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5th and 6th Grade Written Book Report Instructions

Student instructions for writing a book report in fifth and sixth grade. Includes the number of paragraphs in the report and three or four things to include in each paragraph.

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A Beginner's Guide to Writing a Book Report (with Examples)

Last Updated: June 25, 2024 Fact Checked

Researching Your Book Report

Outlining your book report, writing your book report, reviewing and revising your book report, sample book reports & summaries, expert q&a.

This article was co-authored by Jake Adams and by wikiHow staff writer, Raven Minyard, BA . Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,419,584 times.

A book report is a short essay that summarizes and analyzes a work of fiction or nonfiction. Writing a book report may not seem fun at first, but it gives you a great chance to fully understand a work and its author. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about how to write a book report, from choosing a book and outlining to drafting and editing your final paper.

Things You Should Know

• Read the entire book and take notes on important themes, characters, and events. Use your notes to create an outline with evidence that supports your analysis.
• Include the title and author in your intro, then summarize the plot, main characters, and setting of the book.
• Analyze the author’s writing style, as well as the main themes and arguments of the book. Include quotes and examples to support your statements.

• For example, find out if your teacher wants you to include citations, such as page numbers from the book, in your report.
• Ask your teacher how much of your paper to devote to summary versus analysis. Most book reports are direct summaries with objective analysis rather than your personal opinions. In contrast, a book review or commentary is more opinion-driven.

• Some popular books for book reports include To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Animal Farm by George Orwell, and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Choose a book at your grade level.

• Author: Who wrote the book? Do you know any other works by this author?
• Genre: Is the book fiction or nonfiction? If it’s fiction, is it historical, fantasy, horror, etc.? If it’s nonfiction, is it a biography, memoir, science, etc.?
• Audience: Who would find this book appealing? Is it intended for a specific age range or gender? Do you typically enjoy books like this?
• Title: Does the title catch your interest? Does it fit well with the book’s content?
• Book Cover/Illustrations: What does the book cover convey and does it accurately represent the book? How do you feel when you look at it? If the book has illustrations, what are they and do they hold your interest?

• Take breaks while reading to keep your attention sharp. Try to find a pace that is comfortable for you. If you get distracted after 15 minutes, read in 15-minute intervals. If you can go an hour, read for an hour at a time.
• Give yourself enough time to read the entire book. It’s very difficult to write a book report if you’ve just skimmed over everything. Don’t procrastinate!
• Don’t trust online book summaries. You can’t guarantee that they are accurate or true to the text.

• For example, look for a sentence that clearly describes a main setting in the book, such as “The castle was gloomy and made out of large black stones.”

• Introduction: Introduce the title, author, and publication information. Include a brief overview of the book’s genre and main theme, and state your purpose for writing the report.
• Summary: Concisely summarize the plot or central idea, highlighting main events, characters, and conflicts. Focus on important aspects while avoiding spoilers.
• Analysis and Evaluation: Evaluate the author’s writing style and use of literary devices, like foreshadowing, metaphors, imagery, etc. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the book and use quotes and examples from the text.
• Themes and Messages: Identify the book’s main themes or messages and how they develop through the course of the book. Provide specific quotes and examples.
• Character Analysis: Analyze the main characters in the book, their development, and their relationships. Explain their motivations, personalities, and significance to the story. Provide examples and quotes to support your analysis.
• Personal Reflection: Depending on your teacher’s instructions, you might share your personal opinions and discuss what you liked and disliked about the book. Reflect on how the book relates to broader themes or issues.
• Conclusion: Summarize your main points and conclude with your final thoughts or reflections on the book.
• Bibliography: If required, include a works cited page or bibliography listing all the sources you used to write your book report.
• Outlining takes time, but it saves you more time once you reach the editing stage.
• Some people prefer to outline with pen and paper, while others just type up a list on the computer. Choose the method that works best for you.

• Be careful not to overuse quotes. If it seems like every other line is a quote, try to dial back. Aim to include a maximum of one quotation per paragraph. Quotes and examples should still take a backseat to your summary.

• For example, you’ll likely need to focus primarily on discussing the most important characters or the characters that appear most frequently in the text.
• When you are finished with your outline, go back through it to see if it makes sense. If the paragraphs don’t flow into one another, move them around or add/delete new ones until they do.
• Also, check to see if your outline covers all of the major elements of the book, such as the plot, characters, and setting.

• For example, a sentence summary might state, “This book is about the main character’s journey to Africa and what she learns on her travels.”
• Don’t take up too much space with your introduction. In general, an introduction should be 3-6 sentences long, though in rare cases, they may be longer or shorter.

• Use vivid language when you can and include plenty of details. For example, you might write, “The farm was surrounded by rolling hills.”

• For instance, if the main character moves to Africa, you might describe what happens before the move, how the move goes, and how they settle in once they arrive.

• For example, you might write that the main character is “a middle-aged woman who enjoys the finer things in life, such as designer clothes.” Then, connect this description to the plot summary by describing how her views change after her travels, if they do.
• Expect to introduce the characters in the same sentences and paragraphs as the plot introduction.

• You might write, “The author argues that travel gives you a new perspective. That is why her main characters all seem happier and more grounded after visiting new places.”
• For fiction, determine if the author is using the story to pass along a certain moral or lesson. For example, a book about an underdog athlete could encourage readers to take chances to pursue their dreams.

• For example, an author who uses lots of slang terms is probably going for a hip, approachable style.

• Some teachers require, or strongly suggest, that you include the author’s name and the book title in your concluding paragraph.
• When writing a conclusion , don’t introduce any new thoughts. Any important points should be made in your body paragraphs. Save the space for your recap.

• Before you submit your paper, make sure that you’ve spelled the author’s name and any character names correctly.
• Don’t trust your computer’s spell check to catch all the errors for you. Spell check can be helpful, but it isn’t perfect and can make mistakes.

• If you’re nervous about asking, try saying something like “It would be great if you could go over my book report and make sure that it reads smoothly.”
• Remember, no one’s first draft is perfect, so don’t get upset if someone suggests you do something differently. They want to help make your report the best it can be, so don’t take constructive criticism personally.

• For example, double-check that you are using the correct font, font size, and margins.
• Once you've finished proofreading, revising, and checking that you've addressed all the requirements, you're ready to submit your book report!

• Even though your book report is your own work, avoid using “I” too much. It can make your writing feel choppy. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• It might be tempting to watch the movie or read the online notes instead of reading the book. Resist this urge! Your teacher will be able to tell the difference. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

• Calm down and walk around if you get too frustrated while writing. If you write a book report while angry, you're more likely to misspell things!
• Choose a unique book. Harry Potter or Percy Jackson is an absolute no. Everyone chooses those. Try something different!
• Write when anything comes to mind! You don't want to lose your ideas!

• Give yourself plenty of time to write your report. Don’t wait until the last minute or you may feel rushed. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
• Stealing or using another person’s work is considered plagiarism and academic dishonesty. Make sure that the work you submit is all your own. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.aresearchguide.com/write-book-report.html
• ↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 24 July 2020.
• ↑ https://grammark.org/how-to-write-a-book-report/
• ↑ https://takelessons.com/blog/steps-to-writing-a-book-report
• ↑ https://www.infoplease.com/homework-help/homework-center-writing-book-report
• ↑ https://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/wlf/what-setting
• ↑ https://www.tcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/archive/writing-center-handouts/essay-types-plot-summary.pdf
• ↑ https://www.cornerstone.edu/blog-post/six-steps-to-really-edit-your-paper/

About This Article

To write a book report, start by introducing the author and the name of the book and then briefly summarizing the story. Next, discuss the main themes and point out what you think the author is trying to suggest to the reader. Finally, write about the author’s style of writing, paying particular attention to word choice and the overall tone of the book. For tips on editing and polishing your paper before turning it in, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How 6th Graders Should Write a 6th Grade Book Report

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• 6th Grade Book Report

A book report is the most common assignment that 6th graders get throughout middle school. This will require you to summarize the book that you read. You will discuss the plot and give an analysis of all the characters. In addition to these, you will have to explain the writer's take on the book. Your assignment will also contain several questions, do not forget to answer them. This writing piece must have a proper structure that means an introduction, main body, and a conclusion. These must be according to the standards and samples that will be given by your teacher. As a sixth-grader, you are perfectly capable of providing a thorough analysis of whatever you read. Here are some points that you must always remember:

Please read before you write: Now, there is no substitute for "reading’. If you have concentration issues, then use a pen or a pencil and follow the lines. You can also read out loud or even act it out. Make meaningful notes as you go through the content.

Use an Outline : Once you are done with the book, then comes the writing process. Try to develop an outline first. Jot down all of the points that fall under specific sections. In this way, there is no chance that you are going to skip anything. Try to keep every section very different such as:

• Introduction
• Overall summary
• Character analysis
• Summary of the plot
• Analysis and Conclusion

About a Book Report

This is a way by which you can show the readers that you have read the book and have completely understood it. It will also give them the idea of whether to buy it or not. Whenever you are attempting this task, do not forget to share your honest opinions about it. Try to interpret it fully. You are a sixth-grader now, your writing must shout "confidence"! Try to see how 4th graders write a report. See all of the 4th grade report ideas and try to make yours a bit more detailed and analytical. In this way, you will always be ahead of the game.

How Much Should You Write?

This is a fundamental question. Given that you have a lot of headings to cover, you must have a word limit. Try to keep it within the range of 600 to 800 words. Also, your document should be double-spaced. Now, you do not want to bore the reader by rambling on and on. Keep it concise and professional. Always remember to make paragraphs and indent them. Formatting matters a lot. It is the icing on the cake!

Where Should You Start?

