how to write book report 2nd grade

Elementary Assessments

8 Book Report Ideas For Second Grade Teachers Love

Instead of or in addition to assigning your second graders a reading test to assess how well they understood a book, you’ve decided to assign a book report. 

To jumpstart the process, I’ve compiled the best book report ideas for second grade students. 

Not only are these book projects for second graders fun and creative, but they help students analyze information so that they have a deeper understanding of what they read. 

What’s more, these book report ideas for second grade serve all reading abilities, from struggling learners to gifted students. 

So take a look at these fun and creative book project ideas, and consider assigning one (or more) of them to your second graders.

Book Report Ideas For Second Grade

Do a cereal box book report. .

For this second-grade book report idea, students will use a cereal box to create a 3-D book report. 

Each face of the cereal box will present certain information about the book. As an example…

• Front of the Box = title of the book along with author’s name plus a picture that represents the main idea of the story.
• Right Side of the Box = story elements (characters, setting, problem, and solution) 
• Left Side of the Box = summary of the book 
• Back of the Box = book recommendation or book review
• Top of the Box = new vocabulary words learned

These are just suggestions; there are many ways to approach this creative book report idea.

As the teacher, you ultimately decide what information you want students to write on each side of the box.

Other information you may consider includes facts/opinions, text features , and figurative language.

Assemble a Story Board.

Students will create a storyboard using a tri-fold project board. 

The board will be accompanied by a written project along with various images and written information that tells the main ideas of the story. 

See Dinosaurs Before Dark (Mary Pope Osborne) Board storyboard example . 

Related Content:

11 More Book Report Ideas Students and Teachers Love

Create a Story Cube. 

Another creative book report idea for second graders is to have them use a tissue box or some other type of rectangular/square prism to create a story cube. 

Similar to the cereal box project idea, each face of the story cube will show certain information from the story such as facts/opinions, characters, problem, solution, connections, predictions, new vocabulary, summary, etc. 

Afterward, students can present their story cubes in front of the class.

This is one of many book report ideas for second grade that makes for an eye-catching library or hallway display. 

Make a Top 10 Facts Sheet.

This book project idea works especially well for nonfiction books. 

After reading a book, students will brainstorm the Top 10 facts presented in their books.

These facts should ideally be information that is not as well-known. 

To take things to another level, you could have students draft a series of Top 10 facts: facts about each subject or idea presented in the book. 

Complete a 3-D Graphic Organizer.

Turn a plain graphic organizer into a 3-D experience using Foldables . 

First, choose a literacy objective that you would like to target such as the main idea, sequencing, or character traits, and then assign a Foldables activity that will address that particular skill. 

Students will then create and complete a Foldable project based on their specific book.  

Inspire your second graders to produce something special by sharing with them these Foldable examples . 

11+ Free Printable Book Report Templates

Design a Character Puppet.

If you seek fun book report ideas for second graders, this one will serve you well.

Give to students a small brown paper bag, and guide them in making a character puppet based on a favorite character from their respective book. 

They will write a short script to accompany their puppets. The script should be based on a scene from the book and/or something significant that the character said.

Afterward, students will present their character puppets to the class.

Retell the Story.

If you seek easy, yet powerful, book report ideas for second graders, this project is a good fit. 

Using the 5Ws + H (who, what, when, where, why, how), or SWBST (Somebody Wanted But So Then), students will retell the book in their own words. 

They may record their information in a reader’s notebook, or you may provide them with a template.  

Additionally, request that your second grades sketch a picture to accompany their retelling.

Link a Story Chain. 

This is a fun and creative idea that helps students to understand the sequence of events. It consists of two parts: creating the actual chain and then presenting it to the class. 

To get started, provide students with an 8.5 x 11-inch sheet of white paper that is divided into 10 strips.

Grab a sentence strips sequencing template here . 

Before cutting and separating the strips, students will write a significant event from their book on each strip. That means that they should have a total of 10 different events written on the strips.

After recording the events, students will cut apart the strips, sequence them, and then loop them together in sequential order . 

For the second part of the project, students will present to classmates the sequence of events as it relates to their chains. 

They should explain how one event caused another.

Final Thoughts On Book Report Ideas For Second Graders

While there is definitely a place for traditional reading assessments in the classroom, why not mix things up a bit by incorporating book reports? 

This list of book report ideas for second grade helps you to jump-start that process.

You no longer need to spend your precious time searching all over for the best creative book project ideas. 

Everything you need is right here.

These second-grade book report ideas are sure to engage and motivate students to produce something great. 

How to Write a Book Report (+ a FREE Step-by-Step Printable for Your Kids)

Just so you know, this post contains affiliate links. That means if you use them to make a purchase, I may earn a commission. You can read my full affiliate disclosure  HERE .

We read a lot of books (homeschool moms, can you relate?). Right now, we are reading the Harry Potter series together as a family, and as my kids have grown, it’s been fun to see them become more interested in reading for fun. As part of our homeschooling this year, we have been learning how to write a book report, which has been a great way for me to evaluate how well my kids are understanding what they read.

My son is in 3rd grade this year and recently had a book report as one of his assignments in English. While there were a couple of steps given to him, he struggled with the process and actually putting the book report together. So I decided to create a step-by-step book report printable to help him learn how to write a book report.

I hope these printables will be a big help to your kids, too! They will walk your kids through the steps of organizing their book report, writing a draft, revising and proofreading, and writing a final copy. Plus, I’ve included a rubric for you that you can use to give helpful feedback if you’d like.

Not only will this template help your kids learn how to write a book report, but they will be fun to add to your homeschool portfolio and look back on in the future.

Why Should You Use Book Reports in Your Homeschool?

Writing a book report or using an organizer to respond to what they have read is a great way to help your kids with their reading comprehension . It’s also fun to see their unique writing styles come to light and learn what they think about the books they have read.

Plus, I have found that incorporating book reports into our homeschool is a fun way for my kids to practice their writing skills because they get to write about a book they have loved. My son doesn’t necessarily love to write, so making the writing topic interesting is really important in our current season.

They also will obviously get to practice their handwriting, and you can include an oral presentation component if you’d like to as well!

Teach Your Kids How to Write a Book Report

A book report is just what it sounds like – a detailed report your kids will write after reading a book. In the report, they will give a summary of the book and share some of the important plot points, as well as share their opinion of the book.

When my son first attempted to do his book report from his English assignment, he struggled with what to write, and how to pull it all together in one cohesive report. I wanted to really lay out the process for him, to break it down into manageable steps .

If your child is new to writing book reports, I would recommend doing the first one together . Choose a book you have been reading aloud as a family (or a new one to read together), so you can then walk through the template and process with them.

If you are reading the book together, model how to take notes of important characters and plot points as you read . These notes will be great to reference later when writing the report.

Once you are finished reading and taking notes, grab your book report template and work through the process of putting together the report ( this printable makes it so easy! ).

My Book Report Template for Kids

There are many options out there with ideas for creative and different styles of book reports (I love these ideas from We Are Teachers), but if you are looking for a simple way for your elementary-aged student to organize their thoughts into a basic book report, these are for you.

The pages include:

• 2 Book Report Planning Pages where your kids will organize their thoughts about the main characters, important plot events, and what they learned and liked about the book. They will also have space to draw out their favorite scene from the story.
• First Draft Pages where they will write a rough draft. These sheets also include checklists that will walk them through the revision and proofreading process.
• My Book Report Pages where your kids will write their final copy of their book report.
• Book Report Rubric which is a sheet you can use to offer comments and suggestions on their work, if desired.
• Reading Log page that your kids can use to keep track of what they are reading (great for your homeschool record keeping as well!)

Using a template like this will help your kids organize their thoughts in the planning pages, so it’s easier for them to put the final review together. They will see all of the important parts that need to go into their book reports, which will help them learn how to write effective reviews and recommendations.

Printable Book Report Template

I’d love for this book report template to be a blessing to you and your family as well! Grab it below when you join my subscriber list – I love to send out freebies, homeschool tips, inspiration and more as I go through my own homeschooling journey.

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Drop a comment below and let me know – what are some of your kid’s favorite books they have read, or what are they reading now?

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How to Write a Book Report

Writing a book report can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. In essence, a book report is a summary of a book’s content, structure, and analysis. It is a way for you to demonstrate your understanding of the book and its themes. A well-written book report can showcase your attention to detail, comprehension, and critical thinking skills.

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What is a book report?

A book report is a written summary of a book’s content and your analysis of it. It includes an introduction, plot summary, analysis, and conclusion. A book report is typically assigned to students in middle or high school, but it can also be assigned in college. Book reports are typically 250–500 words long.

What is the purpose of a book report?

The purpose of a book report is to demonstrate your understanding of the book and its themes . It is a way for you to practice critical thinking skills and develop your writing ability. Additionally, a book report can help a teacher assess a student’s reading comprehension and analytical abilities.

What are the elements of a good book report?

A good book report should include the following elements:

• Introduction : This section should include the book’s title, its author, and any other relevant information.
• Plot summary: This section should provide a summary of the book’s plot, including the main characters, setting, and conflict.
• Analysis: This section should provide your analysis of the book, including its themes, symbolism , and other literary devices .
• Conclusion : This section should summarize your thoughts on the book and its relevance.

How to write a book report

Writing a book report might feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into smaller steps can make it more manageable. Here’s a detailed guide on how to write a book report that will help you get started:

1 Read the book

Read the book thoroughly, taking note of the significant plot points, characters, themes, and tones. It’s important to read the book carefully to identify these things.

2 Take notes

As you read, take notes on the plot, characters, and themes. This will help you organize your thoughts and keep track of important information.

3 Create an outline

Use your notes to create an outline for your book report. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you cover all the major points.

4 Write the introduction

The introduction should include the book’s title, its author, and any other relevant information. It should also include a thesis statement that summarizes your overall opinion of the book.

5 Write the plot summary

The plot summary should provide a brief summary of the book’s plot, including the main characters, setting, and conflict. Be sure to include any major plot twists or events that affect the story.

6 Write the analysis

The analysis explores your insights into the book, including its themes, symbolism, and any other literary devices. Use specific examples from the book to support your analysis and provide evidence for your arguments.

7 Write the conclusion

The conclusion should summarize your overall thoughts on the book and its relevance. Be sure to restate your thesis statement and provide a final analysis of the book.

Tips for writing a book report

When writing a book report, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. First, avoid repetition by adding a new perspective about the book. Second, be concise and keep your analysis focused on the content your readers are looking for. Third, support your claims and positions with insights from the book and provide evidence for your arguments.

Remember, there are no firm requirements for what should be included in a book report. However, it’s important to pay attention to elements with specific formatting rules, such as the title page, table of contents, page numbers, headings and subheadings, citations , and the works cited page . Always refer to the assignment for specific guidelines and formatting requirements.

If you follow these steps and keep these tips in mind, you can write a thorough and thoughtful book report that will impress your readers. Don’t be afraid to share your opinion and insights into the book and remember to support your arguments with evidence from the text.

Book report vs. book review

A book report and a book review are often confused, but they are not the same thing. A book report is a summary of a book’s content and analysis, while a book review is a critical evaluation of a book’s content, style, and merit. A book review is typically written for a more advanced audience and is often published in a literary journal or newspaper.

Example book report

To provide a clear example of a book report, we’ll look at one on To Kill a Mockingbird , by Harper Lee.

Introduction: To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel written by Harper Lee and published in 1960. The book is set in the 1930s in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama, and follows the story of a young girl, Scout Finch, as she learns about the injustices of the world around her. The novel explores themes of racism, prejudice, and the loss of innocence and is a powerful commentary on the social issues of its time.

