book report worksheet high school

Book reports may be a staple of elementary and middle school education, but they are far less frequently assigned in the higher grades. High school ELA teacher Nancy Barile thinks that should change. Students in 6th grade and above can learn a lot when they are challenged to use higher order thinking skills to understand and interpret the literature they read via a good old-fashioned high school book report template. 

To start, Barile recommends that students choose the books they want to write about themselves—with teacher approval, of course. See the book list at the end of this article for engaging young adult titles and book report ideas, including books with thematic elements that are particularly appealing to older readers. 

Writing the Report

To structure the book reports, Barile recommends eight sections of analysis that will “require students to provide evidence of their choices and reasoning, which helps them think more deeply about what they have read.” For each section, students should give examples from the book to back up their analysis. The below book report template can help. 

If your students need to review the elements of fiction before beginning this assignment, Teaching Powerful Writing is a great resource. This collection of personal narratives and writing activities highlights different writing techniques and covers literary elements such as voice, using flashback, and point of view.

Book Report Breakdown

Students should identify the setting of the novel and explain why the setting is important.

• How are the time and place significant to the events of the story?
• How does the setting contribute to the overall meaning of the novel? 

2. CHARACTERIZATION

Beginning with the protagonist and then moving on to the supporting characters, students should discuss the characterizations in their novel. 

• Is the character well-developed, or are they a stock or stereotypical character? 
• Is the character static (unchanging throughout the story) or dynamic (changes by the end of the novel)? 
• What personality traits does the character possess, and how does this affect the outcome of the novel? 
• Do the character's inner thoughts and feelings reflect their outward actions? Explain. 

3. POINT OF VIEW

Students should identify the novel’s point of view and why it is significant.

• What advantages does telling the story in (first person/second person/third person) have? Why?
• Why do you think the author chose this point of view? 

4. CONFLICT

What is the primary conflict in the novel? Is it human vs. human, human vs. nature, human vs. society, or human vs. themselves? Your students should delve into conflict much more deeply than they may have in the past. If their story has more than one major conflict, they should detail the additional conflicts as well.

• Explain the conflict and how the protagonist deals with it. 
• Does the protagonist overcome the conflict? Or do they succumb to it?

Students should identify the theme of the novel and the specific meaning of the book they chose. They should avoid stock themes such as “Don’t judge a book by its cover” and think more critically on their author’s message.

• What was the author’s purpose in writing the book?

What are the symbols in the novel and how are they significant?

• How do the symbols help develop the story and contribute to the overall meaning of the book?

7. FORESHADOWING

Students should identify the foreshadowing in their novel and give examples from the text.

• Did you know what was going to come? Why? 
• Were there any hints as to what might occur? 
• Why do you think the author chose to use or not use foreshadowing? 

Finally, students should evaluate the ending of the book.

• Was the ending justified? (Was the ending viable and believable?) 
• Was it a satisfactory ending that fit the rest of the novel? 
• Was there a catharsis of some kind? Explain.

If your students follow this structure in their book report, it will help them explore each of the elements of fiction in a very specific way. As Barile discovered in her decades of teaching: “Students who explain, interpret, and synthesize what they have read gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of literature.”

Shop great classroom titles for book reports below! You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store .

Book Report Worksheets

Beginner and intermediate book report worksheets.

A Book Report is a summary of a book that you read. It usually consists of a few paragraphs describing the plot of the book, without giving major events away. A book report is a good way to check reading comprehension. By reading a book report, you can learn about what the student knows about the book read.

Here is a graphic preview for all of the Book Report worksheets. Our Book Report worksheets are free to download and easy to access in PDF format. Use these Book Report worksheets in school or at home.

a. Grades K-5 Book Report Worksheets b. Grades 6-12 Book Report Worksheets

Here is a graphic preview for all kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade and 5th grade Book Report Worksheets. Click on the image to display our PDF worksheet.

My Fun Book Report Worksheet

One Page Book Report Worksheet

Book Review Book Report Worksheet

Grades 6-12 Book Report Worksheets

Here is a graphic preview for all the 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade, 9th grade, 10th grade, 11th grade and 12th grade Book Report Worksheets. Click on the image to display our PDF worksheet.

Two Page Book Report Worksheet

One Page Book Review Worksheet

Plot Diagram Book Report Worksheet

Story Guide Worksheet

My Book Report Worksheet

Fiction Book Report Worksheet

High School Book Report Worksheets

Biography Book Report Worksheets

Advanced Book Report Worksheets

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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Book Report Planning Sheets

Customize book report planning sheets.

If you're assigning this to your students, copy the worksheet to your account and save. When creating an assignment, just select it as a template!

What is a Book Report?

