Talk About Books

Book clubs, literature circles, and reading groups are great ways to promote literacy and books to young readers. This new guide provides everything you need to run a dynamic, no-fuss book discussion group with elementary and middle school students. Featuring 15 titles of diverse genres, it offers discussion topics and activity ideas for some of the best new reads for kids, including Graham Salisbury's Lord of the Deep, Margaret Peterson Haddix's Among the Hidden, and Kate DiCamillo's Because of Winn Dixie. Many of the activities tie into the curriculum. Grades 4-8. In addition to detailed guidelines for launching a successful book club, the authors present helpful information for each featured title: BL An introduction BL A plot summary BL Information about the author BL Discussion questions BL Content area connections BL Annotated titles related to the theme BL Annotated titles by the author BL Teacher resources BL Web sites related to the theme BL Web sites about the author BL Publisher contact information Brought to you by the authors of the highly acclaimed Reading Rules! Motivating Teens to Read, this guide is an outstanding resource for starting and running a stellar literary discussion group--whether it's in a school, public library, or community center.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES, Ed.D., an elementary teacher for 29 years, is currently Director of Staff Development at Pine Crest School in Boca Raton, Florida.MARTHA SMITH, a media specialist at the same school, has more than 20 years of experience.