Book Report Template: FREE Printable
Once upon a time, I was a whiny student with a bad attitude and an essay topic called “My Favourite Book.”
No, stressed-mom-of-nine-year-olds—your fourth grader is not a unique specimen!
(I mean, in a certain sense, every fourth grader is a unique specimen. But that’s a subject for another day.)
As an elementary student, I had a tendency to fight my writing assignments. And this one was worse than most. My Favourite Book! How do you even start? WHERE do you even start? Who said anybody had to have a favourite book in the first place???
Why Do Students Hate Book Reports?
Anybody who’s been watching Charlie Brown lately will agree that there’s something woefully realistic about the student who will go to any amount of trouble to avoid actually have to do their assigned reading—and then write the book report.
Can writing a book report really be half as painful as the ongoing attempt to not write it?
And yet, many if not most students—even those who love reading—can be found groaning, whining, or just staring at a blank piece of paper the moment you announce, (in your most brittlely optimistic tone,) “And today we’re going to write—a book report!”
Lack of Structure = Lack of Confidence
Is a book report really harder work than an algebra test?
Probably not really.
In terms of the ability to remember details, apply complex formulas, focus concentration, even apply one’s short-term memory—algebra probably trumps book reports, hands down.
But we’re left with the fact that most highschoolers approach a book report as if it was cruel and unusual punishment. While an algebra test—even if you get an F—is just a fact of life.
Why?
Well, there is one glaring difference between algebra and book reports: algebra is mind-numbingly mechanical. There is an absolute, inflexible, never-varying formula to be followed. Algebra is a science. Book reports, on the other hand, are a creative art. And creative art is terrifyingly open-ended.
The Book Report Template: Writing Step-by-Step
And that’s where a book report template comes in like a lifesaver.
By telling your student, in a straightforward, sequential way, which step to take first—which second—which third—you have reduced the open-ended to the concrete.
Your student knows WHAT to do. Their mental energy is now free to focus on HOW it’s done.
And that’s why I’m excited to introduce you to our new book report template. In four easy steps, this free printable walks your student through the process of introducing the book they’ll be reporting on, showcasing the pros and cons of their reading experience, and summing their report up with a rationale-backed personal recommendation.
For younger students, or those preparing an oral presentation, the book report template functions as a single, stand-alone worksheet. Use complete sentences to answer each question, and your student has a ready-made book report totally finished.
For older students, the same printable functions as an outlining project, allowing space to jot topics for each paragraph, before composing the final report on a separate piece of paper.
And the best news?
Absolutely no teacher prep involved!
Just download the template—run in through the printer—and you’re ready to go.
Get Your FREE Book Report Template Today
You can download your copy of the template by hitting the button below.
Please note that it is copyrighted by SAW Publishing, but you are absolutely free to print, share, photocopy, or otherwise pass it on, as long as you maintain attribution to sawpublishing.com.
Hope you enjoy!
I’d love to hear what books your students are reporting on. Just drop a comment at the bottom of this post.
Looking for some recs for student-friendly, well-written books? Check out our book review page:
