Book Review Worksheet

Important to Remember: This is NOT a descriptive report. This

is a critical analysis of the book. This is not the place to describe
the elements of the story. This is where you will be analyzing how
well the author did in developing the elements of the story.
Book Title and Author: _________________________________
Award/Honor Received and Year: _________________________________
Brief Synopsis: What is this book about? Imagine someone asked you to tell him/her in
about 1 minute what the book you read is about. Write down what you would tell them in
about 75 words.
This book is about ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Setting: What is the setting in the book? In 50 words or less, describe the setting.
This book takes place ______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Setting Review: Circle some of the techniques and/or descriptions your author may have
used to create the setting.
Vivid

Unclear

Visual Imagery

Sensory Imagery

Dialect

Clothing

Buildings

Nature

Confusing

Changing

Creative

Imaginative

Unrealistic

Mood

Unimaginative

Realistic

Add your own:

How well does the author use descriptive techniques to create the books setting?
Visual Imagery
Excellent
Good
Average
Poor
Sensory Imagery
Excellent
Good
Average
Poor
Overall
Excellent
Good
Average
Poor
Why do you say so?

Characters: Who are the main characters in the book? In 50 words or less, describe the
main characters.
The main characters of the book are __________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Character Review: Circle some of the words that apply to the characters in the book.
Add any other words that you can use to analyze how the characters were developed.
Realistic

Unrealistic

Easy to relate to

Likeable

Unlikeable

Complex

Dynamic

Round

Flat

Hard to relate to

Simple

Well-developed

Static
Under-developed

Add your own:

How well does the author develop the characters?
Physical:
Excellent
Personality:
Excellent
Why do you say so?

Good
Good

Average
Average

Poor
Poor

Plot: What is the major conflict of the book? In 50 words or less, explain the books plot.
The main problem in the book is _____________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Plot Review: Circle any words that relate to the plot of the book and how the author
develops it.
Exciting

Suspenseful

Slow-moving

Clever

Emotional

Flashbacks

Flash forwards

Twists

Confusing

Surprise

Foreshadowing

Logical

Predictable

Foreboding

Narration

Add your own:

How well does the author use plot techniques to create the books story line?
Excellent
Good
Average
Poor
Why do you say so?

Theme: What is the theme of the book? In 50 words or less, describe the lesson the
author is trying to get across to readers.
The theme of the book is _____________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
How is the theme revealed? (directly or indirectly?)
How well does the author reveal the theme?
Excellent

Good

Average

Poor

Why do you say so?

Overall Book Review:
Did you like the book?
Why or why not?
What was the best thing about it?
Why?
What was the worst thing about it?
Why?
Would you recommend it? (Be specific about to whom you would recommend it)
Why or why not?
Did it deserve the award it got?
Why or why not?
What could have made it better?