100 book Project Ideas to Get Your Brain Pumping

adapted from materials compiled by Kim Robb.

1. Create models of two of your favorite characters and dress them as they are dressed in the
book. Explain who the characters are and how they fit in to the story
2. Write a scene that could have happened in the book, but didnt. Explain the effect it would
have had on the book.
3. Create a debate between two characters on any issue. Write out the script. Remember to
stay true to the characters the author created! Talk a buddy into helping you present it to the
class for more points.
4. Create a diary as if you were the main character of the book.
5. Write a poem that captures the essence of your book.
6. Create a comic book based on one or more chapters of the book.
7. Has your book ever been on a banned book list? If so, research to find out why. Write a
position statement, stating why you think the book should or should not be banned.
8. Where do you think your character would most like to go on a vacation? Pick a spot, find
information on the internet about the place, describe it, and explain why he or she would
want to go there. Then write a day-by-day itinerary of what the character would do each day
and why you think the character would enjoy this activity.
9. Answering machine messages have gotten more and more creative over the years, reflecting
the interests and idiosyncrasies of the owner. Select five characters from the book you have
just read and create an answering machine message from each of them. Pay particular
attention to diction and tone. Get your friends to help you record them for more points!
10. To show your understanding of a character, go through several magazines and newspapers
looking for advertisements of goods you think your character would like. Cut out the
pictures, mount them on a poster board, and under each picture write a few lines about why
this product would appeal to your character.
11. Create a sculpture of a character. Use any combination of soap, wood, clay, sticks, wire,
stones, old toy pieces, or any other object. An explanation of how this character fits into the
book should accompany the sculpture.
12. Interview a character from your book. Write at least ten questions that will give the character
the opportunity to discuss his/her thoughts and feelings about his/her role in the story.
However you choose to present your interview is up to you, but the more creative you can
get (like acting out the interview with friends or family and video recording it) the more fun it
should be and the more points I can give you for it!
13. Build a miniature stage setting of a scene in the book. Include a written explanation of the
scene
14. Make several sketches of some of the scenes in the book and label them. Use quotes, including
page numbers, whenever possible.
15. Construct puppets and present a show of one or more interesting parts of the book.
16. Write a book review as it would be done for a newspaper or website. ( Be sure you read a few
before writing your own).
17. Write a letter to the main character of your book asking questions, protesting a situation,
and/or making a complaint and/or a suggestion.
18. Send an email to the author of your book. Tell them why you are writing to them and let them
know whether you liked or did not like their book. Ask them any questions you might have
for them. Carbon Copy (Cc) me on it.
19. Read a book that has been made into a movie. Write an essay comparing the movie version
with the book.
20. Write and perform an original song that tells the story of the book (if you dont feel
comfortable performing the song in front of everyone, an audio recording will do).
21. Describe the problem or conflict existing for the main character in the book. Explain how the
conflict is or is not a real-world, authentic problem and try to makea connection to the
something youve witnessed or experienced. Tell how the conflict was or was not resolved
and if that resolution is believable.
22. Fill the role of the cover designer. Create a professional looking and functional book jacket for
the book.
23. Use magazine photos to make a collage about the story
24. Practice and perform a dynamic reading of your favorite part of the book for your class
(again, an audio recording can work if youre not comfortable in front of the class).
25. Write an informative essay explaining what you learned from reading your book
26. Write an alternate ending for your book.
27. Compare and contrast two of the characters from your book.
28. Illustrate a scene from the book.
29. Create a map and mark where the events in the story take place. Write a short description of
each location and explain the events that took place there.
30. Choose a quote from a character. Write an essay explaining why it would or wouldn't be a
good motto by which to live your life
31. Retell part of the story from a different point of view
32. Write a letter from one of the characters to another
33. Select one character from the book you read who has the qualities of a heroine or hero. List
these qualities and tell why you think they are heroic.
34. Choose five "artifacts" from the book that best illustrate the happenings and meanings of the
story. Tell why you chose each one.
35. Create a cloth or paper banner about your book.
36. Imagine that you are going to join the characters in the story for one week. What things
would you need to pack?
37. Create a board game based on your book.
38. Prepare a travel brocure for visiting the world or area that your story takes place in.
39. Write a one-sentence description of each chapter in your book. Create an illustration for each
of the sentences.
40. Create a life-sized stand up of a character from the book. On the back, write an in-depth
description of that character (physical and emotional).
41. Create a bookmark for the book.
42. Write a multiple choice quiz about your book. Make sure and create the answer key to go
along with it.
43. Imagine you were casting for the film adaptation of your book. Create your ideal Hollywood
cast list and explain why you chose each of them.
44. Write an obituary for one of the characters in your book.
45. Create a new character for your book. How would including this character change the story?
46. Write a reasearch essay based on a topic from your book.
47. Write a resume/ fill out a job application for a real company from the perspective of one of
the characters in your book.
48. Imagine that you had to give up your favorite pet to one of the characters in the book. Write a
one page essay explaining why you chose that particular character.
