mystery book report template

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33 Free Book Report Forms and Templates for Kids

Published: April 11, 2019

Contributor: Annette Breedlove

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.

I loved writing book reports growing up. My kids, however, do not share the same sentiment. They love to read books and retell the stories to me, but they have a disconnect when it comes to putting it down on paper. That’s why I love using a free book report template to give them a little extra help. 

Fun Book Report Ideas

There are many different ways children can share about a book they read other than writing about it. Check out all of these fun ideas:

• Act it out. Young students and even older students may enjoy acting out a story that they read in lieu of writing about it. 
• Make a 3D diorama . This is a great way for students who like to work with their hands and create visuals.
• Draw it out on a poster . For young kids who don’t have strong writing skills yet, drawing out what they read is a great option.
• Make a comic book with a free comic book template we have included below. 
• Oral narration . Narrating back a brief summary of the book  they read is another alternative to writing a book report. You can see if your children comprehended what they read or at least got the main points of the story by asking them basic questions about the book.

Types of Book Reports

If you prefer using book reports, they come in a variety of types and styles. You can write plain-Jane ones or get a little more creative, like the comic strip option below for a different way to format a book report. Whichever you choose, having the option to use a book report template can be helpful for kids. 

While I enjoy book reports and see their value, I much prefer my kids enjoy reading a lot of books and sharing, over the finer points of proper form. So if we can use a simple book report template to keep them excited about reading and not dread the reports, I call that a win-win.

Mix it up with the different types of book reports that you assign to your children. Keep it fun and engaging and they will want to read more books and tell everyone about what they have read. 

Using Book Report Templates

As with anything we print out for school, I like to find cute printables with book report designs and age-appropriate graphics. This is especially for my middle school-aged daughter, who thinks some of the free worksheets I find are too childish.

Using a book report template for 3rd grade might look a little different than what I’d want to use for 7th grade. A pdf book report template for high school students definitely needs to be less kid-friendly and more informative.

There are simple book report templates for beginning writers and more advanced ones. The options are endless when it comes to choosing a book report template for your homeschool children.

Printable Book Report Forms

Whether you are looking for a short book report template or one for high school, book report templates will help students get their thoughts on paper. They will learn to organize their thoughts so that their finished book report project is a success!

Book report templates can encourage all the readers in your homeschool to crank out an organized, thorough book report that they are proud of! Once you select a free template, you can get started. Let your children choose one of their favorite books for their first report as it will help to keep them engaged.

How to Use a Book Report Template

When you are looking for the perfect book report template, keep in mind the age of your child. Some one-page forms are perfect for young children and beginning readers with boxes to draw, lines to write down main characters, setting, the plot, etc.

When you have a high school student needing to write a paper or a book report, you obviously need something more in-depth. A book report template can help them get their ideas on paper well enough to organize thoughts and personal opinions for an essay, or even a research paper. 

The key point of using worksheets for book reports is to have an easy way to get thoughts on paper. A book report template can help your student stay organized so they are able to draft a well-written paper. These types of graphic organizers make book reports a breeze!

What’s included in a book report?

• A good book report will consist of the book title, author’s name, main idea, main theme, plot points and important details.
• It will explain the narrative and setting, and cover the main elements of the story as well as describe important characters of the book.
• You’ll also want to include details on the time period, major conflicts and the book details, or rather a plot summary of the book.
• Don’t forget to include unusual facts and key elements that stand out. 

Character Description

Besides adding basic details about the key characters in the book, it’s a good idea to include character details. You will want to include details such as; appearance, interests, and list out some adjectives that describe characters on the book report form . 

Analyze what your character looks like so the reader of the book report gets a vivid description of the character. What color is their hair and skin? What is their clothing style like? Do they have a best friend or an animal that is constantly with them?

Is the character an animal? If so, what type of animal are they and what do they look like?

Character Development

Characters develop on in the story as you read about them. Make sure to make note of positive and negative character traits and how those change throughout the plot. Is there a hidden message or reason why the character is behaving the way that they are?

Make notes of how your character has changed and why you think they changed and the reasons for the actions that they took. You can take it a step further and explain how their actions either harmed or helped the story to move along.

