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How to Write a Book Report (Guide, Examples & Templates)
Don’t let a book report intimidate you. With this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to write a book report that not only meets your teacher’s expectations but also reflects your unique perspective.
Get ready to ace your assignment.
What Is a Book Report?
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Table of Contents
A book report is a summary and analysis of a book that you have read. It provides a detailed account of the book’s content, its main themes, characters, and plot, as well as your personal reflections on the book.
Book reports are typically assigned to help students practice their reading comprehension and writing skills.
A book report differs from a book review.
While a book review focuses on the reader’s opinions and is often found in newspapers or magazines, a book report is more structured and provides a straightforward summary and analysis of the text.
It helps teachers gauge students’ understanding and interpretation of the book.
Types of Book Reports
Understanding the different types of book reports is essential as each has a unique focus and structure.
Here, we break down the main types:
Summary Book Report
A summary book report focuses on providing a concise summary of the book’s main points. It covers the key elements such as the plot, characters, and main themes without going into too much detail.
Key Elements:
- Overview of the main plot points.
- Brief descriptions of main characters.
- Discussion of the central themes.
Character Analysis Book Report
This type of book report delves into the analysis of one or more characters from the book. It examines their traits, motivations, and development throughout the story.
- Detailed analysis of main characters.
- Exploration of character motivations and actions.
- Discussion of character development.
Theme Analysis Book Report
A theme analysis book report focuses on the central themes of the book.
It explores how the author conveys these themes and how they are developed throughout the narrative.
- Identification of major themes.
- Analysis of how these themes are portrayed.
- Examples from the text to support the analysis.
Comparative Book Report
A comparative book report compares two or more books, examining their similarities and differences. This type of report often requires a deeper level of analysis and critical thinking.
- Comparison of plot elements.
- Analysis of character similarities and differences.
- Examination of themes across the books.
What Should Go Into a Book Report?
When writing a book report, it’s important to include several key elements to ensure it is comprehensive and informative.
Each element serves a specific purpose in providing a thorough analysis of the book.
- Title and Author : Start with the book’s title and the author’s name. This sets the stage for your report and provides the necessary context for the reader.
- Plot Summary : Provide a brief summary of the book’s plot. Focus on the main events and avoid excessive details or spoilers.
- Characters : Describe the main characters and their roles in the story. Discuss their personalities, motivations, and development.
- Themes : Discuss the main themes and messages of the book. Explain how these themes are conveyed and their significance.
- Personal Reflection : Share your thoughts and opinions about the book. Discuss how it affected you, what you liked or disliked, and any lessons you learned.
- Conclusion : Summarize your overall impressions and the book’s impact on you. Provide a final recommendation and discuss whether you would suggest this book to others.
Book Report Outline
Creating an outline before writing your book report can help organize your thoughts and ensure you cover all necessary points.
Here’s a detailed outline to follow:
- Title and Author
- Publication Date
- Brief introduction to the book’s context or background
- Brief overview of the main events
- Major turning points
- Resolution of the story
- Main characters and their descriptions
- Character development and growth
- Important relationships between characters
- Central themes
- How they are portrayed
- Examples from the text to support your analysis
- Your opinion on the book
- How it affected you
- Any connections you made with the book
- Overall impressions
- Recommendation
- Final thoughts on the book’s impact
Next, we’ll go over how to write a book report in detail (covering all the steps). Then, I’ll give you a few templates and share a few full examples.
How to Write a Book Report
Writing a book report involves several steps that ensure a thorough analysis and clear presentation of your thoughts.
Below, we provide a step-by-step guide with detailed explanations for each step.
Step 1: Read the Book
Reading the book thoroughly is the first and most crucial step.
As you read, take notes on the main plot points, character developments, and significant quotes.
Highlight sections that you find particularly important or that you might want to reference in your report. This will make it easier to recall details when you start writing.
Step 2: Understand the Assignment
Make sure you understand the specific requirements of your book report assignment.
Different teachers may have different expectations regarding the length and content of the report.
Pay attention to the required length, format, and specific points that need to be covered. Understanding these requirements will help you tailor your report to meet the expectations.
Step 3: Create an Outline
Use the book report outline provided above to organize your thoughts and structure your report.
This will help you stay on track and ensure that you cover all necessary points
An outline serves as a roadmap for your report.
In addition to the outline above, I’ve also added a few templates later in this article that you can use.
Step 4: Write the Introduction
The introduction sets the stage for your report. Begin with the book’s title, author, and genre.
Provide some background information about the book, such as its publication date and any relevant historical context.
This could be information about the author’s inspiration, the historical period in which the book was written, or its reception at the time of publication.
Step 5: Summarize the Plot
Write a brief summary of the book’s plot. Focus on the main events and turning points, but avoid giving away any spoilers.
The plot summary should be concise yet comprehensive.
It’s a balancing act, for sure, but you’ll get better with a little practice.
Reading the examples in this guide will help you understand the balance you need.
Step 6: Analyze the Characters
Character analysis involves examining the traits, motivations, and growth of the main characters.
Describe the main characters and their roles in the story. Discuss how they develop throughout the book and what their actions reveal about them.
Discuss how they interact with one another and how they change over the course of the story.
Highlight any significant relationships or conflicts that contribute to their development.
Step 7: Discuss the Themes
Themes are the underlying messages or central ideas in the book.
Identify the central themes of the book and explain how they are portrayed.
Use specific examples and quotes from the text to illustrate your points. Explain why these themes are important and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the book.
Step 8: Reflect on the Book
Share your personal thoughts and opinions about the book. Discuss how it affected you and what you learned from it.
Talk about what you liked or disliked, any emotions it evoked, and any lessons you took away.
This section is an opportunity to connect your personal experiences with the content of the book.
Step 9: Write the Conclusion
The conclusion wraps up your report. Summarize your overall impressions of the book.
Provide a final recommendation and discuss whether you would suggest this book to others. This helps readers understand the impact of the book and its relevance.
Step 10: Proofread and Edit
Review your book report for any grammatical errors or typos. Make sure your writing is clear and concise.
Check for grammatical mistakes, spelling errors, and clarity.
Ensure that your writing flows smoothly and that your points are clearly communicated.
Before we go into the book report templates, check out this video on how to write a book report:
Book Report Templates
As promised, here are the book report templates you can use as your outline and inspiration.
Template 1: Summary Book Report
Title : Author : Genre : Publication Date :
Plot Summary : (Brief overview of the main events)
Characters : (Descriptions of the main characters)
Themes : (Discussion of the central themes)
Personal Reflection : (Your opinion and how the book affected you)
Conclusion : (Overall impressions and recommendation)
Template 2: Character Analysis Book Report
Character Analysis : (Detailed analysis of one or more characters)
Template 3: Theme Analysis Book Report
Theme Analysis : (Detailed analysis of the central themes)
Book Report Examples
Let’s go over some examples to show you exactly how to write a book report.
Keep in mind that I purposely made these examples shorter than you’ll probably want to write to save time and space in this blog post.
Example 1: Summary Book Report
Title : To Kill a Mockingbird Author : Harper Lee Genre : Fiction Publication Date : 1960
Plot Summary : The story is set in the 1930s in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama. It follows Scout Finch, her brother Jem, and their father Atticus Finch, a lawyer who defends a black man accused of raping a white woman. The book explores themes of racial injustice, moral growth, and empathy.
Characters :
- Scout Finch : The narrator and protagonist.
- Atticus Finch : Scout’s father, a lawyer, and moral backbone of the story.
- Jem Finch : Scout’s older brother.
- Tom Robinson : The black man accused of rape.
- Racial Injustice : The unfair treatment of black people in the legal system.
- Moral Growth : The development of Scout and Jem’s understanding of right and wrong.
- Empathy : Understanding others’ perspectives.
Personal Reflection : To Kill a Mockingbird deeply moved me. The themes of racial injustice and moral growth are still relevant today. The characters are well-developed, and the story is powerful and thought-provoking.
Conclusion : Overall, To Kill a Mockingbird is a must-read. It offers valuable lessons on empathy and justice. I highly recommend it.
Example 2: Character Analysis Book Report
Title : Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Author : J.K. Rowling Genre : Fantasy Publication Date : 1997
Plot Summary : Harry Potter discovers he is a wizard on his 11th birthday. He attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, makes friends, and uncovers the truth about his parents’ deaths. He confronts the dark wizard Voldemort.
Character Analysis :
- Harry Potter : An orphaned boy who learns he is a wizard. Brave, loyal, and determined.
- Hermione Granger : Harry’s intelligent and resourceful friend. Known for her knowledge and quick thinking.
- Ron Weasley : Harry’s loyal and humorous friend. Comes from a large, loving family.
- Friendship : The bond between Harry, Hermione, and Ron.
- Courage : Harry’s bravery in the face of danger.
- Identity : Harry discovering who he is and his place in the wizarding world.
Personal Reflection : Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is an enchanting and exciting read. The characters are relatable and well-developed. The themes of friendship and courage resonate deeply.
Conclusion : This book is a fantastic start to the Harry Potter series. It’s engaging and full of wonder. Highly recommended for all ages.
Example 3: Theme Analysis Book Report
Title : The Great Gatsby Author : F. Scott Fitzgerald Genre : Fiction Publication Date : 1925
Plot Summary : Set in the 1920s, the novel follows Nick Carraway as he observes the life of his mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Gatsby’s pursuit of the American Dream leads to his tragic downfall.
- Jay Gatsby : Wealthy and mysterious protagonist.
- Nick Carraway : The narrator and Gatsby’s neighbor.
- Daisy Buchanan : Gatsby’s love interest.
- Tom Buchanan : Daisy’s wealthy and arrogant husband.
Theme Analysis :
- The American Dream : The novel critiques the idea of the American Dream, showing its corruption and unattainability.
- Class and Society : Explores the differences and conflicts between social classes.
- Love and Obsession : Gatsby’s love for Daisy borders on obsession, leading to his demise.
Personal Reflection : The Great Gatsby is a poignant exploration of the American Dream and its flaws. The characters are complex, and the themes are timeless and thought-provoking.
Conclusion : This classic novel is a critical examination of society and ambition. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in American literature.
How to Write a Book Report for Different Grades
Book reports vary in complexity depending on the grade level.
Younger students focus on basic comprehension, while older students are expected to provide deeper analysis and critical thinking. Here’s a guide for writing book reports tailored to different grade levels.
Third-grade book reports should be simple and focus on the basics.
Encourage students to summarize the plot and discuss their favorite parts of the book.
For third graders, a book report helps develop reading comprehension and writing skills. Reports should include the title, author, and a brief summary.
- Title and Author : Clearly state the title and the author’s name.
- Plot Summary : Provide a simple summary of the book’s plot.
- Favorite Characters : Describe one or two characters they liked.
- Personal Opinion : Share what they liked best about the book.
Title : Charlotte’s Web Author : E.B. White
Plot Summary : This is a story about a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a spider named Charlotte. Charlotte helps save Wilbur from being slaughtered by writing words in her web.
Favorite Characters : Wilbur is kind and brave. Charlotte is smart and caring.
Personal Opinion : I liked the book because it shows the importance of friendship.
Fifth-grade book reports should be more detailed. Students should discuss characters, plot, and themes in more depth.
Fifth-grade book reports aim to build analytical skills.
They should include a summary, character analysis, and personal reflections.
- Title and Author : Include the book’s title and the author’s name.
- Plot Summary : Provide a detailed summary of the book.
- Character Analysis : Discuss the main characters and their roles.
- Themes : Identify and explain the main themes.
- Personal Reflection : Share personal thoughts and opinions about the book.
Title : The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Author : C.S. Lewis
Plot Summary : Four siblings discover a magical land called Narnia inside a wardrobe. They join forces with Aslan, a great lion, to defeat the White Witch and bring peace to Narnia.
- Peter : The oldest, brave and protective.
- Susan : Practical and nurturing.
- Edmund : Initially betrays his siblings but redeems himself.
- Lucy : Curious and kind-hearted.
- Good vs. Evil : The battle between Aslan and the White Witch.
- Redemption : Edmund’s journey from betrayal to heroism.
Personal Reflection : I enjoyed the book’s magical elements and the message of bravery and redemption.
Eighth graders should write more complex book reports, including detailed analyses of themes and characters, as well as personal reflections.
Eighth-grade book reports help students develop critical thinking.
They should provide a comprehensive analysis of the book’s elements.
- Plot Summary : Provide a detailed summary with major plot points.
- Character Analysis : Discuss the main and secondary characters, their development, and relationships.
- Theme Analysis : Identify and explore the main themes with examples from the text.
- Personal Reflection : Share personal thoughts, connections, and lessons learned.
- Conclusion : Summarize your overall impressions and provide a final recommendation.
Title : The Outsiders Author : S.E. Hinton
Plot Summary : The novel follows the lives of two rival groups, the Greasers and the Socs, in a small American town. It focuses on Ponyboy Curtis and his struggles with class conflict, violence, and identity.
- Ponyboy Curtis : The sensitive and thoughtful protagonist.
- Johnny Cade : Ponyboy’s best friend, whose tragic fate impacts everyone.
- Dallas Winston : A hardened Greaser with a soft spot for Johnny.
- Cherry Valance : A Soc girl who befriends Ponyboy and shows him the common humanity between their groups.
- Class Conflict : The tension between the Greasers and the Socs.
- Violence and Its Consequences : The impact of violence on individuals and communities.
- Identity and Belonging : Ponyboy’s journey to understand himself and where he fits in.
Personal Reflection : The book’s portrayal of class conflict and the search for identity resonated with me. It made me think about how we often judge others based on superficial differences instead of our shared humanity.
Conclusion : The Outsiders is a powerful novel that highlights the importance of empathy and understanding. I highly recommend it for its compelling story and thought-provoking themes.
High School
High school book reports should demonstrate a deeper understanding of the book.
They should include a detailed analysis of themes, characters, and plot, as well as personal reflections and critical evaluations.
Ultimately, high school book reports prepare students for more advanced literary analysis.
- Plot Summary : Provide a detailed summary with key plot points and resolution.
- Character Analysis : Discuss the main and secondary characters, their development, motivations, and relationships.
- Theme Analysis : Identify and explore the main themes with textual evidence and examples.
