Chapter Books
Chapter Book Talks
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Locomotive, by Brian Floca (2:31).
Middle age, 3-6th grade readers, will enjoy this Caldecott Medal Winner by author and
illustrator Brian Floca. While not a typical "chapter book", it is presented in an picture
book format, it is an outstanding presentation on early railroading.
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Shelley Pearsall Author & Book Talk 2:26).
Ms. Pearson has a strong interest in history. This book talk is about: This book talk is
about some of her popular books: Trouble Don't Last, Crooked River, All of the Above,
All Shook Up, and The Seventh Most Important Thing.
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Standing Tall and Talented (STAT) Series, by NBA Star Amar'e Stoudemire 3:28.
This chapter book series is unique. Not only is it a collection of books about growing
up as an African American in an urban center, but it is written by a man who is highly
qualified to share his experience, strength, and hope -- National Basketball Association
great Amar'e Stoudemire
MORE Book and Author Talks!
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The Adventures of Minnie, by Melodye Rosales (1:00).
When introduced, this book was promoted as being the first book in a new chapter book series
celebrating the heritage of Chicago's Bronzeville community in the 1930's. For some reason,
there have not been any more books about Minnie released. "Minnie Saves the Day" begins
with a father bringing home a brown rag doll made by for his daughter Hester by
her grandmother. Hester loves the new doll, because it looks like her.
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The Blues of Flats Brown, by Walter Dean Myers (3:54).
While not divided into chapters, this is a more detailed story than typical picture books.
Middle age, 3-6th grade readers, will enjoy. This video begins with a short explaination and
examples of blues music so that young readers can hear and feel what this book is about.
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Cynthia Rylant Author Talk (3:47).
Like most kids, Cynthia Rylant played with dolls, rode bikes, and had fun outside. Today,
she believes that all the playing she did as a child is what helped her become a great
writer. Ms. Rylant is an author that kids can enjoy reading for many, many years.
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Dark Thirty: Southern Takes of the Supernatural by Pat McKissack (1:00).
This book consists of ten short spooky stories tales based on the African American experience
in the south. Dark thirty refers to that eerie half-hour before nightfall. For example,
one tale, set in the segregated South of the 1940s, is about an African American man's
ghost avenging his murder by a white klansman.
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Frog and Toad Are Friends, by Arnold Lobel (1:00).
This popular chapter book, written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel, is
the first in the Frog and Toad series. It consists of four short stories: Spring, The
Story, A Lost Button, and A Swim.
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Geronimo Stilton Series, by Geronimo Stilton (1:00).
Geronimo Stilton is a best-selling chapter book series published by Edizioni Piemme of Milan,
Italy. English versions of these books are published by Scholastic. Although the series
credits its title character as the author, the idea was originally thought of by Elisabetta
Dami, though the original books are attributed to a pseudonym "Geronimo Stilton".
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Goosebumps Series, by R.L. Stein (1:00).
The Goosebump books are popular in school and children's libraries. They are "just right"
for middle age readers with just enough "fright" value to be fun, but not cause
nightmares.
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Island of the Blue Dolphin, by Scott O'Dell (1:00).
Generations of young readers have enjoyed this chapter book and it is still relevant and
refreshing today. It is about a young girl stranded alone for years on an island off
the California coast. It is based on the true story of Juana Maria, a Nicoleño
Native American left alone for 18 years on San Nicolas Island in the 19th century.
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The Jazz Kid, by James Collier (1:00).
A dramatic story, "The Jazz Kid, by James Collier is about 13-year-old Paulie Horvath. He
wants to play the cornet more than anything and when he first hears a live jazz band,
he knows what music he wants to play.
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Magic Treehouse Series: A Night on the Titanic, by Mary Pope Osbourne (1:11).
Mary Pope Osbourne has written 2 great books for middle school students and young adults,
both about the Titanic. The Magic Treehouse Series, "Tonight on the Titanic" features our
friends Jack, Annie, and their dog Teddy in a remarkable adventure on the Titanic.
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Standing Tall and Talented (STAT) Series, by NBA Star Amar'e Stoudemire
(3:28).
This chapter book series is unique. Not only is it a collection of books about growing
up as an African American in an urban center, but it is written by a man who is highly
qualified to share his experience, strength, and hope -- National Basketball Association
great Amar'e Stoudemire
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The Wizard of Oz Book Series, by L. Frank Baum (7:07).
Who hasn't seen the movie The Wizard of Oz? Many popular books are based on middle age
or teen books. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum, was published in 1900. There
are fourteen books in the Wizard of Oz series by Baum, plus a book of short stories.