Plot summary: The book revolves around the trial of Tom Robinson, a Black man accused of raping a white woman. Scout’s father, Atticus Finch, is the defense attorney for Tom Robinson and faces opposition from the town’s residents for defending a Black man. Throughout the story, Scout and her brother Jem learn about racism and prejudice and the importance of standing up for what is right. The trial serves as a catalyst for the children’s moral growth and understanding of the world around them. The plot also features Boo Radley, a reclusive neighbor who becomes a mystery for the children to solve.

Analysis: To Kill a Mockingbird is a powerful commentary on racism and injustice in America. The book highlights the importance of empathy and understanding and shows the devastating effects of prejudice. The characters in the book, especially Atticus Finch, serve as examples of how to stand up for what is right, even in the face of opposition.

Conclusion: To Kill a Mockingbird is more than just a story; it is a window into a time and place that many of us have never experienced firsthand. It is a reminder that racism and prejudice still exist today, and it challenges people to examine their own biases and beliefs. The book’s themes of justice, equality, and empathy are as relevant today as they were when the book was first published. To Kill a Mockingbird is a timeless classic that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

Book report FAQs

A book report is a written summary of a book’s content and your analysis of it.

The purpose of a book report is to demonstrate your understanding of the book and its themes. It is a way for you to practice critical thinking skills and develop your writing ability.

What should a book report include?

A book report should include an introduction, a plot summary, an analysis, and a conclusion. It should also include the book’s title, its author, and any other relevant information.

This blog post was written with the support of Grammarly generative AI.

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A Beginner's Guide to Writing a Book Report (with Examples)

Last Updated: June 25, 2024 Fact Checked

• Researching
• Drafting the Report
• Reviewing & Revising

Sample Book Reports & Summaries

Expert q&a.

This article was co-authored by Jake Adams and by wikiHow staff writer, Raven Minyard, BA . Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,423,317 times.

A book report is a short essay that summarizes and analyzes a work of fiction or nonfiction. Writing a book report may not seem fun at first, but it gives you a great chance to fully understand a work and its author. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about how to write a book report, from choosing a book and outlining to drafting and editing your final paper.

Things You Should Know

• Read the entire book and take notes on important themes, characters, and events. Use your notes to create an outline with evidence that supports your analysis.
• Include the title and author in your intro, then summarize the plot, main characters, and setting of the book.
• Analyze the author’s writing style, as well as the main themes and arguments of the book. Include quotes and examples to support your statements.

Researching Your Book Report

• For example, find out if your teacher wants you to include citations, such as page numbers from the book, in your report.
• Ask your teacher how much of your paper to devote to summary versus analysis. Most book reports are direct summaries with objective analysis rather than your personal opinions. In contrast, a book review or commentary is more opinion-driven.

• Some popular books for book reports include To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Animal Farm by George Orwell, and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Choose a book at your grade level.

• Author: Who wrote the book? Do you know any other works by this author?
• Genre: Is the book fiction or nonfiction? If it’s fiction, is it historical, fantasy, horror, etc.? If it’s nonfiction, is it a biography, memoir, science, etc.?
• Audience: Who would find this book appealing? Is it intended for a specific age range or gender? Do you typically enjoy books like this?
• Title: Does the title catch your interest? Does it fit well with the book’s content?
• Book Cover/Illustrations: What does the book cover convey and does it accurately represent the book? How do you feel when you look at it? If the book has illustrations, what are they and do they hold your interest?

• Take breaks while reading to keep your attention sharp. Try to find a pace that is comfortable for you. If you get distracted after 15 minutes, read in 15-minute intervals. If you can go an hour, read for an hour at a time.
• Give yourself enough time to read the entire book. It’s very difficult to write a book report if you’ve just skimmed over everything. Don’t procrastinate!
• Don’t trust online book summaries. You can’t guarantee that they are accurate or true to the text.

• For example, look for a sentence that clearly describes a main setting in the book, such as “The castle was gloomy and made out of large black stones.”

Outlining Your Book Report

• Introduction: Introduce the title, author, and publication information. Include a brief overview of the book’s genre and main theme, and state your purpose for writing the report.
• Summary: Concisely summarize the plot or central idea, highlighting main events, characters, and conflicts. Focus on important aspects while avoiding spoilers.
• Analysis and Evaluation: Evaluate the author’s writing style and use of literary devices, like foreshadowing, metaphors, imagery, etc. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the book and use quotes and examples from the text.
• Themes and Messages: Identify the book’s main themes or messages and how they develop through the course of the book. Provide specific quotes and examples.
• Character Analysis: Analyze the main characters in the book, their development, and their relationships. Explain their motivations, personalities, and significance to the story. Provide examples and quotes to support your analysis.
• Personal Reflection: Depending on your teacher’s instructions, you might share your personal opinions and discuss what you liked and disliked about the book. Reflect on how the book relates to broader themes or issues.
• Conclusion: Summarize your main points and conclude with your final thoughts or reflections on the book.
• Bibliography: If required, include a works cited page or bibliography listing all the sources you used to write your book report.
• Outlining takes time, but it saves you more time once you reach the editing stage.
• Some people prefer to outline with pen and paper, while others just type up a list on the computer. Choose the method that works best for you.

• Be careful not to overuse quotes. If it seems like every other line is a quote, try to dial back. Aim to include a maximum of one quotation per paragraph. Quotes and examples should still take a backseat to your summary.

• For example, you’ll likely need to focus primarily on discussing the most important characters or the characters that appear most frequently in the text.
• When you are finished with your outline, go back through it to see if it makes sense. If the paragraphs don’t flow into one another, move them around or add/delete new ones until they do.
• Also, check to see if your outline covers all of the major elements of the book, such as the plot, characters, and setting.

Writing Your Book Report

• For example, a sentence summary might state, “This book is about the main character’s journey to Africa and what she learns on her travels.”
• Don’t take up too much space with your introduction. In general, an introduction should be 3-6 sentences long, though in rare cases, they may be longer or shorter.

• Use vivid language when you can and include plenty of details. For example, you might write, “The farm was surrounded by rolling hills.”

• For instance, if the main character moves to Africa, you might describe what happens before the move, how the move goes, and how they settle in once they arrive.

• For example, you might write that the main character is “a middle-aged woman who enjoys the finer things in life, such as designer clothes.” Then, connect this description to the plot summary by describing how her views change after her travels, if they do.
• Expect to introduce the characters in the same sentences and paragraphs as the plot introduction.

• You might write, “The author argues that travel gives you a new perspective. That is why her main characters all seem happier and more grounded after visiting new places.”
• For fiction, determine if the author is using the story to pass along a certain moral or lesson. For example, a book about an underdog athlete could encourage readers to take chances to pursue their dreams.

• For example, an author who uses lots of slang terms is probably going for a hip, approachable style.

• Some teachers require, or strongly suggest, that you include the author’s name and the book title in your concluding paragraph.
• When writing a conclusion , don’t introduce any new thoughts. Any important points should be made in your body paragraphs. Save the space for your recap.

Reviewing and Revising Your Book Report

• Before you submit your paper, make sure that you’ve spelled the author’s name and any character names correctly.
• Don’t trust your computer’s spell check to catch all the errors for you. Spell check can be helpful, but it isn’t perfect and can make mistakes.

• If you’re nervous about asking, try saying something like “It would be great if you could go over my book report and make sure that it reads smoothly.”
• Remember, no one’s first draft is perfect, so don’t get upset if someone suggests you do something differently. They want to help make your report the best it can be, so don’t take constructive criticism personally.

• For example, double-check that you are using the correct font, font size, and margins.
• Once you've finished proofreading, revising, and checking that you've addressed all the requirements, you're ready to submit your book report!

• Even though your book report is your own work, avoid using “I” too much. It can make your writing feel choppy. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• It might be tempting to watch the movie or read the online notes instead of reading the book. Resist this urge! Your teacher will be able to tell the difference. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

• Calm down and walk around if you get too frustrated while writing. If you write a book report while angry, you're more likely to misspell things!
• Choose a unique book. Harry Potter or Percy Jackson is an absolute no. Everyone chooses those. Try something different!
• Write when anything comes to mind! You don't want to lose your ideas!

• Give yourself plenty of time to write your report. Don’t wait until the last minute or you may feel rushed. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
• Stealing or using another person’s work is considered plagiarism and academic dishonesty. Make sure that the work you submit is all your own. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.aresearchguide.com/write-book-report.html
• ↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 24 July 2020.
• ↑ https://grammark.org/how-to-write-a-book-report/
• ↑ https://takelessons.com/blog/steps-to-writing-a-book-report
• ↑ https://www.infoplease.com/homework-help/homework-center-writing-book-report
• ↑ https://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/wlf/what-setting
• ↑ https://www.tcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/archive/writing-center-handouts/essay-types-plot-summary.pdf
• ↑ https://www.cornerstone.edu/blog-post/six-steps-to-really-edit-your-paper/

About This Article

To write a book report, start by introducing the author and the name of the book and then briefly summarizing the story. Next, discuss the main themes and point out what you think the author is trying to suggest to the reader. Finally, write about the author’s style of writing, paying particular attention to word choice and the overall tone of the book. For tips on editing and polishing your paper before turning it in, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Book Report Templates

Book reports often ask students to summarize, reflect, and share their ideas. We’ve created a series of book report templates that you can use or adapt based on a variety of learning needs. While this task may reflect individual preferences and insights, it can be collaborative. Students can share in gallery walks, small groups, or large groups. Displaying book reports near your classroom library can allow you to curate a more meaningful classroom book collection and allow peers to interact in an unexpected way. Some of the earliest work with longer writing tasks is cultivated through the experience of crafting a book report. No matter how young your learners may be, fostering a love of reading and providing opportunities for children to write about what they read is critical.

Book Report Templates (Printable PDFs)

One of the most important steps of helping students understand how to craft a book report lies in their ability to choose the books they read and how they want to report on what they’ve learned. It is always useful to review book report options together in class in order to create a firm foundation that students can return to again and again. Since book reports can be a staple task in many elementary school classrooms, offering choice in how students craft and create reports will make the experience more engaging.

We’ve created a variety of printable book report templates below for different learners. For instance, we have an English language and Spanish language book report template that students can use to document character names, setting, and reflect on their favorite parts of a text! Additionally, we’ve crafted book report organizers for fiction and nonfiction texts, so you can appeal to learners who love different genres and make your curriculum more inclusive. Finally, we’ve also created a few options for those students who need more challenge. In these book reports, students extract quotes of significance, analyze them, and offer their insights on what the text teaches readers.

All of our book report templates encourage students to reflect on their interest in the text. This is critical for their reflection and ability to connect with their reading experiences.

Students complete the book report by writing the title, author, Character names, setting and their favorite part of the story.

This is the same book report template but in Spanish.

With this template, 4th - 5th grade students enter the title, author, character names but also enter the plot structure and what the story can teach people. Students also rate the book.

A template for nonfiction books. The student enters basic book information plus three interesting facts and what they are most curious about after reading the book.

With this 6-8th grade template, students write a two-sentence summary, important quotes and whether they recommend the book and why.

Students explain, in two sentences, what the text is about, identify three important events in the text, and choose one quote they think is most important and then analyze its importance.