- Symbolism and Motifs : Analyze significant symbols and recurring motifs in the book.
- Personal Reflection : Share personal insights, connections, and critical evaluations.
- Conclusion : Summarize your overall impressions, provide a final recommendation, and discuss the book’s broader impact.
Title : 1984 Author : George Orwell
Plot Summary : Set in a dystopian future, 1984 follows Winston Smith, a member of the oppressive Party, as he navigates a world of constant surveillance and propaganda. Winston’s growing disillusionment leads him to rebel against the Party, but he ultimately faces severe consequences.
- Winston Smith : The protagonist who struggles with his sense of individuality in a totalitarian society.
- Julia : Winston’s love interest who shares his disdain for the Party.
- O’Brien : A high-ranking Party member who deceives Winston.
- Totalitarianism and Oppression : The dangers of absolute power and the loss of individual freedom.
- Surveillance and Privacy : The impact of constant surveillance on personal freedom.
- Truth and Reality : The manipulation of truth and reality by those in power.
Symbolism and Motifs :
- Big Brother : Represents the Party’s control and surveillance.
- The Glass Paperweight : Symbolizes Winston’s desire to connect with the past.
- Room 101 : Represents the ultimate torture and manipulation of individuals.
Personal Reflection : 1984 is a chilling depiction of a dystopian society. It made me reflect on the importance of individual freedoms and the dangers of unchecked power.
Conclusion : Orwell’s 1984 is a timeless warning about the perils of totalitarianism. Its themes are still relevant today, making it a must-read for understanding the value of freedom and truth.
University-level book reports should be highly analytical and include extensive critical evaluations.
They should also incorporate scholarly sources and references.
At this level, book reports should be at their most sophisticated and in-depth.
- Plot Summary : Provide a comprehensive summary with detailed plot points and resolution.
- Character Analysis : Discuss the main and secondary characters, their development, motivations, relationships, and conflicts.
- Theme Analysis : Identify and explore the main themes with detailed textual evidence and scholarly analysis.
- Symbolism and Motifs : Examine significant symbols, recurring motifs, and their meanings.
- Literary Devices : Analyze the author’s use of literary devices such as metaphor, irony, and foreshadowing.
- Personal Reflection and Critical Evaluation : Share personal insights, connections, critical evaluations, and discuss the book’s broader impact.
- Conclusion : Summarize your overall impressions, provide a final recommendation, and discuss the book’s significance in literature.
Title : Beloved Author : Toni Morrison
Plot Summary : Set after the American Civil War, Beloved tells the story of Sethe, an escaped slave haunted by the ghost of her dead daughter. The novel explores Sethe’s struggles with her past and the impact of slavery on her identity and relationships.
- Sethe : The protagonist, whose traumatic past influences her present.
- Denver : Sethe’s daughter, who seeks to understand her mother’s pain.
- Beloved : The ghost of Sethe’s dead daughter, embodying the haunting legacy of slavery.
- Paul D : A former slave who helps Sethe confront her past.
- Slavery and Its Aftermath : The lasting impact of slavery on individuals and families.
- Motherhood and Sacrifice : The complexities of maternal love and sacrifice.
- Memory and Trauma : The struggle to confront and reconcile with traumatic memories.
- The Color Red : Symbolizes both life and death, pain and passion.
- The Tree on Sethe’s Back : Represents the scars of slavery and the resilience of the human spirit.
- The Ghost : Embodies the haunting presence of the past.
Literary Devices :
- Non-linear Narrative : Represents the scattered pieces of memory and trauma.
- Imagery : Vivid descriptions that evoke the emotional and physical landscapes of the characters.
- Symbolism : Deepens the themes and emotional impact of the story.
Personal Reflection and Critical Evaluation : Beloved is a profound exploration of the legacy of slavery. Its complex characters and themes offer deep insights into the human condition. The novel’s non-linear narrative and rich symbolism challenge readers to engage with the text on multiple levels.
Conclusion : Toni Morrison’s Beloved is a masterpiece of American literature. Its exploration of trauma, memory, and resilience is both powerful and moving. Highly recommended for its literary merit and historical significance.
Final Thoughts: How to Write a Book Report
Congratulations! You’ve learned how to craft an engaging and insightful book report.
Keep honing these skills, and you’ll find that analyzing and discussing books will enhance your appreciation for literature and improve your overall writing ability.
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Have a book report submission deadline and want to know how to write one? We’re here to help! Book reports are vital in academics, helping students sharpen their understanding and critical thinking, while for authors, they offer a deep dive into a text’s composition and stylistic elements.
In this article, we will understand how to write a good book report. It’s a skill that not only helps you get more out of what you’re reading but also lets you create a report that truly reflects how good the book is. Let’s get started!
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Firstly, let us understand what is a book report.
What is a book report?
A book report is an in-depth analysis, an objective summary of a book’s main content and arguments. Book reports discuss a book’s content, structure, and themes. Far from just a recap of the plot outline , a book report examines the details of a book’s narrative, offering insights into the characters, themes of the story , and the author’s writing style.
Note: A book report is usually assigned to students from secondary schools to colleges. As per book report format, book reports are typically 500–1000 words long.
Elements of a book report
A proper book report outline consists of the following elements:
- Introduction: Think about how to start a book report with an engaging opening. Mention the book’s title, author, genre, and a brief plot summary. State your main theme or viewpoint.
- Content summary: Give a clear, summary of the plot. Highlight key events and turning points. Avoid spoilers.
- Analysis and perspective: Examine the key characters, their traits, motivations, development, and plot roles. Explore major themes, symbols, and motifs, and their narrative effect. Review the author’s style and perspective, and their impact on the story.
- Conclusion: Summarize your main points. Restate your overall impression of the book and possibly suggest who might enjoy it or what kind of readers would benefit from it.
- Citations and references (if necessary): If you have used external sources or have been influenced by other analyses, make sure to cite these references properly to avoid plagiarism.
By following this book report outline, your book report will be comprehensive, informative, and engaging.
How to write a book report
Before learning how to do a book report, it is important to remember that following a book report format is essential.
Here’s how to write a book report:
- Read the book carefully: Start by reading the book thoroughly. Take notes on key points, characters, themes, and any passages that stand out.
- Create an Outline: Organize your thoughts and notes into an outline. This will be your roadmap and will help keep your writing focused.
- Write the introduction: Begin with an engaging introduction that provides basic information about the book, including the title, author, and a brief synopsis.
- Develop the body: You can follow your outline or a book report template to write the body of your report. Discuss each element (plot, characters, themes, etc.) in separate paragraphs or sections.
- Conclude your report: Summarize your main points and offer your final thoughts and evaluation of the book.
- Review and revise: Finally, review and proofread your report for clarity, coherence, and correctness. Make sure to correct any grammatical mistakes and ensure your report flows logically.
Taking a look at a few examples of book reports will help you understand how to do a book report easily. So let’s explore some book report examples next.
Book report examples
Starting with book report examples, let’s look at a book report example on The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank.
Introduction: Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank is a powerful and poignant diary that gives an intimate glimpse into the life of a Jewish teenager during the Holocaust.
Summary: The diary chronicles Anne Frank’s life from 1942 to 1944, during which she and her family hid from the Nazis in Amsterdam. The entries detail her daily life in the secret annex, her thoughts, fears, and hopes for a better future.
Analysis and themes: Anne’s diary is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. Themes of hope, the cruelty of war, the innocence of youth, and the power of writing shine through her words.
Conclusion: Diary of a Young Girl is more than just a diary; it’s a moving narrative that brings to light the horrors of war and the timeless strength of hope and human dignity. Anne Frank’s voice continues to resonate with readers around the world, making this book a must-read for understanding history and humanity.
Now let’s look at a fiction book report example on Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan.
Introduction: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is a thrilling fantasy novel that introduces us to a world where Greek gods and mythology come to life in the modern era.
Summary: The story follows Percy Jackson, a young boy who discovers he is the son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. After being accused of stealing Zeus’s lightning bolt, Percy embarks on a dangerous adventure across America to find the real thief and prevent a war among the gods.
Analysis and themes: Riordan’s novel is rich in Greek mythology and cleverly intertwined with modern-day settings and issues. Themes of identity, friendship, and bravery are prominent as Percy navigates the challenges of being a demigod. The book also explores the concept of good vs. evil and the importance of understanding one’s strengths and weaknesses.
Conclusion: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief is an engaging and imaginative novel that offers a fresh perspective on Greek mythology. It’s a captivating read for young adults, effectively combining action, humor, and life lessons, making it a standout in the genre of fantasy fiction.
Book report template
You can easily write a book report using our free book report template.
It’s clear that writing a book report is more than a mere academic exercise; it’s an opportunity to delve deeper into the world of literature and gain insights.
By using the provided template and examples as starting points, you’re well on your way to writing insightful and compelling book reports. Also, to make your book report perfect, we are always here to help you with our expert editing and proofreading services !
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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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How to Write a Book Report (+ Book Report Example)
Download for free, specific tips for writing effective book reports..
Write better book reports using the tips, examples, and outlines presented here. This resource covers three types of effective book reports: plot summaries, character analyses, and theme analyses. It also features a specific book report example for students.
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How to write a book report (+ book report example)
Whether you're a student looking to show your comprehension of a novel, or simply a book lover wanting to share your thoughts, writing a book report can be a rewarding experience. This guide, filled with tips, tricks, and a book report example, will help you craft a report that effectively communicates your understanding and analysis of your chosen book.
Looking for a printable resource on book reports? See our Printable Book Report Outlines and Examples
What is a book report?
Book reports can take on many different forms. Writing a book review helps you practice giving your opinion about different aspects of a book, such as an author's use of description or dialogue.
You can write book reports of any type, from fiction to non-fiction research papers, or essay writing; however, there are a few basic elements you need to include to convey why the book you read was interesting when writing a good book report.
![short story english for book report Close up shot of student writing a book report in class. Book report example.](https://www.teachervision.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/book%20report%20example.jpg)
Types of book reports
Three types of effective book reports are plot summaries, character analyses, and theme analyses. Each type focuses on different aspects of the book and requires a unique approach. These three types of book reports will help you demonstrate your understanding of the book in different ways.
Plot summary
When you are writing a plot summary for your book report you don't want to simply summarize the story. You need to explain what your opinion is of the story and why you feel the plot is so compelling, unrealistic, or sappy. It is the way you analyze the plot that will make this a good report. Make sure that you use plenty of examples from the book to support your opinions.
Try starting the report with a sentence similar to the following:
The plot of I Married a Sea Captain , by Monica Hubbard, is interesting because it gives the reader a realistic sense of what it was like to be the wife of a whaling captain and live on Nantucket during the 19th century.
Character analysis
If you choose to write a character analysis, you can explore the physical and personality traits of different characters and the way their actions affect the plot of the book.
- Explore the way a character dresses and what impression that leaves with the reader.
- What positive characteristics does the character possess?
- Does the character have a "fatal flaw" that gets him/her into trouble frequently?
- Try taking examples of dialogue and analyzing the way a character speaks. Discuss the words he/she chooses and the way his/her words affect other characters.
- Finally, tie all of your observations together by explaining the way the characters make the plot move forward.
In the novel Charlotte's Web , by E. B. White, Templeton the rat may seem like an unnecessary character but his constant quest for food moves the plot forward in many ways.
Theme analyses
Exploring the themes (or big ideas that run throughout the story) in a book can be a great way to write a book report because picking a theme that you care about can make the report easier to write. Try bringing some of your thoughts and feelings as a reader into the report as a way to show the power of a theme. Before you discuss your own thoughts, however, be sure to establish what the theme is and how it appears in the story.
- Explain exactly what theme you will be exploring in your book report.
- Use as many examples and quotations from the book as possible to prove that the theme is important to the story.
- Make sure that you talk about each example or quotation you've included. Make a direct connection between the theme and the example from the book.
- After you have established the theme and thoroughly examined the way it affects the book, include a few sentences about the impact the theme had upon you and why it made the book more or less enjoyable to read.
In the novel Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry , by Mildred Taylor, the theme of racial prejudice is a major catalyst in the story.
How to write a book report
![short story english for book report Close up shot of male student writing a book report in journal. Book report example.](https://www.teachervision.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/book%20report%20example%20school.jpg)
1. Thoroughly read the book
Immerse yourself in the book, taking the time to read it in its entirety. As you read, jot down notes on important aspects such as key points, themes, and character developments.
2. Identify the main elements of the book
Scrutinize the book's primary components, including its main themes, characters, setting, and plot. These elements will form the basis of your report.
3. Formulate a thesis statement
Compose a thesis statement that encapsulates your personal perspective about the book. This should be a concise statement that will guide your analysis and give your report a clear focus.
4. Create a detailed outline
Plan the structure of your book report. This outline should include an introduction, body paragraphs each focusing on a different aspect of the book, and a conclusion.
5. Craft the introduction
The introduction should provide basic information such as the book's title and author, and present your thesis statement. It should engage the reader and make them interested in your analysis.
6. Write the body of the report
In the body of your report, discuss in detail the book's main elements that you identified in step 3. Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis and to prove your thesis statement.
7. Write a strong conclusion
Your conclusion should summarize your analysis, reaffirm your thesis, and provide a closing thought or reflection on the overall book.
8. Review and edit your report
After writing, take the time to revise your report for clarity and coherence. Check for and correct any grammar or spelling errors. Ensure that your report clearly communicates your understanding and analysis of the book.
9. Include citations
If you have used direct quotes or specific ideas from the book, make sure to include proper citations . This is crucial in academic writing and helps avoid plagiarism.
10. Proofread
Finally, proofread your work. Look for any missed errors and make sure that the report is the best it can be before submitting it.
