One of the many things I love about independent bookstores are the personalized book recommendations from the staff or local readers displayed on the shelves. I can feel the book love jumping off of these shelf talkers. The power of recommendations – and specifically peer recommendations – was one of the reasons I created Bookopolis (aka Goodreads for Kids.)
You can bring that sense of joy and love to your classroom or school by letting students create their own shelf talkers and post them on books throughout your class or school library.
This is a fun and simple ELA activity that you can do at the beginning or end of a school year to foster a love of reading and build a sense of community in your classroom.
Prep Work for Students
- Explore example reviews like the ones pictured here. Educators: You can also bring a picture of one from your local indie bookstore, or make your own example.
- Reflect on the books you read this year.
- Pick one that you loved and think about why you loved it.
Draft Your Book Review
Here are tips for writing a quality book review. The goal of a review is to express your opinion and persuade someone else to read this book. Draft your review on paper or online.
1. Start with a hook! What was the book about? In 1-2 sentences, describe what the book is about without giving away the ending. This can be challenging to do – think about what is the of the essence of the story.
2. What did you particularly like about the book? Consider one or more of these questions:
- Did you like the main character(s)? Did you relate to them? Would you be friends with them?
- What was your favorite part?
- What emotions did you feel when reading this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
- What makes this book different from others that you’ve read?
3. Who would you recommend this book to?
For example, kids who like baseball? 8-12-year-olds who love magical stories? 2nd-3rd graders who like stories about animals with lots of adventure?
Create Shelf Talker Review Cards
Print shelf talker review cards. Here are three options students can use depending on how much of their own flair they want to add to decorate their shelf talker. You can edit/customize these templates in Canva. Or, make your own!
Depending on the length of the book review, students may be able to fit their whole review on a review card. If their review is long, have them edit it down first to fit on the review card. Pro tip – write a draft review on a similar sized sheet of paper before writing your final review on your shelf talker card!
Take a Gallery Walk
Carve out time for students to explore their peers’ reviews. Encourage them to write down books that look interesting on a “Want to Read” list either on paper or in Bookopolis.