How to Teach Second-Graders to Write Book Reports

How to Write Play Titles in a Paper

In second grade, children should be able to write opinion, informative and narrative pieces, according to the Common Core Standards. Book reports offer students an opportunity to practice their informative writing through a synopsis of a book. Some teachers may assign a book for the report, but others may allow students to pick their own books for the project. Book reports give students the opportunity to practice writing skills and deepen their understanding of a book.

Note Taking

Before students can write a book report, they have to read the book. Active note taking can help them to process the information as they read it and to remember key points or actions in the story. Encourage students to write notes as they read, including short sentences about the major events and significant characters. Notes can be as simple as "Harry found out his dog ran away" or "Jane has blond hair and is a writer." Students can review their notes when they start their book report, making it easier for them to recall important information.

Parts of the Story

When students write their book reports, they will have to talk about important parts of the story, such as setting, plot and character. However, they first need to understand what the important parts of the story are and how to identify them. Explain that setting is where and when the story takes place, the main characters are those who are doing most of the action, and the plot is the series of events that take place in the story. When discussing plot, explain that conflict is a problem the characters have to solve, and conflict is what moves the story forward.

Outlines help writers organize their thoughts, and they can be useful for any type of writing in any grade level. Explain to students that an outline for a book report should include an introduction, a description of the setting, a description of the main characters, a summary of the plot and a conclusion. The outline should include headings for each of these sections, and under each heading, instruct students to write one or two sentences about the information they will include.

Writing the Report

The outline is a blueprint for writing, so once that's finished, students should only need to fill in the information and make the ideas flow together. Explain to students that the introduction should include the title of the book, a one-sentence summary of what it's about, and a sentence about why the student chose it. Each of the remaining paragraphs will fill in details about the book, according to the outline. Instruct students to end with a conclusion that shares their opinions about the book or the characters.

Related Articles

How to Write an Eighth Grade Book Report

How to Start a Good Book Report

High School Book Project Ideas

How to Write a Chapter Summary Template

How to Do a Summary of a News Article

Fun Ways to Teach Story Sequence to Kindergarten

How to Teach Children the Steps to Write a Short Narrative Essay

How to Write a Book Summary for Fourth Grade

• PBS Kids: Second And Third Graders Writing Milestones
• Great Schools: Your Second Grader And Writing Under The Common Core Standards

Maria Magher has been working as a professional writer since 2001. She has worked as an ESL teacher, a freshman composition teacher and an education reporter, writing for regional newspapers and online publications. She has written about parenting for Pampers and other websites. She has a Master's degree in English and creative writing.

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Book report: isn't it too difficult for a child in the second grade? This is a very reasonable question that can arise for any of us. However, we can reply with confidence that it's not too difficult and no, it's not too early.

Moreover, we children can learn to do this kind of work as early as possible. What is it for? A book report helps children develop critical thinking and study skills , reading comprehension, and train their memory. Also, it’s a perfect way to help the child understand the work better, conclude from reading. And this, in turn, develops creativity, reading culture, and, most importantly, teaches independence.

Besides, the ability to write reports on books will help children in the future. Many colleges require students to write SAT essays. Winning SAT Essay in the future will play a vital role in a student's career.

This article will help everyone interested in these products to understand all the intricacies of creating a 2nd-grade book report.

How to Write a Second Grade Book Report

To begin, let's understand what a book report is. It is a brief overview of a particular book's contents with your reply to what you read.

Analysis of the text and its reader's interpretation and mastering its meaning is severe and thoughtful work. It strains not only the thought but also the feeling, imagination, and fantasy of the reader.

We can't talk about in-depth book analysis in a 2nd-grade book report and wizard language art skills. However, children can successfully describe the story, choose their favorite characters in the book, and shape their attitude to their actions. It promotes reading comprehension.

To create useful book reports, it is better to follow a particular scheme. Next, we will talk about how you can do it.

2nd Grade Vocabulary to use

The student's educational activity's success directly depends on the speech and language knowledge, skills, and abilities.

To write an ideal 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade book report , a student must study and continuously improve the English language arts and reading comprehension.

The student's speech development is a critical condition for his successful learning. The more a child reads, retells, listens, the better his memory develops.

To ensure the language art development of primary school students ─ this means to teach them to express themselves competently in oral and written forms of speech. This will allow the future to conduct various lesson plans, for example, speech and debate classes .

There are many dictionaries recommended for study in the second grade for better mastery of English language arts.

We have developed recommendations and offer you the following list of vocabulary for second-grade students.

Which sections should you include in a book report?

In this paragraph, we will take a closer look at the structure of the fiction book report.

Book Setting

An essential part of your review is a book setting. The setting is the place and time of action. It is the physical environment - country, city, village, buildings, weather, year, month, and day. The setting is a kind of ship with a plot and heroes on board.

But it is also something more. This is how the author sets the mood and tone of the whole narrative. The setting sets the mood and tone of the entire story. So, for a comprehensive report, you need to indicate the place of action and describe it in detail.

Compelling characters are what attract attention in any story and keep it throughout the book. In each work, there are protagonists and antagonists. The protagonist is the main character, a man who plays a leading role in history. The antagonist is the enemy of the main character, a negative figure.

For your report, describe the appearance and apparent traits of the main characters. Also, try to go deeper and understand the reasons for the specific actions of the heroes.

• It is not superfluous to express your attitude to the characters of the work.
• It is not necessary to name every hero. Just choose the most important ones.

The plot is a sequence of actions in the text. In a book report, you need to summarize the plot without retelling the whole story.

Historical periods

If you are writing a review on a fiction book, specify the historical period of the book.

How did this historical event or period affect the character's life? Would you like to have lived during this period? Why or why not? Could this story take place during another time or in another place? The answers to these questions will help you create a great report.

Your impressions

You should share your impressions of language arts reading in the last section of your report.

What should you include there? For starters, the general impression is whether you liked the book or not.

It would be good to compare the book with similar ones. Also, the report should indicate the personal attitude to the main characters of the fiction book.

Creative Ideas for 2nd-grade book report writing

Writing a book review may not seem like a lot of fun to many children. Therefore, teachers often have to develop different ways to interest students and encourage them to write a unique creative paper.

Here we have gathered some creative book report ideas. They will assist grade students in writing reports and teachers in developing a lesson plan.

Sandwich book report

Imagine a book report in the form of a sandwich. Each layer of this sandwich is responsible for a separate element of the story in the book. When the student completes all the sheets, he will receive a sandwich in a "delicious" book report. This is a charming and fun way to talk about what you read.

File Folder Book Report

This way of writing a report has another name - a lap book. The writing scheme is as follows:

• Use a file folder to create the book report.
• Write your name in the file folder tab.
• Decorate the folder's front cover with the creative book title, author, genre, and a colorful picture of the book.
• Write a summary of the book on lined notebook paper. Glue the written review on the inside left of the folder.
• On the top right, list the main characters of the story. Describe the main character.
• On a half-sheet of lined paper, write your opinion of the narrative. Be sure to tell why you did or didn’t like about the book. Glue it on the inside of the folder at the bottom of the right side.

Be a Character Therapist

Fear is the cause of specific actions of people. And if you know what a person is afraid of, you can understand his actions. In books, the characters often try to overcome their fears.

The student only needs to reply: what the hero of the book is afraid of? And then find out if he managed to overcome his fears. Let the student try himself as a therapist. Teachers can interestingly organize a lesson plan in this way.

Book Report Charm Bracelet

This is one of the most exciting book report ideas for girls. Many girls like to wear bracelets with charms that have some meaning in their lives. Have the student illustrate a character, storyline, or other detail on a separate beauty. It's a fun and exciting way to write a creative book review.

Reading Lists for Characters

This method will help students better understand the characters in the book. Ask students to think and write on a worksheet in which books might interest their character. Let them explain their choice. Students can share lists of books and better understand each role in the book.

A well-designed lesson plan will help teachers develop children's ability to express their thoughts.

Watercolor Rainbow Book Report

This method is perfect when working with biographies. Students cut out an illustration of their character or author of the book and paste it in the center of a worksheet. Then students draw lines from the picture, resembling the rays of the sun. Each sector has its color and information about the main character of the study.

If the student's task is a book review, in the center of a worksheet may be the book's cover, and in the sectors - information about the main characters, the plot, and other details.

How to develop your book report template

Each student can develop their book report templates. Here are some tips for writing a 2nd-grade book report.

You need to keep in mind the element of fun and absolute ease of work. The process of work should not cause the child a feeling of discomfort.

If writing becomes a daily routine for the child, then writing a report will not be difficult. However, it is essential to read a creative book and use creative ways of writing .

Before writing a report, let the child have fun. This will help students create book report ideas.

For example, if a student needs to write report products on a topic on sports , allow them to do what they love - football, basketball, or dance. Emotions will play a role in the child's desire for productive work.

It is not necessary to start at the beginning. Students can try to write on the worksheet their thoughts about the book chaotically, and only group them and form a holistic report.

Mind maps, drawings, diagrams, pictures - you can use anything that can unlock the mind.

Remember that there are not correct or incorrect report templates. Students can apply creativity, and their report templates will be unique and just right.

Favorite books for 2nd graders

In the second grade, children already have enough skills to work independently. However, children are full of curiosity and wonder. We suggest you read top-20 books that may be most interesting to read for the second-grade students. You may have some interesting book report ideas for reports on these stories.

Giraffe Problems by Jory John

The giraffe has a problem - too long neck. That's why it hates himself. However, a new friend comes into the giraffe's life to help him change his mind.

It's a very instructive story that teaches courage and self-acceptance.

Could You? Would You? by Trudy White

And what would you do if you had other opportunities? This book allows adults and children to fantasize, regardless of their background.

Fruit Bowl by Mark Hoffman

A tomato appeared in a bowl. Other fruits dislike it and believe that the tomato does not belong to them. Fruits vs. vegetables as an instructive wizard story about acceptance, not like you and openness.

Mom and Dad Are Palindromes by Mark Shulman

One day, Bob learns that he is a weird palindrome. And then he becomes different from everyone else. Will Bob come to terms with his essence?

Life by Cynthia Rylant

It is a book that reminds us all that life is full of miracles and goodness.

My Dad’s a Birdman by David Almond

A perfect illustrated narrative about Lizzie and her father bonding over the Great Human Bird Competition: a children's story with "adult" issues will captivate readers from the first pages.

Sarabella’s Thinking Cap by Judy Schachner

It’s the tale of Sarabella - a girl with her head in the clouds. If a child is an avid dreamer who loves non-standard stories, this wizard book is what he or she needs.

Once Upon a Time by Niki Daly

This is a unique story about a South African girl Sarie who loves to study. However, she has a problem - she reads slowly, for which her classmates harass her. With the help of her aunt and friends, the girl gradually gains confidence.

I Am a Bear by Jean-Francois Dumont

It's a story on a very delicate topic of homelessness. It teaches kindness and compassion.

Get Ready for Second Grade , Amber Brown by Paula Danziger

The beginning of a new school year is always an exciting event. And the main character of the book - Amber - has the enemy who is harassing her - Hannah. Will the girl cope with all the difficulties at school?

King of the Sky Nicola Davies

A perfect book about an incredible friendship that a boy found in a new place.

Fox and His Friends by Edward Marshall

Do you have an annoying sister who follows you everywhere? This is a story about a fox who is looking for entertainment. Young readers will appreciate this book.

Atomic Ace (He’s Just My Dad) by Jeff Weigel

Kids love stories about superheroes. This book is just like that. It tells the story of a boy whose father turned out to be a hero.

We Are Best Friends by Aliki

The best friends - Robert and Peter - have a hard time, because Peter will live in a new city. Will the boys be able to keep the friendship?