![short story english for book report High school teacher hands back graded book reports. Book report example.](https://www.teachervision.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/book%20report.jpg)
Book report example
Below is a book report example on the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
In To Kill a Mockingbird , Harper Lee presents a thoughtful exploration of racial prejudice, morality, and the loss of innocence. Set in the small, fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Great Depression, the book centers around the Finch family - young Scout, her older brother Jem, and their widowed father, Atticus. Scout's character provides a fresh perspective as she narrates her experiences and observations of the unjust racial prejudice in her town. Her honesty and curiosity, coupled with her father's teachings, allow her to grow from innocence to a more profound understanding of her society's inequalities. The plot revolves around Atticus Finch, a respected lawyer, defending a black man, Tom Robinson, unjustly accused of raping a white woman. As the trial progresses, it becomes clear that Robinson is innocent, and the accusation was a product of racial prejudice. Despite compelling evidence in Robinson's favor, he is convicted, symbolizing the power of bias over truth. The theme of racial prejudice is a significant part of the book. Lee uses the trial and its unjust outcome to critique the racial prejudice prevalent in society. For example, despite Atticus's solid defense, the jury's racial bias leads them to find Robinson guilty. This instance highlights how deeply ingrained prejudice can subvert justice. The book also explores the theme of the loss of innocence. Scout and Jem's experiences with prejudice and injustice lead to their loss of innocence and a better understanding of the world's complexities. For example, Scout's realization of her town's unfair treatment of Robinson demonstrates her loss of innocence and her understanding of societal biases. Overall, To Kill a Mockingbird is a compelling exploration of the harsh realities of prejudice and the loss of innocence. Harper Lee's intricate characters and vivid storytelling have made this book a classic.
The above is an excellent book report example for several reasons. First, it provides a clear, concise summary of the plot without giving away the entire story. Second, it analyzes the main characters, their roles, and their impacts on the story. Third, it discusses the major themes of the book - racial prejudice and loss of innocence - and supports these themes with evidence from the text. Finally, it presents a personal perspective on the book's impact and overall message, demonstrating a deep understanding of the book's significance.
Book report checklist
Always include the following elements in any book report:
- The type of book report you are writing
- The book's title
- The author of the book
- The time when the story takes place
- The location where the story takes place
- The names and a brief description of each of the characters you will be discussing
- Many quotations and examples from the book to support your opinions
- A thesis statement
- The point of view of the narrator
- Summary of the book
- The main points or themes discussed in the work of fiction or non-fiction
- The first paragraph (introductory paragraph), body paragraphs, and final paragraph
- The writing styles of the author
- A critical analysis of the fiction or non-fiction book
Don't forget!
No matter what type of book report you decide to write, ensure it includes basic information about the main characters, and make sure that your writing is clear and expressive so that it’s easy for audiences in middle school, high school, college-level, or any grade level to understand. Also, include examples from the book to support your opinions. Afterward, conduct thorough proofreading to complete the writing process. Book reports may seem disconnected from your other schoolwork, but they help you learn to summarize, compare and contrast, make predictions and connections, and consider different perspectives & skills you'll need throughout your life.
Looking for more writing resources? You can find them in our creative writing center .
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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 1,424,960 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
![short story english for book report Step 1 Follow the requirements of your assignment.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/c/c2/Write-a-Book-Report-Step-1-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Book-Report-Step-1-Version-3.jpg)
- 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.
![short story english for book report Jake Adams](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/a/ab/Jake_Adams.png/-crop-100-100-100px-Jake_Adams.png)
- 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.
![short story english for book report Step 3 Write down the key elements of the book.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/6/60/Write-a-Book-Report-Step-3-Version-4.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Book-Report-Step-3-Version-4.jpg)
- 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?
![short story english for book report Step 4 Read the entire book.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/c/ca/Write-a-Book-Report-Step-2-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Book-Report-Step-2-Version-3.jpg)
- 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.
![short story english for book report Step 5 Take careful notes when reading.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/c/ce/Write-a-Book-Report-Step-3-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Book-Report-Step-3-Version-3.jpg)
- 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
![short story english for book report Step 1 Create an outline.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/57/Write-a-Book-Report-Step-4-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Book-Report-Step-4-Version-3.jpg)
- 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.
![short story english for book report Step 2 Intermix examples and quotations from the text.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/05/Write-a-Book-Report-Step-5-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Book-Report-Step-5-Version-3.jpg)
- 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.
![short story english for book report Step 3 Don’t try to cover everything.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/ba/Write-a-Book-Report-Step-6-Version-4.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Book-Report-Step-6-Version-4.jpg)
- 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
![short story english for book report Step 1 Open with an informative intro paragraph.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/ff/Write-a-Book-Report-Step-7-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Book-Report-Step-7-Version-3.jpg)
- 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.
![short story english for book report Step 2 Describe the book’s setting.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/c/ca/Write-a-Book-Report-Step-8-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Book-Report-Step-8-Version-3.jpg)
- Use vivid language when you can and include plenty of details. For example, you might write, “The farm was surrounded by rolling hills.”
![short story english for book report Step 3 Include a general plot summary.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/6/61/Write-a-Book-Report-Step-9-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Book-Report-Step-9-Version-2.jpg)
- 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.
![short story english for book report Step 4 Introduce the main characters.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/44/Write-a-Book-Report-Step-10-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Book-Report-Step-10-Version-2.jpg)
- 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.
![short story english for book report Step 5 Examine main themes and/or arguments in your body paragraphs.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/17/Write-a-Book-Report-Step-11-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Book-Report-Step-11-Version-2.jpg)
- 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.
![short story english for book report Step 6 Comment on the writing style and tone.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/a/ad/Write-a-Book-Report-Step-12-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Book-Report-Step-12-Version-2.jpg)
- For example, an author who uses lots of slang terms is probably going for a hip, approachable style.
![short story english for book report Step 7 Write a concise conclusion.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/9/91/Write-a-Book-Report-Step-13-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Book-Report-Step-13-Version-2.jpg)
- 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.
![short story english for book report Step 8 Include a bibliography, if required.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/06/Write-a-Book-Report-Step-16-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Book-Report-Step-16-Version-2.jpg)
Reviewing and Revising Your Book Report
![short story english for book report Step 1 Edit your paper.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/3/36/Write-a-Book-Report-Step-14-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Book-Report-Step-14-Version-2.jpg)
- 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.
![short story english for book report Step 2 Ask someone else to read it.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/81/Write-a-Book-Report-Step-15-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Book-Report-Step-15-Version-2.jpg)
- 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.
![short story english for book report Step 3 Polish your final draft.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/8c/Write-a-Book-Report-Step-16.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Book-Report-Step-16.jpg)
- 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!
![short story english for book report short story english for book report](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/7f/Book-Report.png/340px-Book-Report.png)
- 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!
![short story english for book report short story english for book report](https://www.wikihow.com/images/3/33/Wpro_v02_0420x0250.jpg)
- 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
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- ↑ 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
![short story english for book report Jake Adams](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/a/ab/Jake_Adams.png/-crop-100-100-100px-Jake_Adams.png)
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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How To Write a Good Book Report in Seven Steps
Are you having trouble writing your book report? Don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to give you seven easy steps that’ll help you write the perfect book report.
![short story english for book report Need helping writing a book report? LanguageTool can help.](https://cdn.getmidnight.com/45d07b00b0188a892509950ff919e14e/2022/08/Writing-a-Book-Report-Resized.png)
Quick Summary on How To Write a Book Report
- As you read the book, highlight and take notes.
- Reread the instructions of the assignment.
- Organize your notes and create an outline.
- Write a compelling introduction.
- Include quotations, examples, and supporting evidence in the body paragraphs.
- Encapsulate the main point of your text in the conclusion.
- Edit and proofread.
What Is a Book Report?
A book report is an essay in which students explain and support their thoughts and views on a story, novel, or any other literary work.
There are several different types of book reports. Regardless of which type you’re writing, teachers and professors usually assign book reports as a way to ensure that their students have thoroughly understood the book. Below, we’ll go over how to write a good book report in seven easy steps.
![short story english for book report What are the steps on how to write a book report? Find out below.](https://cdn.getmidnight.com/45d07b00b0188a892509950ff919e14e/2022/10/Book-Report--1-.jpg)
How To Write a Book Report
1. as you read the book, highlight and take notes..
The first step of writing a good book report is to read the book, of course. However, it’s important to highlight and takes notes while reading it. Highlight anything that stands out to you or that evokes certain emotions. Write notes on patterns, themes, and characters. If you’re writing a book report on a nonfiction book, write notes on the major points of the book and what you think about them.
2. Revisit and reread the instructions of the assignment.
Once you’re done reading and taking notes, reread the instructions of the assignment. Find what it is you’re supposed to write about. Is it a character analysis? A plot summary? An exploration of themes and patterns, or something else? It’s also essential to follow the formatting guidelines, so make sure to use the correct font and spacing. If you have any questions, reach out to your teacher or professor.
3. Organize your notes and create an outline.
Gather your notes and arrange them into categories. Once you’ve completed this, write an outline and organize the categories to become the paragraphs of your book report. Jot down bullet points on what each paragraph will include and what part of the book can support it. As you start writing the book report, remain flexible. You don’t have to follow the outline exactly. You may realize that a few edits create a better flow.
4. Write a compelling introduction.
The introduction should be informative and catchy. You may want to start with a quote, climactic scene, or an unusual observation you had while reading the book. Towards the end of the introduction, you should write a one or two-sentence summary about the book, and then the last sentence should explain what exactly you’ll be writing about in the rest of the report.
Book Report Elements
Keep in mind that all book reports should contain:
- The name and author of the book.
- A thesis statement.
- If you're writing about a fiction book, mention the setting, time period, and characters.
- If you’re writing about a nonfiction book, mention the author’s main point in writing the book.
- Evidence to support your arguments.
5. Include quotations, examples, and supporting evidence in the body paragraphs.
The body paragraphs are where you can include quotations, examples, and supporting evidence that bring your book report together.
For example, let’s say you’re writing a character analysis. You believe that the character that everyone sees as the protagonist is actually the antagonist. You should write why you believe that and include specific scenarios that help prove your point.
Or if you’re writing about a non-fiction book, you could use the body paragraphs to write about why you agree or disagree with the author. Similarly, you’d have to use examples and evidence to support your argument.
It’s a good idea to start off with your most compelling, evidence-backed point. Leave the weakest arguments for the middle, and end with another strong point. Lastly, whether you’re writing about fiction or non-fiction, commenting on writing style and tone is recommended (especially if it’s explicitly requested in the instructions).
6. Encapsulate the main point of your text in the conclusion.
The conclusion is just as important as the introduction, so make sure to set aside enough time to write one (students tend to rush through this part). Use the concluding paragraph to pull all your arguments together. Reiterate again what the main point was about, and then briefly summarize the main idea of your book report.
7. Edit and proofread.
Now that you’ve completed the first draft of your book report, it’s time to reread and make edits if needed. Are there any paragraphs you can move around that’ll improve the rhythm of your writing? Do you have enough evidence to back up your claims? Is your introduction captivating and descriptive?
While you’re rereading the book report, you should also be looking for typos and spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes. If you want an extra set of eyes to look for all types of errors, you should use LanguageTool as your spelling and grammar checker. Not only will this advanced editor correct mistakes, but it supports more than twenty languages—meaning your book report will be perfect regardless of which language you’re writing it in.
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Subject Material
How to Write a Book Report
![short story english for book report Book report](https://api.ndla.no/image-api/raw/bok.jpg?width=1024)
Outline of Book Report
Introduction.
The introduction presents the main information about your book. Include the following:
- Title of the book which is either underlined or italicized
- The author’s first and last name
- Where the book was published
- The date of publication
Your introduction for both fiction and non-fiction may also include background information about the author, the main sections you will be focusing on, and questions you will raise.
The main body makes up the essence of the book report. It is here you go more in depth and present and discuss your main headings or sections from your outline.
For Fiction:
- Setting – Where and when (present, past or future) the story take place
- Social circumstances – The social conditions of the time.
- Main characters – Description of the characters and their personalities.
- A plot summary – The basic plot in the story. What happens. The most important events.
- Climax of the story –The most intense moment; the turning point of the story.
- Point of view – Through whose eyes the story is being told.
- Style – the author’s style. The mood and tone of the story (choice of words, use of metaphor, etc.)
- Themes –The main ideas behind the story.
- Personal impressions – Your thoughts and opinions about the book. Your likes and dislikes regarding the ending.
For Non-fiction :
- Author’s topic – What the author is writing about.
- Main points - What the main thesis of book is. – Make a short summary of the author’s main points.
- Arguments – The arguments the author uses to prove his case. Do you agree with him?
- Conclusions – The author's final opinion. Do you agree?
- Personal Impressions – What did you learn? Did you think it was interesting?
- Would you recommend the book to others?
A conclusion is a final paragraph which summarizes the main points in your book report. It should recapitulate your introduction and answer questions raised in the introduction. You may be required to give your personal impression of the book as a whole, discuss its strengths and weaknesses, give your reasons for likes and dislikes, or maybe explain what you have learned.
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Literary Analysis
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.
- How to Start a Book Report
- How to Find the Theme of a Book or Short Story
- 10 Steps to Writing a Successful Book Report
- Understanding Point of View in Literature
- Overused and Tired Words
- How to Write a Character Analysis
- Conflict in Literature
- Symbols and Motifs in Literature
- How to Write a Response Paper
- 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 Good Thesis Statement
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42 Creative Book Report Ideas for Students
Inspire your students to share their love of books.
![short story english for book report](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/Creative-Book-Reports-main-image.png)
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.
![concrete-poem A poem about the sword in the stone formatted in the shape of the sword in the stone](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/concrete-poem.png)
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.
![booksnap-example A news article displayed on a computer screen with comments and an emoji laid over the print as an example of creative book report ideas](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/booksnap-example.jpg)
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.
![pizza-box-book-report A pizza box decorated with a book cover and a paper pizza with book report details as an example of creative book report ideas](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/pizza-box-book-report.webp)
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.
![mint-tin-book-report A book report made from a mint tin as an example of creative book report ideas](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/mint-tin-book-report-1.webp)
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.
![cake-book-report A book report in the form of a cake made from paper](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/cake-book-report.jpg)
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.
![sandwich-book-report A book report written on separate pieces of paper shaped like ingredients of a sandwich](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/sandwich-book-report.webp)
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.
![book-report-trifold A book report tacked to a tri-fold display board with a face peeking over the top as an example of creative book report ideas](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/book-report-trifold.jpg)
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.
![t-shirt-book-report A student wears a colorful t-shirt decorated with a book report about the book Ivy and Bean](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/t-shirt-book-report.jpg)
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.