This is where most of you get stuck. Most of you even google " how to write a book report ". Well, it's not rocket science. It's pretty simple. You have to follow some steps in a sequence, and voila! You get pretty sophisticated looking content that will impress your teacher. So here are those steps that will get you going:

First, Choose a Book

It would be best if you chose a story, keeping in mind that you will present an analysis on it. In this way, you will not go for something that is out of your league. Try to do some research before you are off to the library. We know it is over-ambitious, but try to get some 7th grade book report ideas . Try to challenge yourself. However, only go for the genre that interests you, even if it is an adventure related book such as "The famous five". You will never be able to analyze content if you are unable to understand any of the aspects of it. If you are still struggling to select it, then ask your librarian. They will know some fantastic and exciting books for 6th graders.

Always Make a List

This step will save you time and will also help you in covering everything. Try keeping a list of characters while going through the story.

You can also mark or note down the pages that contain points significant to the plot.

It is always the right decision to read the story twice. The second time, you will notice the points that you missed the first time. It would help if you also marked the themes that you witness. Noting down metaphors and adjectives related to characters will save you time afterward. Keep on making notes and update your analysis when you go through the second time.

Introduce Your Book

Always introduce what you have read. State the title, its author, and the date on which it was published. If the writer has given any information such as his inspiration which got him writing this story, talk about it. You must also include the type of narration that is used by the author. It can be first, second, or third person. You need to step up your report game, as it is a little more professional than 5th grade book report form . By doing this, you will also save your reader from getting confused. Your teacher will have a load of assignments to check. If you cover this part, it will look professional and help your teacher mark your assignment.

Summary of the Plot And Characters

The body of the paper will contain character analysis and a summary of the plot. Try to write a detailed description of both of them. Do go over changes that occur at every plot twist. These are the integral or must-know parts that cannot be missed. Try adding a lot of adjectives when describing the characters. In this way, the readers will be able to create a better mental picture of them. Do not go into details; stay within the boundaries of main points. Go over all of the literary themes. You must also state both climax and the initial setup and never forget to provide the conclusion. Do not leave the readers curious as, without a conclusion, your paper is incomplete.

Give a Conclusion

As mentioned before, ending without a conclusion is not precisely the wrap up that your teacher would have expected. Include your reactions and thoughts about the story. Also, try to state what the author’s themes were. Try to end the conclusion with a final statement. You can be creative with what you write. Look for some creative writing tips online. However, do not state something entirely new in the conclusion. Try to summarize what you have written in the paper.

Once you are done with the paper, it would help if you went through it at least twice. It is good that you develop the habit of proofreading from a young age. Certainly, it’s boring but certainly, you don't want your teacher to find out that you have missed an "r" from interesting. You can also restate your ideas and correct punctuations. To save some time, you must prepare an outline and follow the valid book report format. In this way, you will be able to avoid a lot of tweaking in the proofreading stage.

Here is a raw format that you must follow strictly in this sequence. You will have to make sections of these and divide them into introduction, body, and conclusion. Do not get carried away, and always keep in mind that you have a limited word limit. So, wisely distribute that word count of producing quality content.

• Title and year of publication
• Author's name
• The genre of the story
• Characters sketches and thorough analysis of their personalities
• Summary of ideas and the themes
• Your response to the story
• Quotations from the content

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How To Write a Good Book Report in Seven Steps

Are you having trouble writing your book report? Don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to give you seven easy steps that’ll help you write the perfect book report.

Quick Summary on How To Write a Book Report

• As you read the book, highlight and take notes.
• Reread the instructions of the assignment.
• Organize your notes and create an outline.
• Write a compelling introduction.
• Include quotations, examples, and supporting evidence in the body paragraphs.
• Encapsulate the main point of your text in the conclusion.
• Edit and proofread.

What Is a Book Report?

A book report is an essay in which students explain and support their thoughts and views on a story, novel, or any other literary work.

There are several different types of book reports. Regardless of which type you’re writing, teachers and professors usually assign book reports as a way to ensure that their students have thoroughly understood the book. Below, we’ll go over how to write a good book report in seven easy steps.

How To Write a Book Report

1. as you read the book, highlight and take notes..

The first step of writing a good book report is to read the book, of course. However, it’s important to highlight and takes notes while reading it. Highlight anything that stands out to you or that evokes certain emotions. Write notes on patterns, themes, and characters. If you’re writing a book report on a nonfiction book, write notes on the major points of the book and what you think about them.

2. Revisit and reread the instructions of the assignment.

Once you’re done reading and taking notes, reread the instructions of the assignment. Find what it is you’re supposed to write about. Is it a character analysis? A plot summary? An exploration of themes and patterns, or something else? It’s also essential to follow the formatting guidelines, so make sure to use the correct font and spacing. If you have any questions, reach out to your teacher or professor.

3. Organize your notes and create an outline.

Gather your notes and arrange them into categories. Once you’ve completed this, write an outline and organize the categories to become the paragraphs of your book report. Jot down bullet points on what each paragraph will include and what part of the book can support it. As you start writing the book report, remain flexible. You don’t have to follow the outline exactly. You may realize that a few edits create a better flow.

4. Write a compelling introduction.

The introduction should be informative and catchy. You may want to start with a quote, climactic scene, or an unusual observation you had while reading the book. Towards the end of the introduction, you should write a one or two-sentence summary about the book, and then the last sentence should explain what exactly you’ll be writing about in the rest of the report.

Book Report Elements

Keep in mind that all book reports should contain:

• The name and author of the book.
• A thesis statement.
• If you're writing about a fiction book, mention the setting, time period, and characters.
• If you’re writing about a nonfiction book, mention the author’s main point in writing the book.
• Evidence to support your arguments.

5. Include quotations, examples, and supporting evidence in the body paragraphs.

The body paragraphs are where you can include quotations, examples, and supporting evidence that bring your book report together.

For example, let’s say you’re writing a character analysis. You believe that the character that everyone sees as the protagonist is actually the antagonist. You should write why you believe that and include specific scenarios that help prove your point.

Or if you’re writing about a non-fiction book, you could use the body paragraphs to write about why you agree or disagree with the author. Similarly, you’d have to use examples and evidence to support your argument.

It’s a good idea to start off with your most compelling, evidence-backed point. Leave the weakest arguments for the middle, and end with another strong point. Lastly, whether you’re writing about fiction or non-fiction, commenting on writing style and tone is recommended (especially if it’s explicitly requested in the instructions).

6. Encapsulate the main point of your text in the conclusion.

The conclusion is just as important as the introduction, so make sure to set aside enough time to write one (students tend to rush through this part). Use the concluding paragraph to pull all your arguments together. Reiterate again what the main point was about, and then briefly summarize the main idea of your book report.

7. Edit and proofread.

Now that you’ve completed the first draft of your book report, it’s time to reread and make edits if needed. Are there any paragraphs you can move around that’ll improve the rhythm of your writing? Do you have enough evidence to back up your claims? Is your introduction captivating and descriptive?

While you’re rereading the book report, you should also be looking for typos and spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes. If you want an extra set of eyes to look for all types of errors, you should use LanguageTool as your spelling and grammar checker. Not only will this advanced editor correct mistakes, but it supports more than twenty languages—meaning your book report will be perfect regardless of which language you’re writing it in.

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How to Write a Book Report

Use the links below to jump directly to any section of this guide:

Book Report Fundamentals

Preparing to write, an overview of the book report format, how to write the main body of a book report, how to write a conclusion to a book report, reading comprehension and book reports, book report resources for teachers .

Book reports remain a key educational assessment tool from elementary school through college. Sitting down to close read and critique texts for their content and form is a lifelong skill, one that benefits all of us well beyond our school years. With the help of this guide, you’ll develop your reading comprehension and note-taking skills. You’ll also find resources to guide you through the process of writing a book report, step-by-step, from choosing a book and reading actively to revising your work. Resources for teachers are also included, from creative assignment ideas to sample rubrics.

Book reports follow general rules for composition, yet are distinct from other types of writing assignments. Central to book reports are plot summaries, analyses of characters and themes, and concluding opinions. This format differs from an argumentative essay or critical research paper, in which impartiality and objectivity is encouraged. Differences also exist between book reports and book reviews, who do not share the same intent and audience. Here, you’ll learn the basics of what a book report is and is not.

What Is a Book Report?

"Book Report" ( ThoughtCo )

This article, written by a professor emeritus of rhetoric and English, describes the defining characteristics of book reports and offers observations on how they are composed.

"Writing a Book Report" (Purdue OWL)

Purdue’s Online Writing Lab outlines the steps in writing a book report, from keeping track of major characters as you read to providing adequate summary material.

"How to Write a Book Report" ( Your Dictionary )

This article provides another helpful guide to writing a book report, offering suggestions on taking notes and writing an outline before drafting. 

"How to Write a Successful Book Report" ( ThoughtCo )

Another post from ThoughtCo., this article highlights the ten steps for book report success. It was written by an academic advisor and college enrollment counselor.

What’s the Difference Between a Book Report and an Essay?

"Differences Between a Book Report & Essay Writing" ( Classroom)

In this article from the education resource Classroom,  you'll learn the differences and similarities between book reports and essay writing.

"Differences Between a Book Report and Essay Writing" (SeattlePi.com)

In this post from a Seattle newspaper's website, memoirist Christopher Cascio highlights how book report and essay writing differ.

"The Difference Between Essays and Reports" (Solent Online Learning)

This PDF from Southampton Solent University includes a chart demonstrating the differences between essays and reports. Though it is geared toward university students, it will help students of all levels understand the differing purposes of reports and analytical essays.

What’s the Difference Between a Book Report and a Book Review?

"How to Write a Book Review and a Book Report" (Concordia Univ.)

The library at Concordia University offers this helpful guide to writing book report and book reviews. It defines differences between the two, then presents components that both forms share.

"Book Reviews" (Univ. of North Carolina)

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s writing guide shows the step-by-step process of writing book reviews, offering a contrast to the composition of book reports.

