Knowles, Elizabeth & Smith, Martha. Talk about books! A guide for book clubs, literature circles, and discussion groups, grades 4-8.Libraries Unltd., Greenwood. 148p. illus, index, c2003. 1-59158-023-4. $30.00. Knowles, director of staff development at a Boca Raton Boca Raton (bō`kə rətōn`), city (1990 pop. 61,492), Palm Beach co., SE Fla., on the Atlantic; inc. 1925. Boca Raton is a popular resort and retirement community that experienced significant industrial development in the 1970s and 80s. , FL school and a former elementary school elementary school: see school. teacher, and Smith, a media specialist at the same school, have teamed up to provide a valuable guide to running book discussion groups with upper elementary and middle school students. They provide discussion topics and activity ideas for 15 recent YA titles in various genres: Night Hoops, by Carl Deuker; Heart to Heart, ed. by Jan Greenberg; Flipped, by Wendelin Van Draanen" A Long Way from Chicago, by Richard Peck Richard Peck (b. April 51934) is an American novelist known for his prolific contributions to modern young adult literature. He was awarded the Newbery Medal in 2001 for his novel A Year Down Yonder. ; Among the Hidden, by Margaret Peterson Haddix Margaret Peterson Haddix (born April 9 1964) is an American author of young-adult and adult thrillers and science fiction novels. Biography Margaret Peterson Haddix was born near Washington Court House, Ohio, and grew up on a farm there. She received a B.A. ; A Time Apart, by Diane Stanley; Pharaoh's Daughter Pharaoh's Daughter is a world music band from New York City. Their music is a mix of American folk, Jewish klezmer, and Middle Eastern sounds. The bandleader is Basya Schechter (lead vocals, oud, guitar, saz). , by Julius Lester; Rowan of Rin, by Emily Rodda; William Shakespeare, by Michael Rosen; Williwaw wil·li·waw n. 1. A violent gust of cold wind blowing seaward from a mountainous coast, especially in the Straits of Magellan. 2. A sudden gust of wind; a squall. [Origin unknown.] !, by Tom Bodett; Skeleton Man, by Joseph Bruchac; Ties That Bind, Ties That Break, by Lensey Namioka; Because of Winn-Dixie Because of Winn-Dixie is a best selling children's novel by Kate DiCamillo published in 2000 and winner of a Newbery Honor distinction the following year. It also won the 2000 Josette Frank Award. , by Kate DiCamillo; Lord of the Deep, by Graham Salisbury; and Monster, by Walter Dean Myers. For each title, there is an introduction, a book summary, information on the author, discussion questions, detailed "content area connections" with suggested activities, and lists of annotated titles about related themes, other titles by the author, teacher resources and Web sites. Web sites about authors and author photos, as well as publisher contact information, are helpfully included. Knowles and Smith even suggest a suitable snack to accompany the discussion of each title! I wish recommended grade levels had been indicated, however; e.g., Monster, which is about a murder trial, is more suitable for 7th grade than for 4th grade. The information on each book is succinctly expressed and clearly laid out, and while intended to support literature circles this will also be of use to classroom teachers presenting these titles as well as to librarians giving booktalks. An appendix offers a list of annotated professional resources. Paula Rohrlick, KLIATT |
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