Book Reports and Book Reviews
Book reports and book reviews are similar. Book reports tend to be a little more descriptive (What is this
book about?) and book reviews are usually more persuasive (Why a reader should or shouldn't read this
book). Both offer a combination of summary and commentary.
They are a way to think more deeply about a book you've read and to demonstrate your understanding.
Most teachers have their own requirements, and sometimes a specific format they expect you to follow,
so be sure to check, but the following general elements of a book report or book review should be
helpful.
Introduction
Here you want to provide basic information about the book, and a sense of what your report will be
about. You should include:
1. Title (underlined)/Author
2. Publication Information: Publisher, year, number of pages
3. Genre
4. A brief (1-2 sentences) introduction to the book and the report/review.
Body
There are two main sections for this part. The first is an explanation of what the book is about. The
second is your opinions about the book and how successful it is. There are some differences between
reports on fiction or other imaginative writing and reports on non-fiction books.
But for both, a good place to start is to explain the author's purpose and/or the main themes of the
book. Then you can summarize.
For fiction or other creative writing:
Provide brief descriptions of the setting, the point of view (who tells the story), the protagonist , and
other major characters. If there is a distinct mood or tone, discuss that as well.
Give a concise plot summary. Along with the sequence of major events, you may want to discuss the
book's climax and resolution, and/or literary devices such as foreshadowing. But, if you are writing a
review, be careful not to give away important plot details or the ending.
For non-fiction:
Provide a general overview of the author's topic, main points, and argument. What is the thesis? What
are the important conclusions?
