A favorite moment of the day that occurs frequently this year in some of our fourth-grade classrooms is when Allison Antolik and Donna Waters, Fourth-Grade Homeroom Teachers, invite students to do Book Talks. What are Book Talks? These are often impromptu, mini presentations where a student gets up in front of the class with a book they’ve recently read. They share about the book and tell their fellow classmates why they should read it too.
A poster in Ms. Waters’ class outlines how to do a Book Talk:
- Introduce the book by sharing its title, author, and genre. Share why you chose the book.
- Briefly describe the setting and the important characters, but do not share what happens. Don’t give any spoilers!
- Talk about a favorite part of the book or a favorite character. Why is that your favorite part or character?
- Would you recommend this book to others? If so, who? Why would you recommend it?
- Tell us about the author.
“Book Talks are a way to encourage our students to like reading,” explains Ms. Antolik. “They are like a book club but for fourth graders. The students really want to read what their friends are recommending, instead of just what the teacher or librarian recommends. It’s fun to see how frequently they come to class with different books, and there’s constant banter about what everyone is reading and what they’ll be reading next. Although Book Talks are not required, just about everyone in my class has done a Book Talk or several this school year so far!”
Ms. Antolik brought in the idea of Book Talks to fourth grade at MICDS when she became a teacher here three years ago, yet she has been orchestrating them for about a decade. Originally, the talks were inspired by author and educator Donalyn Miller. Miller is all about turning children into readers and making reading magical. She mentions the Book Talk idea in her first book, The Book Whisperer, which Antolik read years ago. Ms. Antolik loved the idea of matchmaking with books at the peer level and has since facilitated Book Talks at both middle and lower school levels.
The talks have also dominoed over into the classrooms of other teachers and even other schools, thanks to an article Ms. Antolik wrote for the National Council of Teachers of English magazine Classroom Corridors called “Book Talk Magic: Creating a Community of Readers and Writers.” As more educators know about Book Talks, more are adopting the practice into their classes. For the first time in her teaching career, Ms. Waters is conducting Book Talks in her fourth-grade class this year. Many teachers in our Middle School also facilitate Book Talks. Fifth Grade English Teacher Beth Garcia says, “Book Talks are a great way to get students excited about reading! They help create a community of readers in my classroom. Also, students love getting recommendations from their peers. I often add books to my ‘to be read’ list after hearing students present about them.”
As for its goals, Book Talks help students grow in a number of ways, both as readers and as students. First, they get exposed to different authors and genres through the volume of books shared. “I first really only liked picture chapter books like graphic novels,” details Alexander O. ’34. “Now, I’ve seen that there are other good books in this world, and I’ve been reading soooo much more. I thought only graphic novels were cool, and I only read them. Now that other people are telling me about books, which nobody ever did, I’m like, ‘Wow, I actually want to read this book!'” Merit O. ’34 agreed. She said, “At first, I only wanted to read graphic novels and mostly picture books, but now I’m seeing all of the things that people bring up to show to us and I’m like ‘Woa, I actually like this book!'” The world of reading for Emily G. ’34 has opened up as well. “I like getting to expand which genres I like. Before, I liked a little bit of realistic fiction and a little bit of historical fiction, but now I like more fantasy.”
Beyond new genres, students practice presentation skills and persuasive speech while getting comfortable speaking in front of an audience. Additionally, they work on listening, critical thinking, and analytical skills as they answer questions from the audience on the fly about which book in a series they like most or how the main character compares to another character. The Book Talks also fuel a genuine interest in reading. “I had several parents remark at Fall Conferences that their child seems so much more excited about reading this year and was actually choosing to read at home,” adds Ms. Waters.
Through the years of Book Talks, Ms. Antolik has developed a few quick hacks that help keep the reading going! She created posters that track which books have been talked about and by whom. Already, her class is on its seventh poster! Also, as students want to do future book talks, they write their name on a sign-up list on the whiteboard. “Book Talks take on a life of their own based on the personality of the kids,” Ms. Antolik states.
Book Talks also tie well into the Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) program. CKLA is an integrated approach that focuses on building strong skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening by combining foundational skills with a content-rich literacy experience. Throughout the school year, students are finding books that tie into every part of the curriculum, and then they are Book Talking them. As students experienced a Personal Narrative Unit, they book talked about memoirs and nonfiction books. As they are learning about the Middle Ages, they’re reading historical fiction pieces that connect to that class topic. Book Talks expand the classroom units and add additional perspectives.
Many fourth graders were overjoyed to talk about Book Talks from their points of view. Read what they had to say about their favorite parts of Book Talks.
“The thing I like about Book Talks is getting a preview of the book so that, if I like the preview, I can ask if I can have the book and read it.” ~Teddy H. ’34
“My favorite part about Book Talks is when people sign up to recommend books for other people that they might like.” ~Ju Ju I. ’34
“I love the questions.” ~ Wyatt L. ’34
“I love to read, and then I love telling people about the book and why I liked it.” ~Rory N. ’34
“My favorite part of Book Talks is when you get to choose your favorite part of the book because that’s when you have to know the book the most.” ~Max F. ’34
“My favorite part is sharing the book with other people so they can read it and share it with other people, and then they’ll be able to read a good book.” ~ Lucy K. ’34
“[I like when] they tell me all the facts when they’re doing the Book Talk, and it really helps me understand the book and really want to read it.” ~Jack P. ’34
“I like getting to share my book and telling about all the characters.” ~ Addie Z. ’34
“I like getting to share my favorite part and why I recommend it.” ~ Sam D. ’34
Students also described how Book Talks have inspired or changed them as readers.
“What inspires me most about Book Talks is how people tell me about the books, but they don’t spoil it. I get inspired to read it, and it’s a really good book. Then, I Book Talk it.” ~Claire C. ’34
“I learn new things and new words [through Book Talks]. They teach me more about people and who the authors are.” ~Zarina M. ’34
“I think Book Talks are good because they recommend lots of new books to you. And if you have no idea what book to decide, sometimes book talks can help you choose what you think you’ll like.” Ani V. ’34
“I like Book Talks because sometimes I finish a book and don’t know what to read. Then someone book talks something and I want to read it.” ~Sammy G. ’34
“Book talks inspire me to talk about what I like and what I read. They inspire people to read different books. I have found different books I like to read through book talks.” ~Charlee H. ’34
“Book Talks have changed me as a reader because now, instead of just having a couple books on my want to read list or pile, I have about 15!” ~Coralie P. ’34
What a grand reading adventure our students are on as they engage in such fascinating Book Talks this year! We can’t wait to see what pages they explore next!