Before reading your book and starting to think about your book review, it is very important that you have a book review format in mind to help make your review worth reading and informative.
Your reviews will be read by people looking for good books, as well as by authors and publishing executives. Authors and publishers, like Random House, Scholastic, and Harper Collins may also be using comments from your reviews in their marketing. So please make your reviews well-written and appropriate!
While you are writing, try thinking of your reader as a friend to whom you're telling a story. You always should first write your review in a word processor, SPELLCHECK all reviews, edit your grammar and punctuation, and then cut and paste your review into the form below.
Here is a short and concise article that you should read about writing book reviews.
Here is a graphic organizer to help you write your review.
And here is the link to our Guide For Writing With Traits.
SPECIFIC LITPICK BOOK REVIEW GUIDELINES AND EXAMPLES
1. Writing your book review summary
What to include in your SUMMARY section?
(at least 5 - 10 sentences)
*Include a brief plot summary of the book. Your summary should explain enough about the plot so that someone who hasn't read the book will still understand your review. This should include the author's purpose and/or the main themes of the book. Your reader should know right away what he or she is getting into should they choose to read the book! Be careful not to spoil the book for others by giving away too much about the plot or ending.
*Think about whether the book is part of a genre. Does the book fit into a type like mystery, adventure, or romance?
VERY IMPORTANT
WRITE YOUR REVIEW IN A WORD PROCESSOR PROGRAM, SAVE A COPY ON YOUR COMPUTER, AND CUT AND PASTE A COPY INTO THE APPROPRIATE AREA ON THIS FORM. DO NOT WRITE YOUR REVIEW DIRECTLY INTO OUR PROGRAM. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS KEEP A COPY FOR YOURSELF AS A BACKUP.
2. Writing Your Book Review Opinion
What to include in your OPINION section?
(at least 5 - 10 sentences)
A good review should express the reviewer's opinion and persuade the reader to share it, to read the book, or to void reading it. Don't be afraid to say you didn't like the book or maybe thought the plot was boring. Was it a "page turner" or did you find yourself day-dreaming while reading it?
Here are some things to consider including your OPINION section:
*A book's setting is one of its vital components.
Does the author make you feel like you're a part of the setting?
Can you picture the book's setting if you close your eyes?
*Does the book contain a distinct mood or tone? If so, explain.
*Describe the book's main characters.
Does the writer make you believe in them as people? Why or why not?
Think about whether you like the characters and how liking them or disliking them makes you feel about the book.
*What is the author's/narrator's voice like? Is it funny?
What do you like or dislike about the book's writing style?
For example, if the book was told in the first-person was this appropriate?
Did the author include too much or too little detail at points in the book?
Did the author leave you wondering what happened to certain characters
or subplots after you finished the book?
*Did the author achieve his or her purpose?
*Is the writing effective, powerful, difficult, beautiful? Was the vocabulary age appropriate?
*What are the strengths and weaknesses of the book?
*How does the book compare to other books you have read in the same genre or type?
For instance, will it be the next Harry Potter?
How did this book compare to other books you have read by the same author?
(be specific in your comparisons)
*What is your overall response to the book?
Did you find it interesting, moving, dull?
Did you like the ending? Why or why not?
How could the author have improved the story?
*Did you learn anything from reading the book?
*Would you recommend it to others? Why or why not?
3. Examples of good, bad and ugly book reviews