![book-report-rays A cutout of a woman's profile is surrounded by colorful sections, each with a description of the pictured woman](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/book-report-rays.png)
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.
![to-do-list A student's hand-written to-do list](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/to-do-list.png)
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.
![paper-bag-book-reports A group of students pose with their paper bag book reports as an example of creative book report ideas](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/book-report-in-a-bag.jpg)
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.
![file-folder-book-report A manilla file folder decorated with elements of a book report as an example of creative book report ideas](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/file-folder-book-report.jpg)
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.
![triorama-book-report A book report written on a 3 dimensional triangle](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/triorama-book-report.jpg)
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.
![mobile-book-report A girl stands next to a book report mobile made from a wire hanger and index cards as an example of creative book report ideas](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/Finished-Mobile.jpeg)
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.
![dodecahedron-book-report A book report made from 12 sheets of paper put together to form a dodecahedron as an example of creative book report ideas](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/dodecahedron-book-report.jpg)
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?
![charm-bracelet-book-report A decorated paper hand with paper charms hanging off of it](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/charm-bracelet.jpg)
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.
![book-report-booklet A book made from folded grocery bags is the template for a student book report as an example of creative book report ideas](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/book-report-booklet.jpeg)
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.
![cardboard-box-tv A low tech tv made from a cereal box](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/cardboard-box-tv.png)
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.
![foldable-book-report A book report made from a paper background and attached flaps as an example of creative book report ideas as an example of creative book report ideas](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/foldable-book-report.jpeg)
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.
![comic-strip-book-report A girl stands holding a comic strip book report as an example of creative book report ideas](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/comic-strip-book-report.webp)
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.
![wanted-poster-book-report A book report in the form of a wanted poster](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/wanted-poster-book-report-765x1024.jpeg)
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).
![book report Book reports don't have to be boring. Help your students make the books come alive with these 42 creative book report ideas.](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/book-report-1-683x1024.jpg)
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How to write a book report
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A book report is one of the first types of essays you probably learned to write in elementary school. But no matter how many book reports you turn in over the course of your student life, they can still inspire some anxiety and some confusion about the best way to write a book report, especially as you reach the high school and college level.
The good news is that the basics you learned in the early grades will serve you in good stead, since the book report format remains mostly the same. The very same structure and tools you used to dissect Charlotte’s Web and Superfudge will work just as well for Animal Farm and The Handmaid’s Tale . What changes is the depth and breadth of your analysis as a high school and college student.
So, If you are wondering how to start a book report for a college class assignment, here are some of the key pieces of information you need to know.
What is a book report?
Let’s start off with some definitions. In the most general terms, a book report is a summary of a written text, often a fiction novel, but can also include other genres such as memoir and creative non-fiction. It includes an analysis of the different elements and authorial choices that comprise the work, such as tone, theme, perspective, diction, dialogue, etc.
While the analysis should be reasoned and objective, it should also include your opinion and assessment of the impact and overall success of the author’s choices on the final work.
Book reports usually fall into one of the following types:
Plot summary
This type of book report isn’t just a re-telling of the story, it’s a comment on your overall impression of the plot — whether you thought it was engaging or maudlin or vapid, for example — backed up by direct quotes from the text to support your opinion.
Example of a plot summary thesis statement: The plot of Herman Melville’s short story, “Bartleby the Scrivener,” offers a poignant portrait of how depression robs a person of all motivation and momentum in life.
Character analysis
A character analysis zeroes in on a particular character (their characterization and actions) and their impact on the unfolding of the plot and its eventual outcome.
Example of a character analysis thesis statement: In J.D. Salinger’s novel, The Catcher in the Rye , the character of Phoebe, Holden’s bright and precocious younger sister, is a catalyst for rekindling his hope in humanity and reconsidering the choices he’s made in his life.
Theme analysis
A theme analysis looks at the overarching concepts, or themes, that run through a book and that give the text meaning and direction. Themes tend to be broad in nature, such as love, the importance of family, the impact of childhood, etc.
Example of a theme analysis thesis statement: Banana Yoshimoto’s novella, Kitchen , explores the theme of death and how everyone sooner or later has to come to terms with the mortality of the people they love as well as their own.
How to start a book report
The very first step in writing a stellar book report that earns a top grade is actually reading the book. This may seem obvious, but many students make the assignment much harder on themselves by not putting in the time up front to do a thorough and complete reading of the book they’re going to be writing their report on. So resist the urge to skim the text or to rely on the Cliff’s notes version. A nuanced analysis requires a deep grasp of the text, and there is no substitute for focused, firsthand reading.
It’s a lot easier to stick with a book that you enjoy reading! If you have the chance to choose the book you’ll be writing a report on, take some time to select a book that appeals to you, considering the genre, time period, writing style, and plot.
It can be helpful to start thinking about your book report while you are still making your way through your initial reading of the text. Mark down passages that provide key turning points in the action, descriptive passages that establish time and place, and any other passages that stand out to you in terms of their word choice and use of language. This makes it much easier to go back later and start collecting the evidence you’ll need to support your argument and analysis.
Once you finish reading the book from cover to cover, you’ll likely find that your mind is swirling with thoughts, impressions, and burgeoning analyses. At this stage, trying to distill all of these half-formed thoughts into one cohesive report may seem like a daunting task. One way to make this task more approachable is to start by collecting and listing the objective facts about the book. The following list covers the basic elements that should be included in every book report you write, no matter what topic or specific type of book report you’re writing:
- The book’s title and author
- The historical context of the book (when it was written)
- The time(s) during which the story is set
- The location(s) where the story takes place
- A summary of the main characters and action of the story
- Quotes from the book that will function as evidence to support your analysis
With all of the basics in hand, you can start to write your book report in earnest. Just like most other essay types, a well-written book report follows a basic structure that makes it easy for your reader to follow your thoughts and make sense of your argument.
A typical book report will open with an introduction that briefly summarizes the book and culminates with a thesis statement that advances an opinion or viewpoint about it. This is followed by body paragraphs that provide detailed points to flesh out and support that opinion in greater detail, including direct quotes from the text as supporting evidence. The report finishes with a conclusion that summarizes the main points and leaves the reader with an understanding of the book, its aims, and whether or not you feel the book (and its author) was successful in doing what it set out to do. Ideally, the conclusion will also make a statement about how the book fits into the larger literary world.
A book report template you can use for any book report
If you find yourself stuck on how to start a book report, here’s a handy book report template you can use to get things off the ground. Simply use this structure and start filling it in with the specifics of the book you are writing your report on. Feel free to expand upon this book report template, adding more sections as appropriate.
Introduction
Write three to five sentences introducing the book and author as well as important contextual information about the book, such as the publication year and the overall critical reception at the time. Finish the paragraph with your thesis statement.
Body paragraphs
Include at least three body paragraphs that offer detailed information and analysis to support your thesis statement. Each paragraph should contain one idea, backed up with direct quotes from the text alongside your critical analysis.
Write three to five sentences that restate your thesis and summarize the evidence you’ve presented in support of it. Relate your findings to a larger context about the book’s place within both the literary world and the world at large.
Frequently Asked Questions about book reports
A book report follows the format of most papers you write - it will have an introduction, a body and a conclusion. Depending on the type of book report, you will fill these parts with the required information.
These are the basic parts that should be included in every book report you write, no matter what topic or specific type of book report you’re writing:
- The historical context of the book and time(s) during which the story is set
The book report is, among other things, also a summary of the plot, main characters, and ideas and arguments of the author. Your book report should help readers decide whether they want to read the book or not.
How many pages a book report should have depends on your assignment. It can be a half page, but it can also have many pages. Make sure to carefully read through your assignment and ask your professor if you are unsure .
A book report is a summary of a written text. A good book report includes an analysis of the different elements and authorial choices that comprise the work, such as tone, theme, perspective, diction, dialogue, etc. A good book report helps the reader decide whether they want to read the book or not.
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20 short novels you can read in one day
- BY Anne Bogel
- IN Book Lists , Books & Reading , Reading Challenge
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Why we read short books
We all struggle with our reading sometimes. Whether difficult personal circumstances have killed your focus or lovely weather means you’re spending more time outside. Sometimes what we need is to build a little momentum in our reading life. And nothing helps build good reading momentum than short books.
This ISN’T cheating! You’re still reading an entire book whether it’s technically a short story, novella, or just a short novel (as many classics are). If your reading life needs a little boost this list of short novels is for you. Not only can they help you get your reading routine back on track, but these are great stories where the brevity often adds to the poignency.
We already have a stellar list of life-changing nonfiction books you can read in a day , so today we’re focusing on fiction.
What qualifies as a short novel
Essay and poetry collections are usually on the slimmer side, but we’re looking for fiction here. And while many young adult books come in on the shorter end, I’m mostly recommending adult books. Page counts vary but most of these run 200 pages or less, and deliver a lot of bang for the buck. (A few books push closer to the 300-page mark. I included these if the book has small pages, a large font, or tons of white space that make them quick reads.)
Depending on your reading speed, several of these books you can read in day. While you can knock one off in an afternoon, you will think about these books for weeks, months, even years after you put it down.
I’d love to hear when you reach for a short book and which novels YOU would add to this list, in the comments section.
And now, 20 of the best short books you can read in a day
Miss pettigrew lives for a day.
Author: Winifred Watson
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I’ll bet you weren’t assigned this delightfully breezy Cinderella-ish story set in 1930s Britain back in English class. When a placement agency sends unemployed Miss Pettigrew to the wrong address, she spends the best day of her life with a glamorous nightclub singer, extricating her hour by hour from one scrape after another. Overall a fun, frothy fairy tale—but heads up for some unpleasantly dated stereotypes. 256 pages
Convenience Store Woman
Author: Sayaka Murata
![short story english for book report](https://modernmrsdarcy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Convenience-Store-Woman-214x300.jpg.webp)
This quirky little book is a 2018 Summer Reading Guide pick, and is unlike anything I’ve ever read. Keiko was an uncommon child with worried parents until she takes on a job in a convenience store. They relax that she’s found a pleasant and predictable routine while at university. But eighteen years later, she is still working her low-level job, and doesn’t understand why society expects more from her than that. In fact, she doesn’t seem to understand society’s expectations—or how to conform to them—at all. PIck this up and spend your afternoon immersed in Japanese—and convenience store—culture. 176 pages
Mrs. Dalloway
Author: Virginia Woolf
![short story english for book report](https://modernmrsdarcy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/mrs-dalloway-199x300.jpg.webp)
In this slim novel, Woolf weaves together two seemingly unrelated storylines: one following Mrs Dalloway, an upper class woman preparing to host a dinner party, and the other her “double,” a shell-shocked WWI vet contemplating suicide. Woolf used stream-of-consciousness style to explore the inner workings of the mind; this pioneering technique had a lasting effect on fiction as we know it. I read this myself for a past Reading Challenge , having previously read A Room of One’s Own but none of Virginia Woolf’s novels. 194 pages
We Have Always Lived in the Castle
Author: Shirley Jackson
![short story english for book report](https://modernmrsdarcy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/We-Have-Always-Lived-193x300.jpg.webp)
I didn’t hear of this short 1962 novel until a few years ago, since readers with great and diverse tastes kept recommending it. Not so long ago there were seven Blackwoods, but four of them dropped dead from arsenic poisoning several years ago and how that happened remains a mystery. Read it during daylight hours: its themes of family secrets, hateful neighbors, and mysterious deaths aren’t the stuff of bedtime reading. It’s not exactly scary, but Jackson is sure good at infusing a story with a creepy atmosphere—and the audio version sure makes it come alive. 162 pages
The Uncommon Reader
Author: Alan Bennett
![short story english for book report](https://modernmrsdarcy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Uncommon-Reader-194x300.jpg.webp)
When an unnamed (but not well-disguised) Queen goes for a walk, her corgis stray into a bookmobile library parked near the Palace, so she feels obligated to take a book to be polite. The Queen finds a newfound obsession with reading—so much so that she begins to neglect her duties as monarch. You can read this one in a few hours, but the power of reading to transform even the most uncommon of lives and the numerous book recommendations (from Jean Genet to Ivy Compton-Burnett to the classics) will stay with you much longer. Truly a must-read for any bibliophile. 126 pages
The Outsiders
Author: SE Hinton
![short story english for book report](https://modernmrsdarcy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/SE-Hinton-170x300.jpg.webp)
This was a summer reading pick for my then 13-year-old, and he asked me to read it, too. This American classic is about a group of kids from the wrong side of the tracks in Oklahoma, and I’ve heard it compared to West Side Story. Unbelievably, Hinton wrote this when she was just 16, and it was published when she was 18. You could also read this title for the category “a book that’s been banned at some point.” 220 pages
The Sense of an Ending
Author: Julian Barnes
![short story english for book report sense of an ending](https://modernmrsdarcy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/sense-of-an-ending-203x300.jpg.webp)
I finally read this 2011 Man Booker Prize winner a couple of years ago, in a single sitting on the couch on a Sunday afternoon. Structured as a love triangle, present day events force our narrator to reflect on events from his past, events that had been long settled in his mind. But as he begins to investigate what happened back then, he starts to wonder: did he really grasp what was happening back then? Or was he merely choosing to cast himself in the best possible light? This book, which the New York Times calls “powerfully compact,” is the kind that stands up to—and benefits from—repeated re-readings. 162 pages
