Cooler Than Fiction

Designed for public librarians, school media specialists, teachers, and anyone with an interest in supporting teen literacy, this book features 133 nonfiction booktalks to use with both voracious and reluctant teen readers. These booktalks cover a wide and varied range of nonfiction genres, including science, nature, history, biography, graphic novels, true crime, art, and much more. Each includes a set of discussion questions and sample project ideas which could be easily expanded into a classroom lesson plan or full library program. Also included are several guidelines for classroom integration, tips for making booktalks more interactive and interesting, and selections for further reading.

Former coordinator of the Pikes Peak Library District’s Teen Services Program, Jill S. Jarrell is also a contributor to a book of essays on innovative librarianship. She lives in Clarksville, Tennessee, and spends her time writing and volunteering for an international exchange student program.
Tara C. Cannon has served as environmental educator at the Discovery Center in Springfield, Missouri, and as co-education director for River Bend Nature Center in Wichita Falls, Texas. She is a teacher and biologist in New Mexico.

Jill S. Jarrell and Tara C. Cannon
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 199
Bibliographic Info: resources, index
Copyright Date: 2011
pISBN: 978-0-7864-4886-9
eISBN: 978-0-7864-6183-7
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      ix

Introduction      1

1. Funny, Gross, and Disturbing      5

2. History      17

3. Biographies and Memoirs      29

4. Crimes      40

5. Food and Crafts      50

6. Art      61

7. Short Stories and Poetry      70

8. Graphic Novels      82

9. Science      92

10. Animals      104

11. Nature      114

12. Knowing Your World      125

13. Life Skills      136

14. Pairing      148

15. Interactives      159

Booktalking Resources      173

Index      183

“Full of practicable plans for introductions and related extension activities, the book has much to offer both school and public librarians. the authors’ enthusiasm and commitment to young adults’ literacy make it enjoyable as well as helpful for professionals…recommended”—The Australian Library Journal.