Book Reports

Click here for a printable book report packet

This year you will be required to read a chapter book and complete a book report monthly.  When you are picking a book be sure to choose a “just right” book (five finger rule). There are many books to choose from in our classroom, at the Manor Library, Mendon Public Library, or other local libraries.  We will make special trips to the Manor Library monthly to look for books. If you have questions about whether or not a book is appropriate for you, please see me.

When are the book reports due?
Ocotober 3rd - Historical Fiction
November 7th
December 5th
January 9th - Bioboard
February 6th
March 6th
April 3rd
June 8th (MONDAY)

What types of book report choices do I have?
For each book report you may choose one presentation method (see the following sheets). There are many to choose from, therefore you may not repeat a method over the course of the year.  However if you have creative ideas of your own that differ from those that are offered, please see me and we may be able to use your idea!

How do I know what books I can pick?
The first book report must be historical fiction focusing on the Revolutionary War, Government, Immigration, or Early Native American history.  We will be reviewing these topics for our social studies exam.

By the end of the year you must read at least one book from each of the following genres:

• Realistic Fiction
• Science Fiction or Fantasy
• Mystery
• Non-Fiction
• Biography (date given)
• Historical Fiction (date given)

You will also have opportunities to read books of your choice.

Book Report Choices

• Poster: On a standard size poster board put the title, author, and a summary of the book along with other information you feel is important (main characters, setting, etc.) This should be done professionally.  Be sure to include pictures.  The pictures may be hand drawn, traced, copied, or printed from the internet.
  
• Written Report: In your report include the author, title, setting, main characters, and the conflict.  Write the report in your best cursive, or using a computer. Use correct grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation.
  
• Oral Report: The oral report will last approximately five minutes.  You may not simply read a written report.  You are expected to use lecture aids such as 3x5 cards to keep track of what you would like to announce.  Keep good eye contact with the class, speak clearly, and make the report interesting so your classmates will want to read the book.  You will want to practice for length and delivery at home with your family first.
  
• Power Point Presentation: This presentation should contain all of the important information that you can add about the book and the author.  Good images are important, but remember to include good content.  Too many sounds and transitions will impair the understanding of your presentation.
  
• Book Mobile: Using sheets of paper design a mobile to hang in the room. On one sheet design a new cover for the book. On another sheet draw the main characters. Using another sheet draw your favorite scene. Add other pages as you see fit.
  
• Super Sandwich: Cut two pieces of white paper into bread shapes. On the top piece write the title and author of the book. On the bottom piece write your own opinion of the book.  Cut a piece of red paper into the shape of a tomato and write about an exciting part of the book. Cut a piece of green paper into the shape of lettuce and write about a scary or interesting event in the story. Feel free to add other layers into the sandwich.
  
• Advertising Campaign: Design an advertising campaign to promote the sale of your book. Include each of the following into your campaign – A poster, a radio or TV commercial, magazine/newspaper advertisement, bumper sticker and button.
  
• Board Game: Create a board game based on events and characters in the book you read. By playing the game, members of the class should learn what happened in the book. Your game must include: game board, rule sheet with clear directions, events and characters from the story.
• Models: Make models of four (or more!) objects that you feel were important in the book you read. On a card attached to each model, tell why the object was important to the book. Be sure to label all parts of your models if they need explanation.
• Drawings: Complete a series of five (or more!) drawings that show the major events in the plot of the book you read. Write captions for each drawing so that someone who did not read the book can understand the illustrations.
• Movie Poster: Design a movie poster for the book you have read. Cast the major characters in the book with real life actors or actresses that you feel would fit your characters well. Include a scene or dialogue from the book in the layout of the poster. Remember, you are trying to convince someone to see the movie based on the book; your writing should be persuasive and accurate.
• Test: Make a test for the book you have read. Include ten true-false questions, ten multiple choice questions, and ten short answer questions based on the book. After typing the test, provide an answer key to your questions.
• Prosecuting Attorney: You are a prosecuting attorney putting one of the characters from the book on a trial for a crime or misdeed. Prepare your case on paper, giving all of your arguments, and supporting them with facts from the book.
• Diorama: Make a shoebox diorama of a scene from the book that you have read. Write a typed paragraph explaining the scene, and glue the text onto the diorama.
• Monologue: Pretend you are one of the characters in the book you have read. Tape a monologue of the character telling his or her experiences from the book.  Include opinions from the character’s perspective. This can be on a tape, CD, or flashdrive as a .wav file.
• Town Tour: Imagine that you have been given the task of conducting a tour of the town in which your book is set. Make an audio recording describing the houses of the characters and places where important events in the book took place.
• Puppet Show: Convert the book into a puppet show. Make simple puppets and present it to the class.  You may include music and/or sound effects.  This can be done live in class, or recorded and shown in class on VHS or DVD.
• Song: Convert the events of your book into a song. Write the lyrics and give a live performance in class, or create a CD or tape to be played in class.  You may have music accompaniment in the background. Please hand in the written lyrics as well.
• Newspaper Front Page: Write a copy of a newspaper front page that is devoted entirely to the book.  The front page should look as much like a real newspaper as possible. The articles on the front page should be based on events and characters from the book. You may use the computer for your final copy. Be creative!
• Timeline: Make a timeline of the major events in the book you read. Be sure divisions of time are apparent on the timeline. Use sentences/paragraphs to describe each time increment and include pictures as well.
• Diary/Journal: Write a diary from the perspective of the main character. Imagine you are that main character.  What would s/he write in their diary/journal daily?
• A Little Like Me: Compare one of the major characters from the book to yourself.  Type the comparison paper. Be specific!
• Write a letter/email to the author of the book sharing your opinion/feelings about their book. Include your favorite part of the book, and any questions you may still have after finishing the book. If the author is deceased write a letter/email to the publisher.  Send the letter/email and hand in a copy for class.  Later, if you receive any response from your letter/email, bring it to class to share.
• Story Twist: Make up three different endings to your book.  Type them using correct grammar, and sentence structure. Be creative!
• It Just Isn’t the Same: If your book also has a movie based upon the book, watch the movie. After viewing the movie, write an essay comparing and contrasting the book and the movie.
• WOW!: After completing a factual book create a diorama, or poster highlighting at least ten interesting facts you have taken from the book. Be creative!