Printable Book Report Templates and Forms

We’ve searched the internet to compile this  HSG FREE Resource Roundup  list for you. But if you  need or want something quickly , we recommend our DIY Book Report.

Scroll to the bottom of this post to find out how to get your FREE copy of our DIY Book Report today.

DIY Book Report Kit {works with ANY book} This printable book report template is more like a graphic organizer , in my opinion. You can print several different template pages to organize different aspects of the book so you can create a great book report. 

Free Book Report Template for Elementary Students Get your 1st -4th graders writing book reports with ease with these pdf book report pages.

Book Review Templates This cute pack of 5 different book report template pages would be perfect for early learners who know how to write . 

Printable Book Report Form I like this simple book report template that’s perfect for a new reader. The free printable book report template is organized and will prompt your kids to be creative. 

Elementary Book Reports Made Easy An easy one-page pdf download of a book report worksheet that would be good for elementary students.

Printable Book Report Forms (Non-Fiction, Fiction, Biography, Mystery & Fable) You have lots of different options for book report templates. Whether or not you need a book report form for a biography, non-fiction resource , or even a fable, there are several  different pdf templates to choose from. There are also multiple book report poster forms for those kids who prefer to draw.

7 Different Versions of Book Report – If you are looking for different versions for different age levels or grades then these reports are worth reviewing.

Easy Book Report – This features an easy form for younger students as well as outline form for older students.

Book Report Templates for Younger Students

There are different styles of book report templates that you will want to focus on for younger students. A book report template that you use with your middle school aged child will be too difficult for beginning writers.

You will want to look for a book report format with dashed lines, boxes to draw a picture in, and more. 

My Book Report Worksheets These book report worksheets are suitable for children in kindergarten or first grade. 

Comic Strip Book Reports If you have a reluctant writer , or a comic book lover, these free printable comic strip book report templates will likely make a book report less dreaded!

Reading Logs and Bookmarks

Reading Log and Book Report Templates If you are on the hunt for cute reading log printables, these are perfect for elementary students. There are a few different templates that offer options to rate the book and write a review. Using a creative book report template like this might take the sting out of writing book reports for reluctant writers. 

Free Reading Log and Book Report Forms   My Joy-Filled Life has a 2-page book report template and a printable reading log that you can slip into your homeschool binder . 

Free Reading Logs, Bookmarks and Charts – Encourage your readers with fun and colorful bookmarks and charts that they can use to track their reading time as well as the books they have read. Free Instant Download included!

Book Report Template

Book reports don’t have to be boring or something that your children dread. They may be overwhelmed because it is a new thing that they have never done before and may need just a little guidance to get started.

Our FREE DIY Book Report template pack includes four pages of graphic organizers, question prompts, illustration boxes, and more. It is a great start to guiding your children on how to write a book report in a non-threatening way. 

In Conclusion

The body of the book report should include the title, the author of the book, characters, setting, major conflicts, direct quotes, and plot. The conclusion can include a personal opinion. Book reports are a fun way to develop critical thinking skills and teach students how to gather information to format into a writing assignment.

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Annette Breedlove

Annette has been married to her husband and best friend since 2003. Together they are raising their six children to follow the Lord’s will, no matter what. Annette longs for the day when she will meet her angel babies who have entered heaven before her. She enjoys creating UNIT STUDIES and FREE PRINTABLES for homeschool families. You can follow her crazy life at In All You Do where she blogs about homeschooling, homemaking and marriage while trying to maintain her sanity. She is also the owner of Thrifty Homeschoolers where she shares her tips on homeschooling without breaking the bank.

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My students love mysteries! After my fourth graders picked a good mystery book and read it from cover to cover, we created Mystery Book Reports . This is included in my Book Reports That Motivate!

1.  Decorate a title page.

2.  Write a summary with suspense all the way up until “who did it.”  

Paste it inside on the left of the booklet. A graphic organizer or checklist of things for students to include is helpful!

a.  Description of the main character and setting at the beginning of the summary.

b.  Detailed information about the problem/mystery.

c.  Plot is clear, evident, and easy to understand.

d.  Good sentence structure and paragraph format.

e.  Details have words that create a picture in the reader’s mind

3.  Then write the ending and 2 other possible endings.  

Paste it inside on the right of the booklet. **Make sure to tell your students to mix up the endings ! This will help when students present the mysteries to the class. They want to be able to stump their classmates and have them guess one of their own endings, NOT the real one!