The Night Gardener by Terry Fan and Eric Fan

One day William notices a strange bush on his window. After that, unusual changes take place throughout the city.

The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling

This book is about John Meadis, who can turn everything into chocolate. However, he soon realizes that sometimes even chocolate is too much

• Dinosaurs Before Dark, Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne

The book is for fans of fantasy stories. Jack and Annie travel back in time to their treehouse. Their house is charming and contains many books about dinosaurs, knights, volcanoes, and different countries. Jack and Annie's journey began 65 million years ago. This is a book about the unforgettable adventures of friends.

Five Minutes (That’s a Lot of Time) (No, It’s Not) (Yes, It Is) by Audrey Vernick

Are five minutes a lot or a little? It depends on the circumstances. With this book, you can have fun learning math with children.

My Dog Mouse by Eva Lindstrom

It's a story of a girl walking with a neighbor's dog. The book will be useful to use in narrative writing mini-lessons.

Hansel and Gretel by Rika Lesser

This is a book for readers of classics. This story is a brief retelling of Grimm. The story will resonate in the hearts of many children.

Reading from a tablet or books

To efficiently and with interest, write a quality report on the book, which will be best for the child - to read the book in electronic or printed form? Next, we will talk about the pros and cons of both options.

Reading from tablets and books has some advantages and disadvantages.

The benefits of reading from a tablet

One of the advantages of working with a tablet is fast work. Modern technology saves a lot of time and helps achieve the educational goal - learning the language arts reading.

A tablet is a perfect way to store a large number of books in one place. It also reduces the amount of printing and saves the environment. And the student does not need to look for a place for the physical storage of books.

Tablets have certain technologies that are not available in the regular textbook. For example, students can highlight a specific part of the text, write notes, etc. Also, you can create report templates and use it later, just by adding the necessary information. Tablets have a search function and a built-in dictionary.

Printed textbooks are heavy, while tablets weigh up to 1 kilogram and sometimes less. This is convenient for school children.

We live in an age of continually improving technology. The most influential companies in the world enjoy the technological advantages of today. And using tablets from an early age will allow children to better prepare for modern realities.

Why many people still choose regular books?

The first, and most important, is the risk of a health problem with tablets readers. According to the American Association of Opticians, reading from tablets leads to vision problems, dry eyes, and headaches. Frequent use of gadgets causes many people to have issues with the musculoskeletal system, muscle tension, and, as a result, neck pain.

Opponents of tablets emphasize that they are expensive to use. After all, they need constant software updates, Wi-Fi operations, and themselves are not cheap pleasure.

• The tablet can quickly fail. Its repair is a costly and time-consuming thing. But you will not break the book.
• Tablets require constant recharging and power consumption.
• And there is a high probability that a thief can steal a tablet, or the child will lose it.

What do therapists say?

People who read digital text remember much less information than readers of printed versions.

Scientists have found that the human brain interprets printed and digital text differently. As a rule, people read digital version 20-30% slower. In turn, this can reduce the ability to process and store information and impairs mastery of English language arts.

You have learned the main advantages and disadvantages of reading from books and tablets. However, only you can choose. Only you know what is best for you and your children. The main, however, remains the need to teach children the language arts reading. It doesn't matter if the book has a printed or electronic form - it enriches the human intellect and triggers thought processes.

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How to Write a Book Report

Use the links below to jump directly to any section of this guide:

Book Report Fundamentals

Preparing to write, an overview of the book report format, how to write the main body of a book report, how to write a conclusion to a book report, reading comprehension and book reports, book report resources for teachers .

Book reports remain a key educational assessment tool from elementary school through college. Sitting down to close read and critique texts for their content and form is a lifelong skill, one that benefits all of us well beyond our school years. With the help of this guide, you’ll develop your reading comprehension and note-taking skills. You’ll also find resources to guide you through the process of writing a book report, step-by-step, from choosing a book and reading actively to revising your work. Resources for teachers are also included, from creative assignment ideas to sample rubrics.

Book reports follow general rules for composition, yet are distinct from other types of writing assignments. Central to book reports are plot summaries, analyses of characters and themes, and concluding opinions. This format differs from an argumentative essay or critical research paper, in which impartiality and objectivity is encouraged. Differences also exist between book reports and book reviews, who do not share the same intent and audience. Here, you’ll learn the basics of what a book report is and is not.

What Is a Book Report?

"Book Report" ( ThoughtCo )

This article, written by a professor emeritus of rhetoric and English, describes the defining characteristics of book reports and offers observations on how they are composed.

"Writing a Book Report" (Purdue OWL)

Purdue’s Online Writing Lab outlines the steps in writing a book report, from keeping track of major characters as you read to providing adequate summary material.

"How to Write a Book Report" ( Your Dictionary )

This article provides another helpful guide to writing a book report, offering suggestions on taking notes and writing an outline before drafting. 

"How to Write a Successful Book Report" ( ThoughtCo )

Another post from ThoughtCo., this article highlights the ten steps for book report success. It was written by an academic advisor and college enrollment counselor.

What’s the Difference Between a Book Report and an Essay?

"Differences Between a Book Report & Essay Writing" ( Classroom)

In this article from the education resource Classroom,  you'll learn the differences and similarities between book reports and essay writing.

"Differences Between a Book Report and Essay Writing" (SeattlePi.com)

In this post from a Seattle newspaper's website, memoirist Christopher Cascio highlights how book report and essay writing differ.

"The Difference Between Essays and Reports" (Solent Online Learning)

This PDF from Southampton Solent University includes a chart demonstrating the differences between essays and reports. Though it is geared toward university students, it will help students of all levels understand the differing purposes of reports and analytical essays.

What’s the Difference Between a Book Report and a Book Review?

"How to Write a Book Review and a Book Report" (Concordia Univ.)

The library at Concordia University offers this helpful guide to writing book report and book reviews. It defines differences between the two, then presents components that both forms share.

"Book Reviews" (Univ. of North Carolina)

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s writing guide shows the step-by-step process of writing book reviews, offering a contrast to the composition of book reports.

Active reading and thoughtful preparation before you begin your book report are necessary components of crafting a successful piece of writing. Here, you’ll find tips and resources to help you learn how to select the right book, decide which format is best for your report, and outline your main points.

Selecting and Finding a Book

"30 Best Books for Elementary Readers" (Education.com)

This article from Education.com lists 30 engaging books for students from kindergarten through fifth grade. It was written by Esme Raji Codell, a teacher, author, and children's literature specialist.

"How to Choose a Good Book for a Report (Middle School)" (WikiHow)

This WikiHow article offers suggestions for middle schoolers on how to choose the right book for a report, from getting started early on the search process to making sure you understand the assignment's requirements.

"Best Book-Report Books for Middle Schoolers" (Common Sense Media)

Common Sense Media has compiled this list of 25 of the best books for middle school book reports. For younger students, the article suggests you check out the site's "50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12."

"50 Books to Read in High School" (Lexington Public Library)

The Lexington, Kentucky Public Library has prepared this list to inspire high school students to choose the right book. It includes both classics and more modern favorites.

The Online Computer Library Center's catalogue helps you locate books in libraries near you, having itemized the collections of 72,000 libraries in 170 countries.

Formats of Book Reports

"Format for Writing a Book Report" ( Your Dictionary )

Here, Your Dictionary supplies guidelines for the basic book report format. It describes what you'll want to include in the heading, and what information to include in the introductory paragraph. Be sure to check these guidelines against your teacher's requirements.

"The Good Old Book Report" (Scholastic)

Nancy Barile’s blog post for Scholastic lists the questions students from middle through high school should address in their book reports.

How to Write an Outline

"Writer’s Web: Creating Outlines" (Univ. of Richmond)

The University of Richmond’s Writing Center shows how you can make use of micro and macro outlines to organize your argument.

"Why and How to Create a Useful Outline" (Purdue OWL)

Purdue’s Online Writing Lab demonstrates how outlines can help you organize your report, then teaches you how to create outlines.

"Creating an Outline" (EasyBib)

EasyBib, a website that generates bibliographies, offers sample outlines and tips for creating your own. The article encourages you to think about transitions and grouping your notes.

"How to Write an Outline: 4 Ways to Organize Your Thoughts" (Grammarly)

This blog post from a professional writer explains the advantages of using an outline, and presents different ways to gather your thoughts before writing.

In this section, you’ll find resources that offer an overview of how to write a book report, including first steps in preparing the introduction. A good book report's introduction hooks the reader with strong opening sentences and provides a preview of where the report is going.

"Step-by-Step Outline for a Book Report" ( Classroom )

This article from Classroom furnishes students with a guide to the stages of writing a book report, from writing the rough draft to revising.

"Your Roadmap to a Better Book Report" ( Time4Writing )

Time4Writing offers tips for outlining your book report, and describes all of the information that the introduction, body, and conclusion should include.

"How to Start a Book Report" ( ThoughtCo)

This ThoughtCo. post, another by academic advisor and college enrollment counselor Grace Fleming, demonstrates how to write a pithy introduction to your book report.

"How to Write an Introduction for a Book Report" ( Classroom )

This brief but helpful post from Classroom  details what makes a good book report introduction, down to the level of individual sentences.

The body paragraphs of your book report accomplish several goals: they describe the plot, delve more deeply into the characters and themes that make the book unique, and include quotations and examples from the book. Below are some resources to help you succeed in summarizing and analyzing your chosen text.

Plot Summary and Description

"How Do You Write a Plot Summary?" ( Reference )

This short article presents the goals of writing a plot summary, and suggests a word limit. It emphasizes that you should stick to the main points and avoid including too many specific details, such as what a particular character wears.

"How to Write a Plot for a Book Report" ( The Pen & The Pad )

In this article from a resource website for writers, Patricia Harrelson outlines what information to include in a plot summary for a book report. 

"How to Write a Book Summary" (WikiHow)

Using Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone as an example, this WikiHow article demonstrates how to write a plot summary one step at a time.

Analyzing Characters and Themes

"How to Write a Character Analysis Book Report" ( The Pen & The Pad )

Kristine Tucker shows how to write a book report focusing on character. You can take her suggestions as they are, or consider  incorporating them into the more traditional book report format.

"How to Write a Character Analysis" (YouTube)

The SixMinuteScholar Channel utilizes analysis of the film  Finding Nemo to show you how to delve deeply into character, prioritizing inference over judgment.

"How to Define Theme" ( The Editor's Blog )

Fiction editor Beth Hill contributes an extended definition of theme. She also provides examples of common themes, such as "life is fragile."

"How to Find the Theme of a Book or Short Story" ( ThoughtCo )

This blog post from ThoughtCo. clarifies the definition of theme in relation to symbolism, plot, and moral. It also offers examples of themes in literature, such as love, death, and good vs. evil.

Selecting and Integrating Quotations

"How to Choose and Use Quotations" (Santa Barbara City College)

This guide from a college writing center will help you choose which quotations to use in your book report, and how to blend quotations with your own words.

"Guidelines for Incorporating Quotes" (Ashford Univ.)

This PDF from Ashford University's Writing Center introduces the ICE method for incorporating quotations: introduce, cite, explain.

"Quote Integration" (YouTube)

This video from The Write Way YouTube channel illustrates how to integrate quotations into writing, and also explains how to cite those quotations.

"Using Literary Quotations" (Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison)

This guide from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Writing Center helps you emphasize your analysis of a quotation, and explains how to incorporate quotations into your text.

