Virtual Programming: Book Talks

While we’re working from home, my children’s librarian and I have been sharing book talks for elementary and middle grade readers. This is an great program on a couple of fronts:

1. we don’t have to worry about copyright issues
2. it’s easy to do, especially if you’re a big reader
3. if you have OverDrive or Hoopla, you can share titles that your readers can still access even without a physical library
4. it’s so much fun to talk about books you love and share them with others

You can also conduct it as a live program (that won’t go out of date) or pre-record it and upload it when you’re ready. With 15-20 minutes, these don’t take a lot of time and are just a fun way to share really good books! I always pick titles I have read and try to vary the diversity, genre, reading level, and format.

Book Talk Format

I open with a few reminders of resources families can check out at home and where to find all of our programs on Facebook and Youtube. Then I jump into the book talks. And to close, I just remind families of upcoming programs and how to reach us if they have any questions.

Here’s an example of one of my book talk programs:

Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly, published by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House

• Iris is a 12-year-old tech genius taking apart radios and other gadgets and putting them back together again
• Iris is also deaf which means that the kids in school treat her differently and prefers to communicate through sign language
• When she learns about Blue 55, a whale that sings at a different frequency than the other whales and is unable to communicate she has an instant connection
• Iris figures out a way to create a song that he’ll be able to hear and respond to, but how will she get it to him over 3,000 miles away
• This is the story of a connection so strong that nothing will stand in the way of a girl and her desire to be heard
• Although Blue 55 is a fictional character, it’s based on a real whale they call 52-Hertz Whale

I Survived: The Battle of Gettysburg, 1863, by Lauren Tarshis, published by Scholastic

• Extremely popular series for independent readers
• 11 books in the series
• Brings history to life in the eyes of a child experiencing the event
• Also contains resources and more information in the back matter
• Thomas and Birdie slaves following the North Star to freedom when they cross paths with a Union soldier and end up at the Battle of Gettysburg
• Lauren Tarshis does a great job of bringing history to life at a level that is appropriate for elementary school-age kids

Wishtree by Katherine Applegate, illustrated by Charles Santoso, published by Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan

• Award-winning author of The One and Only Ivan
• You will never look at trees the same way again
• Written from the perspective of Red, an old oak tree
• Neighborhood “wishtree” people write their wishes on pieces of cloth and tie them to Red’s branches
• A Muslim family moves into the community and not everyone is welcoming
• But maybe a quiet tree and bridge the differences in the community
• Beautiful writing (quote from book)

Nightbooks by J.A. White, published by Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins

• I mentioned this a few episodes ago – I am not a fan of scary things!
• Based on 1,001 Arabian nights
• Alex is imprisoned by a witch and in order to stay alive, he must tell one of his own stories every night
• But he’s running out of ideas and is afraid to think of what might happens when he does
• Combination of the story and intermixed with Alex’s short stories throughout
• Perfect for fans of Coraline and A Tale Dark and Grimm
• Great for kids who love to write as well

The House That Lou Built by Mae Respicio, published by Wendy Lamb Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House

• Lou loves her extended Filipino family, but sharing one bedroom with her mom in her grandmother’s house is a little too close
• With her interest in woodworking, Lou decides to build her very own tiny house to give her a space that is just for her
• When her father passed away years ago, he left a parcel of land where Lou plans to build the house
• With the threat of moving from all her family and friends for her mom’s new job this house is more important than ever
• For fans of Tiny House Nation
• Asian/Pacific American Library Association Honor Award in Children’s Literature