as they do. There is an instant connection.
Junior high readers want to talk about the books they are reading. Thank you for making that possible.
Middle school kids are so funny, because they want to seem so tough, but they are still so up for a cheap thrill or a giant wad of silliness. I always take my giant (and I mean GIANT) pencil with me when I visit middle schools. It's a prop I use when I visit younger kids and read WHEN GIANTS COME TO PLAY. It also goes with the GIGANTIC toothbrush and pair of undies, but I digress.
I don't bring up the big pencil sticking out of my bag, but some kid always notices it. Then, I get to show it off and they are all ears for the rest of the class.
Too funny.
Thanks for the ideas on presenting!
Andrea Beaty
www.ThreeSillyChicks.com
www.AndreaBeaty.com
Great tips, MR. I am a regular booktalker at middle schools, and I love it. Usually, I stick to the 5th graders. They are still not to cool for school yet although you have to grab them early in the year. I used to be very scared of booktalking. What helps me is to have a gimmick. Antyhing that let's them participate. For instance, when Teen Read Week was on poetry, I brought in some poetry books and had the teens read the poetry.
One year, the theme was Get Real @ your Library. I booktalked all non-fiction. I chose the Dewey Color System. It's like a personality test where you pick your two favorite colors and it describes your personality. I let teens volunteer to take the test. They wanted to do this all day long.
I am inspired. I think I will do an article on booktalking, too.
I'm so glad I read this tonight; tomorrow I go in for my first school visit at my new job. So thank you!
This is great advice. I'm a library student right now, and I've done quite a few booktalks in front of classmates, but have yet to actually face down a rowdy crowd of middle-schoolers, and as much as I love teens (in very small groups, at least), the thought definitely makes me a little queasy. I'll be keeping these tips in mind!