It is a written summary and analysis of a book's content, intended to provide an overview of its key elements, themes, characters, and plot. It is often used as an educational tool to assess a reader's understanding of a book and their ability to critically analyze its various aspects. They can vary in structure and complexity depending on the grade level and educational objectives.

What are Book Report Planning Worksheets?

They are effective tools that teachers assign to students to organize ideas before beginning a larger, more in-depth report. This simple form is meant to highlight the main idea, plot, setting, and main characters of a book, while also showing that students understand what they read, and that they are able to present information about the pages they've read. Planning an outline ahead of time with a Storyboard That template is an essential step towards an incredible and unique project. This planning can be done in class or as homework in note form.

Why are they Important and How are they Best Used?

They are important because they help students create a plan before executing a large project. Students are able to take what they know from the book, and write it all down in one place. They are also able to decide what they want to include, or not include, in their reports by having all of the information laid out in front of them.

In the world of education, fostering reading comprehension and critical thinking skills is a vital mission. These worksheets provide a structured framework that guides the class through a journey of analyzing, understanding, and reflecting on the books they read.

Types of Projects

• The Traditional Report: The traditional approach involves key elements such as the title and author, summarizing the plot, character analysis, setting description, and personal opinions. These worksheets serve as book report forms that students can use to structure a specific idea, as well as their thoughts and insights. Kids are prompted to identify the main ideas, describe the book's aspects, and offer their opinions on their favorite parts.
• Character Analysis: Delving into characters is a fantastic way to enhance reading comprehension. Students can identify character traits, motivations, and changes throughout the story. By using a book report template for kids, teachers guide elementary-age children to critically think about the characters' development and role in the narrative.
• Setting Exploration: Settings often play a significant role in shaping the story's atmosphere and events. Our worksheets offer a structured platform for students to identify and describe the settings, as well as analyze how they impact the plot and characters. This free printable tool engages middle school students and elementary age kids in a deeper understanding of the story's context.
• Comparative Analysis: Comparing and contrasting two books with similar themes or genres is an enriching exercise. Students can analyze characters, plots, themes, and writing styles side by side. This activity encourages critical thinking as students identify similarities and differences between the two works, honing their ability to critically assess literature.
• Book-to-Movie Comparison: In an age where many books find themselves on the silver screen, comparing a book to its movie adaptation can be captivating. With our worksheets, students can highlight the differences and evaluate how successfully the adaptation captures the essence of the novel. This engaging activity invites children to express their opinion on how well the story transitioned from page to screen.
• Critical Book Review: Encouraging critical thinking is a cornerstone of education. Our handouts can be transformed into platforms for students to review what they've read with a discerning eye. By using a book report generator, students can evaluate plot development, character depth, and writing style, strengthening their analytical skills.
• Alternate Conclusion, Ending, or Sequel: Nurturing creativity is equally important. Our templates can serve as springboards for students to imagine alternate endings or sequels to the book. By completing a book report planning form, grade school children create new narrative possibilities, fostering their imaginative thinking.
• Letter to the Author: What better way to engage students than allowing them to interact with the author? Worksheets can include sections for students to write letters to authors, sharing their thoughts, questions, and reactions. This activity bridges the gap between the author's creation and the student's interpretation.
• Book Advertisement: These worksheets can take the form of designing advertisements or promotional posters for the book. By focusing on key aspects, students not only comprehend the book but also learn to present their understanding in a visually appealing manner.
• Timeline of Events: Understanding the chronological sequence of events is crucial in comprehending stories. Templates can be adapted to create timelines of important events from the book. Students fill in the report form with short summaries of events, identifying their significance, and arranging them chronologically.

Tips for Making a Template

• Understand the Purpose: Begin by understanding the purpose. It's a tool designed to guide students through the process of analyzing and summarizing a book's content.
• Identify Your Audience: Determine whether the worksheet is intended for elementary-grade students or middle-school students.
• Choose a Format: Decide on the format of your worksheet. You can use a no prep printable book report template, or create a custom design.
• Incorporate Structured Sections: Include sections for various aspects of the book such as a short summary, character analysis, and personal reflections.
• Utilize Free Resources: Search for free book report templates online to gather ideas and inspiration for your worksheet's layout and content.
• Consider Grade-Level Appropriate Language: Tailor the language used in the worksheet to suit the reading comprehension level of the students for whom it's intended.
• Add Visual Elements: Enhance engagement by incorporating visuals, like images or icons, to make the worksheet visually appealing.
• Provide Prompts for Analysis: Offer prompts and questions that encourage critical thinking. Include questions like "What is a book report?" and "What are some ideas to make your project unique?"
• Offer Space for Personalization: Include sections that allow students to share their personal opinions, a favorite part of the book, and creative insights.
• Include Organizational Tools: Utilize a book report maker or book report generator to create a professional-looking worksheet. A book report graphic organizer can also help students structure their thoughts effectively in their own words.