Vinegar Girl
Author: Anne Tyler
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Shakespeare’s comedy The Taming of the Shrew has been adapted for everything from film to opera to ballet to musical theater. Both Kiss Me, Kate and the 90s high school movie 10 Things I Hate About You (LOVE it) are based on the play. Pulitzer Prize winner Anne Tyler brings a witty contemporary retelling for the Hogarth Shakespeare series. This one’s on my TBR largely because of NPR, who calls this a “screwball of manners, more sweet than acidic, that actually channels Jane Austen more than Shakespeare.” 242 pages
What I Saw And How I Lied
Author: Judy Blundell
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This was a dark kind of fun, easy to read and hard to put down, about a 15-year-old girl who gets mixed up in a decidedly grown-up brew of love, prejudice, and tragedy when her family moves to Palm Beach post-WWII. We read this for a spring Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club pick and talked with author Judy Blundell. which only deepened my appreciation for a terrific story, tight, atmospheric, and heavily inspired by noir film classics. Stylish and thought-provoking; a 2008 National Book Award winner for Young People’s Literature. 284 pages
News of the World: A Novel
Author: Paulette Jiles
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I loved this short novel about two unlikely companions because it reminded me of favorites like Lonesome Dove , These Is My Words , and—perhaps surprisingly—The Road. A Western for readers who (think they) don’t like Westerns, featuring intriguing characters, improbable friendships, strong women, and difficult choices. 229 pages
Interpreter of Maladies
Author: Jhumpa Lahiri
![short story english for book report Interpreter of Maladies, Jhumpa Lahiri](https://modernmrsdarcy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Interpreter-of-Maladies-Jhumpa-Lahiri-199x300.jpg.webp)
This slim volume of short stories was breathtaking. Lahiri’s characters tenuously navigate the divide between their old world and their new, and taken together, the collection highlights myriad aspects of the immigrant experience. Lahiri’s gift is to turn ordinary experiences into moments fraught with meaning, and she does it over and over in this Pulitzer-winning collection. (I loved this on audio, and it’s less than 6 hours in that format.) 209 pages
The Vegetarian: A Novel
Author: Han Kang
![short story english for book report](https://modernmrsdarcy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Vegetarian-194x300.jpg.webp)
Following a terrifying nightmare, a South Korean woman trashes all the meat in the house and announces she’s now a vegetarian—an unconventional choice in a culture in which such choices sit on a spectrum between unsettling and downright alarming. Critics describe this novel as “Kafka-esque”, and reader friends with great taste have said this strange (and sometimes disturbing) story delivers a unique and absorbing reading experience. Originally written in Korean, this could also stand in for your book in translation category. 194 pages
Fahrenheit 451
Author: Ray Bradbury
![short story english for book report](https://modernmrsdarcy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Fahrenheit-451-Ray-Bradbury-196x300.jpg.webp)
Bradbury’s slim sci-fi/fantasy novel revolves around a fireman who hates his job, set in the saddest of dystopian settings: a future with no books. Firemen start the fires in Bradbury’s future, because their job is to destroy any and all books as they are found. The book has been repeatedly banned over the years, which is ironic, given that the book itself is about book-banning. Definitely It’s a classic, but it’s not remotely boring , and too short not to cross off your list. 119 pages
Our Souls at Night
Author: Kent Haruf
![short story english for book report](https://modernmrsdarcy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Our-Souls-at-Night-194x300.jpg.webp)
It took me a while to finally read Kent Haruf, but I’m so glad I did: he’s an excellent choice for readers who love Wallace Stegner, Wendell Berry, and Marilynne Robinson, as I do. This is definitely one of those books where the flap copy doesn’t do it justice; in this case, it just sounds strange. I found this up-close look at an unlikely relationship between two long-time acquaintances in small-town Colorado completely absorbing. Listen to me recommend this book in Episode 84 of What Should I Read Next? to Shawn Smucker. 193 pages
Every Heart a Doorway
Author: Seanan McGuire
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At Eleanor West’s School for Wayward Children, children have a habit of stumbling into other worlds. Imagine Alice in Wonderland, but instead of one wonderland, there are hundreds—and once you visit another world, you’ll never be the same. Part fantasy, part mystery, part fairy tale (of the dark and creepy variety). NPR calls this “A mini-masterpiece of portal fantasy — a jewel of a book that deserves to be shelved with Lewis Carroll’s and C. S. Lewis’ classics” The impressive awards list for this includes the Alex Award, Hugo award, and Nebula award. 174 pages
The All of It
Author: Jeannette Haien
![short story english for book report](https://modernmrsdarcy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/All-of-It-193x300.jpg.webp)
I just read this on vacation, at the urging of Ian Cron , who recommended it when we recorded a future episode of What Should I Read Next? (Coming soon!) First, the backstory: this 1986 novel never got the audience it deserved—until Ann Patchett fell in love with it 25-ish years later, and lobbied for its republication. Now, the book itself: on his deathbed, an Irish man confesses to his priest that he and his longtime “wife” were never married. He dies before he’s able to reveal the details. Over the course of several days, the wife explains their story to the priest—and the implications for both of them are enormous. 162 pages
Dept. of Speculation
Author: Jenny Offill
![short story english for book report](https://modernmrsdarcy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Dept.-of-Speculation-194x300.jpg.webp)
I debated including this one, because I had mixed feelings about it—but it’s undoubtably interesting, and so many readers LOVED it—plus I read it myself in a single afternoon. This is a portrait of a once-happy marriage that has lost its way, written in spare prose, with nameless characters referred to only as “the wife” and “the husband.” Sometimes lyrical, sometimes philosophical, sometimes experimental to the point of feeling confusing. Definitely one to discuss with your fellow readers. 194 pages
The House on Mango Street
Author: Sandra Cisneros
![short story english for book report](https://modernmrsdarcy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/House-on-Mango-Street-194x300.jpg.webp)
This modern classic is a coming-of-age almost-memoir of a young Latina girl, Esperanza Cordero, who is inventing the woman she will grow up to be. The story unfolds as a series of vignettes—some joyful, some heartbreaking—that draw the reader deep into her Hispanic Chicago neighborhood. Esperanza’s observations feel at once highly specific and incredibly universal, as she reflects on growing up on Mango Street, and how she eventually wants to leave. 130 pages
The Great Gatsby
Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald
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Fitzgerald’s classic was the topic of my first high school term paper—and despite that, I still love it. This classic American novel captures the Jazz Age in all its decadence and excess, while weaving a wistful story of love and loss, told by Nick Carraway—but can we really trust his version of the tale? Fabulously wealthy Jay Gatsby has built a mansion on Long Island Sound for the sole purpose of wooing and winning his lost love Daisy Buchanan, who married another man while Gatsby was serving overseas. 180 pages
Absent in the Spring
Author: Agatha Christie
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This is a different sort of Agatha Christie novel, written under her pseudonym Mary Westmacott, that’s complicated, witty, twisty and suspenseful in ways that have nothing to do with crime. The title comes from a Shakespeare sonnet; the novel itself is a character study, about a woman who begins to reassess her life after finding herself alone for the first time—and is none too easy with what she sees. Christie claimed to have written this novel in an incredible three days. 192 pages
What short novels are catching your eye on this list, and what would you add to it? And—just for fun—what’s the longest book you’ve read in a single day?
P.S. Here are two other posts with short books: 20 life-changing nonfiction books you can read in a day , and 15 terrific audiobooks you can listen to in 6-ish hours or less .
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85 comments
I read 84, Charing Cross Road for this category and it was so delightful. I think Chimamanda Adichie’s two books (booklets?) about feminism could be good choices also.
I love 84, Charing Cross Road! I felt like the author was describing my ideal trip to England down to the last detail
Absolutely, 84, Charing Cross Road!
Binti! If you like weird SF, or just want to dip your toes in with an award-winning, “own voices” title by a woman of color, this is a quick read. Like most SF, no need to worry if you don’t follow every detail of the unfamiliar setting.
Loved Binti!
Exit West, by Moshin Hamid! About 200 page with lots of breaks and wide margins 🙂 A lovely, quick read.
I read Agatha Christie’s autobiography a few years back and promptly bought her Mary Westmacott novels (all in one volume)…then never read them! Absent in the Spring is the reason I bought them. You’ve inspired me to get reading. Thanks!
I love this category. It enables you to pick up something you may not normally read because the commitment is not as high as a 500 page novel. Also, if it is one you really love you can easily read it multiple times. I really enjoyed We Have Always Lived in the Castle. Three of my all time favorites are short reads; Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson, Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and A River Runs Through it by Norman Maclean.
A must read for this list is “The Buddha In The Attic” by Jullie Otsuka. It has a unique writing style as is in First Person Collective without identifying the person talking. A bit difficult at first but you soon get a feel for the different voices. At 144 pages, it is a quick read, but, oh, so interesting. The story of Japanese women bought to San Francisco as “picture brides.” Tracing their adventures from their boat journey, arrival in America, and follows their new lives, filled with hope, dreams, trials, tribulations, hardships and heartbreak. First published in 2011 Winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award For Fiction National Book Award and Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist A New York Times Notable Book
I enjoyed Joan Didion’s South and West. A super quick read about her time in the South and in California. The essays are all excerpts from her notebooks during her travels. I also loved 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff.
I read Convenience Store Woman this week and found it charming and quirky. It was a quick read and I’m thinking about it every day since I read it.
I’m waiting on that book from the library! I figured that it would be good since it’s on the summer reading list, but now I’m more excited. I really enjoy books that I can’t stop thinking about after I read them.
I am thrilled you have The Outsiders on here. I just reread it and it is still a fantastic read. I plan on picking up Convenience Store Woman simply because my 18 year old daughter has loved the Japanese language and culture for years, just finished her fifth year of studying the language, and it sounds like a fun read for both of us. I also want to read The Uncommon Reader.
I’m reading Of Mice and Men.
Yes! I just read this, and it’s such a wonderful short novel. I thought it was written so well.
Uh… I didn’t realize I was responding to a comment and post from 2018.
For the category I read The Penderwicks but am so intrigued by many of these.
News of the World is SO GOOD! My favorite book so far this year!
Both of Backman’s novellas can be read in one day or one sitting…..”And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer” And “Deal of a Lifetime”
I’ve read 7 of these books….and want to read the rest!!!! There goes the TBR list again!?
I loved reading The Silent Gondoliers by William Goldman. I picked it up because I loved The Princess Bride, and I wasn’t the least bit disappointed by the goofiness and heart.
I think Nutshell by Ian McEwan can be read in a day. It took me a few to read it, but only because I didn’t have the time to just sit down and power through! It’s an interesting premise too, and a nice twist on a Shakespeare classic.
I’m going to add quite a few of these to my too long TBR list. I’d recommend any of Laurie Colwin’s novels or short story collections for this category. Her novels are light but definitely have substance. And they are all short enough to read in one day.
Read Convenience Store woman last weekend. Am still unsure what I think of it! Quirky for sure.
Have read House on Mango Street also.
Not a genre you normally write about and not one I normally read but…I read Sackett last year and LOVED it! My dad has always loved westerns so I grew up with them on the television much of the time but I’d never read a true “western” book. Am glad I read it. It’s short too, so definitely can be read in a day.
I loved News of the World – it was an impulse buy at the bookstore ($3?). It wasn’t the type of book I usually go for but I figured that It’s not like I was spending a lot on it. It was well worth it.
I’m not sure the longest I’ve read in a day. I read fast and tend to read until I finish even if that means my family has to find their own food for dinner. I know I read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in 8 hours. It was right after it came out. I was in college that year and was supposed to be studying for a chemistry test. I picked up the book for a study break and couldn’t put it down. The funny part? I actually got a higher grade on that test than any other test in that class.
I also read A Conjuring of Light by Victoria Schwab in a day. (600-something pages) It was like being sucked into this dreamlike state for hours on end. When I finished, it took time to figure out where I was and if what I just experienced was real or not.
I LOVE that I can just come to your site on any given time and discover new things to read – thanks for this post!
The longest book I read in a day was the final Harry Potter -Deathly Hallows. I was so worried about spoilers that I swore I wouldn’t leave the house, watch TV, or go on the internet until I had finished it. I read it all the day it came out.
I read What Alice Forgot (476 pages according to Goodreads) as well as a few other early Liane Moriarty novels in a single day. Recently, I read The Book of Essie in two days, but only because I didn’t start early enough in the day. Once I got into it, I really couldn’t put it down! I highly recommend that novel! And since I listen at double speed, I have listened to quite a number of books in a day, if I take the time.
I love so many of these, both on the list and in the comments! I really love 84, Charing Cross Road and Housekeeping. The Vegetarian was a strange one…..
I’m a big fan of Charlie Lovett’s books, and his Further Adventures of Ebeneezer Scrooge would be great for this – 106 pages including the Afterword/Author’s note. Coraline by Neil Gaiman is also a fun one especially at Halloween. And if anyone has never read The Little Prince, read it!!! 🙂 (it’s also great for a book in translation).
My favorite read in one day book is The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller. LOVED IT!
My last read was “A World Lost” by Wendell Berry. Loved it, and a short read, 150pgs I think. It’s one of his Port William fiction about the death of Andy Catlett.
Last summer as we were driving to the beach for our vacation I turned the last page of Our Souls at Night and was fighting tears. My husband thought it was bc I was emotional about getting back to the beach (my fave place in the world!). I let him think that. 🙂 I love that book so much– it’s short but it packs a punch!
I love that book so much. Have you read Kent Haruf’s trilogy? The titles are Plainsong, Eventide and Benediction. I adore all three. They are quiet novels which pull you in with their authentic characters.
My pick to add to this list is Let the Hurricane Roar by Rose Wilder Lane. It’s a wonderfully concise adult version of the Little House books (written before the Little House books).
So many good picks on this list, I think I’m going to start with Absent in the Spring.
I just put in a request for We Have Always Lived in the Castle at my library. Looking forward to reading it.
You got me! Just added The Uncommon Reader, Vinegar Girl, and Convenience Store Woman to my library holds!
The Uncommon Reader is one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy it as much I did.
Thanks for this great list! I recommend Paul Gallico’s Snow Goose – I think the move Dunkirk was loosely based on this
Funny – 4 of these books were required reading for my kids in middle school and/or high school! Outsiders/Gatsby = middle school, Fahrenheit 451 = middle school and high school (different kids, same district), The House on Mango Street = high school.
For this category, I picked a book I *could* read in a day (213 pages)—except my life is super busy right now, so it’s taken me a lot longer than it usually would 😉 I picked Jane and Prudence, by Barbara Pym. I’ve never read any of her books before, but I’m loving this one! It feels cozy, if that makes sense. I feel like I’m in a small English village with the characters, and I love that feeling of being transported into the world of the novel.
That totally works! I hope you enjoy the Pym.
There are several of my favourite books here including Mrs Dalloway, and I have just reread Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. Reading a book in a day is a slightly strange category for a reader, as I would say that most books can be read in a day if you are completely enthralled and determined to finish it. x
My TBR pile wasn’t out of control enough and then I read this post!! I love a good recommendation. Thank you!
