Tag Archives: book reports

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Book Talk Cafe on PhotoPeach

Welcome to our first Book Talk Cafe!

As we become lifelong readers, we realize that we may often be in situations where someone asks us, “Have you read any good books lately?”  This question may arise at a dinner party, a book club, or when out to dinner with friends.  We decided to turn our classroom into a cafe so that we could practice the niceties of conversation and dining in one fell swoop.  Thanks to all our terrific parents who sent us some goodies!  We enjoyed donuts, cookies, fruit, assorted chips, candy, chocolate milk and soda.   Everyone fed their bodies with snacks and brains with conversation as we discussed books we read this month and practiced our etiquette while dining.

Here are some favorite tomes:

  • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
  • Caught (book 5 of The Missing series) by Margaret Peterson Haddix
  • Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt (one of Mrs. Donofrio’s favorite authors)
  • A Long Walk to Water  by Linda Sue Park
  • Through My Eyes: A Quarterback’s Journey by Tim Tebow
  • The Red Pyramid, The Maze of Bones, and The Last Hero all by Rick Riordan
  • The Big Miss (biography of Tiger Woods) by Hank Haney
  • Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Not Reading by Tommy Greenwald
  • The Notebook, Message in a Bottle, and Safe Haven allby Nicholas Sparks
  • The Magician’s Elephant  by Kate DiCamillo
  • Tomorrow Girls: Behind the Gate by Eva Gray
  • The Last Natural by Bryce Harper
  • Secrets, Lies, and Algebra by Wendy Lichtman
  • The Romeo and Juliet Code by Phoebe Stone
  • Wonder by R.J. Polacio
  • The Help by Kathryn Stockett
  • The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
  • The River by Gary Paulsen
  • Lone Survivor by Marcus Lutrell
  • A Father First by Dwayne Wade
  • Coming Back Stronger by Drew Brees
  • Poppy by Avi
  • Rumble Fish by S.E. Hinton
  • The Fire by James Patterson
  • Friday Night LIghts by H.G. Baissinger
  • Forest of Secrets (part of the Warrior Cat series) by Erin Hunter
  • Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass
  • Middle School Get Me Out of Here by James Patterson
  • When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit  by Judith Kerr
  • Diary of  a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinny

As you can see, we have a diverse selection of books fueled by the interests of a diverse group of kids!  If you are looking for a summer read, you might find a good choice from our list.   Then you can get together with your friends for your own book talk cafe! 

If one of these titles interests you, leave a comment here, and I can direct you to the blog of the student who read that book.  Happy Reading!

 

 

Book Talk Cafe

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Dear Students and Parents,

 Rather than collecting book reports this month, I will host a Book Talk Café.   One of my goals is to develop students who are lifelong readers.  As an adult, after I have read a book, I like to talk about it with others who may find it interesting.  I also like to hear about books that my friends have read.  Book Talk Café will involve learning about the art of conversation.

 Here are some ideas I might share in a conversation about books.    

Photo Credit: Pink Sherbet Photography via Compfight cc Free Cup of Coffee and Flowers at Daybreak Creative Commons

  •  Title and author
  • Interesting information about the author, including other books he/she wrote
  • Genre
  • Where and when the book is set
  • Why I picked the book up in the first place
  • What I thought about the author’s writing
  • What characters I liked and didn’t like
  • What parts of the plot I thought were exciting
  • What parts of the plot I thought were unrealistic
  • What I learned from the story
  • Whether or not I liked this book and why

 You should think about how you would answer these questions for the book you read this month.

 It’s also nice to have something to eat while you are enjoying conversation with your friends.  Of course, eating with others has its own etiquette.  In addition to practicing the art of conversation, we will also practice good manners.   Dining in a pleasant atmosphere adds to the enjoyment of the food and conversation.   I will provide some decorations for our café, some simple refreshments, and a brief overview of appropriate manners for conversation and dining.  If any parents would be interested in supplementing our menu, we would all be appreciative.  Please let me know via your child, through email, or as a blog comment.

 Our Book Talk Café will take place on Thursday, March 21st. 

 Thank you so much!

 Itadakimasu!

~Mrs. Donofrio