By incorporating elements like templates, book report planning forms for grade school, and relevant book report examples, you can design a worksheet that guides students through a comprehensive exploration of the book's content while fostering their creativity and critical thinking skills.

More Storyboard That Resources and Free Printables

• Creative Writing Worksheets
• Plot Diagram Template
• Student Planner Template
• Graphic Organizer Templates

How to Make a Book Report Worksheet

Choose one of the premade templates.

We have lots of templates to choose from. Take a look at our example for inspiration!

Click on “Copy Template”

Once you do this, you will be directed to the storyboard creator.

Give Your Worksheet a Name!

Be sure to call it something related to the topic so that you can easily find it in the future.

Edit Your Worksheet

This is where you will include directions, specific images, and make any aesthetic changes that you would like. The options are endless!

Click "Save and Exit"

When you are finished, click this button in the lower right hand corner to exit your storyboard.

From here you can print, download as a PDF, attach it to an assignment and use it digitally, and more!

Happy Creating!

Frequently Asked Questions About Book Reports

Do book report worksheets limit creativity.

No, they don't inherently limit creativity. While they provide structure through elements like book report templates, they can be adapted to encourage creative analysis. By exploring how to write a report that allows creativity, educators can strike a balance between structured analysis and imaginative insights. Ideas can be integrated to spark imaginative thinking. A well-designed book report template for kids allows room for personal expression while maintaining organization.

Do book reports differ based on grade levels?

Yes, they vary by grade level. Elementary reports focus on simple summaries and character descriptions. Middle school reports delve into themes and analysis. High school and college projects demand deeper analysis, including writing style and context. Worksheets and free book report templates can guide each level.

Are book reports limited to novels?

They extend beyond novels to include non-fiction, biographies, and more, and free book report templates adapt to different genres. A versatile book report template for kids accommodates various reading materials, and ideas cater to diverse literary forms.

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High School - How to Make A Book Report That Will Earn You An "A"

• Ashley Hansen
• Categories : Help with writing assignments paragraphs, essays, outlines & more
• Tags : Homework help & study guides

How to Make A Book Report

Follow these eight easy steps and you’ll be well on your way to acing your class book report.

• Read with Purpose
• Pre-writing
• Introduction
• Character Analysis
• Plot Summary

Step 1: Read With Purpose

Step 2: Pre-Writing

Before you begin writing, create a plan of what will be included in your paper. You can do this in the form of an outline, or by just jotting down the first sentence for each paragraph you intend to write. If you know the structure of your paper beforehand, it will be much easier to read because each paragraph will have a cohesive thought process that leads into the following paragraph. Don’t spend too much time on this step - it should be just 10 or 20 minutes of brainstorming that should come fairly easy if you refer back to the notes you made while reading.

Step 3: Title Page

Don’t forget to add a title page to your report. In the center of the page, write your name, the name of the book, and the class for which you are writing. You may also want to include a heading on the first page of your report that includes this same information. *Note: If your teacher wants you to use a specific writing style, such as MLA , make sure you look up the specific guidelines before creating your title page and header.

Step 4: Introduction

Next up in how to make a book report - the introduction. High school book reports are easy once you’ve done the pre-writing and preparation. Your introduction will be the easiest part of your paper to write. The first paragraph of your paper should include the basic facts about the book. This includes the title, author, date published and a short summary of the setting and plot. You should also include the genre of the book and whether it is fiction or non-fiction.

Step 5: Character Analysis

For works of fiction, you should write a short breakdown of each character. Give the first and last name of the major characters of the book, followed by a short description of each. Writing a high school book report requires more than just the information about where characters are from and who they are related to. It’s important to include a few key personality traits or other facts that affect each character. For example, “James is naive and very generous, and some of the other characters take advantage of him” or “Julia is shy in comparison to her sisters, so she often goes unnoticed at social gatherings; she spends most of her time alone.” Each of these sentences describes how their personality affects their relationships with other characters in the book. This is also an excellent time to include some quotations from those characters who demonstrate their personality. For non-fiction, use this section to introduce the writer and how they are related to the book’s topic.

Step 6: Plot Summary

Writing a high school book report includes the book’s major events. Once the characters have been introduced, move on to a description of the plot. Refer to your notes in naming important events, and remember to note when the climax of the story takes place. Longer books often have a few subplot lines going on throughout the story; only mention these when necessary, or if your teacher expects a very long and detailed report. For non-fiction, the plot summary is where you can describe the story or argument made by the author. Instead of focusing on events, you’ll focus on main themes and statements made in the book.