Active reading and thoughtful preparation before you begin your book report are necessary components of crafting a successful piece of writing. Here, you’ll find tips and resources to help you learn how to select the right book, decide which format is best for your report, and outline your main points.

Selecting and Finding a Book

"30 Best Books for Elementary Readers" (Education.com)

This article from Education.com lists 30 engaging books for students from kindergarten through fifth grade. It was written by Esme Raji Codell, a teacher, author, and children's literature specialist.

"How to Choose a Good Book for a Report (Middle School)" (WikiHow)

This WikiHow article offers suggestions for middle schoolers on how to choose the right book for a report, from getting started early on the search process to making sure you understand the assignment's requirements.

"Best Book-Report Books for Middle Schoolers" (Common Sense Media)

Common Sense Media has compiled this list of 25 of the best books for middle school book reports. For younger students, the article suggests you check out the site's "50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12."

"50 Books to Read in High School" (Lexington Public Library)

The Lexington, Kentucky Public Library has prepared this list to inspire high school students to choose the right book. It includes both classics and more modern favorites.

The Online Computer Library Center's catalogue helps you locate books in libraries near you, having itemized the collections of 72,000 libraries in 170 countries.

Formats of Book Reports

"Format for Writing a Book Report" ( Your Dictionary )

Here, Your Dictionary supplies guidelines for the basic book report format. It describes what you'll want to include in the heading, and what information to include in the introductory paragraph. Be sure to check these guidelines against your teacher's requirements.

"The Good Old Book Report" (Scholastic)

Nancy Barile’s blog post for Scholastic lists the questions students from middle through high school should address in their book reports.

How to Write an Outline

"Writer’s Web: Creating Outlines" (Univ. of Richmond)

The University of Richmond’s Writing Center shows how you can make use of micro and macro outlines to organize your argument.

"Why and How to Create a Useful Outline" (Purdue OWL)

Purdue’s Online Writing Lab demonstrates how outlines can help you organize your report, then teaches you how to create outlines.

"Creating an Outline" (EasyBib)

EasyBib, a website that generates bibliographies, offers sample outlines and tips for creating your own. The article encourages you to think about transitions and grouping your notes.

"How to Write an Outline: 4 Ways to Organize Your Thoughts" (Grammarly)

This blog post from a professional writer explains the advantages of using an outline, and presents different ways to gather your thoughts before writing.

In this section, you’ll find resources that offer an overview of how to write a book report, including first steps in preparing the introduction. A good book report's introduction hooks the reader with strong opening sentences and provides a preview of where the report is going.

"Step-by-Step Outline for a Book Report" ( Classroom )

This article from Classroom furnishes students with a guide to the stages of writing a book report, from writing the rough draft to revising.

"Your Roadmap to a Better Book Report" ( Time4Writing )

Time4Writing offers tips for outlining your book report, and describes all of the information that the introduction, body, and conclusion should include.

"How to Start a Book Report" ( ThoughtCo)

This ThoughtCo. post, another by academic advisor and college enrollment counselor Grace Fleming, demonstrates how to write a pithy introduction to your book report.

"How to Write an Introduction for a Book Report" ( Classroom )

This brief but helpful post from Classroom  details what makes a good book report introduction, down to the level of individual sentences.

The body paragraphs of your book report accomplish several goals: they describe the plot, delve more deeply into the characters and themes that make the book unique, and include quotations and examples from the book. Below are some resources to help you succeed in summarizing and analyzing your chosen text.

Plot Summary and Description

"How Do You Write a Plot Summary?" ( Reference )

This short article presents the goals of writing a plot summary, and suggests a word limit. It emphasizes that you should stick to the main points and avoid including too many specific details, such as what a particular character wears.

"How to Write a Plot for a Book Report" ( The Pen & The Pad )

In this article from a resource website for writers, Patricia Harrelson outlines what information to include in a plot summary for a book report. 

"How to Write a Book Summary" (WikiHow)

Using Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone as an example, this WikiHow article demonstrates how to write a plot summary one step at a time.

Analyzing Characters and Themes

"How to Write a Character Analysis Book Report" ( The Pen & The Pad )

Kristine Tucker shows how to write a book report focusing on character. You can take her suggestions as they are, or consider  incorporating them into the more traditional book report format.

"How to Write a Character Analysis" (YouTube)

The SixMinuteScholar Channel utilizes analysis of the film  Finding Nemo to show you how to delve deeply into character, prioritizing inference over judgment.

"How to Define Theme" ( The Editor's Blog )

Fiction editor Beth Hill contributes an extended definition of theme. She also provides examples of common themes, such as "life is fragile."

"How to Find the Theme of a Book or Short Story" ( ThoughtCo )

This blog post from ThoughtCo. clarifies the definition of theme in relation to symbolism, plot, and moral. It also offers examples of themes in literature, such as love, death, and good vs. evil.

Selecting and Integrating Quotations

"How to Choose and Use Quotations" (Santa Barbara City College)

This guide from a college writing center will help you choose which quotations to use in your book report, and how to blend quotations with your own words.

"Guidelines for Incorporating Quotes" (Ashford Univ.)

This PDF from Ashford University's Writing Center introduces the ICE method for incorporating quotations: introduce, cite, explain.

"Quote Integration" (YouTube)

This video from The Write Way YouTube channel illustrates how to integrate quotations into writing, and also explains how to cite those quotations.

"Using Literary Quotations" (Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison)

This guide from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Writing Center helps you emphasize your analysis of a quotation, and explains how to incorporate quotations into your text.

Conclusions to any type of paper are notoriously tricky to write. Here, you’ll learn some creative ways to tie up loose ends in your report and express your own opinion of the book you read. This open space for sharing opinions that are not grounded in critical research is an element that often distinguishes book reports from other types of writing.

"How to Write a Conclusion for a Book Report" ( Classroom )

This brief article from the education resource  Classroom illustrates the essential points you should make in a book report conclusion.

"Conclusions" (Univ. of North Carolina)

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Writing Center lays out strategies for writing effective conclusions. Though the article is geared toward analytical essay conclusions, the tips offered here will also help you write a strong book report.

"Ending the Essay: Conclusions" (Harvard College Writing Center)

Pat Bellanca’s article for Harvard University’s Writing Center presents ways to conclude essays, along with tips. Again, these are suggestions for concluding analytical essays that can also be used to tie up a book report's loose ends.

Reading closely and in an engaged manner is the strong foundation upon which all good book reports are built. The resources below will give you a picture of what active reading looks like, and offer strategies to assess and improve your reading comprehension. Further, you’ll learn how to take notes—or “annotate” your text—making it easier to find important information as you write.

How to Be an Active Reader

"Active Reading Strategies: Remember and Analyze What You Read" (Princeton Univ.)

Princeton University’s McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning recommends ten strategies for active reading, and includes sample diagrams.

"Active Reading" (Open Univ.)

The Open University offers these techniques for reading actively alongside video examples. The author emphasizes that you should read for comprehension—not simply to finish the book as quickly as possible.

"7 Active Reading Strategies for Students" ( ThoughtCo )

In this post, Grace Fleming outlines seven methods for active reading. Her suggestions include identifying unfamiliar words and finding the main idea. 

"5 Active Reading Strategies for Textbook Assignments" (YouTube)

Thomas Frank’s seven-minute video demonstrates how you can retain the most important information from long and dense reading material.

Assessing Your Reading Comprehension

"Macmillan Readers Level Test" (MacMillan)

Take this online, interactive test from a publishing company to find out your reading level. You'll be asked a number of questions related to grammar and vocabulary.

"Reading Comprehension Practice Test" (ACCUPLACER)

ACCUPLACER is a placement test from The College Board. This 20-question practice test will help you see what information you retain after reading short passages.

"Reading Comprehension" ( English Maven )

The English Maven site has aggregated exercises and tests at various reading levels so you can quiz your reading comprehension skills.

How to Improve Your Reading Comprehension

"5 Tips for Improving Reading Comprehension" ( ThoughtCo )

ThoughtCo. recommends five tips to increase your reading comprehension ability, including reading with tools such as highlighters, and developing new vocabulary.

"How to Improve Reading Comprehension: 8 Expert Tips" (PrepScholar)

This blog post from PrepScholar provides ideas for improving your reading comprehension, from expanding your vocabulary to discussing texts with friends.

CrashCourse video: "Reading Assignments" (YouTube)

This CrashCourse video equips you with tools to read more effectively. It will help you determine how much material you need to read, and what strategies you can use to absorb what you read.

"Improving Reading Comprehension" ( Education Corner )

From a pre-reading survey through post-reading review, Education Corner  walks you through steps to improve reading comprehension.

Methods of In-text Annotation

"The Writing Process: Annotating a Text" (Hunter College)

This article from Hunter College’s Rockowitz Writing Center outlines how to take notes on a text and provides samples of annotation.

"How To Annotate Text While Reading" (YouTube)

This video from the SchoolHabits YouTube channel presents eleven annotation techniques you can use for better reading comprehension.

"5 Ways To Annotate Your Books" ( Book Riot )

This article from the Book Riot  blog highlights five efficient annotation methods that will save you time and protect your books from becoming cluttered with unnecessary markings.

"How Do You Annotate Your Books?" ( Epic Reads )

This post from Epic Reads highlights how different annotation methods work for different people, and showcases classic methods from sticky notes to keeping a reading notebook.

Students at every grade level can benefit from writing book reports, which sharpen critical reading skills. Here, we've aggregated sources to help you plan book report assignments and develop rubrics for written and oral book reports. You’ll also find alternative book report assessment ideas that move beyond the traditional formats.

Teaching Elementary School Students How to Write Book Reports

"Book Reports" ( Unique Teaching Resources )

These reading templates courtesy of Unique Teaching Resources make great visual aids for elementary school students writing their first book reports.

