Monthly Book Shares

Reading outside of school is an important part of your education. Although there will be time during the school week to engage in independent reading, it is my expectation that you read after you leave school. The great news about monthly book reports is that you can adapt your reading to suit your book tastes, strengths & weaknesses, and report choices. I will be requiring you to read a book from a certain genre each month, but as for the kind of book report you will do, it will be up to you. Even though certain projects may really appeal to you, remember to make sure the project you choose will work well with the novel you read. Books must be at least one hundred pages in length and cannot be a book that you have already read.

Guidelines:1. READ your book! Try to finish the reading portion of your book in the first three weeks. Leave 1

week before the due date to work on the book report! It is no fun to be scrambling and stressed at the last minute, and you usually do have enough time to do your best work.

2. You may go above and beyond the requirements! Always do at least the basic requirements of each book report. Remember, you can be as creative as you wish to be and put as much work into the book report as you are willing. Every student has his or her own level of creativity, and I will judge your book share based on what I know that you can do and not what someone else has done. Put your best effort forth, and make your project something that you are proud to call your own.

3. Make sure that your book report matches the requirements that I’ve given; if it is missing elements, this is where you will lose points. At the end of this booklet, I have included the rubric that I use to grade each book share. Before you turn in your book share, it is a smart idea to judge it using the guidelines and the rubric. Make sure to proofread and look for mistakes. When my pen finds errors, you lose points; when you find mistakes, you can fix them. :) Remember, I don't give grades; you earn them!

4. Once you have done a certain book report, you will not be allowed to do it again. 5. Time limit for each book report: 1 month

Book Report Details:

Month: Genre: Due Date:

September Fantasy Fri., Sept. 27 or

Tues., Oct. 1 You pick!

November Mystery Wed., November 27

January Historical Fiction Fri., January 31

February Biography or autobiography Fri., February 28

March Newbery Medal / Honor book Tues., March 31

Here are a number of different ideas for how to present your book report.

1. Children's Book

Turn the novel you read into a children's story by retelling the plot in a simple way with vocabulary appropriate for youngsters. Make sure your creation looks like a children's book, complete with a hard cover with the title and author, and colorful illustrations above and below your writing. Make sure all writing is either typed or written neatly.

2. Book SequelWrite a sequel to the book that you just read. Maybe the book left you questioning what happens next. This is your chance to finish the story. Your story should be at least five pages double spaced. Your book should look like a book in that it has a cover, dedication page, back cover summary, about the author, etc.

3. Rewrite the Ending

If you did not care for the way your book ended, here is your opportunity to change it. Rewrite a new ending to the book. Be sure to write in the style of the author. DO NOT explain how the ending should be changed. Write as if you were writing the story. On a separate page describe the original ending and the changes you made and then explain why you made these changes.

4. Map

If the book you read involves a number of locations within a town, country, or geographical area, create a map. First, make a list of all the locations - houses, stores, streets, parks, lakes, etc. mentioned in your book's setting. Then, draw the map showing a bird's eye view of the area. Label each location. Below the map, create a legend with a list of all the locations and a description of important events that occur at each. Make sure your map has lots of details, is colorful, and large enough to be seen clearly. All writing should be done in black ink or marker.

5. Time Line

Brainstorm a list of all the major events in the plot from beginning to end and then organize them, not in the order they are written, but in the order they would have happened if the events actually took place in real life. Create a time line using a big sheet of paper. On your time line, write a short description of what happens for each event and, if possible, try to identify the time of each event with dates, seasons, etc. Add pictures and symbols to make your time line colorful. All writing should be done in marker or typed and then glued on your time line.

6. Test

Create a test for the book. Include a variety of kinds of questions such as true/false, multiple choice, matching, short answer, essay, or any other kind of question. Be creative, but you must have a total of twenty-five questions, one of which must be an essay. Be sure to write clear directions for each section. Attach a completed answer key. You can do this by printing out a second copy of the test and filling in your answers on the test. Your test must be typed and needs to include a summary that you can share with the class.

7. Model of the Setting / Diorama

If the place where the story takes place is a significant part of the story, create a model of the setting. Create your model in either a large box, on a piece of cardboard or piece of wood. Be sure to make it as realistic as possible. Include lots of details in your model which demonstrate events that occur in the novel you read. You may also want to include characters from your novel on the model you create. With your diorama, you also need to include two to three paragraphs detailing your story, the setting, and its significance to the rest of the story.

8. Book Brochure

Make a book report by creating a sales or travel brochure about the book using computer software or by hand. Pretend the brochure advertises the book and the setting in which the book takes place. Your brochure should have pictures, captions, and should showcase the elements of a story found in the book (i.e. setting, characters, point of view, plot, and theme).

