Value-Packed Booktalks

In this guide, 100 recommended books and booktalks offer the perfect way to start value discussions with teens and teen/adult book groups.

With its focus on current, popular titles, Value-Packed Booktalks: Genre Talks and More for Teen Readers is a flexible tool for all educators—from Young Adult (YA) librarians and readers' advisors at public libraries to school librarians and teachers. Booktalks are provided for young adult literature published between 2006 and 2010, organized by values addressed in specific genres. Examples of discussions show how these booktalks can help teens define what is personally important to them and why.

Unique in that it ties current popular genres to values (courage with adventure titles, problem-solving with mystery/suspense), the book focuses on 100 recently published YA fiction and nonfiction titles, offering summaries, lists of themes, values statements, booktalks, and curriculum connections. It also cites passages appropriate for read-aloud booktalks, designates a general grade-range (middle, junior, or senior high school), notes gender appeal for the titles (male, female, or cross gender), and lists similar or related works, some published before 2006.