Egghead

//Egghead// by Carol Pignat
Booktalk by Chris MacLennan

For this book talk you will need to talk as two characters. You will need two props like a scarf and a ball cap to switch between the 2 characters.

(Start the book talk as the character Katie. Wear a scarf around your neck)

My name is Katie. I am going into grade 9, and I am really scared. I want to make a good impression on my first day at a new school. We are sitting in the gym waiting for the orientation speech when I spot Will. He is down on his hands and knees following a bug. He loves science and especially loves bugs. Yes, he is a bit weird, but he is really smart. Last year in grade 8 he was my science partner and he helped me get a super mark. I come from a very small elementary school. We have all known Will since Kindergarten, and we are used to his peculiar ways. Suddenly fear makes my stomach twist into a knot. We knew Will, but the new kids wouldn’t understand him. Then the worst thing that could have happened, happens. Shane and his 2 friends Devan and Brad spot Will.

(Book talker now becomes Devan. You can accomplish this by taking off the scarf and putting on a baseball cap)

My name is Devan and I am in grade 9. I swear my friend Shane is hilarious. Read page 14 from “Like this one time” – “to he cracks everyone up”

During grade 9 orientation the first day of school – Read page 15 from “Shane elbows me to page 15 “I do”

(Put on the scarf a become Katie again)

Read page 17 and 18 as Katie.

Yes that was just the beginning of Shane’s plan to humiliate Will. The next day he puts Will out into the hallway in his underwear. Will is hysterical. I have to give him my gym shorts to wear. We are both hauled into the office but Will, will not tell on Shane. He fears that the torment will even get worse if he rats on him. People are starting to think that Will and I are together. Talk about bad first impressions. I sure don’t want anyone thinking he is my boyfriend or anything weird like that. Now they are calling poor Will Egghead. I might have to distance myself from him, but then who will protect him?

(Put on the baseball cap and become Devan)

That Katie, who helped the weird kid, she is one cute girl. You have to admit she has guts standing up to someone like Shane. Shane certainly has his problems, but he is beginning to get on my nerves. Yes, his dad beats the crap out of him daily but some of the stuff he is doing to Egghead is just way over the top. The thing he pulled at the science fair, that was wrong, so wrong.

(Put on the scarf and become Katie)

Oh no. I thought maybe, just maybe I could finally make myself look like a normal kid at the school dance, but the dance was such a disaster!

Read page 109 from “will danced like Frankenstein” to page 110 “I was one of them now.”

(Become Devan)

I just knew that Shane would go too far!! I feel so bad that I did not stop what happened to Egghead at the ski hill. Someone has to stop Shane!!

What happened to Will (also known as Egghead) at the Science Fair, and at the Ski hill? Will Katie keep protecting Will? Can Devon stand up to Shane the bully? To find out you have to read Egghead by Carol Pignat