9. NewspaperCreate a front page to a newspaper that is devoted entirely to your book. The page should look as much like a real newspaper as possible with writing in columns, headlines, a newspaper title, etc. You can include a variety of different kinds of features including horoscopes for each character, "Dear Abby" letters, comic strips, news articles, ads, an obituary section, or anything else you might find in a newspaper. Everything you include; however, must be based on events and characters in the book you read.

10. DiaryChoose one main character from the novel you read and create a diary from his/her point of view that reveals all the major events in his/her life as well as this character's feelings about these events including his/her hopes, dreams, problems, concerns and frustrations. Fill the diary with entries spread out over the entire period of time from the beginning of the novel to the end. Begin with "Dear Diary," and write from the first person point of view (ex: Dear Diary, today I went to see my best friend and we. . .). On each entry, if possible, write a date. Remember many dates of holidays can be checked on a calendar. If no dates are given, but seasons or other clues are given, then guess an approximate date. Place your entries into a cover that you create, organizing them in the proper order. On the first page, include an information sheet identifying the full name of the character, his/her age (guess if you don't know), where he/she lives, and any other important information.

11. Coat Hanger Mobile

You’ll need to show the book's setting, characters, and plot (such as found in a plot diagram (See #29), and theme or message. Each part will need a picture with a caption to describe how it relates to your book. You should have at least eight parts to the mobile. Somewhere, you will also need to include the book's title and author. 3. Make the illustrations. Cut them out. Color them on both sides.4. Put your mobile together. Make sure to balance all the pieces.

12. Scrapbook

Create a scrapbook for one of the main characters that reflects the many events that occur to him or her in the novel you read. You can include photographs, letters, post cards, telegrams, a family tree, newspaper article clippings, memorable items, or anything else you can think of that you might find in a scrapbook. If you include objects or photographs, be sure to write captions below describing what they are or what's going on and their significance to the character. Create a nice cover for your scrapbook. On the inside, paste an information sheet identifying the full name of the character, his/her age (guess if you don't know), where he/she lives, and any other important information.

13. Photo AlbumCreate a photo album of your book. You may draw or print pictures that show the important details about your book. Arrange pictures in the order the events occur. Be sure to show the beginning, middle, and end of your story; this means that you should show at least 7 events from your story. Below each, write a caption that explains who the people are, what is going on, etc. Write the captions from the point of view of one of the main characters (ex: This is my best friend and I when we...). On one or two pages, make an information sheet identifying the name of the character, his/her age (guess if you don't know), where he/she lives, and other important information about this person.

14. StorytellingTurn the novel you read into an oral story. Do NOT read from the novel, but instead, retell the story in your own words. Before you actually begin your story, introduce the title and author. Be sure to use appropriate tone and volume as well as special sound effects to help make your story more exciting! Develop a different voice for each of the main characters who "speak" in your story. You will have to skip parts of the story because a novel is very long. Create a script to use when you tell your story. Your final copy will need to be a recorded version, which will be played for the class. You could use a tape player, your computer, or even create a podcast. Turn the script in with your tape. When you turn in book report, make sure to hand in your script along with the recording.

15. Cereal Box Book Report Make a cereal box that represents the book. Use a real cereal box for ideas about how to format and design the box.Include the following items on the box: Front Include the name of the cereal and a picture. Invent a name for the cereal that is related to the title of the book and sounds like a cereal. Do not use the exact title of the book. Side One

• Make a list of ingredients that includes the story elements. • Create a "Nutritional Facts" chart that rates the book by giving the percentage of the RDA

(Recommended Daily Allowance) in several categories (humor, drama, suspense, action, education, vocabulary, etc.)

Side Two is your choice. You may not repeat material from the other sides. Top – Title, Author, Publisher, Date, Number of Pages (Illustrator, if there is one) Bottom – Your name and the date Back : Illustrate scenes or characters from the book. Create "catch phrases" to go along with the cereal and the commercial. Make sure to include a detailed summary of the book.Prize Cereal boxes often include a prize. It is your choice if you’d like to include one.