"Elementary Level Book Report Template" ( Teach Beside Me )

This   printable book report template from a teacher-turned-homeschooler is simple, classic, and effective. It asks basic questions, such as "who are the main characters?" and "how did you feel about the main characters?"

"Book Reports" ( ABC Teach )

ABC Teach ’s resource directory includes printables for book reports on various subjects at different grade levels, such as a middle school biography book report form and a "retelling a story" elementary book report template.

"Reading Worksheets" ( Busy Teacher's Cafe )

This page from Busy Teachers’ Cafe contains book report templates alongside reading comprehension and other language arts worksheets.

Teaching Middle School and High School Students How to Write Book Reports

"How to Write a Book Report: Middle and High School Level" ( Fact Monster)

Fact Monster ’s Homework Center discusses each section of a book report, and explains how to evaluate and analyze books based on genre for students in middle and high school.

"Middle School Outline Template for Book Report" (Trinity Catholic School)

This PDF outline template breaks the book report down into manageable sections for seventh and eighth graders by asking for specific information in each paragraph.

"Forms for Writing a Book Report for High School" ( Classroom )

In this article for Classroom,  Elizabeth Thomas describes what content high schoolers should focus on when writing their book reports.

"Forms for Writing a Book Report for High School" ( The Pen & The Pad )

Kori Morgan outlines techniques for adapting the book report assignment to the high school level in this post for The Pen & The Pad .

"High School Book Lists and Report Guidelines" (Highland Hall Waldorf School)

These sample report formats, grading paradigms, and tips are collected by Highland Hall Waldorf School. Attached are book lists by high school grade level.

Sample Rubrics

"Book Review Rubric Editable" (Teachers Pay Teachers)

This free resource from Teachers Pay Teachers allows you to edit your book report rubric to the specifications of your assignment and the grade level you teach.

"Book Review Rubric" (Winton Woods)

This PDF rubric from a city school district includes directions to take the assignment long-term, with follow-up exercises through school quarters.

"Multimedia Book Report Rubric" ( Midlink Magazine )

Perfect for oral book reports, this PDF rubric from North Carolina State University's Midlink Magazine  will help you evaluate your students’ spoken presentations.

Creative Book Report Assignments

"25 Book Report Alternatives" (Scholastic)

This article from the Scholastic website lists creative alternatives to the standard book report for pre-kindergarteners through high schoolers.

"Fresh Ideas for Creative Book Reports" ( Education World )

Education World offers nearly 50 alternative book report ideas in this article, from a book report sandwich to a character trait diagram.

"A Dozen Ways to Make Amazingly Creative Book Reports" ( We Are Teachers )

This post from We Are Teachers puts the spotlight on integrating visual arts into literary study through multimedia book report ideas.

"More Ideas Than You’ll Ever Use for Book Reports" (Teachnet.com)

This list from Teachnet.com includes over 300 ideas for book report assignments, from "interviewing" a character to preparing a travel brochure to the location in which the book is set.

"Fifty Alternatives to the Book Report" (National Council of Teachers of English)

In this PDF resource from the NCTE's  English Journal,  Diana Mitchell offers assignment ideas ranging from character astrology signs to a character alphabet.

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Printable Book Report Outlines and Examples

Assigning a book report as part of your reading or writing curriculum? Print and share this quick reference for how to write a book report - including all of the necessary elements, plus examples and outlines.

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Writing a Book Report

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Book reports are informative reports that discuss a book from an objective stance. They are similar to book reviews but focus more on a summary of the work than an evaluation of it. Book reports commonly describe what happens in a work; their focus is primarily on giving an account of the major plot, characters, thesis, and/or main idea of the work. Most often, book reports are a K-12 assignment and range from 250 to 500 words.

Book reviews are most often a college assignment, but they also appear in many professional works: magazines, newspapers, and academic journals. If you are looking to write a book review instead of a book report, please see the OWL resource, Writing a Book Review .

Before You Read

Before you begin to read, consider what types of things you will need to write your book report. First, you will need to get some basic information from the book:

• Publisher location, name of publisher, year published
• Number of Pages

You can either begin your report with some sort of citation, or you can incorporate some of these items into the report itself.

Next, try to answer the following questions to get you started thinking about the book:

• Author: Who is the author? Have you read any other works by this author?
• Genre: What type of book is this: fiction, nonfiction, biography, etc.? What types of people would like to read this kind of book? Do you typically read these kinds of books? Do you like them?
• Title: What does the title do for you? Does it spark your interest? Does it fit well with the text of the book?
• Pictures/Book Jacket/Cover/Printing: What does the book jacket or book cover say? Is it accurate? Were you excited to read this book because of it? Are there pictures? What kinds are there? Are they interesting?

As You Read

While reading a work of fiction, keep track of the major characters. You can also do the same with biographies. When reading nonfiction works, however, look for the main ideas and be ready to talk about them.

• Characters: Who are the main characters? What happens to them? Did you like them? Were there good and bad characters?
• Main Ideas: What is the main idea of the book? What happens? What did you learn that you did not know before?
• Quotes: What parts did you like best? Are there parts that you could quote to make your report more enjoyable?

When You Are Ready to Write

Announce the book and author. Then, summarize what you have learned from the book. Explain what happens in the book, and discuss the elements you liked, did not like, would have changed, or if you would recommend this book to others and why. Consider the following items as well:

• Principles/characters: What elements did you like best? Which characters did you like best and why? How does the author unfold the story or the main idea of the book?
• Organize: Make sure that most of your paper summarizes the work. Then you may analyze the characters or themes of the work.
• Your Evaluation: Choose one or a few points to discuss about the book. What worked well for you? How does this work compare with others by the same author or other books in the same genre? What major themes, motifs, or terms does the book introduce, and how effective are they? Did the book appeal to you on an emotional or logical way?
• Recommend: Would you recommend this book to others? Why? What would you tell them before they read it? What would you talk about after you read it?

Revising/Final Copy

Do a quick double check of your paper:

• Double-check the spelling of the author name(s), character names, special terms, and publisher.
• Check the punctuation and grammar slowly.
• Make sure you provide enough summary so that your reader or instructor can tell you read the book.
• Consider adding some interesting quotes from the reading.

10 Steps to Writing a Successful Book Report

• Writing Essays
• Writing Research Papers
• English Grammar
• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

A book report should contain the basic elements, but a good book report will address a specific question or point of view and back up this topic with specific examples, in the form of symbols and themes. These steps will help you identify and incorporate those important elements in a process that takes three to four days.

How To Write a Book Report

• Have an objective in mind, if possible. Your objective is the main point you want to argue or the question you plan to answer. Sometimes your teacher will offer a question for you to answer as part of your assignment, which makes this step easy. If you have to come up with your own focal point for your paper, you may have to wait and develop the objective while reading and reflecting on the book.
• Keep supplies on hand when you read. This is very important. Keep sticky-note flags, pen, and paper nearby as you read. Don't try to take "mental notes." It just doesn't work.
• Read the book. As you read, keep an eye out for clues that the author has provided in the form of symbolism. These will indicate some important point that supports the overall theme. For instance, a spot of blood on the floor, a quick glance, a nervous habit, an impulsive action--these are worth noting.
• Use your sticky flags to mark pages. When you run into any clues, mark the page by placing the sticky note at the beginning of the relevant line. Mark everything that piques your interest, even if you don't understand their relevance.
• Note possible themes or patterns that emerge. As you read and record emotional flags or signs, you will begin to see a point or a pattern. On a notepad, write down possible themes or issues. If your assignment is to answer a question, you will record how symbols address that question.
• Label your sticky flags. If you see a symbol repeated several times, you should indicate this somehow on the sticky flags, for easy reference later. For instance, if blood shows up in several scenes, write a "b" on the relevant flags for blood. This may become your major book theme, so you'll want to navigate between the relevant pages easily.
• Develop a rough outline. By the time you finish reading the book , you will have recorded several possible themes or approaches to your objective. Review your notes and try to determine which view or claim you can back up with good examples (symbols). You may need to play with a few sample outlines to pick the best approach.
• Develop paragraph ideas. Each paragraph should have a topic sentence and a sentence that transitions to the next paragraph. Try writing these first, then filling out the paragraphs with your examples (symbols). Don't forget to include the basics for every book report in your first paragraph or two.
• Review, re-arrange, repeat. At first, your paragraphs are going to look like ugly ducklings. They will be clunky, awkward, and unattractive in their early stages. Read them over, re-arrange and replace sentences that don't quite fit. Then review and repeat until the paragraphs flow.
• Re-visit your introductory paragraph. The introductory paragraph will make the critical first impression of your paper. It should be great. Be sure it is well-written, interesting, and it contains a strong thesis sentence .

The objective: Sometimes it is possible to have a clear objective in mind before you start . Sometimes, it is not. If you have to come up with your own thesis, don't stress about a clear objective in the beginning. It will come later.

Recording emotional flags: Emotional flags are merely points in the book that bring about emotion. Sometimes, the smaller the better. For example, for an assignment for The Red Badge of Courage , the teacher might ask students to address whether they believe Henry, the main character, is a hero. In this book, Henry sees lots of blood (emotional symbol) and death (emotional symbol) and this causes him to run away from the battle at first (emotional response). He is ashamed (emotion).

Book report basics: In your first paragraph or two, you should include the book setting, time period, characters, and your thesis statement (objective).

Re-visiting the introductory paragraph: The introductory paragraph should be the last paragraph you complete. It should be mistake-free and interesting. It should also contain a clear thesis. Don't write a thesis early on in the process and forget about it. Your point of view or argument may change completely as you re-arrange your paragraph sentences. Always check your thesis sentence last.

