Book excerpt: Whether you're preparing for your first booktalk or you're a seasoned booktalking pro, this lively and light-hearted guide provides all the information you need to create a smashing booktalking program—from finding your audience and choosing the books to performing the booktalk and evaluating the program. Filled with insightful, humorous, and inspiring stories from some of today's best booktalkers, this practical guide includes hundreds of sample booktalks, reproducible forms, and booktalk booklists for a wide variety of audiences. A must purchase for anyone who booktalks or wants to get started. Topics include: • Why Booktalk? • The Golden Rules of Booktalking • Choosing Your Books • Building a No-Fail Booktalk • Delivering a Dazzling Booktalk • Booktalking to Adults • Booktalking to Children and Teens • Booktalking in Schools • Taking It on the Road • Booktalking Variations • Evaluation and All That Jazz