16. Power Point Presentation

You will create a Power Point based on your book. Play around with this program. Put in pictures from your book or clipart. Google is a great place to search for pictures. Think about including slide transitions, timing, fonts, sounds, music, etc. You will present your slideshow to the class. Details:Slide 1 - Name of book and Author and Prepared by … Slide 2 - The main characters in the book are : Slide 3-6 - Elements of a story: introduction, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action, & denouement or conclusionSlide 7 - The main idea / theme of the book is…. Slide 8 - Your opinions about the book / recommendationsSlide 9 - About the Author

17. File Folder Book ReportDecorate the front cover of the folder with the book title, author, your name, and a colorful picture showing the setting the book. On the inside of your file folder, you’ll be showcasing the elements of the story.

o Write a summary of the book. o Include at least two drawings of an important events or facts from the book. o Characters such as the protagonist and antagonist. Make sure to give character

traits along with details.o Themes found in the book & messages that you are taking away from ito POV: 1st or 3rd person (How do you know?)o Conflict: kinds of & give examples for each one found in the story

On the back cover, you will need to create a plot diagram showing the parts of the story. See number 29 for an example of a plot mountain.

18. Windsock Book Report1. Use 12” x 18” white construction paper.2. Measure down 4” from the top of the paper and draw a line. Cut outstrips the width of the ruler up to the line. Leave a ruler space betweeneach strip, cutting out every other strip.3. Write the name of the book and the author on the top 4” of the paper.Draw a picture of the setting, the main characters, or an event in the storyin this top part. Be artistic and creative!4. Label each strip with the category heading (setting, main characters, main event, problem or solution). Write the setting, characters, the main events, problems or solutions sideways on the strips, saving the first strip for glue and the last one for the genre (realistic fiction).5. Form a circle with the first strip glued under the last strip.6. Punch two holes for string, tie with string or yarn together and hang from the ceiling.

19. Memory BagMake a list of the story elements, making sure that you retell the story. Beside each element, write down an object to represent each one. Find the objects and put them in a bag (brown grocery bag, gift bag, cloth bag, whatever!) You will use the items in your bag to retell the story to the class. The outside of your memory bag will need to be decorated to showcase your book as well. Make sure to include the title, author, a detailed summary, & picture(s). Create a sheet like the one shown below and include it in your bag.

20. Book JacketLook at least five examples of book jackets before beginning this project.Using construction paper of whatever color you wish, design a book jacket which will be folded like the picture above. Cut the paper any size you wish. Fold it like a real book jacket. You may use the computer or create your book jacket by hand or use a combination of both. Design your book jacket so it includes the information generally found on a book jacket.

21. Game Board

Your assignment is to create a game board based on your book.• You are to create a pathway for a game board with a Start and Finish. On the squares of the pathway, you will put the main events of the story, including the conflict and resolution (solutions) in pictures and words, with some squares remaining blank.• If your book is an informational book, your squares will include facts from your book. Perhaps a true/false question to move forward?• If the event is a happy occasion, you can add lines such as “Go ahead 2 spaces.”• If the event is unhappy, you may write, “Go back to Start”, or “Go back 3 spaces.”• You will need to include directions for the game. Some even make the game pieces as characters or objects in the story, while others also include a decorated box for the game board.• The title, date, author as well as pictures and “retold by…” also need to be on the game board. You will also need to include a summary of the book.• Be sure your game goes forward so that someone will win.

22. Story Skeleton Tell about the “body of the story” you read this month. Put together a “skeletonish” mobile to use in your story presentation. You’ll get to hang it up when you’re finished. Use index cards or stiff paper. Put the skeleton together with string or yarn.Head: Draw and color the face of the main character. Write your nameon back of the head.Chest/Upper Torso: Draw & color the setting where and when the storytakes place.Abdomen/Hips: Write 1-3 sentences in your best writing that explainthe main problem or adventure in the book.Upper Arms: Write the names of other important characters. Add howeach relates to the problem or main character.Lower Arms: Write interesting details from the bookThighs: Write other problems the character must solve on the way tosolving the main problem.Lower Legs: Write ways the character gets out of the adventure orsolves the main problem – the climax and solution.Feet: Write one thing you like about the book on each foot.

23. Puppet Play 1. Play: Write a play in your own words retelling the story. Be sure to include the title, author, & genre. Tell all about the main characters and the problems faced in the story. 2. Puppets: Make puppets. You can make the puppets out of tongue depressors, socks, or whatever you can think of. Make whatever props you think you might need. 3. Come to class and present your puppet show. Think of it as acting out the story.

24. Wanted PostersMake a "wanted" poster for the protagonist and the antagonist in your book and one other character of your choice. Include the following: (a) a drawing or cut out picture of the character or object, (b) a physical description of the character or object, (c) the character’s or object’s misdeeds (or deeds?), (d) other information about the character or object which is important, (e) the reward offered for the capture of the character or object. Make sure that your wanted poster contrasts the difference between these two characters. You'll also need to create a cover poster for the wanted posters that includes the book title, author, a book summary, and a picture of an important event from the story.

