Reading Raps: A Book Club Guide for Librarians, Kids, and Families - Softcover

Soltan, Rita

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1591582342 ISBN 13: 9781591582342

Publisher: Libraries Unlimited, 2005

Synopsis

Book clubs are sprouting up all over, and so are book club guides―but not all book club guides are equal. Many focus on a specific type of book club, or they take a generic approach of one size fits all; and most do not take into account the special needs of librarians and educators working with young readers. This guide has it all, and it will help you ensure that your book club meetings are both fun and educational. Focusing on children in grades 3-8 (and their families), the book offers 100 ready-made book club instructions for popular children's and YA titles―from newer releases, such as Theresa Nelson's Ruby Electric and Blue Balliett's Chasing Vermeer to perennial favorites and award-winning classics, such as Johanna Hurwitz's Much Ado about Aldo and Gary Soto's Baseball in April and Other Stories. Along with thought-provoking discussion questions, you'll find all the background information you need to conduct lively book discussions with a variety of readers-plot summary, themes and characters description, genre, reading level, author and award information, related reads, and more. The guide describes four types of family-oriented book clubs―family, mother/daughter, father/son, and readers' rap―as well as a book club for kids only. The author provides practical instructions for making each type of book club successful. For each title, she provides a plot summary, characterization sketches, questions to use for provocative discussion, and follow-up bibliographies on similar reads. Notes on genres, themes, and reading levels are also provided. The selected titles reflect some of the best, most current, and most popular children's literature. In addition, a broad scope of genres and multicultural titles are included. Perfect for public library programs and after school book clubs, this is a one-stop resource, with practical, ready-made plans that can easily be adapted to multiple environments. Grades 3-8.

About this title

About the Author

Rita Soltan an independent Library Youth Services Consultant, is a former children's librarian of New York and Michigan, where she also supervised youth services departments for 15 years. An active member of ALA/ALSC, Soltan currently chairs the Education Committee of this group. She is Past Chair of the Children's Services Division of the Michigan Library Association and she has written for the MLA Forum, the electronic journal for the Michigan Library Association. Soltan also reviews children's books for Kirkus Review and School Library Journal.

Reviews

This unique volume discusses four types of reading groups: mother/daughter, father/son, family, and the traditional children's reading circles. Advice on how to form a discussion group, provide the books, lead the discussion, and facilitate a welcoming atmosphere is presented in the first chapter. The nature and specific challenges of each group are described; consideration is given to age, gender, reading levels, and multicultural factors that would determine the genres and subject matter. A variety of titles is summarized, and each one is described as to characterization and theme; titles with similar themes are listed. The books suggested are mostly for readers in grades three to eight and include sophisticated picture books that may be enjoyed by all ages. The titles will be familiar to most experienced children's librarians and provide a good memory jog. Most of the books were published in recent years but some go back as far as the 1950s. Perhaps the most helpful section for adults new to book-discussion facilitation is the list of open-ended discussion questions that accompany each book selection. Helpful indexes include grade level, genre, theme/subject, author, and title. Suggested readings include a list of other books on the subject of book discussions and motivating children to read. Suggested resources also include Web sites. A useful volume for parents beginning a book group and for teachers working with literature circles.–Jackie Gropman, Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The author provides librarians with a guide to book discussion groups for children and adults, with plans for 100 books geared to grades 3-8. Ideas for forming groups and choosing titles, discussion questions, and icebreakers are included. Titles range from older classics to books published in 2004 and cover all fiction genres. Chapters covering adult-child, mother-daughter, father-son, and children-only groups begin with a brief introduction, including suggestions on setting up such a group. Books are arranged alphabetically by title and include the author, publisher, year, reading level, genre, theme by keyword, and awards. Plot summary, main characters, detailed themes, books with similar themes or issues, author-related sources including Web sites, and reproducible discussion questions are given for each. Several indexes and suggested further readings round out the book. The novice group leader will find this book helpful, and the experienced facilitator will find many new ideas. Rochelle Glantz
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1591582342
• ISBN 13: 9781591582342
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 372