• Examples of Great Introductory Paragraphs
• How to Write a Great Book Report
• How to Write a Response Paper
• How to Start a Book Report
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• 6 Steps to Writing the Perfect Personal Essay
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• How to Develop a Research Paper Timeline
• How to Write a Research Paper That Earns an A
• How to Write and Format an MBA Essay
• How to Write a Great Process Essay
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• How to Write a Good Thesis Statement
• How to Remember What You Read
• How to Write a Paper at the Last Minute

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42 Creative Book Report Ideas for Students

Inspire your students to share their love of books.

Responding to what you read is an important literacy skill. Reading about other people’s experiences and perspectives helps kids learn about the world. And although students don’t need to dive deeply into every single book they read, occasionally digging into characters, settings, and themes can help them learn to look beyond the prose. Here are 42 creative book report ideas designed to make reading more meaningful.

1. Concrete Found Poem

This clever activity is basically a shape poem made up of words, phrases, and whole sentences found in the books students read. The words come together to create an image that represents something from the story.

2. Graphic Novel

Have students rewrite the book they are reading, or a chapter of their book, as a graphic novel. Set parameters for the assignment such as including six scenes from the story, three characters, details about the setting, etc. And, of course, include detailed illustrations to accompany the story.

3. Book Snaps

Book Snaps are a way for students to visually show how they are reacting to, processing, and/or connecting with a text. First, students snap a picture of a page in the book they are reading. Then, they add comments, images, highlights, and more.

4. Diary Entry

Have your students place themselves in the shoes of one of the characters from their book and write a first-person diary entry of a critical moment from the story. Ask them to choose a moment in the story where the character has plenty of interaction and emotion to share in a diary entry.

5. Character To-Do List

This fun activity is an off-the-beaten-path way to dive deep into character analysis. Get inside the head of the main character in a book and write a to-do list that they might write. Use actual information from the text, but also make inferences into what that character may wish to accomplish.

6. Mint Tin Book Report

There are so many super-creative, open-ended projects you can use mint tins for. This teacher blogger describes the process of creating book reports using them. There’s even a free template for cards that fit inside.

7. Fictional Yearbook Entries

Ask your students to create a yearbook based on the characters and setting in the book. What do they look like? Cut out magazine pictures to give a good visual image for their school picture. What kind of superlative might they get? Best looking? Class clown? What clubs would they be in or lead? Did they win any awards? It should be obvious from their small yearbooks whether your students dug deep into the characters in their books. They may also learn that who we are as individuals is reflected in what we choose to do with our lives.

8. Book Report Cake

This project would be perfect for a book tasting in your classroom! Each student presents their book report in the shape of food. See the sandwich and pizza options above and check out this blog for more delicious ideas.

9. Current Events Comparison

Have students locate three to five current events articles a character in their book might be interested in. After they’ve found the articles, have them explain why the character would find them interesting and how they relate to the book. Learning about how current events affect time, place, and people is critical to helping develop opinions about what we read and experience in life.

10. Sandwich Book Report

Yum! You’ll notice a lot of our creative book report ideas revolve around food. In this oldie but goodie, each layer of this book report sandwich covers a different element of the book—characters, setting, conflict, etc. A fun adaptation of this project is the book report cheeseburger.

11. Book Alphabet

Choose 15 to 20 alphabet books to help give your students examples of how they work around themes. Then ask your students to create their own Book Alphabet based on the book they read. What artifacts, vocabulary words, and names reflect the important parts of the book? After they find a word to represent each letter, have them write one sentence that explains where the word fits in.

12. Peekaboo Book Report

Using cardboard lap books (or small science report boards), students include details about their book’s main characters, plot, setting, conflict, resolution, etc. Then they draw a head and arms on card stock and attach them to the board from behind to make it look like the main character is peeking over the report.

13. T-Shirt Book Report

Another fun and creative idea: Create a wearable book report with a plain white tee. Come up with your own using Sharpie pens and acrylic paint. Get step-by-step directions .

14. Book Jacket

Have students create a new book jacket for their story. Include an attractive illustrated cover, a summary, a short biography of the author, and a few reviews from readers.

15. Watercolor Rainbow Book Report

This is great for biography research projects. Students cut out a photocopied image of their subject and glue it in the middle. Then, they draw lines from the image to the edges of the paper, like rays of sunshine, and fill in each section with information about the person. As a book report template, the center image could be a copy of the book cover, and each section expands on key information such as character names, theme(s), conflict, resolution, etc.

16. Act the Part

Have students dress up as their favorite character from the book and present an oral book report. If their favorite character is not the main character, retell the story from their point of view.

17. Pizza Box Book Report

If you’re looking for creative book report ideas that use upcycled materials, try this one using a pizza box. It works well for both nonfiction and fiction book reports. The top lid provides a picture of the book cover. Each wedge of the pizza pie tells part of the story.

18. Bookmark

Have students create a custom illustrated bookmark that includes drawings and words from either their favorite chapter or the entire book.

19. Book Reports in a Bag

Looking for book report ideas that really encourage creative thinking? With book reports in a bag, students read a book and write a summary. Then, they decorate a paper grocery bag with a scene from the book, place five items that represent something from the book inside the bag, and present the bag to the class.

20. Reading Lists for Characters

Ask your students to think about a character in their book. What kinds of books might that character like to read? Take them to the library to choose five books the character might have on their to-be-read list. Have them list the books and explain what each book might mean to the character. Post the to-be-read lists for others to see and choose from—there’s nothing like trying out a book character’s style when developing your own identity.

21. File Folder Book Report

Also called a lap book, this easy-to-make book report hits on all the major elements of a book study and gives students a chance to show what they know in a colorful way.

22. Collage

Create a collage using pictures and words that represent different parts of the book. Use old magazines or print pictures from the Internet.

23. Book Report Triorama

Who doesn’t love a multidimensional book report? This image shows a 3D model, but Elisha Ann provides a lesson to show students how to glue four triangles together to make a 4D model.

24. Timeline

Have students create a timeline of the main events from their book. Be sure to include character names and details for each event. Use 8 x 11 sheets of paper taped together or a long portion of bulletin board paper.

25. Clothes Hanger Book Report Mobile

This creative project doesn’t require a fancy or expensive supply list. Students just need an ordinary clothes hanger, strings, and paper. The body of the hanger is used to identify the book, and the cards on the strings dangling below are filled with key elements of the book, like characters, setting, and a summary.

26. Public Service Announcement

If a student has read a book about a cause that affects people, animals, or the environment, teach them about public service announcements . Once they understand what a PSA is, have them research the issue or cause that stood out in the book. Then give them a template for a storyboard so they can create their own PSA. Some students might want to take it a step further and create a video based on their storyboard. Consider sharing their storyboard or video with an organization that supports the cause or issue.

27. Dodecahedron Book Report

Creative book report ideas think outside the box. In this case, it’s a ball! SO much information can be covered on the 12 panels , and it allows students to take a deep dive in a creative way.

28. Character Cards

Make trading cards (like baseball cards) for a few characters from the book. On the front side, draw the character. On the back side, make a list of their character traits and include a quote or two.

29. Book Report Booklets

This clever book report is made from ordinary paper bags. Stack the paper bags on top of each other, fold them in half, and staple the closed-off ends of the bags together. Students can write, draw, and decorate on the paper bag pages. They can also record information on writing or drawing paper and glue the paper onto the pages. The open ends of the bags can be used as pockets to insert photos, cut-outs, postcards, or other flat items that help them tell their story.

30. Letter to the Author

Write a letter to the author of the book. Tell them three things you really liked about the story. Ask three questions about the plot, characters, or anything else you’re curious about.

31. Book Report Charm Bracelet

What a “charming” way to write a book report! Each illustrated bracelet charm captures a character, an event in the plot, setting, or other detail.

32. Fact Sheet

Have students create a list of 10 facts that they learned from reading the book. Have them write the facts in complete sentences, and be sure that each fact is something that they didn’t know before they read the book.

33. Cereal Box TV Book Report

This book report project is a low-tech version of a television made from a cereal box and two paper towel rolls. Students create the viewing screen cut-out at the top, then insert a scroll of paper with writing and illustrations inside the box. When the cardboard roll is rotated, the story unfolds.

34. Be a Character Therapist

Therapists work to uncover their clients’ fears based on their words and actions. When we read books, we must learn to use a character’s actions and dialogue to infer their fears. Many plots revolve around a character’s fear and the work it takes to overcome that fear. Ask students to identify a character’s fear and find 8 to 10 scenes that prove this fear exists. Then have them write about ways the character overcame the fear (or didn’t) in the story. What might the character have done differently?

35. Mind Maps

Mind maps can be a great way to synthesize what students have learned from reading a book. Plus, there are so many ways to approach them. Begin by writing a central idea in the middle of the page. For example, general information, characters, plot, etc. Then branch out from the center with ideas, thoughts, and connections to material from the book.

36. Foldables

From Rainbows Within Reach , this clever idea would be a great introduction to writing book reports. Adapt the flap categories for students at different levels. Adjust the number of categories (or flaps) per the needs of your students.

37. Board games

This is a great project if you want your students to develop a little more insight into what they’re reading. Have them think about the elements of their favorite board games and how they can be adapted to fit this assignment. For more, here are step-by-step directions .

38. Comic strips

If you’re looking for creative book report ideas for students who like graphic novels, try comic strips. Include an illustrated cover with the title and author. The pages of the book should retell the story using dialogue and descriptions of the setting and characters. Of course, no comic book would be complete without copious illustrations and thought bubbles.

39. Timeline

Create a timeline using a long roll of butcher paper, a poster board, or index cards taped together. For each event on the timeline, write a brief description of what happens. Add pictures, clip art, word art, and symbols to make the timeline more lively and colorful.

40. Cereal Box

Recycle a cereal box and create a book report Wheaties-style. Decorate all sides of the box with information about the book’s characters, setting, plot, summary, etc.

41. Wanted Poster

Make a “wanted” poster for one of the book’s main characters. Indicate whether they are wanted dead or alive. Include a picture of the character and a description of what the character is “wanted” for, three examples of the character showing this trait, and a detailed account of where the character was last seen.

