Blog #3 Using Booktalks to Build a Community of Readers

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Using Booktalks to Build a Community of Readers
As a middle school teacher, I continually strive to create a supportive and engaging learning environment where students feel safe to share ideas, learn, and have a sense of belonging.  When considering the needs of struggling readers, it is important to consider how educators can build a sense of community and belonging-related to reading in order to help motivate students to engage in regular reading. Donalyn Miller, aka The Book Whisperer, says engaged readers “enjoy talking about books almost as much as reading them. Reading communities provide a group of other readers who support us.” The question then becomes, how can teachers build a reading community within the classroom? 
One way to build a sense of community around reading is to introduce “Booktalks”. According to Atwell (2007) “Booktalks are short, direct, and mostly enthuastic: endorsement of a particular titles, not oral reports” (p.67). During a booktalk students do not need any props other than the book. Atwell (2007) also recommends that during a booktalk students are encouraged to record book titles on their“Someday Page”, a list of book that the student plans to read in the future.


When first introducing booktalks teachers can begin by modeling how to, “talk” about a book by sharing a book from the classroom library. After modeling Booktalks teachers can invite students to engage in Booktalks about books they have read. 
During a book talk the teacher or student can share:
  • Name the title, author, & genre as you show the book cover.
  • Give a brief summary (think 4 sentences or less and focus on protagonist / initial conflict). *Hint at but don’t give away the climax of the story
  • Why did you love it? Why should others read it? What is the lesson/message the author gets across?
  • How does this book connect to your life? Another piece of text? An event in the world? 
  •  Read aloud a small snippet of text to entice others to read the book 

Here is an example of Nancie Atwell engaging in a booktalk:

(Henniman Publishing)


Miller (2009) believes that introducing books and authors to students is especially beneficial for those students who lack reading experience and confidence in choosing books for themselves. By creating a routine for regularly sharing books in the classroom it can help to shape a community of readers within the classroom.  

References
Atwell, N. (2007). The reading zone: How to help kids become skilled, passionate, habitual, critical readers. New York, NY: Scholastic.

[Henniman Publishing]. (2011, January 27) Sample from Nancie Atwell's Reading in the Middle. [video file]. Retrieved from:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rYSfkq05Ew 
Miller, D. (2009). The book whisperer: Awakening the inner reader in every child. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass


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