Book Talks
Book Talk Format
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Hook
Summary
Recommendation
Closing
Hook
• This is where you first capture your
audience’s attention. You want it to
be exciting. There is a list of hook
ideas in your Book Talk packet.
Hook Example
“It was the time of year Farmer
Bailey liked best, when the summer
turned to fall. He whistled as he drove
along. A cool breeze blew across his
face through the truck’s open window.
Then it happened. There was a loud
“thump.” Mr. Bailey jammed on his
brakes. “Oh, no!” he thought. “I’ve hit a
deer.” But it wasn’t a deer the farmer
found lying in the road, it was a man.
Summary
• Tell the audience what your book is about.
Lead them to the climax- but don’t give
away the ending! You need to include the
title, author, and characters here.
Summary Example
• The story The Stranger by Chris Van Allsburg will suck
you in! You won’t be able to put it down. The Stranger is
a story about a mysterious man who comes to stay
with the Bailey family for a few weeks. After Mr. Bailey
hit him with his car, he loses his memory. The family
takes care of him. While he is staying with them a lot of
weird things happen that lead the reader to wonder if this
man is a human. Wild rabbits run up to him and expect
him to follow them, he works hard in the fields, but never
tires or sweats. The Baileys notice that the days still feel
like summer and the leaves around their house aren’t
changing to their fall colors. One day the stranger
realizes something and unexpectedly leaves the Bailey
farm. To read more clues about who this stranger is and
to find out who he might be, you’ll have to read The
Stranger!
Recommendation
• Who do you think would enjoy this book?
• Consider:
gender
age
interests
hobbies
personality
Recommendation Example
Boys and girls alike would enjoy
reading this book. I think this book would
be best for people between the ages of 8
and 100. If you wonder about the way the
nature works and believe there is
something supernatural out there, this is a
great book for you. Also, if you enjoy
looking for clues to find the answer to a
mystery you would enjoy this book.
Closing
Like I said before, this book will suck
you in. You won’t be able to put it down
once you start. Be sure to keep your eyes
out for all the different clues when you
read it. You won’t be disappointed!