Oh gosh, there’s *no* way I could have read Mrs Dalloway in a day! I’m generally a pretty swift reader, but I found myself having to read Woolf’s sentences and paragraphs a few times each, to try and discern their meaning. It took me longer to read Mrs Dalloway than it did Crime & Punishment! hahahaha. Some other great recommendations on this list, though!!
I’ve never wanted to read I Have Always Lived in a Castle before because I thought it was sort of horror/paranormal (why?? I have no idea!!)…but your description makes me want to try it! Especially now knowing how short it is. I haven’t read a good short book in awhile and could use one.
Some others I love: All Grown Up by Jami Attenberg, Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong, Reunion by Hannah Pittard, My Name is Lucy Barton, and The Beautiful Bureaucrat by Helen Phillips (super weird, but I HAD to figure out what was going on), and The Wife by Meg Wolitzer (maybe my favorite of the bunch).
Listen to Me by Hannah Pittard is also short. I read Goodbye, Vitamin recently and really enjoyed it – good call.
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I love this list. I remember a few years ago you pointed out that I tend to favor shorter novels, which I hadn’t even realized. 😉
I just read MOST of Convenience Store Woman yesterday! While waiting in line at the BMV which wasn’t pleasant but a good book (that I could get through quick) made it better!
Oh goodness, I’m thrilled and also horrified you could practically finish a book while waiting there!
Great list!!! I Adored Our Souls at Night–it was my favorite book of that year. Even the movie was good! I also loved Uncommon Reader, News of the World, Mango Street, Gatsby. I have Miss Pettigrew to read soon, want to read Convenience Store Woman. Vinegar Girl disappointed. Mrs D put me to sleep. A few other super-short reads: Mr. Chartwell by Rebecca Hunt, My Italian Bulldozer by Alexander McCall Smith (this is a stand-alone novella).
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If I were on your podcast, Dept. of Speculation would be on my list of three books I loved. I’m glad you included it. I highly recommend it; if you don’t like it, it’s a day out of your life, but if you do it has the potential to be one of your lifetime favorites.
Having said that, my book club hated it. I think they found the main character annoying. I loved the voice. I just looked for a quote, but there are too many to choose from. Just give it a try.
That’s so interesting about your book club’s reaction to the book! Was it at least a good book club discussion?
I loved Dept of Speculation! Loved the writing style.
The Old Man and the Sea is about 125 pages long, an excellent read.
Probably not going to be a popular choice here, but Anthem by Ayn Rand is a great afternoon read. Short, chilling, & stays with you forever.
I would definitely add Animal Farm by George Orwell to this list. It’s just under 200 pages and impossible to put down.
I read The Crossover by Kwame Alexander. It’s geared for middle grade readers and is told in prose. Beautiful little book, and only 240 pages, but due to the poetry, reads super fast.
I would add one book to this awesome list: Textbook Amy Krause Rosenthal. It’s experimental, a little odd, but so heartwarming and fantastic. You can definitely read it in an afternoon.
I didn’t set out to read An American Marriage in a single day, but that definitely happened last week. I strongly recommend it. I can’t stop thinking about it.
And the next day, I read the YA novel Saints & Misfits in about 8 (often interrupted) hours. I would recommend it for readers who like YA. If you don’t like YA, this one probably won’t change your mind, but it’s sort of refreshing for the genre in the sense that it focuses on an American Muslim heroine dealing with big-deal issues like sexual assault while also exploring interfaith dating, bullying, and family changes. Because of the main character’s faith, the romance in this novel is relatively innocent and comes down to a question of the standards she will hold for herself and the vision she has for her future.
As a teacher, a lot of my books are read in 1-2 days during the summer. Those same books would take me a week or more to read during the school year, when I’m busy, work too many hours, and am too mentally exhausted to process words at the end of a day.
I just finished What I Saw and How I Lied, thanks to this post, and loved it! Thank you! I’d really like to add two books to this list. The first is Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O’Nan. It’s a short novel about the staff of a Red Lobster on the night before the restaurant shuts down for good. The second is Kent Haruf’s beautiful novel Our Souls at Night. It was Haruf’s final book, a brief novel that had stayed with me. It’s much better than the movie, but the way! Happy reading!
Just realized Our Souls at Night is on the list! Sorry!
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The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne. Don’t read the book flap, don’t watch the movie, don’t read any reviews – just read the book. The less you know in advance, the more you will find it heartbreaking, devastating and absolutely unforgettable.
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AddSpy of the First Personby Sam Shepard. It was his last bit of writing and published after his death. It was made up of short little vignettes that really stayed with me
Demian by Herman Hesse is another fast read.
187 books in 1 year?! It took me 34 years to get to 1000.
I would add The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain. I’ve read this book many times because it is very short and a very delicious read.
Agreed! I just read The Red Notebook a fortnight ago and found it so enchanting and quirky; no-one approaches the French for whimsy, with every mystery a possibility and opportunity.
The premise of the novel (woman loses handbag – man finds handbag – man decides to track down woman using the contents of the handbag as clues) is also good for figuring out if you and your partner think the same. My then boyfriend thought it sounded creepy; I thought it was charming!
Heavens, I’m trying to bump my page count up over 20 500 this year, but all these short and sweet recommended reads will be great ‘palate cleansers’ between big books. My TBR pile has become a tower since I read your book and discovered your blog, Anne!
Here’s some more from my own read shelves (surprisingly, many classics; who says they need to be bricks to pack a punch?):
The Time Machine – H.G. Wells (118p) The Outsider – Albert Camus (119p) Siddhartha – Herman Hesse (121p) Anima Farm – George Orwell (122p) Night – Elie Wiesel (126p) The Lilies of the Field – William Edmund Barrett (127p) The Children of Green Knowe – L.M. Boston (128p) Bambert’s Book of Missing Stories – Reinhardt Jung (128p) The Turn of the Screw – Henry James (131p) Summer Crossing – Truman Capote (142p) The Longest Memory – Fred d’Aguiar (144p) One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich – Alexander Solzhenitsyn (182p) And anything written by Roald Dahl; The Witches (208p) and Matilda (240p) are my favourites.
Graphic novels also make a great day read, but they deserve a post all their own!
No one ever mentions Seize the Day (Saul Bellows). I read it in my last year in undergraduate and I couldn’t put it down. About 130 pages, I think, and it’s riveting.
You can read A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens in one day. You can read THE BIG WAVE by Pearl S. Buck in one day.
Great list! Poonachi is a recommendation that I’d like to make. It is a sharp critique of the patriarchal nature of the Indian society but narrated through a tiny black goat.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38318462-poonachi
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time 274 pp Who Moved My Cheese 94 pp
Thank you Anne for the list I loved it <3. I will include it to my TBR!
Sleepwalkers by Joginder Paul: a slim book about the Partition of India, and the psyche’s refusal to come to terms with it and live a divided, schizophrenic existence. A deeply moving piece of fiction that feels real even as it weaves through history and the surreal.
Have you read Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka? If so, did you like it? If not, it’s a short read and I found it to be beautifully written.
An Elderly Lady Must Not be Crossed pulls you right in and doesn’t let go until 2.5 hrs later.
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I was hoping to find some generally accepted criteria for story length. Yours are confusing. For example, what word length constitutes a short story vs. a novella? According to your ranges, a work could be either, since you state that a short story is from 1,000 to 10,000 words long (that’s quite a range!) and that a novella is 10,000 words to 40,000 words long. If a story is 10,000 words in length, according to your criteria, it could be both a short story AND a novella! Even more mysteriously, you leave a 10,000-word range of ambiguity between the novella, which, you say, ends at 40,000 words, and the novel, which, you say, begins at 50,000 words. What kind of story occupies a word length BETWEEN 40,000 and 40,999 words?
I am reading “Small Things Like These” by Claire Keegan, over the Bank Holiday weekend. 110 pages. Nominated for the 2022 Booker Prize and on the best-sellers list in Ireland since its publication in 2022 40 pages in and loving it.
I was going to mention Keegan’s “Foster,” which is emotionally gripping and easily readable in a day.
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Book Report Templates
30 book report templates & reading worksheets.
Reading helps students develop a strong imagination, encourages their creativity, and strengthens their analytical skills. Teachers assign a lot of book reports to ensure that students read lots of books, especially at that critical early age when they are still trying to master the written word. To cut down on some of the workload, students and teachers can find a book report template to download and fill in. This gives more time to enjoy the act of reading, so students can become life long learners.
Table of Contents
- 1 Book Report Templates
- 2.1 Why Provide A Book Report Form
- 2.2 Sections Of A Simple Book Report
- 2.3 Sections Of A Multi-Page Report
- 3 Sample Book Reports
- 4 Difference Between The Book Report Types
- 5.1 What To Do Once You’ve Written The Report
- 6 Book Report Examples
- 7 Tips for Teachers
- 8 Tips for Students
What Is A Book Report
A book report is typically given as an assignment to students in elementary and middle school. Students fill out a form answering basic questions about the book they were assigned to read. Turning in the report serves as proof to the teacher that the student read the book and, hopefully, got something out of it.
These reports may ask students to detail what the book was about, the names of the main characters, what the theme of the book is, and where the events are set. Some reports may ask specific questions about events or characters to ensure that the students read the book all the way through. The report can also help students understand the book better by asking them to think about its meaning and the plot.
![Download Book Report Template 01 Free Book Report Template 01](https://templatelab.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Book-Report-Template-01.jpg)
Reading Worksheets
Teachers may also hand out worksheets for students to complete in class or as homework. These are usually limited to the earlier grades when students are still learning to read. Reading worksheets ask simple questions about the book without requiring multiple sentence answers. These questions may ask students to name a favorite character, or mention the main conflict in a few words.
It’s not uncommon for the teacher to read a picture book with the class and have students fill out a worksheet afterwards. If the classroom has a bookshelf, there may also be a ‘Reading Time’ when students pick out a book to read. When they finish, the students fill out the worksheet and submit it to their teacher.
Why Provide A Book Report Form
Book report forms are a popular choice of assignment for elementary school classes. These forms make it simple for students to complete the report by filling out the worksheet. These sheets can be generic with standard questions, or teachers may create a unique sheet with questions specific to each different book that is assigned.
These forms also help introduce students to the idea of a book report format and show them what kind of information may be expected on longer, multi-page reports that they are expected to complete in the higher grades. A form is also easier to grade , especially for teachers who have a large classroom and more assignments to go over than usual.
Sections Of A Simple Book Report
A simple book report features a few sections that ask students to answer questions in paragraph format. These each ask students to detail a different element of the book. All book report forms will ask for the title, author name, and the illustrator’s name, if it is a picture book. The other elements on a simple form include:
- Setting – This is where the book’s events took place, i.e. New York.
- Characters – A list of who the main characters are and their names.
- Plot – A basic overview of the major events in the book.
- Your impressions – Whether you like the book or not, and why.
A simple form may also just ask the students to describe the beginning, middle, and end events of the book in three questions. Students may also be expected to identify the climax, which is the most intense point of the book where the main character’s problems are resolved or made worse. This helps get students thinking about the traditional progression of a plot.
Sections Of A Multi-Page Report
Eventually, teachers transition students to writing a multi-page book report. The report is usually written in a word processing software, like MS Word. Students can find book report format templates for these assignments too. These longer reports are written out in paragraph form. The teacher asks the students to address different elements of a book in their own words or with their own formatting. A simple way to organize these reports is to divide them into three basic sections, the introduction, main body, and conclusion. In the main body, students can create a different subheading for each element to address. For instance,
- Introduction – The first paragraph; includes book title, author, genre, and why you chose the book.
- Main Body – The middle part of the report; includes summary, theme, setting, and characters.
- Conclusion – A short summary of the book report and opinion of the book.
Sample Book Reports
![Download Book Report Template 13 Free Book Report Template 13](https://templatelab.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Book-Report-Template-13.jpg)
Difference Between The Book Report Types
The short book report form is handed out by the teacher and can be completed in one night like a homework assignment. A multi-page report is created by the student and may take more than one night to finish.
Short templates are available in lots of fun book report ideas suitable for young children. They have questions with a few lines to hand write the answers in a few short sentences. Some templates may include activities to make them more interesting to students, such as having them draw out a scene from the book or re-write the ending.
Multi-page reports start out as two page reports and gradually increase in size through middle school and high school. Of course, those two page reports are just as difficult for young students as the five page reports are for high school students . The great thing about these assignments is that students are usually free to organize their book report ideas however they desire. They can create bold sub-headers for the main body of the report. Students can write about the theme, characters, and setting separately. Or they can leave out the headers and devote their report to a specific element, such as the book theme. This allows students to weave information about characters and setting into the report where they are most relevant to the theme. The former works well for short chapter books, and the latter is better for books that may feature multiple themes.
Ideas for Different Kinds of Book Reports
There is more than one way to complete a book report. Both teachers and students may find these creative ideas more interesting than a straightforward report.
Write a review of the book. Create the report in the form of a newspaper or blog review. Summarize the book without giving away the plot or the ending. Talk about what made you like it or, if you hated it. Feel free to give the book a thumbs up or down rating at the end.
Do a diary. Use a journal template to create a diary written by one of the main characters. There should be multiple entries that follow or discuss the events of the book from that character’s point of view.
Interview one of the characters. Create an imaginary interview with one of the characters in the book. Ask them questions about where they come from, why the character did something important to the plot, and what the character thinks about the outcome of the events in the book.
Write a newspaper article. Create an imaginary newspaper article detailing one of the major events in the book, such as a theft or an important discovery. Make sure to answer the who, what, where, when, and why of these events in your article.
What To Do Once You’ve Written The Report
When students finish writing out their book reports, they have completed what is called the “First Draft” or “Rough Draft”. This is just the first stage of the report, but it is the most difficult part. Finishing up that report in the following steps is a lot easier.
Read and mark the report. Read through the book report from beginning to end to get a feel for it overall. Get a brightly colored pen to mark any spelling or punctuation errors you find in the report. Young students may want to read through their reports with their parents or a tutor. Sometimes, teachers actually make students submit a rough draft of their reports for points before the final report is due. The teacher reviews the draft, makes edits, and suggestions for changing the report before final submission.
