Steps+and+Rules

Writing a Book Review__ To learn more about writing a book review, watch the VoiceThread below or read on... media type="custom" key="3867909" **  ·  Kids want to be recognized! ·  They want to know that their opinions are valued. ·  Writing and reading book reviews can be a terrific motivator to read children's books! ·  It is also a great way to get kids to think about what they're reading. Overall, this is a worthwhile project that will hopefully promote reading and critical thinking. What a fabulous way to help build life-long reading and writing skills and ensure future success!
 * __[[image:Steps_and_Rules.gif]]
 * __ The Questions __**
 * Why book reviews? **

Good question. Some would make a distinction, saying that a kid's book report is supposed to be entirely factual and objective, while a review should offer an opinion or critique. Usually, the body of the traditional book report does provide factual information about the book, including what it's about. So, w hat is a book review? ·  A book review is a description //and// an evaluation of a book that you have read. ·  Book reviews are so helpful because they inform future readers about books they may be interested in reading. ·  Often, a book review will influence other readers by telling them a little bit about what the story is about, as well as if it is worth reading or not! <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> The most important thing to remember is that book reviews DO NOT give away the ending! If it is a good book, the reader will not want to spend time reading it if he/she already knows the ending. Here's how we're going to do it…
 * Is a children's book review the same thing as a book report? **

Our book reviews should contain both factual information and the reader’s critique. There should be a clear attempt to justify the critique. In other words, it's not enough to say, "I didn't like this book." The reader must explain his/her dislike.

<span style="display: block; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; text-align: left;"> First of all, ** read ** the book, ** think **about it, and if you can, ** talk about it ** to someone. <span style="display: block; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; text-align: left;">Begin with the Title and Author. Include some of the following for each section: <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> What was the story about? <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> What type of story is it? What **__genre__**? <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Does the story sound exciting and believable? Is it a story you can get involved in? <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> Who were the main characters? <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> What did the main characters do in the story? <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> Did the main characters run into any problems? <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> Did they have any adventures? <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> Who was your favorite character? Why? <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Can you believe in the people in the story? Are you interested in finding out about them? Can you picture individuals in your mind?
 * <span style="display: block; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; text-align: center;">__Steps to Follow When Writing a Book Review__: **<span style="display: block; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; text-align: center;">(Note: You do not have to answer every question. These are only suggestions to guide your writing.)
 * 1. The Story Elements (Plot, Setting, Characters, Problem, etc. ) **

<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> How did the book make you feel? What happened in the book to make you feel that way? <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> Did the characters in the book remind you of yourself or someone else? <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> What did the book teach you about yourself or someone else? <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> Could you relate to any of the characters in the story? <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> Have you ever done some of the things or felt some of the same things that the characters did? <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> Did this book leave you with something to think about? What?
 * 2. Your Personal Experiences **

<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> Did you like the book? <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> What was your favorite part of the book? <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> Do you have a least favorite part of the book? <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> If you could change something in the book, what would it be? Why? (If you wish you could change the //ending//, remember not to tell the ending to the story you read!) <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">If you read a bit of the story, does it make you want to read more? <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> Why did you like or dislike the main character? <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> If there is artwork, did you like it? Why or why not? <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Is it a good cover? Are the pictures inside interesting? Do they make the story better? <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">What is the printing like? Are the words the right size, easy to read? <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msoansilanguage: EN-GB;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; color: black; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msoansilanguage: EN-GB;"> Who do you think this book was written for? Was it a boy, a girl or both? What sort of age group?
 * 3. Your Opinion**

Give it a star rating:

SUPERSTAR READ! ** I really liked the book! STARBRIGHT READ! ** It could have been better, but I still enjoyed it. FALLING STAR! ** It was hard to stay awake. Did I even finish it? <span style="display: block; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; text-align: left;"> 4. Your Recommendation ** Would you recommend this book to another person? What type of person would like this book?
 * ALLSTAR READ! ** I couldn't put it down! <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; text-align: left;">
 * [[image:bullet_yellow_star.gif align="left"]][[image:bullet_yellow_star.gif align="left"]][[image:bullet_yellow_star.gif align="left"]]
 * [[image:bullet_yellow_star.gif align="left"]][[image:bullet_yellow_star.gif align="left"]]
 * [[image:bullet_yellow_star.gif align="left"]]
 * STARLESS READ!** I'd rather read the dictionary than this book again! **


 * Before you start, take a look at some book sample book reviews on the Links and Widgets page of our Wikispace.



<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; color: black; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> First, we need to protect your child's privacy at all times. Even though only people with passwords can access our site, we want to use first names only and include no geographical information. <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; color: black; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> Each month, every child is responsible for submitting at least one book review. It can be handwritten or typed. It may be hand-delivered or sent via email. <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; color: black; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> The review may be positive, negative, or neutral (a bit of both) in nature. Usually, people tend to review what they like and tend not to bother with what they don't like. So, practically every book gets a thumbs up. We want to know what books we may want to avoid. We want to encourage critical thinking. Children can learn as much - or more - from what they don't like as they can from what they do. <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; color: black; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> While the children are to be the readers and writers of the review, we request that an adult act as editor. Don't be afraid to send the student back for a rewrite. All the best editors do! <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; color: black; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> Be sure to put the title of the book and the author's name at the top of the review. <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; color: black; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;"> Finally, send it to us. We will publish it for you within seven days.