Conclusions to any type of paper are notoriously tricky to write. Here, you’ll learn some creative ways to tie up loose ends in your report and express your own opinion of the book you read. This open space for sharing opinions that are not grounded in critical research is an element that often distinguishes book reports from other types of writing.

"How to Write a Conclusion for a Book Report" ( Classroom )

This brief article from the education resource  Classroom illustrates the essential points you should make in a book report conclusion.

"Conclusions" (Univ. of North Carolina)

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Writing Center lays out strategies for writing effective conclusions. Though the article is geared toward analytical essay conclusions, the tips offered here will also help you write a strong book report.

"Ending the Essay: Conclusions" (Harvard College Writing Center)

Pat Bellanca’s article for Harvard University’s Writing Center presents ways to conclude essays, along with tips. Again, these are suggestions for concluding analytical essays that can also be used to tie up a book report's loose ends.

Reading closely and in an engaged manner is the strong foundation upon which all good book reports are built. The resources below will give you a picture of what active reading looks like, and offer strategies to assess and improve your reading comprehension. Further, you’ll learn how to take notes—or “annotate” your text—making it easier to find important information as you write.

How to Be an Active Reader

"Active Reading Strategies: Remember and Analyze What You Read" (Princeton Univ.)

Princeton University’s McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning recommends ten strategies for active reading, and includes sample diagrams.

"Active Reading" (Open Univ.)

The Open University offers these techniques for reading actively alongside video examples. The author emphasizes that you should read for comprehension—not simply to finish the book as quickly as possible.

"7 Active Reading Strategies for Students" ( ThoughtCo )

In this post, Grace Fleming outlines seven methods for active reading. Her suggestions include identifying unfamiliar words and finding the main idea. 

"5 Active Reading Strategies for Textbook Assignments" (YouTube)

Thomas Frank’s seven-minute video demonstrates how you can retain the most important information from long and dense reading material.

Assessing Your Reading Comprehension

"Macmillan Readers Level Test" (MacMillan)

Take this online, interactive test from a publishing company to find out your reading level. You'll be asked a number of questions related to grammar and vocabulary.

"Reading Comprehension Practice Test" (ACCUPLACER)

ACCUPLACER is a placement test from The College Board. This 20-question practice test will help you see what information you retain after reading short passages.

"Reading Comprehension" ( English Maven )

The English Maven site has aggregated exercises and tests at various reading levels so you can quiz your reading comprehension skills.

How to Improve Your Reading Comprehension

"5 Tips for Improving Reading Comprehension" ( ThoughtCo )

ThoughtCo. recommends five tips to increase your reading comprehension ability, including reading with tools such as highlighters, and developing new vocabulary.

"How to Improve Reading Comprehension: 8 Expert Tips" (PrepScholar)

This blog post from PrepScholar provides ideas for improving your reading comprehension, from expanding your vocabulary to discussing texts with friends.

CrashCourse video: "Reading Assignments" (YouTube)

This CrashCourse video equips you with tools to read more effectively. It will help you determine how much material you need to read, and what strategies you can use to absorb what you read.

"Improving Reading Comprehension" ( Education Corner )

From a pre-reading survey through post-reading review, Education Corner  walks you through steps to improve reading comprehension.

Methods of In-text Annotation

"The Writing Process: Annotating a Text" (Hunter College)

This article from Hunter College’s Rockowitz Writing Center outlines how to take notes on a text and provides samples of annotation.

"How To Annotate Text While Reading" (YouTube)

This video from the SchoolHabits YouTube channel presents eleven annotation techniques you can use for better reading comprehension.

"5 Ways To Annotate Your Books" ( Book Riot )

This article from the Book Riot  blog highlights five efficient annotation methods that will save you time and protect your books from becoming cluttered with unnecessary markings.

"How Do You Annotate Your Books?" ( Epic Reads )

This post from Epic Reads highlights how different annotation methods work for different people, and showcases classic methods from sticky notes to keeping a reading notebook.

Students at every grade level can benefit from writing book reports, which sharpen critical reading skills. Here, we've aggregated sources to help you plan book report assignments and develop rubrics for written and oral book reports. You’ll also find alternative book report assessment ideas that move beyond the traditional formats.

Teaching Elementary School Students How to Write Book Reports

"Book Reports" ( Unique Teaching Resources )

These reading templates courtesy of Unique Teaching Resources make great visual aids for elementary school students writing their first book reports.

"Elementary Level Book Report Template" ( Teach Beside Me )

This   printable book report template from a teacher-turned-homeschooler is simple, classic, and effective. It asks basic questions, such as "who are the main characters?" and "how did you feel about the main characters?"

"Book Reports" ( ABC Teach )

ABC Teach ’s resource directory includes printables for book reports on various subjects at different grade levels, such as a middle school biography book report form and a "retelling a story" elementary book report template.

"Reading Worksheets" ( Busy Teacher's Cafe )

This page from Busy Teachers’ Cafe contains book report templates alongside reading comprehension and other language arts worksheets.

Teaching Middle School and High School Students How to Write Book Reports

"How to Write a Book Report: Middle and High School Level" ( Fact Monster)

Fact Monster ’s Homework Center discusses each section of a book report, and explains how to evaluate and analyze books based on genre for students in middle and high school.

"Middle School Outline Template for Book Report" (Trinity Catholic School)

This PDF outline template breaks the book report down into manageable sections for seventh and eighth graders by asking for specific information in each paragraph.

"Forms for Writing a Book Report for High School" ( Classroom )

In this article for Classroom,  Elizabeth Thomas describes what content high schoolers should focus on when writing their book reports.

"Forms for Writing a Book Report for High School" ( The Pen & The Pad )

Kori Morgan outlines techniques for adapting the book report assignment to the high school level in this post for The Pen & The Pad .

"High School Book Lists and Report Guidelines" (Highland Hall Waldorf School)

These sample report formats, grading paradigms, and tips are collected by Highland Hall Waldorf School. Attached are book lists by high school grade level.

Sample Rubrics

"Book Review Rubric Editable" (Teachers Pay Teachers)

This free resource from Teachers Pay Teachers allows you to edit your book report rubric to the specifications of your assignment and the grade level you teach.

"Book Review Rubric" (Winton Woods)

This PDF rubric from a city school district includes directions to take the assignment long-term, with follow-up exercises through school quarters.

"Multimedia Book Report Rubric" ( Midlink Magazine )

Perfect for oral book reports, this PDF rubric from North Carolina State University's Midlink Magazine  will help you evaluate your students’ spoken presentations.

Creative Book Report Assignments

"25 Book Report Alternatives" (Scholastic)

This article from the Scholastic website lists creative alternatives to the standard book report for pre-kindergarteners through high schoolers.

"Fresh Ideas for Creative Book Reports" ( Education World )

Education World offers nearly 50 alternative book report ideas in this article, from a book report sandwich to a character trait diagram.

"A Dozen Ways to Make Amazingly Creative Book Reports" ( We Are Teachers )

This post from We Are Teachers puts the spotlight on integrating visual arts into literary study through multimedia book report ideas.

"More Ideas Than You’ll Ever Use for Book Reports" (Teachnet.com)

This list from Teachnet.com includes over 300 ideas for book report assignments, from "interviewing" a character to preparing a travel brochure to the location in which the book is set.

"Fifty Alternatives to the Book Report" (National Council of Teachers of English)

In this PDF resource from the NCTE's  English Journal,  Diana Mitchell offers assignment ideas ranging from character astrology signs to a character alphabet.

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Writing Guides  /  How to Write the Perfect Book Report (4 easy steps)

How to Write the Perfect Book Report (4 easy steps)

Introduction

Writing the perfect book report shouldn’t be as daunting as it sounds.  With the right help, you can do it in no time at all.  In just four easy steps we’ll show you how.  First, let’s lay the groundwork and cover some basics—like, what is a book report?  What’s the difference between a book report and a book review?  And what kind of template or outline would you use?  We’ll give you all that and more.  Let’s get going!

What is a Book Report

In one sense, the best way to understand a book report is to understand what it is not.  A book report is not a critical analysis.  It is not an exhaustive examination.  It is not an evaluation or a synthesis of scholarly research regarding the book’s merits or intentions.  A book report is quite literally a report of what the book is—i.e., an objective report.  Like any report, you are sticking to the facts.

So, what facts?  Facts like:  the title, the author, the year of publication, the genre, the plot, the characters, and the themes.  The book report is basically a summary of everything about the book.  It describes the book from an objective point of view, as impartially as possible.

Difference between a Book Report and a Book Review

It’s easy to confuse a book report for a book review.  After all, they sound similar.  But they are really quite different.

A book report is informational.  A book review is critical.

A book report focuses on summarizing the book’s plot.  It may describe the characters, the setting, the author’s style of writing, where the book fits within a particular genre, what the author does in the book that resonates with or departs from what he has done in the past.  In other words, the book report tells the facts.  One can imagine the reader being a jury, and the book report is the lawyer telling the jury everything the book has done.  Subjective arguments or criticisms are not admissible.  Just the facts, and nothing but the facts.

A book review is much more than a book report.  The review analyzes, criticizes, reflects on and evaluates the merits of the book.  It can apply any theoretical perspective it wants to draw out an argument or present the book in a different light.  The review is more subjective in that sense; it is not about reporting the facts but rather about interpreting them.  The review is just that—an interpretation of the book.  It can discuss the strengths and/or weaknesses of the book.  The report, however, is a presentation of the facts of the book.  It does not weigh them or judge them; it merely presents them without commentary.

Now, with that said, it is important to remember that a book report does allow one the space to offer one’s own personal response to the book.  This is usually added at the end of the report and should only be a small section in relation to the rest of the review.  The personal reflection is not the main point of the book report.  It is rather a kind of add-on where the report opens itself up a bit to allow some review to get in.  Not much—just a little.  Otherwise, the report risks turning into a review—and that is not what should happen!

Book Report Template

A book report template is simply a standard approach to composing your report.  Here is an example of what that might look like, using To Kill a Mockingbird .

Title: To Kill a Mockingbird Author: Harper Lee Published: 1960 Genre: Southern Gothic, Bildungsroman (Coming-of-Age), Courtroom Drama

To Kill a Mockingbird is set in the town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Great Depression. The story is narrated by Scout Finch, a young girl, and follows her and her brother Jem as they confront issues of morality, honor, justice/injustice, racism, fear, and prejudice in their own community. Their father, Atticus Finch, is for all intents and purposes a noble man who represents the moral backbone of the story:  he is an honest lawyer who is appointed to defend Tom Robinson, a Black man falsely accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell. The trial exposes some of the flaws of the people of the town.  Finch does a stand-up job of defending the innocent Tom, but in spite of the clear evidence showing Tom’s innocence, he is still convicted.  Some justice is done, however, in the end, as the true nature of Tom’s accuser is revealed—unfortunately it is a bloody ending.  Meanwhile, Scout and Jem also wrestle with their fascination and fear of their reclusive neighbor, Boo Radley, who ultimately becomes an unexpected protector and savior of the children.

• Scout Finch: The young, spirited narrator of the story.
• Jem Finch: Scout’s older brother, who shares in her adventures.
• Atticus Finch: Their father, a lawyer with a strong sense of justice and what is right.
• Tom Robinson: The black man unjustly accused of rape.
• Boo Radley: The mysterious and reclusive neighbor.
• Mayella Ewell: The white woman who falsely accuses Tom Robinson.
• Bob Ewell: Mayella’s racist and abusive father.