4.  Do a self-rating.  

This can be the same as the checklist or a rubric so students make sure they included everything.

5.  Present to the class and see how many people you can stump! 

Whoever stumps the most, gets a prize! My students love it and I hope yours will too!

If interested in purchasing this book report along with many others, Click Here or the picture below!

SEE SIMILAR BLOG POSTS:

DISCOVER RELATED RESOURCES:

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Book Reports that Motivate! Pick a Genre!

HALLOWEEN FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE | HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIES | DISTANCE LEARNING

LITERARY GENRES Bundle – Mystery Genre – Fairy Tale Genre – Biographies – Poetry

Mystery Passages with Reading Comprehension Questions

Mystery Unit Bundle

Mystery Writing

Nursery Rhyme Mystery

Nursery Rhyme Mysteries

Santa’s similes.

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Create a First-Rate Book Report

Make the story jump off the page and into your presentation..

1. Read the book This is an obvious, but very important, first step! Finish reading the book before you begin your report. After all, the ending may surprise you — and you don't want incomplete information in your project.

2. Pick a medium When you finish reading, think about how you can best present the book to the class. Maybe you'll make a  wanted poster  for the book's villain or use a shoebox to create a  diorama  of your favorite scene. Use these suggestions to spark your own ideas:

• Design an alternate  book jacket
• Make up a mock  magazine interview  with the author
• Craft a  movie poster
• Mix a  CD  of songs for the book's soundtrack with liner notes explaining why you chose each song
• Create the front-page of a  newspaper  with headlines about the book

3. Identify the information

• Characters:  who  is in the story Examples: The people, animals, robots, aliens, or wizards
• Setting:  where  and  when  the story takes place Examples: Aunt Mae's farm in 1982, last summer at acting camp, 1950s London, a lake house in Michigan in present day, or 300 years from now on Mars
• Genre:  what  kind of story is being told Examples: Mystery, fable, historical fiction, or sci-fi fantasy
• Point of view:  how  the story is being told Examples: First person — the narrator is also a main character who refers to himself as "I." Third person — the point of view switches around and the characters are "he" or "she."
• Tone:  why  the story is being told Examples: Serious tone for readers who want to learn about the Holocaust or humorous tone for readers who want a silly book about surviving middle school

4. Find an interesting aspect of the story

This can be anything! Think about your favorite character or the last scene in the book. What sticks out in your mind as something you have a lot to say about?

5. Write 5  ideas about the aspect you have chosen

Once you've decided on a part of the story that interests you — say you think the dialogue is really funny — sit down and write at least 5 different thoughts about it. This helps you to pick out specific parts of the story and these details will give you examples when you create your project.

6. Have an opinion

What did you like? What didn't you like? Remember that you don't have to enjoy a book to do a good report on it. While your book project shouldn't just list complaints about the book, your teacher will probably appreciate the thought you put into your opinion. Challenge the author's original ending. Explain why you would have written it differently. If there's a character you didn't like, tell why you would've left her out completely. Keep notes on these thoughts as they come to you.

7. Compare something in the book to your own life

Find a way to relate to the story. What traits does the main character have that you have too? Do any of your friends or family members remind you of the characters? Have you visited the location of the book's setting? If the book is fantasy, would you want the same kind of superhuman powers that the characters have?

8. Decide who else would like this book

Would you recommend this book to a particular friend? Why? Answering this kind of question can show you the audience the book is geared to. It also helps you and your friends figure out books to recommend to each other for your next report!

9. Wrap it up

Brainstorm what else you want to include, such as great illustrations, who told you about the book, if the author wrote anything else, and where this book ranks on your list of favorites.

10. Spin all the separate pieces into the project

Now it's time to go back to step #2: Pick a medium. You're now ready to put all of the information you gathered into an interesting, entertaining, and above all, informative book report. Good luck!

Elementary Assessments

11+ Free Book Report Templates For Students

If you’re looking for student book report templates, you have come to the right place.

I have compiled some of the best free printable book report templates that encourage students to showcase their reading comprehension skills and knowledge of any book – fiction or nonfiction. 

These book report templates include pages that reinforce a variety of reading skills, prompt critical thinking and help students structure information in a meaningful way.

