According to the FAQ’s, a booktalk is like a movie trailer – revealing just enough of the book to encourage others to read it without giving away the key points. The database at this site contains talks on over 1200 titles for students at all grade levels. Other parts of the site will help you set up and use booktalks with your students as well as link you to other book review resources. A nice example of a teacher sharing her research and hard work with everyone.

The core of this site is the large number of reviews of children’s books, a resource that’s regularly updated.  They also feature an extensive collection of ideas for using the literature in many different curriculum areas.  Although the site it a little chaotic and has lots of text ads and Amazon links, the large number of well-annotated recommendations, organized by topics, curriculum areas, and authors is worth a visit.  Sign up for their email newsletter to get notices about new additions.

A very regular (two or three times a week) short podcast series about children’s books by a couple (and occasionally their daughters) who are very passionate about their subject. Often recorded in a coffee shop near their home, the programs sometimes include interviews with authors, children’s literature experts and reviews submitted by listeners. Their focus is on books that are lower profile, not necessarily ones that everyone will have heard of. The podcast can be heard using the player on the site, downloaded from the page, or subscribed to in iTunes. Excellent example of using podcasts to express your passion on a topic.

If you or your students are curious about the people who create books, there may be a web site dedicated to the writer of your favorite book. The problem of how to find that site is solved at this site. The page isn’t fancy but it does contain a list of hundreds of authors and illustrators which link to one or more tribute sites. An excellent reference that needs to be in your bookmark file.

Created by Annette Lamb and Larry Johnson, two former teachers, this site encourages “active reading” through the use of a structure called Learning Ladders. In addition to providing detailed instructions on how to create your own Learning Ladders activities, the site features many other resources for teaching literature, primarily in the elementary grades. This is actually part of a larger site for “life-long learners” called eduscapes which features a variety of resources for teachers and parents.