The expanded book report increases the intri­cacy of the basic book report. It includes a comprehensive discussion of the elements of fiction: characterization, story plot, setting, and theme. The writer forms an opinion about the novel and then supports it with examples and details from the reading.

The biography book report follows the same process as the basic book report. Because it is a review about a work of nonfiction, the elements of fiction are not addressed. The writer’s objective is to report on a story about a real person’s life in an enlightening and engaging way. One may admire someone, be fascinated by his or her achievements, or find his or her circumstances curious.

Example Edited Basic Book Report Organizer

Basic Book Report by: Student Name

Title: The War With Grandpa Book Report

Introductory Paragraph (Information)

Topic Sentence: The practical jokes Peter Stokes and his grandfather play on each other add humor and compassion to The War With Grandpa, written by Robert Kimmel Smith.

Genre: The genre of the book is fiction.

Setting: The setting is Peter’s house somewhere in America about twenty years ago.

Main Characters: The main characters are Peter Stokes, his Grandpa Jack, and his friends, Steve and Billy.

Character 1: Peter is ten years old and has lived in his bedroom for his whole life.

Character 2: Grandpa Jack has a bad leg and is sad and lonely since Grandma died.

Character 3: Steve and Billy are Peter’s friends who know about the secret “war” and give Peter questionable advice.

Subject/Theme: The story is about some of the problems that arise when grandparents move in with families, and shows the reader that most problems have solutions.

Body Paragraph (Story Plot)

Problem: The problem in the story revolves around who gets Peter’s room.

Characters Involved: Peter and Grandpa play tricks on each other in their war.

Main Conflict: The main conflict is that Grandpa is in Peter’s room, and Peter wants it back!

Difficulty: Peter has to keep the war secret from his parents or he will get in big trouble.

Solution: The problem is solved when Peter’s father lets Grandpa turn his basement office into an apartment, and Grandpa moves in there.

Concluding Paragraph (Opinion)

Opinion of Book: I really liked the book because it was funny.

Your Favorite Part: My favorite part was when Grandpa hid all Peter’s clothes and almost made him late for school.

Interesting Characters: Steve and Billy were very interesting characters because they were like my real friends.

Recommend to a Friend?: I would recommend this book to my friends because it is funny and easy to read.

Clincher Sentence: If you like funny stories filled with action, then you’ll want to read The War With Grandpa!

The Book report requires students to state a reaction to, or opinion of, a book they have read, and support it with particulars and details. We use a traditional essay form starting with an introductory (information) paragraph, supporting paragraphs (the body), and a concluding (opinion) paragraph. The four main parts of a book are identified and discussed: the story plot, the characters, the setting, and the theme.

Basic Book Report Outline

Title:

Introductory Paragraph (Information)

A. Book Title and Author:

1. Genre: What type of story is this? Fiction (not true) or nonaction (true)

2. Setting: Where does the story take place? When?

3. Main Characters: Who are they? Does anyone change (from bad to good, etc.) In the story? Who does the “right” thing?

a. Character 1: Who/what it the most Important character?

b. Character 2: What is this character’s role in the story?

c. Character 3: What is this character’s role in the story?

B. Subject: What is the story about? General statement.

Body Paragraph (Story Plot)

A. Problem: Element/problem around which action is centered.

1. Characters Involved: Who is involved In the problem? How/why?

2. Main Conflict: What problem needs to be solved?

3. Difficulty: What/who gets In the way of solving the problem?

B. Solution: How is the conflict solved? Concluding Paragraph (Opinion)

A. Your Opinion of the Book: Did you like/dislike the story. Why/why not?

1. Interesting Characters? Did you like/dislike the characters?

2. Believable? Any surprises?

3. Your Taste? Like this genre?

B. Recommend to a Friend? Clincher sentence. Who else might like this story?