Make edits to the report. Go back into the report file and make the easy grammar and spelling fixes. Take a look at your teacher’s suggestions or the ideas you wrote down for things to change in the report. Create a plan to make those additions or changes. Make the changes to the report. Don’t forget to save your file as a separate document. For instance, save your rough draft as, Report1.doc, and this updated version as, Report2.doc.
Review the report. Print out a fresh copy of the report. Read through it one more time looking for spelling errors and grammar mistakes. Keep an eye out for spots where the text doesn’t make sense. This can sometimes happen when you add new content to a report. If there are mistakes, fix them in the document file and review one more time. Your final draft is ready to print out when you can no longer find any mistakes.
Book Report Examples
![Download Book Report Template 23 Free Book Report Template 23](https://templatelab.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Book-Report-Template-23.jpg)
Tips for Teachers
Book reports are a big part of the curriculum. That doesn’t mean they have to be a lot of work for the students or the teacher. Make assigning these reports less of a hassle with these tips.
- Assign one book for the entire class to read. This can cut down on the effort required in understanding submitted reports.
- Pick out a short book report template to use. There is no need to use valuable time in creating one from scratch.
- Print out more copies of the form than are needed. Some students may lose theirs and need an extra form.
- Make reminder announcements when a due date approaches. Remind students at least twice before a book report due date.
- Keep the word count requirement low. Teachers also have to spend more time reviewing longer reports.
- Consider creative alternatives to some written reports. When your curriculum includes a lot of book reports, give students the option of turning in a drawing, diorama, or another project as a break.
Tips for Students
Being assigned a book report to complete can seem like a daunting task, especially if if you have never written a multi-page report. Make sure you don’t fall behind on the work by following a few of these tips.
- Make up a reading schedule to complete the book well in advance of the report being due. Use a calendar to remind yourself.
- Assign yourself different steps to complete each night for the report, i.e. make an outline, write 200 words, or revising
- Ask the teacher for help with ideas if you can’t figure out how to get started.
- Look for examples of completed reports to see how they are structured.
Book reports vary in their length and complexity. Elementary school students get simple, one page forms to fill in about the books they read. Those in middle school and high school usually have to write multiple page reports. Nearly all reports require students to talk about the plot, theme, characters, and how they liked the book. Both students and teachers can find a lot of templates to use. Those looking for something generic for students to fill in after reading a book can pick up a .pdf or .jpg form. Those who want more control over the look and wording of the template should download a .doc file.
More Templates
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Law School Letters Of Recommendation
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Community Service Forms
![short story english for book report Genogram Templates](https://templatelab.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Family-Genogram-Template-V2-790x558.jpg)
Genogram Templates
![short story english for book report Permission Slip Templates](https://templatelab.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Permission-Slip-13-790x1022.jpg)
Permission Slip Templates
![short story english for book report Story Map Templates](https://templatelab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Story-Map-Mountain-Template-790x790.jpg)
Story Map Templates
![short story english for book report Essay Outline Templates](https://templatelab.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Essay-Outline-Template-26-790x1022.jpg)
Essay Outline Templates
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34 English Short Stories for Learners
What if you could understand big ideas in English with just a little bit of text?
You don’t need to read an entire English book to learn. A good English short story is often enough!
Stories are all about going beyond reality, and these classics will not only improve your English reading but also open your mind to different worlds.
1. “The Tortoise and the Hare” by Aesop
2. “the ant and the grasshopper” by aesop, 3. “white wing: the tale of the doves and the hunter”, 4. “royal servant”, 5. “emily’s secret”, 6. “the bogey beast” by flora annie steel, 7. “love is in the air”, 8. “the tale of johnny town-mouse” by beatrix potter, 9. “paul bunyan” adapted by george grow, 10. “cinderella” by charles perrault, 11. “little red riding hood” adapted by the british council, 12. “the lottery” by shirley jackson, 13. “the happy prince” by oscar wilde.
- 14. “The Night Train at Deoli” by Ruskin Bond
15. “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Ray Bradbury
- 16. “Orientation” by Daniel Orozco
17. “Paper Menagerie” by Ken Liu
18. “the missing mail” by r.k. narayan, 19. “harrison bergeron” by kurt vonnegut.
- 20. “The School” by Donald Barthelme
21. “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid
22. “rikki-tikki-tavi” by rudyard kipling, 23. excerpt from “little dorrit” by charles dickens, 24. “to build a fire” by jack london, 25. “miracles” by lucy corin.
- 26. “Evil Robot Monkey” by Mary Robinette Kowal
27. “The Boarded Window” by Ambrose Bierce
28. “the monkey’s paw” by w.w. jacobs, 29. “a tiny feast” by chris adrian, 30. “the story of an hour” by kate chopin, 31. “the zero meter diving team” by jim shepherd, 32. “the velveteen rabbit” by margery williams, 33. “the friday everything changed” by anne hart, 34. “hills like white elephants” by ernest hemingway, how to use short stories to improve your english.
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![short story english for book report The Tortoise and the Hare](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/site//4/The-Tortoise-and-the-Hare.jpg)
This classic fable (story) is about a very slow tortoise (turtle) and a speedy hare (rabbit). The tortoise challenges the hare to a race. The hare laughs at the idea that a tortoise could run faster than him, but the race ends with a surprising result.
Have you ever heard the English expression, “Slow and steady wins the race”? This story is the basis for that common phrase . You can read it for free , along with a number of other stories in this list!
![short story english for book report very short english stories](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/site//4/very-short-english-stories.png)
This is another great story that teaches a lesson that’s written for kids but adults can enjoy, too . The story tells of a grasshopper who lounges around all summer while his friend the ant prepares for the winter. When winter comes, the two friends end up in very different situations!
The moral is that those who save up during the good times will get to enjoy the benefits when times are bad.
![short story english for book report White Wing The Tale of the Doves and the Hunter](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/site//4/White-Wing-The-Tale-of-the-Doves-and-the-Hunter.png)
This very short story from India was originally written in Sanskrit (an ancient language). When a group of doves is caught in a hunter’s net, they must work together as a team to escape from the hunter’s clutches.
You can listen to a reading of the story as you read along on this website.
![short story english for book report very short english stories](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/site//4/very-short-english-stories-4.png)
In this story, an old man sets out to ask an African king to dig some wells in his village when their water runs dry. But first, he teaches the king a lesson in humility by showing him how all people help each other. Read the story to see how the clever old man gets the king to do as he asks!
![short story english for book report very short english stories](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/site//4/very-short-english-stories-2.png)
This is a modern-day story about a little girl with a big secret she can’t tell anyone about. When her teacher finds out her secret, they work together to fix the issue.
This story is a good choice for absolute beginners, because it uses only the present tense. It’s also written in very basic English with simple vocabulary and short sentences.
![short story english for book report english short stories](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/site//4/english-story-4.jpg)
The woman in this story finds a pot of treasure on her walk home. As she carries it home, the treasure keeps changing, becoming things of lesser value.
However, the woman’s enthusiasm makes her see only the positive after each change, which would have upset anyone else. Her positive personality tries to make every negative situation seem like a gift!
This story shows how important it is to look at things from a positive point of view. Instead of being disappointed in what we don’t have, this story reminds us to view what we do have as blessings.
![short story english for book report very short english stories](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/site//4/very-short-english-stories-3.png)
This modern story is about a young woman named Penny who is anxious about going to her family’s annual reunion barbecue. But despite screaming children and arguing cousins, Penny ends up happy that she came to the reunion when she starts a conversation with a handsome man.
The story is written in simple English, using only the present tense, so it’s perfect for beginners.
![short story english for book report The Tale of Johnny Town-mouse (Peter Rabbit)](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/41pxpmohB4L._SL200_.jpg)
This classic children’s story is about two mice, one from the country and one from the city. Both mice think that the other mouse is so lucky to live in what they think is a wonderful place!
The two mice decide to visit each other in their homes. It turns out that the country mouse has a difficult time in the city, and the city mouse struggles in the country.
In the end, they realize that they believed the old English saying: “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” In other words, each mouse thought the other had a better life, only to discover that they actually preferred their own life!
![short story english for book report Paul Bunyan](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/site//4/Paul-Bunyan.jpg)
The story of Paul Bunyan has been around in the United States for many years. He’s the symbol of American frontier life, showing the ideal strength, work ethic and good morality that Americans work hard to imitate.
Paul Bunyan is considered a legend, so stories about him are full of unusual details, such as eating 50 eggs in one day and being so big that he caused an earthquake. It can be a pretty funny read, with characters such as a blue ox and a reversible dog.
This version of the story is also meant to be read out loud, so it’s fast-paced and entertaining. This website has an audio recording with the story, which you can play at slower or faster speeds.
![short story english for book report Cinderella, or The Little Glass Slipper](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/51Ra-R-MpeL._SL500_.jpg)
You may already know the story of Cinderella, whether you saw the Disney movie or read a children’s book of it.
However, there are actually many different versions of “Cinderella.” This one by Charles Perrault is the most well-known and is often the version told to children.
“Cinderella” is a beloved story because it describes how a kind and hard-working person was able to get a happy ending. Even though Cinderella’s stepsisters treated her awfully, Cinderella herself remained gentle and humble. It goes to show that even though you may experience hardships, it’s important to stay kind, forgiving and mindful.
![short story english for book report Little Red Riding Hood](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/site//4/Little-Red-Riding-Hood-1.png)
This is a story that every English-speaking child knows. It’s about a little girl who meets a wolf in the forest while going to see her sick grandmother. The wolf pretends to be her grandmother in order to trick the little girl.
This story is presented by the British Council as a video with the text clearly spoken. You can then play a game to rearrange the sentences below the video into the correct order, read the text of the story in a PDF file and answer some activity questions (then check your answers with the provided answer sheet.
This website has many other stories you can read and listen to, like “Circus Story” by Sue Clarke, which is an excellent option for learning animal vocabulary, and even adaptations of Shakespeare plays for younger readers.
![short story english for book report The Lottery and Other Stories (FSG Classics)](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/418XckiUfQL._SL500_.jpg)
Every year, the small town in this story holds an event known as “The Lottery.” During this event, someone from the community is randomly chosen.
What are they chosen for? You’ll have to read the story to find out.
You may have heard of the term “mob mentality” and how it can allow for some pretty surprising (and terrible) things to happen. This classic story looks at society, and how much evil people are willing to overlook to keep their society stable.
This is considered to be one of the most famous short stories in American literature. It’s a great example of what is known as a dystopian society, where people live in a frightening way. To learn more, check out this TED-Ed video that tells you how to recognize a dystopia.
![short story english for book report English short stories](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/site//4/the-happy-prince.jpg)
Since the story is old, much of the English is outdated (not used in modern English). Still, if you have a good grasp of the English language, you can use this story to give yourself a great reading challenge.
14. “The Night Train at Deoli” by Ruskin Bond
![short story english for book report The Night Train at Deoli](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/site//4/The-Night-Train-at-Deoli.jpg)
Ruskin Bond used to spend summers at his grandmother’s house in Dehradun, India. While taking the train, he always had to pass through a small station called Deoli. No one used to get down at the station and nothing happened there.
Until one day, when he sees a girl selling fruit and is unable to forget her.
Ruskin Bond is a writer who can communicate deep feelings in a simple way. This story is about our attachment to strangers and why we cherish (value or appreciate deeply) them even though we might never meet them again.
![short story english for book report There Will Come Soft Rains](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/site//4/There-Will-Come-Soft-Rains.jpg)
The title is taken from a poem that describes how nature will continue its work long after humanity is gone. But in this story, we see that nature plays a supporting role and the machines are the ones who have taken its place.
They continue their work without any human or natural assistance. This shows how technology has replaced nature in our lives and how it can both destroy us and carry on without humanity itself.
16. “Orientation” by Daniel Orozco
![short story english for book report Orientation and Other Stories](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/site//4/Orientation-and-Other-Stories.jpg)
This is a humorous story in which the speaker explains the office policies to a new employee while gossiping about the staff. It’s extremely easy to read, as the sentences are short and the vocabulary is simple.
Many working English learners will relate to this story, as it explains the silly, nonsensical moments of modern office life. Modern workplaces often feel like theaters where we pretend to work rather than get actual work done. The speaker exposes this reality that few would ever admit to.
He over-explains everything from the view out the office window to the intimate details of everyone’s life—from the overweight loner to the secret serial killer. It talks about the things that go unsaid; how people at the office know about the deep secrets of our home life, but don’t discuss them.
![short story english for book report The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/site//4/The-Paper-Menagerie-and-Other-Stories.jpg)
Jack’s mother can make paper animals come to life. In the beginning, Jack loves them and spends hours with his mom. But once he grows up, his mother’s inability to speak English keeps Jack from talking to her.
When his mother tries to talk to him through her creations, he kills them and collects them in a box. After a tragic loss, he finally gets to know her story through a hidden message that he should have read a long time ago.
The story is a simple narration that touches on complex issues, like leaving your home country and the conflicts that can occur within families when different cultures and languages collide.
![short story english for book report The Missing Mail in Malgudi Days](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/site//4/The-Missing-Mail-in-Malgudi-Days.jpg)
Thanappa is the village mailman, who is good friends with Ramanujam and his family. He learns about a failed marriage and helps Ramanujam’s daughter get engaged to a suitable match.
Just before the wedding, Thanappa receives a tragic letter about Ramanujam’s brother. To spare them heartache, he decides not to deliver the letter.
The story explores the idea that despite the best of intentions, our actions can cause more harm to our loved ones than we ever intended. If you like this and want to read more by R.K. Narayan, check out the other stories in the author’s “ Malgudi Days” short story collection.
![Harrison Bergeron in Welcome to the Monkey House Harrison Bergeron in Welcome to the Monkey House](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/site//4/Harrison-Bergeron-in-Welcome-to-the-Monkey-House.jpg)
The year is 2081, and everyone has been made equal by force. Every person who is superior in any way has been handicapped (something that prevents a person’s full use of their abilities) by the government. Intelligent people are distracted by disturbing noises. Good dancers have to wear weights so that they don’t dance too well. Attractive people wear ugly masks so they don’t look better than anyone else.