What’s more, they are suitable for all ability levels of students – from struggling to gifted and talented learners.  

So if you are a teacher looking to assess students’ literacy abilities in a way other than assigning over-the-top book report projects, then these ready-to-use templates are a perfect fit.

Using them, students will be able to produce something great.

Book Report Templates

Book reports usually include…

• Title and author,
• Summary of the book,
• Story elements (characters, setting, problem, solution), and
• Recommendations.

However, the possibilities are many as to what information students report from their books. 

In order for students to write a book report in a meaningful way, try one of the following book report templates which include written and visual formats that appeal to a range of learning styles. 

These graphic organizers are suitable for young readers as well as older readers.

1. Book Report Timeline

This book report template is a timeline that reinforces the literacy skill of sequencing. It includes spaces for students to record six main events. 

The steps flow in a vertical manner from the top of the page to the bottom of the page with transitional words (first, next, finally, etc.) used throughout in order to guide students along.

This very simple but effective book report template is best suited for younger students. 

It will help them to synthesize information, reflect upon the story, and think about which ideas from the book are most important. 

2. 5Ws Book Report

The 5Ws book report template, which works well with fiction and nonfiction texts, is great for younger students because it guides them in answering basic questions derived from who , what , when , where , why , and how . 

After reading a book, students will generate questions using the question stems and answer them on the book report template. 

Because students can create their own leveled questions , this template is great for differentiating instruction because it serves well both advanced and lower-performing students. 

3. Book Report Story Elements

If you seek simple book report templates, this one is a good fit. 

Because students learn the story elements relatively early in their school life, this book report project template makes a great review activity. 

Using the template, students will identify the story’s author, illustrator, characters, setting, problem, and solution.

4. Book Report Vocabulary Squares

In each of the six squares, younger students will write and sketch important words from their books.

Examples of words students may choose…

• New words learned
• Confusing words
• Review words
• Words they figured out using context clues
• Figurative language

They will write the words in the boxes and then sketch each of them.  

As an extension, have students complete a book report vocabulary squares template for each chapter or section of their books. 

5. Book Report Sequencing

To have young readers practice sequencing and main idea, provide them with this helpful book report sequencing template. 

It’s straightforward and provides transition words to guide them along. 

Use for both fiction and nonfiction books. 

6. Book Comparison

Students will analyze two books by the same author and complete a Venn diagram that shows how the two books are alike and different.

Afterward, they will summarize the information in paragraph form. 

Comparison activities serve well as critical thinking exercises because they prompt students to reflect upon similarities and differences among themes, authors, characters, books, etc.

As an extension, encourage students to compare several pairs of books by the same author (e.g. Gail Gibbons books ) in order to observe recurring themes, the author’s writing style, similarities among characters, etc.   

7. Sketch and Summarize

Using the sketch and summarize template, students will sketch the characters, setting, problem, and solution in the squares with the matching number. 

This graphic organizer reinforces the story elements plus summarizing and can be used for all ability levels and grade levels. 

Remind students that a summary includes only the most important events from a book. 

8. ABC Book Report

ABC books aren’t just for younger students. They work well with elementary, middle, and even high school students!

This type of reading project promotes critical thinking, reinforces a variety of literacy skills, strengthens vocabulary, and engages students to the max. 

What’s more, this activity is able to be differentiated for a range of ability levels since students are the ones who choose the words for their books. 

To use this template, students will brainstorm a significant word from their books for each letter of the alphabet. 

They will record each word in the rectangle to the right of each letter. Then on the lines below, they have to explain the reasoning behind that word selection.

Remind students that all the words they choose must be connected to the book in some way. 

Encourage them to provide “deep connections” instead of surface-level surface connections.

9. T-Shirt Book Report

If you desire creative book report templates, try this one. 

Provide guidelines so that students know what information to write on each part of the T-shirt. 

For example:

• Sleeve one: title of the book
• Sleeve two: author and illustrator
• The main part of the T-shirt – a summary of the book, figurative language, important vocabulary, facts, opinions, book recommendations, confusing parts, favorite parts, etc. 

There are many ways to structure information for the T-shirt book report template.

As an extension or to make the assignment more challenging, ask students to complete a T-shirt for each chapter or section of their books.