25. Graphic NovelCreate a Graphic Novel version of the book. Make a plot diagram / mountain of your book; your graphic novel must include all these story parts. Make sure that your book has a cover, colored pictures, and speech bubbles that tell the story.

26. Novel in a BagUse a standard-sized brown bag (from a store) for this next project. Inside the bag the student will place four items which could symbolize events from the story, the story characters, or themes from the novel. If the symbolic items are not immediately available for the student to bring in their bag, they can draw a picture of the symbol on an index card or bring in a picture cut from a magazine. Side One—Protagonist illustration Side Two—Illustration of a conflict faced by the protagonist Side Three—Illustration of the setting Side Four—Illustrate a new book cover page with the title, author’s name, and an illustration Inside the Bag—Four items to symbolize themes, content, or characters from the novel

27. 4D Quadrama Book ReportQuadramas are four trioramas put together. You will need to showcase four important scenes from your story. Each scene will need to have a paragraph explaining what is happening in the triorama and its importance to the story. Your quadrama should be three dimensional with pop-up characters, trees, etc.

28. Book Report T-shirtYou will need a plain t-shirt and fabric markers or Sharpies to do this book report. On the front of the shirt you will need to include the title and author of the book along with an eye-catching illustration. Write on it and add pictures that represent the book. You can paint, draw, iron on, or glue on. You should include a couple of quotations, a list of characters, favorite parts of the book, and themes found in the book. On the front of your shirt make sure to include the title and author along with an eye-catching illustration. You should use the front and back of the t-shirt along with both sleeves.

29. Book Character Poster

This report would work well for a biography or autobiography book, but you can also use it to showcase the main character from your story. You will need heavy poster board. Construct your person’s body using the hole as the ‘head’ portion of your person. Make sure that your head can fit into / through the whole. Around your character, you will need to tell at least seven important facts or details about your character along with two direct quotations. The character’s name should be displayed at the top of the poster.Poster information ideas :Information on the poster cou ld inc lude date of b ir th, p lace of b i r th and fami ly l i fe . Your seven facts could cons is t of : problem faced and solution, major contr ibution, education and death. Other questions to answer…who, when and where born, fami ly , death and cause i f known, education, major contr ibution. You cou ld a lso

showcase the Ear ly years , Midd le years , and Late years .

30. Written Book Report

Does an old fashioned written book report appeal to you? If so, write a book report! You report should include the following paragraphs:

1. Title page: book, author, your name, date, etc.2. Introduction3. Book information / author4. Setting: time & place

Characters: protagonist(s) & antagonist*You can write this as one or two paragraphs depending on how much you want to say. 5. Plot – Think beginning, middle, & end or introduction, inciting incident, rising action,

climax, falling action, & conclusion. Summarize the MOST important parts of the story!a. This should be the bulk of your book report should be at least three paragraphs

long!6. Themes: lessons learned from the book as well as your opinion of the book7. Conclusion

Make sure you type and double space your book report. Please also use a reasonable size font, as in 12. You will be getting practice with this form of a book report after we read The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe.

31. Have a better idea? Maybe you liked a book report that you had done during a previous school year, and you would really like to do one again. If you look online, there are so many more ways for you to showcase your book. The only catch is that you need to get my approval beforehand; this means that you should ask me a week before the due date. Procrastinators will not be able to design their own book report on the night before it is due!

Book Share RubricStudent Name: ___________________

Presentation Date:__________________

Type of Book Share: _________________

Vital Book Share Information: The book share tells the who, what, where, when and why of the story. The student shared the “vital” info about the book. (author, title, main character(s), summary) All assigned elements of the book share are included.

40 35 30 25 20Superior job High-quality work Good work but

room for improvement

Poor summary No summary

Presentation: The student spoke loudly enough and looked at & interacted with the audience while presenting. A good summary of the book was given in the presentation.

20 15 10 5 1Superior job High-quality work Good work but

room for improvement

Poor book presentation.

No presentation of book

Mechanics (Grammar Usage Mechanics Spelling)

20 15 10 5 1Superior job

1-4 errorsHigh-quality work

5-8 errorsGood work but

room for improvement

9-12 errors

Many errors!13

13-15 errors

Too many errors to count

Neatness, creativity, & effort displayed…your best work!

20 15 10 5 1Superior quality High-quality work.

Student did a great job but had a few components missing.

Quality work but room for improvement. Some components missing.

Limited quality. Many missing components.

Little or no quality. Most components missing.

Total Points Earned: ________________________

Letter Grade: _______________________Teacher Comments:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________