However, one day there is a rebellion, and everything changes for a brief instant.
Technology is always supposed to make us better. But in this case, we see that it can be used to disable our talents. Moreover, the writer shows us how the mindless use of a single value like equality can create more suffering for everyone.
20. “The School” by Donald Barthelme
![short story english for book report easy English short stories](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/site//4/the-school.jpg)
And that’s just the beginning of the series of unfortunate events at the school in this short story, narrated by a teacher. The story is absurd (ridiculous to the point of being silly), even though the topic is serious. By the end, the kids start asking difficult questions about death that the adults don’t quite know how to answer.
This story leaves a lot of things unsaid, which means you’ll need to “read between the lines,” or look closer at the text to understand what’s really happening.
![short story english for book report english short stories](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/site//4/english-story-5.jpg)
In “Girl,” a mother tells her daughter how to live her life properly. The mother instructs the girl to do all the household chores, in very specific ways, making it seem like that’s her only duty in life.
Sometimes the mother tells the girl how to attract attention, not to talk to boys and to always keep away from men. Other times, the mother hints that the girl will need to be attractive to men to live a good life.
This story doesn’t feel like a story. There’s no plot, and nothing really happens. But read closely, and you’ll see an important message about how girls are taught to live restricted lives since childhood.
![short story english for book report Rikki-Tikki-Tavi](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/51txZ1wT-aL._SL500_.jpg)
“Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” is a classic tale about a Mongoose who regularly visits a family in India. The family feeds him and lets him explore their house, but they worry that he might bite their son, Teddy.
One day, when a snake is about to attack Teddy, the Mongoose kills it. This event helps the family accept the mongoose into their family.
This is a simple story about humans and animals living together as friends. It’s old, but the language is fairly easy to understand. It reminds us that animals can also experience feelings of love and, like humans, they will also protect the ones they love.
“Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” is part of Kipling’s short story collection “The Jungle Book,” which was famously made into a movie by Disney.
![short story english for book report Little Dorrit (Penguin Classics)](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/51068s0S8cL._SL500_.jpg)
Dorrit is a child whose father has been in prison ever since she could remember. Unable to pay their debts, the whole family is forced to spend their days in a cell. Dorrit dreams of seeing the world outside their little cell.
This excerpt (short part of a larger work) introduces you to the family and their life in prison. The novel is about how they manage to get out and how Dorrit never forgets the kindness of the people who helped her.
Injustice in law is often reserved for the poor. “Little Dorrit” shows the government jailing people for not being able to return their loans, a historical practice the writer hated since his own father was punished in a similar way.
![short story english for book report To Build a Fire and Other Tales of the North](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/site//4/To-Build-a-Fire-and-Other-Tales-of-the-North.jpg)
A man travels to a freezing, isolated place called Yukon with only his dog for company. Throughout his journey, he ignores the advice other people have given him and takes his life for granted.
Finally, he realizes the real power of nature and how fragile (easily broken) human life actually is.
Nature is often seen as a powerful force that should be feared and respected. The animal in this story is the one who’s cautious and sensible in this dangerous situation. By the end, readers wonder who is really intelligent—the man who could not deal with nature, or the dog who could survive?
This is a modern-day story that describes a group of children gathering around their father to watch little spiders hatch out of their eggs. But the story gets a different meaning as it nears the end. What do you think happened?
26. “Evil Robot Monkey ” by Mary Robinette Kowal
![short story english for book report english short stories](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/site//4/english-story-8.jpg)
Sly is a character who doesn’t fit into society. He’s too smart for the other chimps, but humans don’t accept him. He is punished for acting out his natural emotions.
But the way he handles his rage, in the end, makes him look more mature than most human beings. Nominated for the Hugo award , many readers have connected with Sly since they can see similarities in their own lives.
“The Boarded Window” is a horror story about a man who has to deal with his wife’s death. The setting is a remote cabin in the wilderness in Cincinnati, and he feels helpless as she gets sick.
There’s an interesting twist to this story, and the ending will get you thinking (and maybe feeling a bit disturbed!).
If you enjoy older stories with a little suspense, this will be a good challenge for you. It talks about the event that made a hermit decide to live alone for decades, with a mysterious window boarded up in his cabin. It also uses a lot of psychology and symbolism, so you may want to read the story more than once to understand everything it has to say.
![short story english for book report The Monkey's Paw and Other Tales of Mystery and the Macabre](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/site//4/The-Monkeys-Paw-and-Other-Tales-of-Mystery-and-the-Macabre.jpg)
Be careful what you wish for! One man finds this out the hard way when he brings a magical monkey’s paw home from India. This paw is supposed to grant three wishes to three people. People start to wish on it, only to realize that our wishes can have severe consequences.
The characters in this story immediately regret when their wishes come true. Even though they get what they wanted, it comes at a large cost!
This short story is from the early 1900s and uses some outdated English, but it’s still easy to follow. It reminds us that there are no shortcuts in life, and to be wary if something seems too good to be true.
This story centers around Titania and Oberon, two fairy characters from Shakespeare’s famous play, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The two fairies are having a rough time in their marriage when they find a human child. They decide to adopt him, hoping that he’ll help them save their relationship. However, the child develops a deadly, modern disease and the fairies have no idea what to do since they have never known illness or death.
This is a tragic tale about how they try to understand something they’ve never seen before and their deep love for a stranger who is so unlike them. The story explores the grief of parenthood and the uncertainty of knowing whether your child will ever even know you.
![short story english for book report The Story Of An Hour](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/site//4/The-Story-Of-An-Hour.jpg)
This story, written by a woman, is a sad look inside an unhappy marriage. Mrs. Mallard is a woman with heart troubles. When her husband dies, the people who come to give her this news tell it to her gently, so she doesn’t have a shock.
Mrs. Mallard busts into tears and locks herself in her room. At first, she’s upset by the news. But the more she considers it, the more excited she becomes about the idea of the freedom that would come from her husband’s death.
What happens, then, when her husband comes home after an hour, alive and well?
The story explores the conflicting range of the human emotions of grief and hope in a short span, and the impact it can have on a person’s mind and body.
The Chernobyl nuclear disaster was one of the deadliest accidents of the twentieth century. This is a story about that event seen through the eyes of a father and his sons, who were all unfortunate enough to be close to the disaster area.
The story exposes the whole system of corruption that led to a massive explosion taking innocent lives and poisoning multiple generations. The technical vocabulary and foreign words make this text a little more difficult. However, its plot is relatively easy to follow.
The story is divided into small parts that make it both easy and exciting to read. Its various events show what it was like to live in the former Soviet Union . And just like any other good story, it’s also about human relationships and how they change due to historic events.
![The Velveteen Rabbit The Velveteen Rabbit](https://www.fluentu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/site//4/The-Velveteen-Rabbit.jpg)
A simple, stuffed rabbit toy is given to a young boy as a Christmas present. At first, the rabbit isn’t noticed, as the boy is distracted by much fancier gifts. While being ignored, the rabbit begins to wonder what it means to be “real.”
One day, a certain event brings the rabbit into contact with the boy, and changes the toy’s life forever.
Have you ever loved a toy or doll so much, that you treated it as if it were alive? This story shows the power of love from a very unexpected viewpoint: that of a fluffy stuffed rabbit. It also highlights the importance of self-value, being true to yourself and finding strength in those who love you.
Tradition is important in this school, where the boys always go to fetch water for the class. The girls are teased for being “weaker,” and are last to get other privileges, like having the first choice of magazines. One day, a girl asks the teacher why girls aren’t allowed to get the water, as well. This one question causes a big reaction and leads to a huge change.
The girl’s courage surprises everyone, but it also inspires other girls to stand up for themselves. One act from one brave person can lead to change and inspire others. The story reflects on gender equality and how important it is to fight for fairness. Just because something is accepted as “normal,” doesn’t mean it is right!
![Hills Like White Elephants Hills Like White Elephants](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41zU2hfDYdL._SL500_.jpg)
At a Spanish train station, an American man and a young woman wait for a train that would take them to the city of Madrid. The woman sees some faraway hills and compares them to “white elephants.” This starts a conversation between the two of them, but what they discuss seems to have a deeper meaning.
This is another very well-known story that asks you to “read between the lines” to find the hidden meaning behind the text. Much of the story is a back-and-forth dialogue between two people, but you can tell a lot about them just from what they say to each other.
There’s a lot of symbolism that you can analyze in this story, along with context clues. Once you realize what the real topic of the characters’ conversation is, you can figure out the quiet, sadder meaning behind it.
Short stories are effective in helping English learners to practice all four aspects of language learning: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Here’s how you can make the most out of short stories as an English learner:
- Use illustrations to enhance your experience: Some short stories come with illustrations that you can use to guess what the story is about. You can even write your own caption or description of the picture. When you finish the story, go back to your image description. How did you do?
- Explore stories related to a theme: Do you like ghost stories? Science fiction? Romance? If you’re learning about food or cooking, find a short story with a lot of food vocabulary .
- Choose the right reading level: Make sure that you always challenge yourself! One easy way to tell if a story is just right for you is to use the “five-finger test.” Hold up your fist as you read a paragraph, and put up one finger for each word you don’t know. If you have all five fingers up before the end of the paragraph, try to find an easier text.
- Practice “active reading”: Your reading will only help you learn if you read actively . You’re reading actively when you’re paying very close attention to the story, its words and its meanings. Writing with a notebook nearby and in a place with no distractions can help you focus on active reading.
- Choose only a few words to look up: You may be tempted to stop at every unknown word, but it’s actually better to try to figure out its meaning from context clues. This means looking at everything else in the sentence or paragraph to try and guess the meaning of the word. Only look up words that you can’t figure out even with context clues.
- Summarize the story: When you’ve finished reading the story, retell it in your own words or write a summary of it. This will help you to practice any new words you learned, and make sure that you understood the story well. If you’re struggling, read the story again and take notes as you read.
- Take breaks: Just because these stories are short, doesn’t mean you need to read them in one sitting! If you find it hard to focus or you’re struggling to understand the story, take a break. It’s okay to read it one paragraph at a time.
I hope you have fun with these English short stories while improving your English language skills.
Happy reading!
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Beauty and the Beast. Author: Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont. Beauty and the Beast book report - detailed analysis, book summary, literary elements, character analysis, … [more] Book reports and short book summaries for primary and secondary school. More than 500 book reports, book summaries and authors biographies!
Steps: Title and Author: Include the book's title and the author's name. Plot Summary: Provide a detailed summary with major plot points. Character Analysis: Discuss the main and secondary characters, their development, and relationships. Theme Analysis: Identify and explore the main themes with examples from the text.
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.
Develop the body: You can follow your outline or a book report template to write the body of your report. Discuss each element (plot, characters, themes, etc.) in separate paragraphs or sections. Conclude your report: Summarize your main points and offer your final thoughts and evaluation of the book. Review and revise: Finally, review and ...
Preparing to Write. 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.
2. Identify the main elements of the book. Scrutinize the book's primary components, including its main themes, characters, setting, and plot. These elements will form the basis of your report. 3. Formulate a thesis statement. Compose a thesis statement that encapsulates your personal perspective about the book.
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. Part 1.
Step 2. 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.
3. Organize your notes and create an outline. Gather your notes and arrange them into categories. Once you've completed this, write an outline and organize the categories to become the paragraphs of your book report. Jot down bullet points on what each paragraph will include and what part of the book can support it.
Themes -The main ideas behind the story. Personal impressions - Your thoughts and opinions about the book. Your likes and dislikes regarding the ending. For Non-fiction: Author's topic - What the author is writing about. Main points - What the main thesis of book is. - Make a short summary of the author's main points.
Book Reports offers general guidance, book analysis and brief summary for more than 500 books of classic literature. If you look for a quick and effective help with organizing, reading, understanding and writing book reports, look no further. Each report on this website is focused on short summary, character analysis and author's biography.
Develop paragraph ideas. Each paragraph should have a topic sentence and a sentence that transitions to the next paragraph. Try writing these first, then filling out the paragraphs with your examples (symbols). Don't forget to include the basics for every book report in your first paragraph or two. Review, re-arrange, repeat.
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.
Short book summaries and reports for best grades. More than 300 free study guides - book summary, character analysis and biography. ... The Tell-Tale Heart is one of the most popular short stories in English literature. ... was born Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald on September 24, 1896, in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was an American novelist and short ...
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. MiddleWeb. 1. Concrete Found Poem.
The following list covers the basic elements that should be included in every book report you write, no matter what topic or specific type of book report you're writing: The book's title and author. The historical context of the book (when it was written) The time (s) during which the story is set. The location (s) where the story takes place.
Fahrenheit 451. Author: Ray Bradbury. Bradbury's slim sci-fi/fantasy novel revolves around a fireman who hates his job, set in the saddest of dystopian settings: a future with no books. Firemen start the fires in Bradbury's future, because their job is to destroy any and all books as they are found.
There is more than one way to complete a book report. Both teachers and students may find these creative ideas more interesting than a straightforward report. Write a review of the book. Create the report in the form of a newspaper or blog review. Summarize the book without giving away the plot or the ending.
The name of the author or writers. The genre of the book (for example, biography, autobiography, or fiction). The main subject, plot, or theme of the book. A brief summary of the key points or ideas treated in the book. The reader's response to the book, identifying its apparent strengths and weaknesses. A summary of the book's themes.
The structure of this will include: An introduction. Summary of the book. Main body of text. A conclusion of the report. Each section of the book report should feature at least one paragraph. Depending on the ability of your class, you may wish to provide a book report outline on the board.
30. "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin. 31. "The Zero Meter Diving Team" by Jim Shepherd. 32. "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams. 33. "The Friday Everything Changed" by Anne Hart. 34.
When the narrator is talking to the husband of the victim, Charlie, he tells his about his sister, Celia. "It's Celia. I want her to get what's coming to her. I want the law to take her and kill her, and I want to be there to watch." Flashback: (an interruption of the story to go to an event from earlier)
way to improve your English language skills. This book contains a selection of 100 short st ories for beginners with a wide range of genres, all prepared speciically for English language learners. This book aims t o teach different English vocabulary and phrases associated with short stories and to improve your English language skills in a ...