42. Movie Version

If the book your students have read has been made into a movie, have them write a report about how the versions are alike and different. If the book has not been made into a movie, have them write a report telling how they would make it into a movie, using specific details from the book.

What creative book report ideas did we miss? Come share in our We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, check out the most popular kids’ books in every grade..

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The Best Book-Report Books for Middle Schoolers

No need to dread a book report! When kids find titles that are engaging, interesting, and thought-provoking, they're hooked. If it's fiction, students can dissect plot, theme, and characters. If it's nonfiction, they can plunge into a subject that fascinates them or learn a lot about something they've never heard of before. Here's a list of surefire selections for students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. For even more ideas, check out 50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12 .

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl

Inspiring wartime journal reveals teen's inner life.

The Apothecary, Book 1

Cold War kids use magic to save world in brilliant novel.

Everything Sad Is Untrue: (A True Story)

Young refugee's story is told in memories, myths, fables.

Goodbye Stranger

Bittersweet, lovely story of friendship and social media.

Genesis Begins Again

Teen learns to love herself in uplifting tale of misfits.

Hold on tight for an intense tale of survival.

A Long Walk to Water

Touching take on Lost Boys of Sudan, based on true story.

One Crazy Summer

A gem, with strong girl characters, '60s black history.

Poverty, being unhoused explored in hopeful tale.

The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights

Little-known disaster gets overdue, in-depth treatment.

The Red Badge of Courage

Compelling Civil War novel questions morality of battle.

Uglies: Uglies Quartet, Book 1

Thoughtful sci-fi about the price of beauty.

Interned girl, Native boy find common ground in moving tale.

All-American Muslim Girl

Captivating coming-of-age tale explores identity, racism.

American Ace

Moving, fast-paced novel-in-verse; great for teen boys.

Bomb: The Race to Build -- and Steal -- the World's Most Dangerous Weapon

Complex, suspenseful story of developing The Bomb.

The Boys Who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club

Thrilling true story of teenagers who stood up to the Nazis.

Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings

Poignant memoir-in-verse recalls Cuban American's childhood.

Long Way Down

Gripping, unnerving story of teen boy contemplating revenge.

My Name Is Not Easy

Fascinating story of Alaskan kids growing up in the 1960s.

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10 Book Report Ideas That Kids Will Love

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Fun book report ideas for fourth, fifth and sixth graders.

Book reports don’t need to be painfully boring. In fact, they can be a ton of fun, and with the right project, students will love the entire process of creating and sharing meaningful book projects. There are loads of great book report ideas out there just waiting to happen in your classroom!

Here are 10 book report ideas that kids will love:

1. cereal box book report.

These oh-so-cool reports were always the top-ranked project by my fifth graders. Students loved creating an original book report display using a covered cereal box and ready-made templates. The finished projects made a great classroom display, and students loved looking at their classmates’ creative reports. Read more about Cereal Box Book Reports HERE .

2. Paper Bag Book Report

This is a super simple idea that is quite fun for students. Provide each student with a lunch-sized paper bag. Tell them to think about 5 objects that relate to the main character of their book . The objects have to be small enough to fit into the bag . Send the bags home and have students place the 5 objects in the bag and bring them back to school. On the day they are due, have students take turns sharing the objects in their bags and explaining how they relate to the main character of the book. You can even make a great display with the bags, objects, and books to pique the interest of other students.

3. Character Day

Have students dress up as the main character of their book. Then, have each student take a turn standing in front of the class and telling their character’s story in first person point of view.

4. Book Report Lap Book

you need are two file folders, some cardstock or construction paper, scissors, glue, and the FREE book report template found here . The finished products are quite amazing, and your students will probably keep theirs forever! Check out my photo tutorial for making a lap book .

5. Book Scene Diorama

Have students construct a diorama of one of the main events of their book. They will make a 3-dimensional scene, including models of characters, the setting, and objects. A shoebox makes a great place to build a diorama. Require students to write a description of the scene.

6. Book Report Posters

This might be the easiest option of the book report ideas. Have students first sketch their posters on a sheet of notebook paper. Then, provide students with a large piece of poster paper or chart paper. Posters must identify main characters, setting, title, problem, and solution. Display finished posters in the classroom or on hallway walls.

7. Book Report Mobiles

Mobiles are easy to make, and it’s fun to watch students use their creativity in designing their own projects. A paper plate folded in half makes a great base/topper for mobiles. Have students write the title of the book on this paper plate semi circle and hang the mobile pieces from it. Provide students with construction paper, yarn, markers, paper hole punches, and any other materials they might need.

8. Book Report Mini Books

With just one piece of paper, your students can make a complete, creative book report!

In these clever book projects , students identify:

• Title/Author
• Main Character

No tape, glue, or staples required! Photo directions are included in this download.

9. Design a Book Jacket

Show your students several examples of some outstanding book jackets. Point out the front with the title and illustration, the spine and its information, and the back with the book summary. Also show the two inside flaps with information about the author and a smaller summary. Provide them each with a larger piece of paper and have them design a jacket for the book they have just read.

10. Ready-to-Print Templates

Use NO PREP book report templates to save your sanity AND to keep things fun for your students. You could print out all 12 templates in this Book Report Templates Packet and let students choose the one they want to do each month! There is even a really nice digital option for Google classroom included!

Regardless of which of these book report ideas you choose, be sure to clearly outline the expectations before your students begin. It’s best if you can model a project to demonstrate the quality of work your students should strive for.

Keep it fun and engaging, and your students will be excited to invest their time in their projects!

Check out these ready to go, easy to use book report projects in my store:

SAVE THIS POST FOR LATER!

Pin this to your favorite classroom Pinterest board  so you can come back for these book report ideas!

To recap, the 10 Book Report Project Ideas are:

• Cereal Box Book Report
• Paper Bag Book Report
• Character Day
• Book Report Lapbook
• Book Scene Diorama
• Book Report Posters
• Book Report Mobiles
• Design a Book Jacket
• Ready-to-Print Templates

Shelly Rees

Hi, I’m Shelly! Thank you for being here. I love helping third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers with fun and engaging activities that require no to little prep! Let me help you by taking some of the stress and work off your plate.

Hi, I'm Shelly

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Reading & ela.

Book reports may be a staple of elementary and middle school education, but they are far less frequently assigned in the higher grades. High school ELA teacher Nancy Barile thinks that should change. Students in 6th grade and above can learn a lot when they are challenged to use higher order thinking skills to understand and interpret the literature they read via a good old-fashioned high school book report template. 

To start, Barile recommends that students choose the books they want to write about themselves—with teacher approval, of course. See the book list at the end of this article for engaging young adult titles and book report ideas, including books with thematic elements that are particularly appealing to older readers. 

Writing the Report

To structure the book reports, Barile recommends eight sections of analysis that will “require students to provide evidence of their choices and reasoning, which helps them think more deeply about what they have read.” For each section, students should give examples from the book to back up their analysis. The below book report template can help. 

If your students need to review the elements of fiction before beginning this assignment, Teaching Powerful Writing is a great resource. This collection of personal narratives and writing activities highlights different writing techniques and covers literary elements such as voice, using flashback, and point of view.

Book Report Breakdown

Students should identify the setting of the novel and explain why the setting is important.

• How are the time and place significant to the events of the story?
• How does the setting contribute to the overall meaning of the novel? 

2. CHARACTERIZATION

Beginning with the protagonist and then moving on to the supporting characters, students should discuss the characterizations in their novel. 

• Is the character well-developed, or are they a stock or stereotypical character? 
• Is the character static (unchanging throughout the story) or dynamic (changes by the end of the novel)? 
• What personality traits does the character possess, and how does this affect the outcome of the novel? 
• Do the character's inner thoughts and feelings reflect their outward actions? Explain. 

3. POINT OF VIEW

Students should identify the novel’s point of view and why it is significant.

• What advantages does telling the story in (first person/second person/third person) have? Why?
• Why do you think the author chose this point of view? 

4. CONFLICT

What is the primary conflict in the novel? Is it human vs. human, human vs. nature, human vs. society, or human vs. themselves? Your students should delve into conflict much more deeply than they may have in the past. If their story has more than one major conflict, they should detail the additional conflicts as well.

• Explain the conflict and how the protagonist deals with it. 
• Does the protagonist overcome the conflict? Or do they succumb to it?

Students should identify the theme of the novel and the specific meaning of the book they chose. They should avoid stock themes such as “Don’t judge a book by its cover” and think more critically on their author’s message.

• What was the author’s purpose in writing the book?

What are the symbols in the novel and how are they significant?

• How do the symbols help develop the story and contribute to the overall meaning of the book?

7. FORESHADOWING

Students should identify the foreshadowing in their novel and give examples from the text.

• Did you know what was going to come? Why? 
• Were there any hints as to what might occur? 
• Why do you think the author chose to use or not use foreshadowing? 

Finally, students should evaluate the ending of the book.

• Was the ending justified? (Was the ending viable and believable?) 
• Was it a satisfactory ending that fit the rest of the novel? 
• Was there a catharsis of some kind? Explain.

If your students follow this structure in their book report, it will help them explore each of the elements of fiction in a very specific way. As Barile discovered in her decades of teaching: “Students who explain, interpret, and synthesize what they have read gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of literature.”

Shop great classroom titles for book reports below! You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store .

Step-by-Step Outline for a Book Report

Lisa parris.

Almost every student in the United States is assigned a book report at some point. The purpose of a book report is not to torment students, but to ensure their understanding of literature. Book reports help students learn to summarize and to state their opinion, but they also help teachers obtain a more accurate perception of what their students gain from a given story. Many teachers have specific guidelines their students must adhere to; however, the guide below outlines the basic process for generating an acceptable book report.