Step 7: Analysis

Writing a high school book report requires analysis. You may need to analyze the key themes in the book. One important part of any fiction work is symbolism. If a certain object or scene occurs repeatedly throughout the book, you should take note as you’ll want to describe this in the analysis. Whether it’s blood, keys, rainy weather or apples, you should explain the significance of the symbol to the story and give examples of when it appears. Historical significance can also be a great topic for analysis. For example, if the book was written during or takes place in World War II, explore how it reflects the main fears or expectations of people living at that time. Note that you can approach historical significance in more than one way. A book may have been written in 1980, but it could take place in 1900. You can choose to explore either or both of these facts. For examples of analysis, check out these Brighthub novel guides .

Step 8: Conclusion

Your book report should end with a concise summary of the story the key elements that played a part in it. One helpful hint for the conclusion section is to use the end of the story as a way to end your report. By making a statement about the way the story closes, it will also help to “close” your paper.

Use These Tips!

By using these tips, you’ll know how to make a book report that impresses your teacher and increases your chance for earning a better grade. The key here is to take the time to read carefully and thoughtfully - it will save you loads of time in the end. Image by Gerhard Gellinger from Pixabay

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Book reports worksheets for students are valuable tools that help young readers engage with and comprehend the books they read. these worksheets typically include sections for summarizing the plot, analyzing characters, identifying key themes, and offering personal reflections on the book. book reports worksheets encourage critical thinking and foster a deeper appreciation for reading, making them an essential component of the educational journey for students of all ages..

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Free Book Report Templates to Customize

Customize and print a template of book report for your classes with edit.org's free designs. make a custom book report sheet for your students in minutes..

Design the perfect B ook Report outline template to print at Edit.org. Customizable designs for your school library to edit and download.

Create your own Book Report high school template

But...  What is a book report?  Here we explain it to you.

During the course, it is possible that your class teacher may ask you to read a book as homework for a specific subject. 

In these cases, it is advisable to make a reading comprehension worksheet to print out so that you can better remember the details of the book when you have to summarize it.

What should the worksheet include?

• The name of the book
• Details of the book
• Author of the book
• Characters and your favorite
• Area where you can write a summary of the book

In our editor, you can find book reports  ready to print in a couple of clicks.

In addition, on Edit.org you can find all kinds of educational graphic content such as posters to encourage reading , designs with motivational quotes for teachers , and make posters for special days such as the International Day for Tolerance .

How to edit a kids Book Report template on Edit.org

Follow the steps below and it will be a success:

• Click on any of the images in the post or go directly to the editor to get started.
• Select the image you like best
• Customize it by giving it your special touch (colors, pictures, text... whatever you want!)
• Save the final result in our cloud. You will be able to modify it within your user profile.
• Download your design in the format you want. JPG, PDF, or PNG are the best options.

Let's succeed!

Create a Book Report template for kindergarten to download

If you are a school teacher , these reading worksheets for children are ideal for students to retain as much information as possible. Also, if you've ever wondered how to make a reading worksheet , with Edit.org you won't have to think about it or do it, just choose yours, edit it, and... voila! voila, magic!

For example, you can have a Book report  for a primary school book with a professional and original result. They are ideal as a learning tool for all the pupils in your class - with just a few clicks, you'll get cool, personalized designs!

Enter the online graphic editor now and create primary Book Reports that you can use in class with your students. 

Editable Book Report templates for college

Book & eBook Covers

Comic Strips

High School Book Report: Template, Format, & Tips

• 📒 The Basics
• 🔰 Book Report Format
• 📑 Book Report Template
• ✍️ Writing Tips
• 📖 Book Report Examples

🔗 References

How can a teacher check if students have read the book? They ask to write a book report. The assignment is an extended summary of the book. However, high school book reports are usually more complicated. They require you to evaluate the piece of writing, reflect on it, or answer some questions.

📒 High School Book Report: The Key Features

• A high school book report is a standard high school assignment. Unfortunately, it is not a real-world writing task because you will never write anything similar outside your school.
• There are three types of writing, depending on the book genre: nonfiction, biography, and fiction book reports.
• It is a combination of facts and your feelings about them.
• It is NOT a research paper , as it deals with one book individually, not a specific genre or author’s legacy. Neither should you dig into the author’s personality or lifeline.
• It is NOT a book review, as it does not compare the writing with other books. Moreover, you are not supposed to recommend it expressly to other people.
• It is NOT a critical essay because its purpose is not to evaluate but to report the key features (although you may include some evaluation).

🔰 High School Book Report Format

If you write a high school book report on a work of fiction, choose one of the following summarizing strategies:

• In an action summary , list the most critical events in their sequence. This approach is the simplest. You can choose the events that you consider the most important.
• To write a story pyramid , use the central plotline elements as a plan: exposition, rising action, climax, and falling action. You will require some knowledge of these literary elements.

To accelerate the writing of this section, you can use our Summarizer Tool . It will condense any lengthy text into a summary in a couple of seconds.

Theme and Character Analysis

A theme of a fictional book is its central topic or message . To know if you understood the theme correctly, check if it fits into one or two words: love, freedom, betrayal, social stereotypes, etc. A book can have several themes, but one is usually central. Highlight it, also mentioning the secondary themes.

A character analysis focuses on the principal traits of the main characters. Get the clues from what they say and do to other protagonists.

Tone & Setting

The tone of a book is the author’s feelings about something. Is it sarcastic, depressive, or optimistic? Try not to mix it with the mood, which means the book’s atmosphere.

To differentiate, here is the rule.

The tone equals how the author feels about the events. The mood equals how the reader feels about the same.

Time and place setting are the easiest things to define if you were attentive while reading the book. When did the events happen (a year or historical period), and where did they occur? Note that sometimes the time and setting can be fictional, i.e., not existing in reality.

Author & Publication Date

Specify the author’s full name and the book’s first publication date here. You can add the first publisher’s name.

The best strategy in this section is to select the quotes supporting the central theme you specified above. They will explain and illustrate the author’s key message. If you need to add some indirect quotes to your text, you might want to use our paraphrase generator .

📑 High School Book Report Template

To illustrate the slightly tricky format described above, we have prepared a high school book report template in PDF format. Feel free to download it and use it as a reference.

✍️ Book Report Writing Tips

📖 high school book report examples.

Below you’ll find the links to a number of high school book report examples.

• “Comfort Women” by Nora Keller
• “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• “Black Like Me”: book by John Griffin
• “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker
• “Careless Lovers” by Edward Ravenscroft
• “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway
• The Crucible by Arthur Miller
• “The Man Who Was Almost a Man” by Richard Wright
• “The Making of a Quagmire” by David Halberstam
• “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens
• “The Tale of Kieu” by Nguyen Du
• Franz Kafka’s “Metamorphosis”
• ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ by Jonathan Swift
• “Oedipus the King” by Sophocles
• “A Rose for Emily” Short Story by William Faulkner
• The Play “Hamlet” by Shakespeare
• “Daddy” by Sylvia Plath
• “Cathedral” by Raymond Carver

We hope that with the help of this article, your book report will take much less time. If you have already written the text and would like to listen to how it sounds, use our Text-to-Speech tool . It is always easier to “hear” your mistakes being read by another person.

❓ High School Book Report: FAQ

How to write a nonfiction book report.

• Skip secondary details and irrelevant information.
• Write all the book’s ideas in your own words.
• Do not repeat yourself.
• Structure your report according to the chronological order or the order of importance.
• What would the author like you to remember after reading the book? It is exactly what you should include in the book report.

How to Write a Book Report on a Biography?

• Are you supposed to focus on the protagonist’s character traits or their life story? Choose either option, depending on the assignment.
• Divide the life of the protagonist into periods.
• Characterize each period and mention the critical events.
• Explain how the biography explains the actual person’s worldview and accurately depicts the past.

How to Write a Book Report Without Reading the Book?

• You’ll have to read the book’s beginning and end to get the central message.
• Flip through the pages in search of some quotes evidencing the idea.
• Keep your tone general, but include some specific details.
• Use a summarizing tool.
• Request academic assistance.

What are the 5 Parts of a Book Report?

Any book report should comprise:

• theme and character analysis;
• tone, time, and setting;
• author’s full name and publication date;
• best quotes.

Some assignments will require you to make a deeper analysis of the text, but this is a compulsory minimum.

• Book reports | Purdue Online Writing Lab
• How to write a book review and a book report · Help & how-to
• How to Write a Book Report: Lesson for Kids – Study.com
• Book Reviews – UNC Writing Center
• Foolproof Guide to Writing a Book Review
• What is a Book Review? – Definition & Examples – Study.com

How to Organize a Literature Review [in 30 Minutes or Less]: Outline & Tips

Writing an effective research proposal sample in 3 steps.

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

FREE Poetry Worksheet Bundle! Perfect for National Poetry Month.

Free Book Report Templates: Printables for Grades 3-5 for Fiction or Nonfiction Books

Take a new spin on your book report assignment. 📚😍

The Nocturnals are fun-filled animal adventure books with companion nonfiction for elementary school classrooms. Check out The Nocturnals World , a resource hub with free turnkey printable activities and educator guides, and browse The Nocturnals bookstore!

Building lifelong readers is one of the most important things we can do in our classrooms. The benefits of reading are wide-ranging, from improving vocabulary skills to boosting cognitive development, concentration skills, and curiosity for learning. So, how do we get young learners excited about reading and sharing what they’ve learned? Check out our free book report template printables .

Four different activities are ready to print to help you take a new spin on your next book report assignment for fiction or nonfiction books. Students will love filling in their mini book report one-pagers or making their selections from the choice board to share details about what they read.