10. Sketch and Caption

This book report template is perfect for lower elementary students. 

They will sketch a picture in the space at the top of the page that shows the main idea of their books. Then they will write a caption or description to accompany the drawing.

Consider having students present their book projects to a partner or the class. 

11. Research Book Report

After reading a nonfiction book, students will choose a topic related to the book that they would like to explore further. 

As an example, if a student is reading about Martin Luther King, Jr., they may want to research segregation, racism, peace, etc. 

As they conduct research, they will record six facts on the template and then create a drawing that represents the topic.

12. Book Review

Book review templates work well for all grade levels. 

After reading a book, prompt students to reflect on what they liked and didn’t like about the book. 

This book report template provides space for students to record the title, author, illustrator, plus summary of the book.

Additionally, they will rate the book using a 5-star rating system, describing what they liked/disliked about the story thus providing a balanced perspective.

As an added bonus, place these recommendations on a bulletin board so that classmates get ideas for future reads. 

Final Thoughts

Boost literacy skills, tap into different learning styles, and save time planning book project ideas by using these printable and free book report templates that come in a variety of formats. 

They meaningfully engage all ages and ability levels.

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75 Frightfully Fun Halloween Activities 👻

42 Creative Book Report Ideas for Students

Inspire your students to share their love of books.

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

1. Concrete Found Poem

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

2. Graphic Novel

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

3. Book Snaps

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

4. Diary Entry

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

5. Pizza Box Book Report

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

6. Book Jacket

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

7. Mint Tin Book Report

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

8. Fictional Yearbook Entries

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

9. Book Report Cake

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

10. Current Events Comparison

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

11. Sandwich Book Report

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

12. Book Alphabet

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

13. Peekaboo Book Report

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

14. Act the Part

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

15. T-shirt Book Report

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

16. Bookmark

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

17. Rays of Sunshine Book Report

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

18. Reading Lists for Characters

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

19. Character To-Do List

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

20. Collage

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

21. Book Reports in a Bag

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

22. Timeline

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

23. File Folder Book Report

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

24. Public Service Announcement

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

25. Triorama Book Report

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

26. Character Cards

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

27. Book Report Mobile

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

28. Fact Sheet

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

29. Dodecahedron Book Report

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

30. Be a Character Therapist

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

31. Charm Bracelet Book Report

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

32. Mind Maps

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

33. Book Report Booklets

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

34. Letter to the Author

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

35. Cardboard Box TV

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

36. Board games

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

37. Foldables

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

38. Timeline

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

39. Comic Strips

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

40. Movie Version

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

41. Wanted Poster

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

42. Wheaties Box Book Report

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

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

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

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Education goes beyond the scope of being a university student. Even people who read fictions and documentaries are educating themselves. It is about getting the knowledge or knowing something new you once never knew. It is always an important idea to write a book report, usually for proving to the assessment team that you understood the content in the book in question. You may also see Report Templates .

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> The Benefits:

• A book summary will help you communicate the ideas of the author of the book in question in a condensed manner, showing the person assessing you that you completely understood what the author was trying to put across at the time of writing the book.
• Such a report helps you determine just how much information from the book is good enough for you instead of giving to focus entirely on every word written in the book.
• If you are doing this for college work, the likelihood that these templates can help you pass your exams is high.

> Conclusion

More in word templates, novel book report template, 7th grade language book report template, cereal box book report template, book review report template, short book report template, project book report template, story book report template, paper bag book report template, comic strip book report template, graphic novel book report template.

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Present the crime

Mysteries and crime thrillers often begin with a prologue in which the inciting crime takes place. The first crime is very likely to be a murder or kidnapping. This is from a POV that is not the main protagonist, it may be from the point of view of the victim, the killer, or an omniscient narrator.

Introduce the sleuth

Next we meet the sleuth, who is the protagonist. This person is often a professional detective, but not always. Sometimes they are a normal person thrust into a situation which gives them no choice but to take action – usually because someone they love is missing or threatened.

Offer plausible suspects

Arguably the most important objective of the murder or crime thriller is to keep the reader guessing who the perpetrator is. In order to do this, there must be several candidates, preferably all acting suspiciously. It will turn out that they’re all acting suspiciously because they do all have something to hide, just not the murder. The actual murderer will ideally not even make it to the reader’s suspect list. During the course of the initial investigations, the sleuth will meet these people as well as gathering early clues and red herrings.