Explore this article

• Rough Draft
• Introduction

1 Rough Draft

After you have read the book, take a blank sheet of paper and fold it into thirds. Label the first portion "Introduction" and then make a list of the numbers 1 through 4; label the second portion "Body" and divide the area underneath into "Part A" followed by the numbers 1 through 4 and "Part B"; label the third portion "Conclusion."

2 Introduction

Begin the introduction by filling in the following information. Beside the number 1, write the title of the book. Underline the title. Then write the author’s name. Beside the number 2, write the name of the book publisher, the year the book was published and the number of pages. Beside the number 3, write the book's genre (science fiction, mystery, romance, etc.). Beside the number 4, write one or two sentences that describe the book's general theme or message.

When you have written down the basic information that will be used in the introduction, move on to the Body portion of your rough draft. Under Part A, number 1, describe where the story takes place. Beside number 2, make a note of the time period in which the story is set. If you’re not sure, make a guess as to whether it is the past or the future. At number 3, give a brief description of the main character. If the story spends an equal amount of time on several characters, describe them as well. Beside number 4, describe the plot of the story. Do not re-tell the tale; simply choose the most important events. Begin by describing the circumstances of the main character at the beginning of the story. Then describe any goals the character is trying to achieve or overcome. Follow this with a brief account of anything that happens to either help or interfere with the achievement of the goal. End by giving a few clues about the story’s ending without actually revealing the final outcome.

Beneath the area labeled "Part B," state your opinion of the story. As you ponder your general views on the book, consider the following questions: Did you enjoy the book? Did you have a favorite part of the story? Do you agree with the author? Do you think the book was well written? Support your opinion with examples from the story.

4 Conclusion

Write one paragraph stating why you think others should or should not read this book. Consider the overall impression the story has made on you and emphasize any information you feel future readers should know.

Once you have captured your initial impressions and thoughts about the book on paper, go back and revise your report. Restate your ideas using clear language and complete sentences. Double-check your spelling and grammar, correcting any errors as you go. If possible, type your report on a computer using a word processing program, as this will make it easier for you to revise and it will make the final draft easier for your teacher to read.

• 1 Book Reports on Homework Spot.com

About the Author

Lisa Parris is a writer and former features editor of "The Caldwell County News." Her work has also appeared in the "Journal of Comparative Parasitology," "The Monterey County Herald" and "The Richmond Daily News." In 2012, Parris was honored with awards from the Missouri Press Association for best feature story, best feature series and best humor series.

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2024 NBA draft grades: Winners, losers, picks for all 30 teams

• Developed WARP rating and SCHOENE system Follow on X

Which teams were the winners and losers of the 2024 NBA draft ? While we won't know exactly how every prospect will fare over the next few seasons, we can make judgements on picks based on value of the selection and how teams maneuvered the board.

Let's grade how all 30 teams did in the league's first two-day draft, which was marked by a large collection of French players selected and, of course, Bronny James ' entry into the NBA.

Generally speaking, my grades for teams are based on how well they maximized the picks they entered the draft with rather than simply how much talent they accumulated, given that's more a product of last season's record (or past trades) than decision-making in the draft. I use my player projections as a guide for the value of prospects -- based on their age, performance and more metrics -- and take into account whether they were drafted higher or lower than those projections.

Let's get into my grades, going in alphabetical order:

Jump to a team: ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS

Atlanta Hawks : B

Round 1: Zaccharie Risacher (No. 1) Round 2: Nikola Djurisic (No. 43 via Miami)

In a draft without a consensus No. 1 prospect, Atlanta went with perhaps the closest thing in Risacher, whose size and shooting fills a need in the Hawks' future starting five alongside power forward Jalen Johnson and whichever point guard the team keeps.

Because Risacher did relatively little to fill out the box score playing in France, I had him ranked behind Reed Sheppard , Alex Sarr and Donovan Clingan in terms of potential. Given the eye of the beholder nature of this year's draft, however, evaluating Risacher as the top prospect was reasonable.

Originally, Atlanta held only the No. 1 pick. The Hawks added a second-round pick Thursday in a deal sending AJ Griffin to the Houston Rockets and took Serbian guard Nikola Djurisic, the second-lowest rated draft pick in my stats-based projections.

Boston Celtics : B+

Round 1: Baylor Scheierman (No. 30) Round 2: Anton Watson (No. 54)

With all eight players who saw at least 20 minutes of action in the NBA Finals under contract, the Celtics had the luxury of drafting with an eye toward a couple of years down the road. Given that framework, I would have preferred a swing on Kansas forward Johnny Furphy , who's four years younger than the 23-year-old Scheierman. Still, it's easy to see how Scheierman's shooting and size will fit in Boston much the same way as Sam Hauser does now.

The Celtics took another experienced player in Round 2, Gonzaga forward Anton Watson. Watson offers defensive versatility and shot 41% from 3 as a fifth-year senior, albeit on just 51 attempts.

Brooklyn Nets : Incomplete

The Nets sent the No. 3 overall pick to Houston as part of their 2021 trade for James Harden , a painful outcome that may have influenced Brooklyn trading to extinguish a 2025 swap with the Rockets and get back its 2026 pick. After that trade, we can expect the host team to pick high next year as the Nets embrace a rebuild.

Charlotte Hornets : C+

Round 1: Tidjane Salaun (No. 6) Round 2: KJ Simpson (No. 42)

Reports suggested the Hornets would trade down from No. 6, but they stayed put and took Salaun toward the high end of his possible draft range. As when the Washington Wizards drafted Bilal Coulibaly No. 7 a year ago, this is a case of a new front office taking a young player (Salaun is still just 18) with an eye toward long-term upside and the risk that Salaun never develops into an NBA contributor.

The Hornets made Simpson the third Colorado player drafted. Of the three, he was the best last season, averaging 19.7 PPG and 4.9 APG while shooting 43% from 3-point range.

Chicago Bulls : B+

Round 1: Matas Buzelis (No. 11)

In one of the first round's most memorable moments, Buzelis and his family were overcome by emotion after the Chicago native was drafted by his hometown team. I wasn't quite as high on Buzelis as our draft scouts, who had him No. 5 in their final top 100, but it's hard to argue with the value here.

The interesting question is whether adding Buzelis affects the Bulls' negotiations with restricted free agent forward Patrick Williams . Re-signing both Williams and DeMar DeRozan would likely push Chicago into the luxury tax barring another money-saving trade, presumably involving Zach LaVine .

Cleveland Cavaliers : B

Round 1: Jaylon Tyson (No. 20)

It's neither surprising that the Cavaliers drafted a wing -- the position they've been seeking to fill since before adding Donovan Mitchell two years ago -- or that they went for a more polished college veteran rather than a younger prospect like Kyshawn George . Tyson's skill set projects well to a 3-and-D role in the NBA, particularly if he shoots more like 2022-23 (40%) than last season (36%), when he spent more time on the ball at Cal.

Dallas Mavericks : B-

Round 2: Melvin Ajinca (No. 51 via New York)

Having sent their first-round pick to the New York Knicks to complete the Kristaps Porzingis trade, the Mavericks originally weren't scheduled to come on the clock until the final pick of the night. They swapped up seven spots to take Ajinca, a young French wing who might not come to Dallas immediately.

Denver Nuggets : B-

Round 1: DaRon Holmes II (No. 22 via Phoenix)

Under GM Calvin Booth, the Nuggets have never been shy about favoring their own projections over consensus. They're betting big on Holmes, ESPN's 38th-ranked prospect, after another team evidently coveted Holmes enough to force Denver to trade up from No. 28 to No. 22 to take him. That cost the Nuggets their only second-round pick, as well as a pair of future second-rounders. Holmes is skilled for a high-flying big man of his ilk, having averaged a 3 per game at a 39% clip last season at Dayton.

Detroit Pistons : C+

Round 1: Ron Holland II (No. 5) Round 2: Bobi Klintman (No. 37 via Minnesota)

Drafting Holland No. 5 after he was 13th in ESPN's final mock draft was one of the biggest surprises of Wednesday's first round, but I see the logic. Holland was as impressive as any player in the 2024 class as a prep prospect before a disappointing season spent with G League Ignite. If you believe that was more about Ignite's poor roster construction than Holland individually, taking him in the top five absolutely makes sense.

The biggest question is adding another non-shooter to a Detroit team already lacking in that skill, including last year's No. 5 pick Ausar Thompson . The Pistons may be counting heavily on internal growth led by new assistant coach Fred Vinson, who has a strong track record of developing shooters with New Orleans. Klintman, who hit 36% of his 3s from the FIBA line in the Australian NBL, does bring some shooting ability.

Golden State Warriors : D+

Round 2: Quinten Post (No. 52 via Oklahoma City)

The Warriors' second-round pick took a circuitous route Thursday. Golden State traded it to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Lindy Waters III , then reacquired it from the New York Knicks after yet another trade. Surprisingly for a team that has tended to hew closely to my projections in the past, the Warriors took the lowest rated of any drafted player this year. Post is already 24 and shot a low percentage inside the arc for a modern big man (54% on 2s last season).

Houston Rockets : A

Round 1: Reed Sheppard (No. 3)

For all the talk of a Durant trade -- shot down by Phoenix owner Mat Ishbia on social media prior to the first round -- staying at No. 3 and drafting Sheppard always made the most sense for the Rockets. As I noted in my final draft projections, no team has gotten more value according to my projections relative to where they draft than Houston.

The Rockets did it again here, landing my top overall prospect with the No. 3 pick. Better yet, Sheppard fits well alongside Houston's young talent. I especially love pairing his shooting with Amen Thompson 's athleticism while allowing both to wreak havoc as defensive playmakers. The Rockets traded out of the second round, sending the No. 44 pick to Atlanta for 2022 first-round pick AJ Griffin .