The novel focuses on themes of growing up, morality, racism, justice, and the mystery of human nature.  It could be called the original anti-cancel culture novel, as it deals ultimately with questions of empathy and understanding.

Writing Style

Harper Lee uses a first-person narrative style:  the story is seen and told through the eyes of the young girl Scout. This perspective gives the story a layer of innocence, authenticity, novelty, and sincerity.  It also opens the door for mature reflections on serious social issues thanks to insights given by Scout’s wise father Atticus. The Southern Gothic genre is evident in the setting and the exploration of social issues, the suspense, the violence, and the threatening issues underlying the plot.

Personal Reflection

I found this book to be a very good and a very powerful exploration of morality and justice, full of suspense and examples of good character.  Atticus Finch stands out as a just man doing good work and teaching good lessons.  The other characters are also well-developed, and the narrative style is effective in bringing together all the different genres.  The novel basically asks readers to reflect on their own lives and try to live to a high standard.

In conclusion, To Kill a Mockingbird is a modern classic and a novel that is as surprising and relevant today as it was some sixty years ago when it was first published.  As the saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same.  The fact that this novel still feels powerful even though generations have passed indicates that the issues it touches on are still very much in play today.  Plus, Harper Lee’s masterful prose, plotting, insight, and characters make this a must-read novel for all adolescent and adult readers.

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Book Report Outline

A basic book report outline can also help you with your composition.  Let’s look at an example using the book 1984 by George Orwell.

I.  Introduction

a.  Identify the author, the book, the year of publication, and the plot.

b.  Identify the genre: political/social satire; dystopian fiction

c.  Identify the main themes: totalitarianism and loss of free will.

d.  Identify the concepts: War is Peace; newspeak; doublethink.

e.  State the thesis—i.e., the main point of the review.

II.  Summary

a.  Setting

i.  Oceania

ii.  Inside and Outside the Party

b.  Main Characters

i.  Winston Smith—hero who questions the Party line and dares to oppose it, only to be crushed into subservience in the end

ii.  O’Brien—the seemingly well-meaning high-ranking Party member who lures the rebel lovers Winston and Julia back into the Party line

iii.  Julia—Winston’s love interest

iv.  Big Brother—the totalitarian government that spies on all, twists the meaning of words, and rewrites history to its purposes

v.  Emmanuel Goldstein—the mythical enemy of Oceania whose existence is used to justify the Party’s authoritarianism and totalitarianism

i.  Winston begins to doubt the Party line

ii.  He breaks with Party orthodoxy

iii.  He finds a kindred spirit in Julia and they begin a romance

iv.  The discovery a world outside the controls of Big Brother—a world where nature, authenticity, beauty, and harmony still exist

v.  Winston and Julia are betrayed by O’Brien and tortured into submission

vii.  Winston

III.  Themes

a.  Totalitarianism—Big Brother represents the totalitarianism of the novel

b.  Loss of free will—Winston breaks free from Big Brother, but comes up empty in the end because he has nothing stronger than the Party with which to combat O’Brien

IV.  Concepts

a.  War is Peace—a motto of the Party and an example of how Big Brother subverts common sense by promoting falsehood as truth

b.  Newspeak—the Party’s language, which denies reality by lying about what words mean

c.  Doublethink—when the Party’s indoctrination is so successful that one can hold two simultaneously contradictory thoughts in one’s head without trouble

V.  Personal Reflection

a.  Great book—a bit difficult to read at times—but very solid in terms of concepts that reflect the modern world

b.  Too close to reality in some ways

VI.  Conclusion

a.  Reiterate the main points

b.  What is the legacy of the book?

c.  Do you recommend it?

How to Write a Book Report (4 steps)

Before you start writing the book report, you need to read the book carefully and attentively.  As you read, take notes on important details such as the main characters, setting, key events, and any significant themes or symbols.  Pay attention to your own reactions to the book and any questions that you may have as you read. This preparatory step is essential as it provides the foundation for your book report.       You will use the notes you take during this step to write the report.

Once you have finished reading the book and have taken thorough notes, it is time to start organizing your thoughts. Create an outline to structure your report like the one in the example above.  Make sure you over all the necessary components. A typical book report includes information about the book:  summary of the plot, main characters, themes, writing style, genre, author, and so on.  The facts!  The best way to organize them is to create an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.  In the introduction, state your purpose.  In the body, stick to the main points—summary, characters, themes, etc.  In the conclusion, restate the purpose in new words and give your own personal recommendation.

Time to write the report!  With your notes and outline in hand, start writing. Follow the structure of your outline, so that every section flows logically to the next.  Use clear and concise language; use transitional sentences; avoid slang and casual language; and remember to be as objective as possible—no personal opinions or interpretations.  Save that for the personal reflection at the end.  It is also good practice to give specific examples from the book to support your report.

Edit and revise.  This is one of the most important steps, and unfortunately it is one that a lot of people avoid.  Just because you have written a first draft does not mean you are done.  Now you have to make sure it is devoid of mistakes.  Read over it twice, checking grammar, punctuation, style, and accuracy.  Make sure everything you have written is on topic and valid.  Correct any mistakes.  If you’re unsure, get a second opinion from someone who can help.

Book Report Example

Title: Fahrenheit 451 Author: Ray Bradbury Published: 1953 Genre: Dystopian Fiction; Science-Fiction

Fahrenheit 451 is a mid-20 th century science-fiction dystopian novel written by Ray Bradbury.  The setting is a future society where books are banned and “firemen” don’t put out fires—they start them.  Their job is to burn unlawful hoarding of books. The reason?  The old ways, wisdom, and knowledge of the Old World is deemed dangerous by the powers that be.  In other words, the world is upside down; common sense is uncommon, and truth is oppressed.  The hero of the book is Guy Montag.  Like Winston Smith in Orwell’s 1984, Montag begins to question the orthodoxy of the regime in power.  Then he steps out of line.  The result is a total change in life direction.  This book report will summarize the plot, identify the characters and themes of the novel, and provide a recommendation.

The novel opens with Guy Montag happily burning books as part of his job as a fireman. However, his contentment is disrupted when he meets his new neighbor, Clarisse McClellan, a young woman who opens his eyes to the beauty of nature. She opens a door for Montag that he did not know existed.

Guy becomes disillusioned with his work and begins to collect books and hide them in his home. His wife, Mildred, is obsessed with interactive television and is indifferent to Montag’s concerns. Montag contacts a former English professor named Faber for help in understanding the books he has collected.

Montag’s life unravels when his wife reports him, and he is forced to burn his own house down. In a fit of rage, he also kills his boss, Captain Beatty, with a flamethrower. Montag becomes a fugitive, on the run from the regime’s Mechanical Hound and the authorities.

In the end, Montag escapes the oppressive city and finds a group of friends who are like him:  they are led by a man named Granger. They welcome him, and he learns about their plan to preserve books by memorizing their contents. The novel closes with Montag looking forward to a better future where the Old World wisdom and art is honored and restored.

Themes, Genre, and Style

One of the themes of the book is censorship; but if one looks more closely one sees that dehumanization is actually the bigger theme.  The book is about what it means to be disconnected from society, to live vicariously through TV, and to be so denatured that the natural world seems abhorrent.  The novel criticizes the isolating effects of technology, as shown by Mildred’s obsession with her TV screens.

Bradbury uses an easy-to-read literary style within the science-fiction dystopian genre to paint a concerning view of the here and now. The book reads as a warning about where society is heading if it continues to censor anyone who clings to the old ways in the face of the “progress” pushed by the regime.

Fahrenheit 451 is a modern classic—a great book that I whole-heartedly recommend.  It is a terrific reminder of what we have and what we can lose if we fail to take care of our literary heritage.  It is not just the knowledge, beauty, wisdom and art of these books that might be lost; it is also our own humanity.

There!  At last, you should have a really good idea of how to write the perfect book report.  If you follow these recommendations, that work you may have been putting off might now just be able to basically write itself.  Trust us, we’ve been doing this for years!  Stick to our steps, and you won’t have any further difficulties when it comes to your next book report.  Happy writing…

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42 Creative Book Report Ideas for Students

Inspire your students to share their love of books.

Responding to what you read is an important literacy skill. Reading about other people’s experiences and perspectives helps kids learn about the world. And although students don’t need to dive deeply into every single book they read, occasionally digging into characters, settings, and themes can help them learn to look beyond the prose. Here are 42 creative book report ideas designed to make reading more meaningful for kids.

1. Concrete Found Poem

This clever activity is basically a shape poem made up of words, phrases, and whole sentences found in the books students read. The words come together to create an image that represents something from the story.

2. Graphic Novel

Have students rewrite the book they are reading, or a chapter of their book, as a graphic novel. Set parameters for the assignment such as including six scenes from the story, three characters, details about the setting, etc. And, of course, include detailed illustrations to accompany the story.

3. Book Snaps

Book Snaps are a way for students to visually show how they are reacting to, processing, and/or connecting with a text. First, students snap a picture of a page in the book they are reading. Then, they add comments, images, highlights, and more.

4. Diary Entry

Have your students place themselves in the shoes of one of the characters from their book and write a first-person diary entry of a critical moment from the story. Ask them to choose a moment in the story where the character has plenty of interaction and emotion to share in a diary entry.

5. Pizza Box Book Report

If you’re looking for creative book report ideas that use upcycled materials, try this one using a pizza box. It works well for both nonfiction and fiction book reports. The top lid provides a picture of the book cover. Each wedge of the pizza pie tells part of the story.

6. Book Jacket

Have students create a new book jacket for their story. Include an attractive illustrated cover, a summary, a short biography of the author, and a few reviews from readers.

7. Mint Tin Book Report

There are so many super-creative, open-ended projects you can use mint tins for. Teacher blogger Teacher Thrive describes the process of creating book reports using them. There’s even a free template for cards that fit inside.

8. Fictional Yearbook Entries

Ask your students to create a yearbook based on the characters and setting in the book. What do they look like? Cut out magazine pictures to give a good visual image for their school picture. What kind of superlative might they get? Best-looking? Class clown? What clubs would they be in or lead? Did they win any awards? It should be obvious from their small yearbooks whether your students dug deep into the characters in their books. They may also learn that who we are as individuals is reflected in what we choose to do with our lives.

9. Book Report Cake

This project would be perfect for a book tasting in your classroom! Each student presents their book report in the shape of food. Learn more about book tastings .

10. Current Events Comparison

Have students locate three to five current events articles a character in their book might be interested in. After they’ve found the articles, have them explain why the character would find them interesting and how they relate to the book. Learning about how current events affect time, place, and people is critical to helping develop opinions about what we read and experience in life.

11. Sandwich Book Report

Yum! You’ll notice a lot of our creative book report ideas revolve around food. In this oldie but goodie, each layer of this book report sandwich covers a different element of the book—characters, setting, conflict, etc.

12. Book Alphabet

Choose 15 to 20 alphabet books to help give your students examples of how they work around themes. Then ask your students to create their own Book Alphabet based on the book they read. What artifacts, vocabulary words, and names reflect the important parts of the book? After they find a word to represent each letter, have them write one sentence that explains where the word fits in.

13. Peekaboo Book Report

Using cardboard lap books (or small science report boards), students include details about their book’s main characters, plot, setting, conflict, resolution, etc. Then they draw a head and arms on card stock and attach them to the board from behind to make it look like the main character is peeking over this book report.

14. Act the Part

Have students dress up as their favorite character from the book and present an oral book report. If their favorite character is not the main character, retell the story from their point of view.

