HISTORICAL/REALISTIC FICTION BOOK REPORT
CHOOSING YOUR BOOK Choice of appropriate book – 10 points
Choose either a book of historical fiction or realistic fiction.
A book of historical fiction is a novel set in an actual period of history. Choose a book set in a historical time of
interest to you.
A book of realistic fiction is a novel about events that are made up but could really happen. Choose a book about
events that interest you.
The book you choose should be a bit challenging, a chapter book, and at least 100 pages. Be sure to get your teacher’s approval.
READING YOUR BOOK
Enjoy reading your chosen story. Think about the story from the perspective of the main character.
As you read, keep in mind the elements of a story: the main characters, the setting, the plot, the conflict or problem, the climax, the conclusion. Take notes as you read to help you remember.
For your report, you will need to find something—a picture or item—to represent each of the elements of the story.
MAKING YOUR PRESENTATION Presentation—complete, clear, in order—20 points
To present your book, you may choose from three options:
1. Dress as the main character of the book. Try to closely resemble the character in style and custom of the time. As the character, present the elements of the story as a story about you. The elements should be in order and make sense.
OR
2. Create a puppet to represent the main character of the book. Speaking for the puppet as the character, present the elements as a story in order and making sense.
OR
3. Create a diorama depicting the character in an important scene from the book. Describing the book, present the elements of the story. The diorama should show the character, the setting, and about the story—what the story is about and a scene showing conflict, climax, or resolution.
PRESENTING THE ELEMENTS OF YOUR STORY
Decorate a grocery sack to show what the book means to you. You may choose scenes from the story to illustrate or symbols of the meaning of the book. Decorate a Story Bag to represent the book—10 points
For each element, show something to represent that element. If you are dressed as a character, we will look to you to represent the character. If you have a puppet, you will make it show the character. If you make a diorama, it will show the setting. For other elements, think of simple items or pictures to represents elements in the story.
· Characters—Introduce the main characters of the story. Tell who they are; briefly describe the main characteristics and importance of each character. Present item to represent main characters—10 points
· Setting—Describe the main setting of the story. If it has more than one very important setting, tell about more than one setting. Present item to represent setting—10 points
· Plot—Tell the main action of the story; tell what the story is generally about. Item to represent plot—10 points
· Conflict—Describe the problems or hardships that the character encounters. Item to present conflict—10 points
· Climax—With excitement, tell about the most climactic part of the story. Item to represent climax—10 points
· Conclusion—Tell how the conflict is resolved, how the story ends. Item to represent conclusion—10 points
YOUR GRADE
Book—Be sure to choose an appropriate book for you.
Appearance—Dress in costume or create your puppet or diorama true to the time and place and story.
Story—Tell the elements of the story in order clearly and completely. Use the voice of the main character.
Story Bag—Select pictures or items to represent each element of the story. Decorate story bag to hold items.
Example of a STORY BAG Book Report
Book: Wishes, Kisses, and Pigs
Bag—A grocery sack is decorated with a pig, a girl, and a star.
Characters—for Louise Tolliver, a girl doll; for Willie Tolliver, a toy pig; for Mama, a big Barbie-like doll—
Explain who the characters are. Louise is the main character who wishes her brother Willie would turn
into a pig and he does! Louise is (tell her characteristics). Mama is (tell her characteristics). Etc.
Setting—We might put in a barn or tractor or a toy farm scene—
Tell why: It was set on a farm in Tolliver’s Hollow in the mountains near Old Giant.
Plot—A star—Louise wished upon a star for Willie to be a pig. Louise spends the rest of the book trying to get Willie and everything else back in order.
Conflict—a picture of a pig with a boy’s face glued on—Willie turned into a pig, and Louise has to get him back to being a boy. Also, Delilah is a pig who was turned into a woman, and Jack, Lousie’s father, is simply missing.
Climax—a blindfold—At Louise’s birthday party, they play Blindman’s Buff for Louise to get everyone into proper position on the star circle.
Conclusion—a circle with star and names—Louise places everyone around the circle in position and makes her wish at just the right moment. Everyone changes back to who they are supposed to be. Order is restored to Tolliver’s Hollow.
Historical Fiction—Some Suggested Titles (There are many more!)
Addy Saves the Day—Connie Porter
Realistic Fiction—Some Suggested Titles (There are many more!)