How to Write a Book Review s1

Assignment: Book Review

Due Date: ______

Write a book review (20 to 25 sentences) about the book

you chose to read for our non-fiction unit; you will hand in

a double-spaced manuscript for editing and grading. After you get back your graded review with teacher comments, you will rewrite the paper (correcting the mistakes) as a single-spaced manuscript, with a picture of the book cover at the top.

How to Write a Book Review

· Before you begin writing, make a few notes about the points you want to get across.

· While you're writing, try thinking of your reader as a friend to whom you're telling a story.

· Mention the name of the author and the book title in the first paragraph — there's nothing more frustrating than reading a review of a great book but not knowing who wrote it and what the title is!

· If possible, use one paragraph for each point you want to make about the book. It's a good way to emphasize the importance of the point. You might want to list the main points in your notes before you begin.

· Try to get the main theme of the book across in the beginning of your review. Your reader should know right away what he or she is getting into should they choose to read the book!

· Do not refer to yourself with “I,” “me,” “we,” etc. Also, do not refer to the reader as “you.”

· Think about whether the book is part of a genre. Does the book fit into a type like mystery, adventure, or romance? What aspects of the genre does it use?

· What do you like or dislike about the book's writing style? Is it funny? Does it give you a sense of the place in which it is set? What is the author's/narrator's "voice" like?

· Try using a few short quotes from the book to illustrate your points. This is not absolutely necessary, but it's a good way to give your reader a sense of the author's writing style.

· Make sure your review explains how you feel about the book and why, not just what the book is about. A good review should express the reviewer's opinion and persuade the reader to share it, to read the book, or to avoid reading it.

· Do research about the author and incorporate what you learn into the review. Biographical information can help you formulate your opinion about the book, and gives your review a "depth." A book doesn't come directly from a printing press, it's a product of an author's mind, and therefore it may be helpful to know something about the author and how she or he came to write the book.

· Describe the setting of the book. How does it compare or contrast to the world you know? A book's setting is one of its most vital components, especially if it is set in the past. Does the author make you feel like you're a part of the setting? Can you picture the book's setting if you close your eyes?

· Describe the book's main characters. Does the writer make you believe in them as people? Why or why not? Think about whether you like the characters and about how liking them or disliking them makes you feel about the book. As you write about the characters, use examples of things they've said or done to give a sense of their personalities.

· Give your reader a taste of the plot, but don't give the surprises away. Readers want to know enough about what happens in a book to know whether they'll find it interesting. But they never want to know the ending! Summarize the plot in a way that will answer some questions about the book, but leave other questions in the reader's mind. You may want to make a list of questions about the book before you begin.

Model Book Reviews:

Two Very Different Views of the Same Book

Kirkus Reviews

Marley and Me, by newspaper columnist John Grogan, is a little more than a maudlin, embarrassing ode to a pooch. The author and his wife still qualify as newlyweds – they have been married just over a year – when they decide to adopt a dog. Jenny, who has recently killed a houseplant (a "lovely large dieffenbachia with emerald-and-cream variegated leaves"), thinks she needs to brush up on her maternal skills before she tries to have a baby. Entering the scene is Marley, a lovable Labrador retriever. John adores the reggae tempo of Marley's tail-wagging and enjoys playing tug-of-war with him. Within a few weeks, the Grogans feel confident about their caretaking abilities. Jenny gets pregnant, but miscarries; she embraces not only John but also Marley in her grief. And on it goes: Marley gets kicked out of obedience class. He develops a fear of thunder, which the Grogans discuss seriously with a vet. When the Grogans go on a trip, they leave a six-page memo about Marley's care with the colleague who agrees to dog-sit. (Blessedly, the author reproduces only three-and-a-half of those pages in his book.) Marley appears in a movie, The Last Home Run. Jenny gets pregnant again and ultimately carries two pregnancies to term. But it feels as if Grogan has mistaken Marley for his first baby. He is like those people who prattle on about every single blessed thing their kids do – except in this case it's a dog. Marley dies at age 13, and the book ends with the Grogans thinking of adopting another puppy. Please, no sequels! Only the most alarmingly devoted dog lovers should bother with this one.

Publishers Weekly

Labrador retrievers are generally considered even-tempered, calm, and reliable – and then there is Marley, the subject of Marley and Me, a delightful tribute to one Lab who does not fit the mold. John Grogan, a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, and his wife, Jenny, are newly married and living in West Palm Beach when they decide that owning a dog would give them a foretaste of the parenthood they anticipate. Marley is a sweet, affectionate puppy who grows into a lovably naughty, hyperactive dog. With a light touch, the author details how Marley is kicked out of obedience school after humiliating his instructor (whom Grogan calls Miss Dominatrix) and swallows an 18-karat solid gold necklace (Grogan describes his gross but hilarious "recovery operation"). With the arrival of children in the family, Marley becomes so incorrigible that Jenny, stressed out by a new baby, orders her husband to get rid of him; she eventually recovers her equilibrium and relents. Grogan's chronicle of the adventures parents and children (eventually three) enjoy with the overly energetic but endearing dog is delivered with great humor. Dog lovers will love this account of Grogan's much loved canine.

NAME ______BLOCK ______

BOOK REVIEW RUBRIC (NON-FICTION) – Staple to top of your paper!

100 points

____ (5 points) Mention the name of the author and book within the first three sentences.

____ (5 points) The review contains strong voice, sophisticated tone, and no reference to yourself (avoid I, me,

etc.)

____ (5 points) Include at least one quote from the book to illustrate a point.

____ (5 points) Biographical information about the author is included.

____ (10 points) Grammar and spelling are correct. (Minus 1 point for each mistake, up to 10 mistakes.)

____ (10 points) Punctuation is correct. (Minus 1 point for each mistake, up to 10 mistakes.)

____ (10 points) Describe the main theme of the book early in your review – definitely during the first half.

____ (10 points) Last sentence indicates whether or not a consumer would want to read/purchase the book.

____ (20 points) Explain what you like and dislike about the book. Make sure your review explains how you

feel about the book and why, not just what the book is about.

____ (20 points) The review contains at least 20 complete sentences.