49. Create a Facebook profile for one of the characters in your book.
50. Imagine that you were the campaign manager for one of the characters in your book as they
were running for public office. Which office would they run for? What would their platform
be? Which qualities would qualify them for that position?
51. Write a scene that could have been included in the book to anser a question you had while
you were reading.
52. Create the plot and story arc for a sequel to your book.
53. Re-write the story, in picture book form, for younger readers.
54. Write a detailed, chapter-by-chapter summary of the book.
55. Re-create an object from the book using things you find around the house.
56. Create a 3-D mini scene from the book.
57. Research the Author of the book and write a short biography about them.
58. Research the historical context of your book. Are there any elements of the book that would
be diffrerent if it were written today? Why?
59. Create a flannel-board story based on your book.
60. Perform a scientific experiment (Mythbusters style) based on something from your book.
61. Create a seed-mosaic picture (or macaroni art) based on your book.
62. Recreate the story of your book using a scroll box.
63. Choreograph and perform an expressive dance which demonstrates the themes or emotions
in the story.
64. Give a chalk talk about your story.
65. Identify three examples of beautiful language in your book and write a short section about
why each one of them strikes you as beautiful.
66. Write a letter to a friend or family member telling them about the book.
67. Create a soundtrack playlist for your book. Include page numbers or quotes to indicate
where each song should begin and/or end and why each song belongs there.
68. If youre reading an informative text that teaches you how to do something, perform that
something for the class and explain the process you went through while learning how to do it.
69. Write a biography of one of the characters from your book.
70. Coordinate with a group of students to have one of them read a scene aloud while the rest of
you pantomime it.
71. Volunteer to read a book at a senior center or kindergarten/preeschool/elementary.
72. Host a book-talk group. Come up with topical questions for discussion and record the results.
73. Write about what you would have done if you were in the place of one of the characters in the
story.
74. Create a scrapbook of the things you read about in the book.
75. Visit your local library and talk to the librarian about volunteering your time.
76. Create a diorama
77. Host a mock talk-show episode featuring the characters from your book.
78. Skype with the author and ask them questions about the book and the process of wiritng it.
79. In a group, create and perform a dramatic recreation of one of the scenes from the book.
80. Keep a double-column reading journal where you record quotes from the book and the
thoughts you had while you read them.
81. Find a song or a poem that communicates the themes, issues, or emotions in your book and
write an informative essay explaining how it relates to the book.
82. Write a supermarket tabloid style article about a character or event from your book.
Exaggerate and make it as ridiculous as you might expect to see it on a supermarket shelf.
83. Assume the role of an onsite news reporter during one of the events in the story. Explain the
five ws and give a play-by-play analysis of the event.
84. Write a critical essay about the title or cover of the book. Is it appropriate? Why or why not?
85. Create an alternate title for your book and then write a short essay explaining why your title
is more fitting.
86. Create a vocabulary scaffold for the book containing at least 20 words that readers might
struggle with as they read your book. Give definitions and explain the usage in the context of
the book.
87. Make a crossword puzzle or a word find based on the book. Must include at least 25 entries.
88. Imagine that you were a teacher and you were beginning a unit based on this novel. Create
five journal prompts based on your book and respond to them in a paragraph or two.
89. Write a research essay based on the historical time period in which your book occured or was
written.
90. Create a wanted poster for one of the bad guys in your book. You can do it in either old west
style or modern FBIs Most Wanted style but make sure you include a sketch of the persons
mug shot, a pysical description of the character including identifying marks (tatoos, scars,
etc.), a description of his or her crimes, a reward or offer for their capture (dead or alive?).
91. Write a research essay based on the geographical region your book took place in.
92. Design an advertising campaign to promote the book. Include each of the following in your
campaign: a poster, a radio or YouTube advertisement, a magazine or newspaper ad, a
bumper sticker, and a pin-back button.
93. Make a list of the top ten websites one of the characters from your story would visit and write
a brief description about why that character would visit each one.
94. Create a book trailer based on your story and upload it to YouTube.
95. Create a powerpoint presentation or prezi based on your book.
96. Plan a house party for the characters in your book. Complete each of the following tasks:
Design an invitation to the party which would appeal to all of the characters; choose five of
the characters in the book and tell what each would wear to the party; tell what food you
would serve and why; tell what games or entertainment you will provide and why your
choices are appropriate; tell how three of the characters will act at the party; tell me what
kind of a party this is(birthday, housewarming, un-birthday, anniversary, etc.).
97. List at least five characters from the book and give three examples of what each character
learned from being a part of the story.
98. Imagine you were the prosecuting attourney in charge of presenting a case against the villain
in your story. Prepare your case on paper and include physical examples of any damning
evidence.
99. Record an audio monologue from the point of view of one of the characters in your book
telling about their experiences.
and...
100. Write a paragraph or two to complete each of the following eight throughts: this book
made me wish that, realize that, decide that, wonder about, see that, believe that, feel that,
and hope that.