Book Reports

We have been loving Brave Writer Dart and Arrow Literature Singles for the past three years for Language Arts. Each month my kids read one chapter book and complete the guide. At the very end of the month I have been adding an additional book report to complete when we have finished a book. (*These are not in the Brave Writer guides, just something I add myself.) This has been great way to wrap up the book, share what they remember, and look back on all the books they have completed throughout the school year. My kids read each chapter book every month independently, so it is also a great way to check their comprehension.

I typically start book reports in the 3rd grade, but they can be completed and adapted for many ages/abilities.

Today I’m sharing with you the three different kinds of book reports we have completed over the past few years.

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Book Report File Folders

These projects are great for learning and practicing the elements of a story. We used a blank manila folder for each report and created a background or illustration inside that went with each story. (These manila folders were helpful for creating a lot of space for her to write and draw but making it easy to fold up and store.) Sometimes I printed clip art images or sometimes she did the illustrations. I also incorporated some fun art tricks, like learning to make a pop up and lift the flaps. Together we would come up with an idea for the background based on the book and then I would write down the same questions for her to answer. I also found a photo of the cover of the book on Google images, printed and pasted it to the front of the folder.

For each book report/folder she filled out: the title, author & illustrator, setting, main characters, beginning, middle, end, problem, solution, favorite part, and book rating. For the beginning, middle, and end she wrote a sentence or two summarizing those parts of the book. For younger kids, they can narrate for you to write it down for them, or just draw more pictures! I would have her write or draw about her favorite part of the book and give the book a star rating.

*To see many more examples of the folders my daughter completed, check out THIS post.

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Book Report Envelope Accordion

These book reports are super fun and make an accordion out of envelopes, one for each book. I love how they turn out and grow with them throughout the school year! The inside of these book report envelopes can also be completed in many different ways and it all folds up to easily store.

How to make the accordion:

All you need is some large white letter-sized envelopes and a glue stick! *The envelopes with the triangle flaps work better than the rectangular edge flaps.

– Take one envelope and open the top flap. Put glue on the entire flap and stick another envelope on top (opening facing the same direction.)

– Fold the flap of this envelope completely back, add glue, stick on another envelope.

– Open the flap, add glue, and stick on another envelope.

– Continue this process until you have as many envelopes as you need.

*You can also watch a video of the glueing process HERE.

Each envelope is one book report. My kids would draw and decorate the front of the envelope usually similar to the cover of the book or about a big event that happened. You can look up some simple art tutorials for specific topics on YouTube (Art for Kids Hub.) 

For the inside of the envelope I had my daughter work on writing a summary of each book on regular lined paper, then we folded it and put it inside the envelope. (I shared how I helped her write a summary in THIS post.)

This year my son did the same project, but completed a story elements page to put inside the envelope. *FREE printable in my shop! If using this printable for younger grades, you can have them fill out one side (the author, setting, and main characters) but have them just draw a picture for the beginning, middle, and end rather than a lot more writing.

These envelope reports are very versatile for whatever you want to put in them!

Here are other book report/book review pages you can put inside also!

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Book Report Pie

This year I wanted to do something different for my daughter and focus on new concepts. I decided to create this pie, with 9 different flaps for each of the books she was going to read.

After she read a book she would draw a picture and write the title on one of the pie pieces. On the inside flap she learned about and wrote who the protagonist and antagonist were of the story. On the bottom of the pie piece she wrote a few sentences on what was the conflict and resolution.

How to make the pie:

– I used 2 pieces of large white paper (size 12” x 18”) and found the largest bowl in my kitchen to trace a large circle in the center of one piece.

– Use a ruler and divide your pie into how many books your child will read/book reports they will complete (one pie piece per book); we did 9 this year.

– Trace all the pencil lines with a black marker or sharpie.

– Using an exact-o knife or scissors, cut along the sides of each pie piece so they can lift up.

– Glue the outer edges of the circle down onto the second piece of paper.

– Trace the pie edges on the paper underneath with black marker.

– I then cut the sides down of the paper to make it more square and wrote the school year on the side.

You could fill the pie piece in however you want! You could write the specific elements like we focused on, other elements of a story, a short summary, or just write about your favorite part and why. Just be aware there isn’t a lot of room to write a ton, especially if they write large! Lol!

This line stencil always came in handy for getting some straight lines for her to write on.

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We spent 2-3 days on their book reports after finishing the book. One day to design or draw, and another 1-2 to write everything in.

I’ve been coming up with a new idea for my daughter each year to change it up and keep things fun, and already have a new idea for next year! So stay tuned! It will probably be the last year she will complete these book reports because I’ll be having her use a full literature curriculum for middle school.

My son going into 2nd grade really wants to do these next year, so he will complete the envelope accordion book reports using the simple story elements page. I’m going to give my son (going into 4th grade) the option of doing the envelope accordion again or doing the book report pie.

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You can do these book reports with any of the books your kids are reading!

I’m working on putting these ideas, and tutorials for each, in a digital guide so you can print them out and have it handy anytime, but you might have to wait for a bit for that to become available! Coming soon!

If you are interested in learning more about Brave Writer Dart and Arrow Literature Singles and past books we have read, check out these blog posts:

Brave Writer Dart LA Program

Brave Writer Dart Review & Book Reports

Dart Review & Book Reports Year 2

Out of the 9 books each of my kids read this year, these were their top 3 favorites!

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I love how these book reports turn out and that they can be easily saved. My kids really enjoy them and love to see it all completed at the end. I’m excited for another year of book reports and lots of new stories next school year! I’ll share all our book choices later this summer!