15. T-shirt Book Report

Another fun and creative idea: Create a wearable book report with a plain white tee. Come up with your own using Sharpie pens and acrylic paint.

16. Bookmark

Have students create a custom illustrated bookmark that includes drawings and words from either their favorite chapter or the entire book.

17. Rays of Sunshine Book Report

This is great for biography research projects. Students cut out a photocopied image of their subject and glue it in the middle. Then, they draw lines from the image to the edges of the paper, like rays of sunshine, and fill in each section with information about the person. As a book report template, the center image could be a copy of the book cover, and each section expands on key information such as character names, theme(s), conflict, resolution, etc.

18. Reading Lists for Characters

Ask your students to think about a character in their book. What kinds of books might that character like to read? Take them to the library to choose five books the character might have on their to-be-read list. Have them list the books and explain what each book might mean to the character. Post the to-be-read lists for others to see and choose from—there’s nothing like trying out a book character’s style when developing your own identity.

19. Character To-Do List

This fun activity is an off-the-beaten-path way to dive deep into character analysis. Get inside the head of the main character in a book and write a to-do list that they might write. Use actual information from the text, but also make inferences into what that character may wish to accomplish.

20. Collage

Create a collage using pictures and words that represent different parts of the book. Use old magazines or print pictures from the Internet.

21. Book Reports in a Bag

Looking for book report ideas that really encourage creative thinking? With book reports in a bag, students read a book and write a summary. Then, they decorate a paper grocery bag with a scene from the book, place five items that represent something from the book inside the bag, and present the bag to the class.

22. Timeline

Have students create a timeline of the main events from their book. Be sure to include character names and details for each event. Use 8″ x 11″ sheets of paper taped together or a long portion of bulletin board paper.

23. File Folder Book Report

Also called a lap book, this easy-to-make book report hits on all the major elements of a book study and gives students a chance to show what they know in a colorful way.

24. Public Service Announcement

If a student has read a book about a cause that affects people, animals, or the environment, teach them about public service announcements . Once they understand what a PSA is, have them research the issue or cause that stood out in the book. Then provide a template for a storyboard so they can create their own PSA. Some students might want to take it a step further and create a video based on their storyboard. Consider sharing their storyboard or video with an organization that supports the cause or issue.

25. Triorama Book Report

Who doesn’t love a multidimensional book report? This image shows a 3D model, but you can also try an accordion-folded book report, a quadrama, or an info-sphere.

26. Character Cards

Make trading cards (like baseball cards) for a few characters from the book. On the front side, draw the character. On the back side, make a list of their character traits and include a quote or two.

27. Book Report Mobile

This creative project doesn’t require a fancy or expensive supply list. Students just need an ordinary clothes hanger, strings, and paper. The body of the hanger is used to identify the book, and the cards on the strings dangling below are filled with key elements of the book, like characters, setting, and a summary.

28. Fact Sheet

Have students create a list of 10 facts that they learned from reading the book. Have them write the facts in complete sentences, and be sure that each fact is something that they didn’t know before they read the book.

29. Dodecahedron Book Report

Creative book report ideas think outside the box. In this case, it’s a ball! SO much information can be covered on the 12 panels, and it allows students to take a deep dive in a creative way.

30. Be a Character Therapist

Therapists work to uncover their clients’ fears based on their words and actions. When we read books, we must learn to use a character’s actions and dialogue to infer their fears. Many plots revolve around a character’s fear and the work it takes to overcome that fear. Ask students to identify a character’s fear and find 8 to 10 scenes that prove this fear exists. Then have them write about ways the character overcame the fear (or didn’t) in the story. What might the character have done differently?

31. Charm Bracelet Book Report

What a “charming” way to write a book report! Each illustrated bracelet charm captures a character, an event in the plot, setting, or other detail.

32. Mind Maps

Mind maps can be a great way to synthesize what students have learned from reading a book. Plus, there are so many ways to approach them. Begin by writing a central idea in the middle of the page. For example, general information, characters, plot, etc. Then branch out from the center with ideas, thoughts, and connections to material from the book.

33. Book Report Booklets

This clever book report is made from ordinary paper bags. Stack the paper bags on top of each other, fold them in half, and staple the closed-off ends of the bags together. Students can write, draw, and decorate on the paper bag pages. They can also record information on writing or drawing paper and glue the paper onto the pages. The open ends of the bags can be used as pockets to insert photos, cut-outs, postcards, or other flat items that help them tell their story.

34. Letter to the Author

Have kids write a letter to the author of the book. Tell them three things you really liked about the story. Ask three questions about the plot, characters, or anything else you’re curious about.

35. Cardboard Box TV

This cardboard box TV book report project is a low-tech version of a television made from a cereal box and two paper towel rolls. Students create the viewing screen cut out at the top, then insert a scroll of paper with writing and illustrations inside the box. When the cardboard roll is rotated, the story unfolds.

36. Board games

This is a great project if you want your students to develop a little more insight into what they’re reading. Have them think about the elements of their favorite board games and how they can be adapted to fit this assignment.

37. Foldables

From Rainbows Within Reach, this clever idea would be a great introduction to writing book reports. Adapt the flap categories for students at different levels. Adjust the number of categories (or flaps) per the needs of your students.

38. Timeline

Create a timeline using a long roll of butcher paper, a poster board, or index cards taped together. For each event on the timeline, write a brief description of what happens. Add pictures, clip art, word art, and symbols to make the timeline more lively and colorful.

39. Comic Strips

If you’re looking for creative book report ideas for students who like graphic novels, try comic strip book reports. Include an illustrated cover with the title and author. The pages of the book should retell the story using dialogue and descriptions of the setting and characters. Of course, no comic book would be complete without copious illustrations and thought bubbles.

40. Movie Version

If the book your students have read has been made into a movie, have them write a report about how the versions are alike and different. If the book has not been made into a movie, have them write a report telling how they would make it into a movie, using specific details from the book.

41. Wanted Poster

Make a Wanted poster for one of the book’s main characters. Indicate whether they are wanted dead or alive. Include a picture of the character and a description of what the character is “wanted” for, three examples of the character showing this trait, and a detailed account of where the character was last seen.

42. Wheaties Box Book Report

Recycle a cereal box and create a book report to look like an old-fashioned Wheaties box that features sports heroes. Include a main image on the front side of the box. Decorate the sides of the box with information about the book’s characters, setting, plot, summary, etc.

Come share your own creative book report ideas in our We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, dont’ miss 100 famous children’s books every kid should read (plus free printable).

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Printable Book Report Outlines and Examples

Assigning a book report as part of your reading or writing curriculum? Print and share this quick reference for how to write a book report - including all of the necessary elements, plus examples and outlines.

Looking for fiction and nonfiction titles to assign for book study, reader's theater, or literature circles? Visit our Literature Teaching Guides Hub to find thousands of book guides for all grades.

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How to Write a Great Book Report

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• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

One assignment has lasted the test of time, uniting generations of students in a common learning exercise: book reports. While many students dread these assignments, book reports can help students learn how to interpret texts and gain a broader understanding of the world around them.  Well-written books can open your eyes to new experiences, people, places, and life situations that you may have never thought about before. In turn, a book report is a tool that allows you, the reader, to demonstrate that you have understood all the nuances of the text you just read.

What's a Book Report?

In the broadest terms, a book report describes and summarizes a work of fiction or nonfiction . It sometimes — but not always — includes a personal evaluation of the text. In general, regardless of grade level, a book report will include an introductory paragraph that shares the title of the book and its author. Students will often develop their own opinions about the underlying meaning of the texts through developing thesis statements , typically presented in the opening of a book report, and then using examples from the text and interpretations to support those statements.  

Before You Start Writing

A good book report will address a specific question or point of view and back up this topic with specific examples, in the form of symbols and themes. These steps will help you identify and incorporate those important elements. It shouldn't be too hard to do, provided you're prepared, and you can expect to spend, on average, 3-4 days working on the assignment. Check out these tips to ensure you're successful:

• Have an objective in mind.  This is the main point you want to present or the question you plan to answer in your report.  
• Keep supplies on hand when you read.  This is  very  important. Keep sticky-note flags, pen, and paper nearby as you read. If you're reading an eBook , make sure you know how to use the annotation function of your app/program.  
• Read the book.  It seems obvious, but too many students try to take a shortcut and simply read summaries or watch movies, but you often miss important details that can make or break your book report.
• Pay attention to detail.  Keep an eye out for clues that the author has provided in the form of symbolism . These will indicate some important point that supports the overall theme. For instance, a spot of blood on the floor, a quick glance, a nervous habit, an impulsive action, a repetitive action... These are worth noting.
• Use your sticky flags to mark pages.  When you run into clues or interesting passages, mark the page by placing the sticky note at the beginning of the relevant line.  
• Look for themes.  As you read, you should begin to see an emerging theme. On a notepad, write down some notes on how you came to determine the theme.
• Develop a rough outline.  By the time you finish  reading the book , you will have recorded several possible themes or approaches to your objective. Review your notes and find points that you can back up with good examples (symbols). 

Your Book Report Introduction

The start of your book report provides an opportunity to make a solid introduction to the material and your own personal assessment of the work. You should try to write a strong introductory paragraph that grabs your reader's attention. Somewhere in your first paragraph , you should also state the book's title and the author's name.

High school-level papers should include publication information as well as brief statements about the book's angle, the genre, the theme , and a hint about the writer's feelings in the introduction.

First Paragraph Example: Middle School Level

" The Red Badge of Courage ", by Stephen Crane, is a book about a young man growing up during the Civil War. Henry Fleming is the main character of the book. As Henry watches and experiences the tragic events of the war, he grows up and changes his attitudes about life.

First Paragraph Example: High School Level

Can you identify one experience that changed your entire view of the world around you? Henry Fleming, the main character in "The Red Badge of Courage", begins his life-changing adventure as a naive young man, eager to experience the glory of war. He soon faces the truth about life, war, and his own self-identity on the battlefield, however. "The Red Badge of Courage", by Stephen Crane, is a coming of age novel published by D. Appleton and Company in 1895, about thirty years after the Civil War ended. In this book, the author reveals the ugliness of war and examines its relationship to the pain of growing up.

The Body of the Book Report

Before you get started on the body of the report, take a few minutes to jot down some helpful information by considering the following points.

• Did you enjoy the book?
• Was it well written?
• What was the genre?
• (fiction) Which characters play important roles that relate to the overall theme?
• Did you notice reoccurring symbols?
• Is this book a part of a series?
• (nonfiction) Can you identify the writer's thesis?
• What is the writing style?
• Did you notice a tone?
• Was there an obvious slant or bias?

In the body of your book report, you will use your notes to guide you through an extended summary of the book. You will weave your own thoughts and impressions into the plot summary . As you review the text, you'll want to focus on key moments in the storyline and relate them to the perceived theme of the book, and how the characters and setting all bring the details together. You'll want to be sure that you discuss the plot, any examples of conflict that you encounter, and how the story resolves itself. It can be helpful to use strong quotes from the book to enhance your writing. 

The Conclusion

As you lead to your final paragraph, consider some additional impressions and opinions:

• Was the ending satisfactory (for fiction)?
• Was the thesis supported by strong evidence (for nonfiction)?
• What interesting or notable facts do you know about the author?
• Would you recommend this book?

Conclude your report with a paragraph or two that covers these additional points. Some teachers prefer that you re-state the name and author of the book in the concluding paragraph. As always, consult your specific assignment guide or ask your teacher if you have questions about what is expected of you. 