Worksheets Included:

My mini book report—fiction and nonfiction.

These book report one-pagers are a great way for students to reflect on their readings as they complete different sections of the worksheet. There’s a version for both fiction and nonfiction.

Book Report Choice Board

Give students choices on how they want to complete their book report assignment. This choice board offers eight fun options, from designing a comic to creating a playlist or writing interview questions, so students can let their creativity guide them.

Designing Water Bottle Stickers

Students are obsessed with stickers. In this unique activity, students will design water bottle stickers that the main character of the book would love to have, along with a short description of their choices.

Give students fun-filled books to choose from

Animal adventure books from The Nocturnals are the perfect way to get your upper elementary students excited about reading. Paired with nonfiction companion texts that explore nocturnal animal facts, this series is great for hi-lo readers. Visit The Nocturnals World for more free printable activities and educator guides.

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Homeschooling Teen

How to Write a High School Book Report Outline

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By Lori Wade

Writing a book report for high school students can at times be a difficult task, whereby they are expected to write a critical analysis of a book they have just read. It is an exercise for evaluating the book you’ve just read to show your understanding. In the early days in school, elementary students are given easy to comprehend books to read and guided in writing reports. By the time the students are in high school, they are expected be to write book reports on their own.

Each tutor has their own instructions and preferences when they are guiding students to read and write reports. There is no universal format when it comes to reading, understanding and interpreting what and how students read. Although that is the case, the following guidelines should help you get a footing in the effort of writing a crisp book report.

How to Write a Book Report

You need first to read the book and understand the content well before you can write a good book report for it. If the choice of the book is yours, you should consider selecting a book that you’ll have fun reading. When reading, always have a pen and paper by your side to write down page numbers, chapters, and topics, and take short notes about interesting passages.

Every report that you write in high school must have a title page. Format your title page according to the requirements that your teacher asks you to write in, like MLA. Write your name and title of the book and your class.

Introduction

In this section, you will provide basic information about the book and a synopsis of what the report will be about. You will include the following information in this section:

• Title of the book which must be underlined and the name of the author
• Publication Information such as the publisher, year of publication, and number of pages
• Genre of the book
• A brief introduction to the book and the report, typically a 1 to 2 sentence paragraph.

Here, you will work on two sections. The first is an exploration of what is contained in the book and the second part is your opinion and insight into the book and its success rate.

When you are working on a book report, you will be required to follow the different guideline for fiction and nonfiction books. Although they will be structured differently from each other – you will start from a common point where you discuss the author’s purpose and themes in the book and then break away to tackle each genre independently.

Fiction/Imaginative

For fiction and other creative and imaginative books, start by providing a brief account of the setting, the perspective and the characters in the book like the protagonist and antagonist and the major characters as well. You will also discuss the mood or tone of the book.

Write a brief summary of the plot where you will include the major events and the order in which they occur in the book. You should discuss the climax and the resolution of the book and some literary strategies such as foreshadowing. This is applicable to reports but is different in book reviews, whereby you should be on the lookout not to give away details pertaining the plot or the ending of the book.

Nonfiction/Factual

For reality writing, give an overall overview of the topic, main points, and arguments that come out in the book. Provide the thesis and the major conclusions of the book. You are not supposed to summarize all the chapters in the book or every perspective, just explore the main ones and those that are significant to the book, or interesting to you.

Analysis and Evaluation

This is the section in which you analyze and critique the book. In this section, you can write your opinions and bring out your insight into the book and present your arguments, but you will be required to provide explanations and evidence from the book to support your view. Try to balance your opinions not showing a clear inclination towards one side.

When writing this section, the body of the report, the following aspects should be lingering in your head:

• Your general response to the book; exciting, dull or moving
• The writing style the author used; powerful, efficient, complicated, or beautiful
• For a nonfiction book, assess the qualifications author on the subject written. Are you in agreement with the arguments and conclusions of the author?
• Was the objective of the writer achieved?
• Can you recommend the book to other readers? If so, Why? If not, Why not?
• What are the strong points and weak points in the book?

The Conclusion

When concluding your report, briefly pull your thoughts together by summing up the impact the book had on you while reading. You may state the impression that the book gave you, or you may place emphasis on what you want the reader to know about the book. It’s in the conclusion that you’re actually free to include your own views and attitudes.

A good way of writing the conclusion of your report is by looking at the conclusion of the book and borrowing from it. Fuse it with your own thoughts and be aware that other readers might differ from your perspectives.

Revising, Editing, and Submitting

When you finish writing your book report, you are ready to enter this stage. Follow the guidelines of proofreading any written material. Read over your report correcting common mistakes and enriching the details of your report. Read out aloud to yourself and to a friend and ask for feedback. Give it to a senior student or your parent. As you revise the report, ensure that you’ve adhered to the guidelines of the book quoting and that you’ve written the book titles and names in the correct formatting style that you’re writing in.

