Writing Book Reports
I have only started this page, so keep checking back to see what I have done on it. I will try to keep adding information to make writing this book report easier for you.
Mr. Hill
The first step in doing this project
is to choose a book to read. This is probably for most students one of the
hardest things to do. Choose a book that you can read comfortably.- not too hard
- not too easy. Choose a book that you are interested in. Just because Mr. Hill,
or Mom and Dad think that it is a GREAT book doesn't mean that it is going to
interest you. Don't get stuck with a book that you really do not enjoy.
You might want to have a look at the website Just for Kids that Love Books. It contains lots of book reviews about hundreds of books. You should be able to find something here. Or you could go to Book Adventure. Here you can fill out a simple questionnaire about your interests, and the site will give you a list of books you might like. One good way to choose a good book is look for one that has won the Newbery Award. These are always excellent books, well written and interesting. Another site that will help you choose a book is Reading Rockets. Again, you fill out a little form, and the site will make some suggestions of books you might like. The Kings County Library (Not the Kings County in Nova Scotia - it's in Washington) has an excellent page of recommended children's books. While you are there, go back to the Kids Page Home. It is a nicely designed website. If you want to be sure that your parents like your book, check out the Notes From The Windowsill. It is a site with books for children that adults love.
Once you choose a book you think you will like, remember to do the "Page 14" (or "Page 21") book review. Turn to page 14, and read . . . . . . can you read it without finding too many hard words? Does it sound interesting? Do you want to keep reading?
Ok, you have chosen a book that you think is pretty interesting. Now the next part is simple . . . start READING! Get comfortable, find a spot that feels right, and enter the world created by the author just for you. Take your time at first until you find out what the place is like. You are going to be meeting new people, and seeing new places, take your time and get to know them. Read carefully the descriptions of where the book takes place, and get to know the characters as you meet them.
You might want to get some little "Post-it" notes like we used at school to stick on pages that you have questions about. "I wonder why she did that?" " That description of the deserted store was interesting . . . I wonder why he didn't look there?" If you had questions, the author probably wanted you to be asking them, and he will probably give you answers if you pay attention.
Keep a "Book Journal" as you read. Pretend you are on vacation visiting an interesting new country, meeting fascinating new people and interesting characters. Date the journal entry, note the pages you read, and jot down your ideas and opinions about what you just learned about this new place. What kind of person do you thing she was? Would you like to live there? What would you do in that situation? Your observations and ideas will be very useful later when you write your book report.
You will be using PowerPoint to actually write the report. It will be done in Computer time, and other time when you can use the computers in the classroom. You will be marked on both the content of the book report and on your PowerPoint. Use the following outline to guide you in how to do the book report.
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Book Report Guide
Cover Page (Page one or slide one)
The Story or the Plot of the book. Tell what the book is about. Briefly tell the story, getting all the important facts. This should not take more than two slides.
The Setting Where did the book take place? When did the book take place? For both of these you must provide examples from the book of how the Author told you about the setting.
The Characters Each important character should have at least one slide devoted to them. Describe what they look like as well as what their personality is like. You must give examples from the book that show how the author told you what the characters were like.
Your Book Review What did you get from the book? Did you like it? Why or why not? How did the book make you feel? How did you relate to the book? Give your opinions and ideas about the book just like you have been learning to do with your reading Responses.
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