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• 10 Steps to Writing a Successful Book Report
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• How to Write a Character Analysis
• Conflict in Literature
• Symbols and Motifs in Literature
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• What Is Expository Writing?
• 501 Topic Suggestions for Writing Essays and Speeches
• How to Write a Great Process Essay
• Make Your Paragraphs Flow to Improve Writing
• Examples of Great Introductory Paragraphs
• Writing a History Book Review
• How to Write a Narrative Essay or Speech (With Topic Ideas)

Book Report Templates for Kinder, First, and Second Grade

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Often, when we think of writing book reports, we think of older or high school students. However, kids of all ages can also learn valuable elements of a book. It will also help them with reading comprehension and improve their writing skills in a fun way. One thing to remember is that it’s always a good idea to make it simple and fun. Our young students are just beginning to read. Using a book report template printable you can keep up that excitement, not turn it into something negative.

Elements of a Story

Before doing a book report on paper, we want to make sure that the students familiarize all the terms that may come up in a book report such as book title, author, illustrator, and the story elements.

You can fit making posters into your lesson plans to introduce different elements of a story. I like to introduce one or two posters at a time to young children. For example, we will talk about authors vs. illustrators and we will study some of our class’s favorites and find out who the authors and illustrators are. We will learn about setting, and compare and contrast the settings in different stories we’ve read.

I like to do a read aloud and identify parts of a book and elements of a story with my students. The more you talk about them, the more they will be comfortable identifying them in the books they read and using them in sentences. All this oral exercise will prepare them to eventually write their own book report.

These are some of the basic questions you can ask as you introduce different parts of a book and elements of a story.

What is the title of the story?

Is the book fiction or nonfiction?

By looking at the cover and the title, can you guess what the book is about?

What is the setting of the story?

Who are the main characters?

What happened at the beginning, middle, and end of the story?

Free Book Response Cues

I created these Book Response Cues that you can use once your students are more fluent in identifying the terms in the books they read. Print, cut, and stick them on popsicle sticks or straws, and put them in a little can. After reading a story together, you can have a student pull out a stick to answer the question. This is a great way to do a whole group book study.

Now, it’s time for a book report! You want to give them something that is kid-friendly and not overwhelming. Let them know they are doing something special- something that older kids do. LEVEL UP! They are growing up!

These printables book report forms were specifically made for kindergarten and first graders who are new to book reports. Writing a book report for young kids should not be intense. For this reason, all of the pages are simple and straightforward, and they focus on a few key words at a time. They can be used in reading/listening centers, as a guided reading extensions, or to assist students in retelling a story.

For me, it is important for my students to familiarize different components and elements of a book, practice writing sentences, and additionally practice handwriting.

Doing a book study together will encourage students to talk about the books that they read. They may have a read a great book and recommend to their friends or they may even talk about a book that was not that fun for them. Reading a book with the intention of reviewing it may even give a little nudge on your students to pay closer attention.

Write a Letter to the Author

Another thing you can do when using a book report template printable is get your students to write a friendly letter to the author, illustrator, or to one of the characters. Here’s a link to free letter templates  you can use. An easy way you can make it fun is by dressing up as one of the characters or select a day or week where your kids can dress up as characters in a book. This is always my favorite part of using a book report template printable with the class! If you have any other fun ideas to share, please share them in the comments below! 🙂

See what others have to say about these book reports!

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How to Write a Second Grade Book Report

Sophie levant.

A book report is a short essay describing what a particular book is about, coupled with a brief reaction from you. This may not be the first book report you have ever been assigned, and it certainly won't be the last. Nevertheless, we can all use a little help when it comes to finding out where to start. A book report can be simple to accomplish with a little organization.

Explore this article

• Write down the facts about your book
• Read your book
• Jot down some
• Write the first draft
• Proofread your first draft
• Rewrite your first draft into a final copy

things needed

• Pencil and paper

1 Write down the facts about your book

Write down the facts about your book on a sheet of paper. This includes the book's title, author, publisher and publishing date. You can find this information on the title page of your book.

2 Read your book

Read your book. Keep a pencil and paper handy. While you read, write down the information you will need to write your report. If it is a fiction book, note the book's setting, the main characters, and the problem or situation the characters face and how they come to solve it. If it is a nonfiction book, note the type of book (such as a biography), the subject and some interesting things the author includes in the book.

3 Jot down some

Jot down some of your opinions about the book you've just read. Did you like how the author wrote the book? How did the book make you feel? Which parts did you like, and which parts did you not like? Do you think anyone else would be interested in reading the book? Remember to state the reasons why you feel the way you do.

4 Write the first draft

Write the first draft of your book report. Start with the introduction, giving the facts about the book that you had written previously. Next write the body, using the notes you wrote as you read. The first paragraph of the body is a summary of the book, and the second paragraph describes your opinions about the book. The last part of a book report is the conclusion. In the conclusion, briefly go over the main points you made in your book report. In this paragraph, you might want to mention whether you would recommend the book and, if so, to whom.

5 Proofread your first draft

Proofread your first draft. Your first draft is probably going to be a little messy. Check the report for spelling and grammar mistakes. Read over it and see if there's anything you should take out or add. Having a parent or another adult read your first draft can help you to find other areas that could use some improvement or sentences that you could word differently.

6 Rewrite your first draft into a final copy

Rewrite your first draft into a final copy, correcting any errors. Take your time in cleaning up and giving your report a polish. Give the report a final spelling and grammar check.

About the Author

Sophie Levant is a freelance writer based in Michigan. Having attended Michigan State University, her interests include history classical music, travel, and the German language. Her work has been published at eHow and Travels.

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Three Components of a Good Paragraph

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FREE Printable Book Report Worksheets and Template Form

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Make sure kids are understanding what they read with these book report worksheets . These fun,  free printable book report template pages are perfect for older kids in 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade students. Being no-prep, these book report forms help to ensure readers are understanding what they are reading. Simply print the  printable book report template  to write down information about the book including the title, author, setting, main characters and the ending.

Book Report Worksheets

Whether you are a parent, teacher, or homeschooler – you will love these no-prep book report templates for children in grade 3, grade 4, grade 5 and even grade 6 students. Children need to practice writing and summarizing the major parts of the book, and ensuring they understand what they are reading, but staring at a blank page isn’t going to help your early reader succeed! With the help of a book report form like these book report worksheets you can guide children to remember the most important parts of the literature they read and use it as a fun and exciting report on any book they have been reading.

Book report form

Start by scrolling to the bottom of the post, under the terms of use, and click on the text link that says >> _________ <<. The pdf file will open in a new window for you to save your freebie. Now print off  the pages. This pack is fully black and white, which will help with printing costs.

Free printable book report template

The activities on these book reports include:

• Title of Book
• Describe the setting of the book
• Describe the main characters of the book
• Write a short summary of the book
• My Opinion of the book
• Main conflict in the story
• The solution to the conflict

My Book Report

• Recommendation
• Number of Pages
• Design a new cover
• Favourite part of the book
• Rate the book
• Draw your favorite part of the book
• Write a new ending
• What changes would you make to the story
• Interesting facts about the story/book
• New words that were learned and their definitions

Printable book report template

Whether you are a parent, teacher, homeschooler, daycare provider, or planning a summer camp – you will love these no-prep book report worksheets for kids of all ages in grade 4, grade 5 and even grade 6 and 7!

Book report for kids

Looking for other ways to help kids work on reading comprehension and summarizing a book they read? Try these free resources:

• Handy, book report template in the form of a bookmark (any book: fiction or non fiction)
• Free Printable Book Report Template for elementary age kids, works with any books
• Simple, one page Book Report Template s to ensure kids are understanding the main charaters, setting, and idea of what they are reading
• Super cute Pizza Book Report Idea with Free printable template!
• Book Report Template 3rd Grade and other elementary age kids – lots of free printable choices!
• Printable Sandwich Book Report allow kids to recall the main point, climax, characters, setting, and more in each delicious layer
• 26 more clever Book Report Ideas
• See if kids remember the moral of the story with these FREE Aesop Fables Worksheets
• While not book report, this Library Scavenger Hunt helps kids learn to navigate a library, the Dewey decimal system, book genres, and so much more with this pack of free printable scavenger hunts for kids!
• Bookshelf Reading Log printable pdf – to help encourage kids to read!
• Handy Book Report Worksheets for elementary age kids
• Parts of a Book Coloring Page
• Free Parts of a Book Worksheets

Book Recommendations

First of all, whether you stock up on books at your local library, have a robust home library, or not. You can still order books and have them conveninetly shipped to your house from Amazon. Wondering what should I read – we’ve got tons of great book recommendations for you! Click on the list you want to read and then you can conveninetly order from Amazon or print a book list to take to the library.

• 50 Books for Kindergarten Book List – books for Kindergarteners to read themselves
• Best Read aloud books for kindergarten
• 1st grade reading books pdf – 100 Books for 1st Graders to Read Themselves
• 20+ Fantastic First grade read alouds picture books
• Best First grade read aloud chapter books
• Top 25 Chapter books for 1st graders , 2nd graders, and 3rd graders
• Best 2nd Grade Reading List
• 2nd grade reading books pdf
• Printable 3rd grade reading list
• 4th Grade Reading List
• 5th grade reading List
• Historical fiction for kids (arranged by time period)
• 25 Exciting Historical Fiction Books for 4th Graders

Book report printable

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>> Book Report Printable <<

Beth Gorden

Beth Gorden is the creative multi-tasking creator of 123 Homeschool 4 Me. As a busy homeschooling mother of six, she strives to create hands-on learning activities and worksheets that kids will love to make learning FUN! She has created over 1 million pages of printables to help teach kids ABCs, science, English grammar, history, math, and so much more! Beth is also the creator of 2 additional sites with even more educational activities and FREE printables – www.kindergartenworksheetsandgames.com and www.preschoolplayandlearn.com. Beth studied at the University of Northwestern where she got a double major to make her effective at teaching children while making education FUN!

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BACK TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES All About Me FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL Getting to Know You

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These back to school activities are a teacher favorite! They help you get to know your students, as well as facilitate opportunities for them to get to know each other. There are 20 no-prep activities included in this resource ranging from a time capsule to a self portrait activity to a math about me activity. Learn about them below!

USE THEM AS:

◼️ first day of school activities

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✔ self-portrait activity where students draw a picture of themselves

✔ biography poem activity where students write a poem about themselves

✔ classmate bingo activity where students learn facts about each other while playing Bingo

✔ get to know me gazette activity where students create a newspaper about themselves

✔ how I spent my summer vacation writing activity where students write about their summer

✔ all about me poem activity where students write a poem about themselves guided by prompts

✔ guess the classmate activity where students try to guess who the classmate is that’s being featured

✔ new school year KWL chart where students write about what they already know about their new grade and list questions they have about it - later in the week they write about what they learned

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► They are great fast finisher tasks or for when your lesson finishes early.

► Students are highly engaged when working on these activities.

I LOVE to spoil teachers and have turned this into a surprise seasonal bundle which means you also get these other seasonal packets INCLUDED AT NO ADDITIONAL COST :

• NEW SCHOOL YEAR - Back to School Activities
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• VALENTINES DAY - Things I Love Flip Book
• PRESIDENTS DAY - If I Were President Flip Book
• LEAP DAY - Leap Day Activity Packet
• ST. PATRICK'S DAY - How to Catch a Leprechaun
• EASTER - How to Catch a the Easter Bunny
• SOLAR ECLIPSE 2024 - Solar Eclipse Activities
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