Ensure that you finish your report on time so as to spare some more for revising and editing before you submit your final report and you’ll be assured of a good score. You can present a rough draft to your teacher before the final submission date for their opinion on whether you are writing in the proper context or where you need to modify and improve on.

Extra Practice

Take extra lessons online offering writing coaching and practice the skills you learn. This way you will improve your basic writing skills which will ensure you can tackle any writing assignment including book reports and reviews. Read other book reviews online and have a grip on how reports and reviews are professionally presented.

Writing book reports can be fun especially for the books that you find interesting to read. You will find all not assignments are of books fun to read. With enough practicing and several assignments successfully completed, you will tackle even the hardest and most annoying books. Remember to always start with the high school book report outline .

High school book reports are a good way of preparing for the more intensive and involving college report writing. Please let us know if there is any tip that we didn’t discuss in the article, which has helped you write grade A+ reports, and we shall include it.

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40+ Book Report Templates & Reading Worksheets

A book report template is a form used to ensure that the students have read the assigned books. It is a way to teach the children how to pick the main ideas or themes of the book. Teachers give book-reading assignments to the students to develop the habit of book-reading. To reduce teachers’ workload, we share a collection of free book report templates for college, middle, and high schools in PDF and other formats that you prefer.

Table of Contents

Book reports also show the students’ interest, whether they like the book or not, which characters they like and dislike, moments of the story they like, and so on. See below to learn everything about book reports.

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Download Free Book Report Templates

What is a book report?

Book reports are used to know the students’ ideas about a book assigned to them for reading purposes. In a book report, they read a book assigned by their teacher and then write all the things about the book that they like or not. It is the best way to develop writing and reading skills in children. These kinds of activities usually start from the 4th grade because, at this age, children adopt things as a habit easily, and reading habits are one of the best qualities in any person. The things that should be included in it are the book name, author name, publication date, character name, your thoughts, and summary of the books. In a simple book report, the teacher asks to write about the books in a paragraph format; it may be a form just like a questionnaire.

Teachers can create it according to their choice with editable book report templates, which enable them to change it according to the grade. Students can use a reading log to remember which book they read with the author’s name, favorite character, moments they like or dislike, details about the plot, and other things they want to save about this book. Analytical, communication, and writing skills are developed in students when they write the summary or theme of the assigned book. You can download free printable book report worksheet templates and forms for fiction and nonfiction books that help you do your job easily. 

Elements of book report

When a book has been read with full focus and concentration, you can write about that book easily. Different elements of it show the reader’s thoughts about that book. A standard book report must include the following factors, in our collection, you can find the templates with all the essential elements. Below we share the important elements of the book that should be included in every form of it.

• The name of the reader. 
• Title of the book with the name of the author.
• Other information like publisher name, date, edition, and details if the book is translated.
• The type of book you read, fiction or nonfiction, should be mentioned. 
• Reasons for reading this book like the author is your favorite, listening from your friend about it, or something else. 
• The number of pages the book has.
• Few lines about the main character and other characters of the book.
• Few lines that you like the most. 
• Setting and plot summary of this book in a few lines. 
• The conclusion at the end of the form shows your thoughts about this book, whether you like it or not. 

The above are essential and must be included in different levels of a book report. For different levels, you can find different book report templates. You can see book reports for 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade templates in PDF format with a collection of college and school-level book report templates that are editable, printable, and available free in just one click.

Format of Book Report

Making a book report according to the standard format is essential to make it readable. Some people don’t know about the standard format; you can see our collection templates, which are accordion to format and perfect for school and college-level students. The reader’s thoughts are easily understood and clearly described in a few steps. See below to learn how to format it in a few easy steps. 

• First paragraph: In the first paragraph, write the name of the book title, book author, publishing details, and type of the book, and define the basic idea of the book. State all these things in a few lines; don’t be lengthy in your words. 
• The second paragraph: Write about the book’s main character in the second paragraph. State your thoughts, whether you like the main character or not, write what you like the most about him/her, and discuss what you dislike. 
• 3rd paragraph: State your thoughts about each book character in one line following their name. Write about the book’s essential character. Writing a biography book report can be challenging, but we make it easier by designing simple templates. It shows your interest in the book and improves your ability to explore and analyze. 
• Summary paragraph: Now, the time is to plot the summary paragraph of the assigned book. You should provide an overview of the whole book, it’s subject of it. The main idea is given by the author in a few lines. Describe each chapter and the book’s story briefly, and make sure these things should be covered in 5,6 sentences instead of writing in detail. 
• Setting: In this section of the book report, discuss where the story takes place, what you like most, and the places you dislike. 
• Conclusion: The last thing that you should describe in your book report is the conclusion; wrap up all the things by summarizing your thoughts, like the strengths and weaknesses of this book, things you like or dislike about this book, what you learned from this book, and close it. Write your opinion about the book you have in 1,2 paragraph covering your overall expression. 

