Booktalking

The best booktalker I ever heard was one of my professors at UAB.  Her name was MaryAnn Manning.  I had her for Children's Literature.  Before each class she would perform a booktalk or share an entire book with us.  I use the word perform because her booktalk was just that, a performance.  Actually any good booktalk should be a mini performance.  That is what any good commercial is and a booktalk is a commercial for a book.  You have to have just enough information to grab the readers interest.  Most importantly you can't give the ending away!!! Being creative in the booktalk is the best.  You could use puppets or an artifact from the story to help.  You can dress in character or bring in someone dressed as a character.  The idea is to keep it fresh, keep the books circulating, and keep those students reading.