Book Report Specific Information

ORIGINAL BOOK COVERS

(Required for each formal book report) Design an original book cover for the book you read. You may use a large sheet or half sheet of tag board. Do not copy the real book's cover. Make certain that the title and the author's name are incorporated in your design. Your written report must have a title page that matches your project. Your cover should also have the inside flap and back cover information usually found on the book cover. Reports are to be written neatly in ink or typed. Written or typed book reports will be graded on mechanics (spelling, grammar, sentence and paragraph structure, etc.) as well as content.

BOOK REPORT PROJECTS

(Required for each formal book report) You may choose from the projects below. If you decide that you want to do something that is not on the list, you must secure prior teacher approval. Also, once a project is chosen, it may not be repeated in a subsequent quarter.

1. Make a diorama.
2. Create a book mobile using pictures or drawings to represent the setting, plot, theme, and characters in the book.
3. Create a story cartoon board, in color, about the book.
4. Authentically costume doll(s) to represent the main character(s) from the book and place them in a model of a scene from the book.
5. Be a correspondent or editor for a book company. Write a letter to the author of your book telling your reaction to the book. Tell why you did or did not like the book, your favorite character, and anything you might suggest changing to make the story more interesting. Make certain you support your opinions and suggestions with specifics from the book.
6. Make an illustrated book of favorite quotations from the book you read and/or from other books written by the same author. Make certain you explain the significance of these quotations in your oral or written report.
7. Create a scrapbook, diary, or journal that might have been kept by one of the main characters in the book.
8. Create a story illustration by using magazine pictures to tell the story. Make captions under each picture and place the pictures in the proper order of events in the story.
9. For non-fiction books only, make a list of significant facts you have learned from reading this book and that would be of interest or benefit to your classmates' knowledge on this subject matter. You should list a minimum of ten (10) important facts. These should be written in complete sentences.
10. Write a poem retelling the story. This poem should have a minimum of four stanzas. You must present the poem to the class even if you are completing one of the written book report requirements. This poem may be presented with background music or it can be turned into a rap.

Remember, unless otherwise approved by the teacher, students should use a different project option for each book report presentation. Book report projects are meant to help develop higher levels of critical thinking skills. There is no book report without a project. Be creative!

WRITTEN BOOK REPORT FORMAT

A. Format (5 points)

1. Upper right corner: first then last name, subject, period, date.
2. Top line: title of book.
3. Second line: author(s).

B. Characters (10 points)

1. Identify the protagonist(s), antagonist(s), and foil(s) as appropriate.
2. List each major character and briefly explain who he/she is and his/her relationship to the main character.

C. Setting (10 points)

1. Discuss the time, place and mood of the book in detail.
2. Provide supporting examples as appropriate.

D. Plot (The story of the book in ten sentences) (30 points)

1. Select ten (10) of the most important events that occur in the book.
2. Write one sentence about each event.
3. If there were more than ten important happenings, combine the related happenings into one well-constructed, compound or complex sentence.
4. Use complete sentences and make certain that all verb tenses agree.

E. Theme (15 points)

1. Discuss the theme of the book.
2. Relate the book theme to daily life.

F. Character Analysis (15 points)

1. Choose two (2) characters and discuss them in depth.
2. See book report guidelines for assistance.

G. Evaluation (15 points)

1. Write one paragraph of a least four sentences describing why you would or would not recommend the book to others.
2. The paragraph must contain:

a. One (1) topic sentence.
b. Multiple supporting sentences.
c. One (1) concluding sentence.


H. Accompanying Project (Required of all book reports, written or oral. 50 points)

ORAL BOOK REPORT FORMAT

A. Format (On chalkboard prior to your presentation. 5 points)

1. First then last name, subject, period, date.
2. Top line: title of book.
3. Second line: author(s).

B. Tell about the beginning of the book. Using present tense, explain how the story begins as you cover at least the first fifty (50) pages of the book, choosing a good (usually suspenseful) stopping place. Then create a suspenseful sentence, like a cliff hanger, to cause others to want to read the book completely. (25 points)
C. On the chalkboard, write four (4) questions about how the book will end. These questions must be written in a way that will intrigue, interest and invite other readers to want to know the answers. Use variety with your sentences. (20 points)
D. Your next section is designed to "sell" your book in a clever "sales pitch" or commercial. If you definitely "talk to" your reader, you may use the word "you." This presentation must contain at least four (4), non-repetitious sentences. (20 points)
E. Do one (1) of the following regarding author information (10 points)

1. Tell about your author'šs life and background.
2. List at least four (4) other books by your author.
3. List at least four (4) other books on the same topic by other authors.

F. You must answer each of the four (4) questions from #2 with a least two (2) sentences of explanation for each question. These must be answered in such a way that you are telling about the rest of the book. (20 points)
G. Accompanying Project (Required of all book reports, written or oral. 50 points)
Your report should be memorized, although note cards are permissible, and you should have an outline of your presentation to show the teacher prior to your report. This will help you organize your presentation.

(AUTO)BIOGRAPHICAL BOOK REPORT FORMAT

A. Format (10 points)

1. Upper right corner: first then last name, subject, period, date.
2. Top line: title of book.
3. Second line: author(s).
4. Third line: country of birth, country of residence, dates of life.

B. Childhood and teenage years (25 points)

1. Describe his/her family background: size of family, parents' occupations, etc.
2. Describe his/her living conditions.
3. Describe three (3) conditions or events of childhood or teen years which might have influenced his/her later years.

C. Education and/or training (25 points)

1. Describe his/her education/training beyond high school.
2. Describe one meaningful school/training experience.

D. Contribution(s) (25 points)

1. Fame: provide three (3) reasons why he/she is subject of the (auto)biography.
2. What is his/her greatest contribution and why?
3. Describe at least one (1) major event in his/her life.

E. Conclusion (15 points)

1. What is your overall impression of the person?
2. How should this person be seen by others?
3. Will this person's fame stand "the test of time?"

F. Accompanying Project (Required of all book reports, written or oral. 50 points)

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