Introduce crime complications

Around this point another body may turn up, and there may be hints that this is all part of a larger conspiracy.

Introduce private life subplot

While hunting down the external criminal demons, the sleuth is also battling their own inner demons.

Investigation and interrogations reveal clues

Pressure should begin to build. If the sleuth is a professional detective, then they may feel pressure from their boss and colleagues. If they are a civilian, then they will get the sense that time is running out to find / save their loved one.

They pick up the pace, following every lead and interrogating anyone who might know anything. Their efforts yield some results (including red herrings).

Disappearance of one suspect

Optionally, one of the key suspects will suddenly vanish, or turn up dead. This indicates that the murderer knows they are being investigated, and that the investigations are getting closer. The sleuth may then look even more closely into the dead suspect, discovering clues that the murderer was hoping to silence.

Raise the stakes

The sleuth gets the clear message that the more they dig, the more they are putting themselves at personal risk from the murderer.

Development of sub-plot

Something about the case antagonises the sleuth’s inner demons and they start to go off the rails while trying to hold it together.

Reveal hidden motives of stakeholders

Most of the suspects will have their secrets revealed, showing them to be flawed, but not murderers.

Unsatisfying solution reached

There may be a false ending, where the case is closed. It may be that powers above have shut down the case, or that it’s believed that the perpetrator has been caught.

Return to overlooked clue from act one

However, the sleuth can’t help thinking that something just doesn’t sit right. They pore over the case, trying to figure out what’s wrong, and they stumble back onto a clue from right at the very beginning of Act I, which finally makes all the pieces fall into place.

Confrontation with perpetrator

The sleuth races to find the real perpetrator and confront them with their evidence. There is a big showdown, and the positive resolution is not certain until the very last moment.

Resolution of subplot

The sleuth returns to their normal life, and buoyed by their successful heroism, they find the inner strength to confront their own demons. They return to everyday life more fulfilled, complete and optimistic.

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Cereal Box Book Reports – A Fun Alternative!

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If you’ve never tried Cereal Box Book Reports, I suggest you give it a try! Teachers are always looking for unique ways to assess their students’ comprehension of fiction books and novels they have read. Many teachers find traditional book report alternatives to be extremely helpful in getting students excited about reading. Sometimes, however, students crave s omething a little bit different . Enter Cereal Box Book Reports!

A few years ago, I started using  Cereal Box Book Reports  as a Reading  project. My students LOVED making them, I noticed a big difference in their engagement in the book report process, and they were so excited to share their final projects. We even left the finished products on display in the classroom!

CEREAL BOX BOOK REPORTS

I suggest having a parent helper work with you to cover all the cereal boxes with white bulletin board paper before you introduce the projects. It saves a TON of work!

Before we began the project, I gave each student a scoring rubric so they knew exactly what was expected. We went over the rubric together. 

Then, I explained that cereal names must correlate to the novel they had chosen to read. These two projects were for the books  Charlotte’s Web  and  Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone .

My students loved having the freedom to choose their own novel (pre-approved) and get creative in matching the theme of their cereal box book report to the book! 

While creating their reports, students wrote the book summaries on one side panel of the cereal box.  They identified and described the setting and main characters on the other side panel.

On the back of the cereal box book report, students created a fun game or activity related to the book. Some made a word search, while others designed mazes, word scrambles, or riddles. 

The title, name of the author, and book ratings were added to the top of the cereal box book reports.

You can either create your own rubric and project directions for your own students, or if you would like to save time, check out my popular, ready-to-print Cereal Box Book Report Packet !

Take a closer look at the complete cereal box book report project below:

Looking for some more fun and creative book report ideas?  I’ve put together a list of  10 Book Report Projects that Kids Love .  Sometimes a fun book project is not enough, especially for those reluctant readers. Based on my experience, here is a helpful list of  25 of the best books for Tweens .

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Shelly Rees

Hi, I’m Shelly! Thank you for being here. I love helping third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers with fun and engaging activities that require no to little prep! Let me help you by taking some of the stress and work off your plate.

Hi, I'm Shelly

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