Above, we discuss the proper and standard way to write the book report; you can skip some elements when you use it at the school level for 4th- and 5th-grade students. You can use the simple reading worksheet and ask the children of early grades to fill it out. Ensure the worksheet contains only simple questions like the book’s name, the author’s name, etc.

Purposes of Book Report

A book report is used to know the thoughts about a book that a report writer has read. There are various purposes of the book report; some essential objects are as follows:

• The primary purpose of this report is to provide information about that book to the report reader to decide whether he/she read it or not.
• Another essential goal is for schoolchildren to develop reading habits in them. 
• It also ensures that the students have read the assigned book. 
• Improving their ability to explore and analyze each section of the book may help them better understand things in the future. 
• All we know is that reading gives you incredible benefits, and communication skills are improved when you provide your ideas about the assigned books and understand the message of the author that he/she wants to deliver. 
• Writers of the report can easily identify the strengths and weaknesses of their work when they analyze it and compare it to the work of other authors. 

Things to Focus on While Writing the Book Report

A book report provides enough information about the book if it is written briefly, clearly, and concisely. Before writing it, please read the book with full concentration, understand the main idea of it, and after making some rough notes about it, then write the book report. Below, we mention some essential points you should remember while writing the book report. 

• While reading the book, you should make rough notes about what you want to include in the book report. Write the quotes you like the most, the place, or the event where the story takes place with the page number to discuss in the report. These notes help you to understand the concept of this book easily, the role of each character, and state your opinion easily. Take these notes while writing the book report to write the story more efficiently. 
• Don’t take the thing lengthy; write down everything in the report briefly. 
• Ensure each paragraph is written according to the standard format, like MLA format.
• Make sure to discuss only the main character that writes a line about their role in the play.
• In the summarizing section, write a few lines to explain the story of the book instead of providing a detailed description. 
• Write your opinion in positive and friendly words even if you dislike the book. In case you do not like the book, you must give a solid reason in your argument. 
• Make sure it should be error-free, and edit it again and again before handing it to others.

Types of Book Report

If you want to find someone’s opinion about a book from a person which he/she has already read then the book report is the best option for that. A book report is not just written for the whole book, you can write it for a chapter of a book by downloading the chapter book report template used to provide information about a chapter of a book.  There are different ways to take the book report, some of these are as follows:

• Plot summary: Summarizing the story of the book in a few lines doesn’t mean retelling the whole story. It is a form of book report in which the report writer gives enough information to the reader to decide whether he/she read it or not. Use positive words in your writing, and state your opinion or feelings by discussing the most important points in a few lines with some evidence from the book.
• Themes: Themes are one of the easiest ways to write a book report. Before writing the theme of the book you should read the book report with full concentration and explore the theme of it. Write your opinion after discussing the theme of it. Explore the theme of the book and explain it in your own words, you can also use some quotes from the book and establish a connection between the theme you explore and quotes from the book to support your argument.
• Character analysis: When you write the book report by discussing the various character of the book in detail. Explain each character with their role and state how their role affects the play. This form of a book report is best for the 5th, 6th, and above grades of students. You can write each character their way of talking, dressing style, and other things provided by the book writer. State which characters you like the most or not with strong evidence from the book. Make sure to write a valid argument by analyzing each and every character then state all of your observations about them in a few lines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Difference between book report and book review.

Sometimes, people get confused with book reports and book reviews; the matter of fact is that a book report is used to summarize the book while other book reviews contain a deep analysis of the book.

How long should a book report?

The book report is usually between 600 to 800 words in length. Don’t be lengthy in your words; try to describe all the things in a few lines briefly.

What should be included in the book report?

It should include the author’s name, book title, description of the characters, summary plot, setting, and at the end, state your opinion about this book in the conclusion section.

How do you write a second-grade book report?

The book report is a way to teach the students how to explore, analyze, and write about a book. Explain to the students which things include in the introduction section, why they choose this book, and ask them to plot other details about this book and their opinion on that.

How to end the book report?

When you discuss the summary, character, and necessary information of the book, now the time is to end the report with a clear conclusion in which you can state your thoughts about this book.

What are the benefits of book reports

• Improve the ability to explore, analyzing, and thinking. 
• Helpful to develop the habit of reading in children.
• Give enough information to the report reader about a book.
• Improve communication skills when you are trying to explore or understand the message of the author.

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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

If you want a book report template quickly, simply scroll to the bottom of this post to download ours FREE.

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. 

You can download it for free in our subscriber library . 

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.

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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