Indiana Pacers : A

Round 2: Johnny Furphy (No. 35 via San Antonio), Tristen Newton (No. 49), Enrique Freeman (No. 50)

Despite not having a first-round pick, the Pacers landed the No. 5 player in my projections when they moved up one spot to stop Furphy's slide into the second round. I get why scouts might not have believed Furphy was a lottery talent as my projections suggested, but to see him not go in the first round was legitimately shocking. If Furphy develops as a shooter with size, he'd fit well alongside Pascal Siakam in the Indiana frontcourt.

Later, the Pacers picked a pair of 23-year-old college veterans who rated well for their age in Newton and Freeman, both of whom have the potential to contribute immediately as late second-rounders.

LA Clippers : A

Round 2: Cam Christie (No. 46)

Christie ends up in the same city as his brother, Max, drafted No. 35 by the Lakers in the 2022 draft. (Max is now a restricted free agent.) As I wrote in explaining why Christie was ranked 12th in my projections, he was more productive than his brother as one-and-done players. Christie is also one of the youngest players in this draft, still just 18. Midway through the second round, he was one of the draft's best values.

Los Angeles Lakers : B+

Round 1: Dalton Knecht (No. 17) Round 2: Bronny James (No. 55)

It's no secret that my projections were low on Knecht, who rated outside my top 30 because of his age (23), limited productivity early in his college career and low rates of assists, steals and blocks. As a result, I couldn't buy lottery hype for Knecht. By the middle of the first round, drafting him primarily on the strength of his shooting made far more sense.

Knecht will still have to prove he can hang defensively on a team that hasn't had the perimeter depth to hide players, but his shooting is an ideal fit with Anthony Davis and LeBron James .

Given the track record for picks in the 50s, bringing in Bronny James as a development project is completely reasonable for the Lakers. It's a win for the Lakers that they could draft Bronny without needing to sacrifice anything to move up.

Memphis Grizzlies : B-

Round 1: Zach Edey (No. 9) Round 2: Jaylen Wells (No. 39), Cam Spencer (No. 53 via Detroit)

Even having Edey at No. 4 overall in my stats-based projections based on his historic level of productivity at Purdue, I was shocked to see him go in the top 10. (Check out my reaction on the Hoop Collective live show if you don't believe it.) Like scouts, I'm uncertain Edey can be a full-time starter because of the limitations imposed by his defensive mobility, and I would have been more comfortable drafting him in the teens.

That concern noted, the Grizzlies needed to come out of this draft with a center and got one. I liked the relative value better for Memphis in round two. Wells was in the top 30 of my projections thanks to his combination of 42% 3-point shooting in his lone Division I season and size at 6-8. The Grizzlies also got one of the draft's better shooters in Spencer, who shined as a transfer addition to help UConn win the national title.

Miami Heat : C

Round 1: Kel'el Ware (No. 15) Round 2: Pelle Larsson (No. 44 via Houston)

I was surprised Ware went ahead of Yves Missi , who was generally higher among centers in most draft rankings but I can see how the fit will work in Miami. Ware's ability to stretch the floor (42.5% from 3-point range last season, albeit on just 40 attempts) could eventually allow him to play with Bam Adebayo instead of strictly backing him up. Like Missi, Ware brings above-the-rim finishing in the pick-and-roll game.

Larsson fits the mold of Miami shooters with size, having hit 43% of his 3s as a senior at Arizona. The Heat will surely encourage Larsson to increase his volume beyond the arc.

Milwaukee Bucks : C+

Round 1: AJ Johnson (No. 23) Round 2: Tyler Smith (No. 33)

Down the road, drafting the 19-year-old Johnson could pay off for the Bucks, but I'm not sure what down the road means for a contending team with three starters who will be at least 33 by opening night. After looking creaky last season, I felt Milwaukee needed an injection of athleticism and defense on the wing after looking struggling there last season. Johnson projects more as an on-ball option and played sparingly (198 total minutes) as an import in the Australian NBL last season, suggesting he's far from contributing in the NBA.

I'm much higher on the addition of Smith in the second round. As a floor-spacing big with defensive question marks, Smith can use Bucks sixth man Bobby Portis Jr. as a point of comparison for his development.

Minnesota Timberwolves : B-

Round 1: Rob Dillingham (No. 8 via San Antonio), Terrence Shannon Jr . (No. 27)

The Timberwolves giving up a future first and a swap to take Dillingham No. 8 was perhaps draft night's most fascinating swing. Limited in terms of future picks after the Rudy Gobert trade, Minnesota gave up much of its remaining flexibility to draft the kind of top-10 player unlikely to be available to the team any time soon otherwise.

If Dillingham can hold up defensively, his combination of shot-making and ballhandling could make him Anthony Edwards ' future partner in the backcourt. I'm less enamored of taking Shannon with the No. 27 pick. The oldest player taken in the first round, Shannon succeeded as a fifth-year senior in large part because of his size and strength advantages, which won't entirely carry over to the NBA. In an off-ball role, Shannon's iffy 3-point shooting (36% last season, 35% career) will be emphasized.

New Orleans Pelicans : B

Round 1: Yves Missi (No. 21) Round 2: Antonio Reeves (No. 47 via Orlando)

With starter Jonas Valanciunas a free agent, center was unquestionably the biggest need for the Pelicans, and Missi was the top player at the position. I do wonder about how a rim-runner with limited range will fit next to Zion Williamson , but on the defensive end of the court Missi offers some of the scheme versatility provided by Larry Nance Jr . with more size and rim protection.

New York Knicks : B-

Round 1: Pacome Dadiet (No. 25) Round 2: Tyler Kolek (No. 34 via Portland), Kevin McCullar Jr. (No. 56 via Phoenix), Ariel Hukporti (No. 58)

When the Knicks took Dadiet after trading down from No. 24 to No. 26 and eventually out of that pick altogether, it triggered immediate speculation they'd stash the 18-year-old French forward overseas to create slightly more cap flexibility. Dadiet told reporters he'd like to come to New York immediately after playing off the bench for EuroCup club Ratiopharm Ulm.

In the second round, the Knicks added a couple of college veterans who will be important to their cap outlook after incurring a hard cap this season. Although Kolek went to a rival of New York's several former Villanova stars, Marquette, his toughness and playmaking fit the Knicks. McCullar is another experienced big-game player with a versatile skill set.

At 22, Hukporti is also more ready to contribute in the NBA than the usual international prospect. Hukporti's strengths (offensive rebounding and rim protection) are what New York covets in centers.

Oklahoma City Thunder : B-

Round 1: Nikola Topic (No. 12), Dillon Jones (No. 26 via Washington) Round 2: Ajay Mitchell (No. 38 via New York)

The Thunder played to type with both first-round picks they made Wednesday. The 6-foot-6 Topic is the latest Oklahoma City ball handler with size. As with Josh Giddey , the biggest question about Topic is how well he'll shoot 3s after hitting 25% this season across Adriatic and EuroLeague play. Given Topic is just 18 and hit 86% from the foul line, there's reason for the Thunder to believe they can develop his shooting by the time he'll be back on the court after suffering a partial ACL tear.

Jones, acquired in exchange for multiple future second-round picks, fits an Oklahoma City archetype of wings who play bigger than their size. Jones measured 6-foot-4½ barefoot at the NBA draft combine but averaged 10.5 RPG over his last three seasons at Weber State. Add in playmaking skill (5.2 APG last season) and a modicum of shooting (32% career) and Jones fits the outline of a Thunder wing in the Andre Roberson mold.

A second Thunder trade, with New York, yielded UCSB's Ajay Mitchell, a point guard with size who shot 39% from 3 last season after hitting just 29% his first two campaigns.

Orlando Magic : D

Round 1: Tristan da Silva (No. 18)

I can see the logic in Orlando drafting da Silva, a skilled big man whose shooting ability (1.9 3s per game as a senior on 39.5% accuracy) fits well alongside Magic building blocks Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner . I question whether da Silva will do enough else to justify getting on the court to utilize that shooting. If Orlando envisions playing da Silva in the frontcourt with Banchero, his poor rim protection (just 0.7 blocks per 40 minutes) could be an impediment. Da Silva is also a poor rebounder, topping out at 5.1 RPG.

Philadelphia 76ers : A-

Round 1: Jared McCain (No. 16) Round 2: Adem Bona (No. 41)

The stat-minded Sixers landing McCain, my eighth-ranked prospect, at No. 16 is no surprise. McCain's shooting (41% on nearly six 3-point attempts per game) should fit well on a team that needs to space the floor for Joel Embiid . I do wonder how much McCain (6-2 barefoot) will be able to play alongside 6-2 Philadelphia starter Tyrese Maxey . However, getting value is more important in the long term than questions of fit.

Bona wasn't quite as strong by my projections, but there's a lot to like about his defensive potential after he blocked 2.7 shots and came up with 1.7 steals per 40 minutes as a sophomore. Compare those with Sixers backup Paul Reed , who averaged 2.3 blocks and 1.3 steals per 40 when he was a sophomore at DePaul.

Phoenix Suns : B+

Round 1: Ryan Dunn (No. 28 via Denver) Round 2: Oso Ighodaro (No. 40 via Portland)

Based on their pair of picks, the Suns came into this draft determined to add defensive versatility. Dunn's ability to generate steals and blocks and defend multiple positions makes him the top player available by that metric, while Ighodaro also stood out for his ability to switch on defense. Phoenix still needs both players to be viable enough offensively to utilize their defensive tools -- the reason they were available where they were -- but the best-case versions of Dunn and Ighodaro fit ideally with the Suns' offensive stars.

Portland Trail Blazers : A

Round 1: Donovan Clingan (No. 7)

After speculation they might trade up in pursuit of Clingan, the Blazers were able to stay at the seventh pick and get my second-ranked prospect. Adding Clingan creates a logjam at center for Portland with starter Deandre Ayton and backup Robert Williams III coming back from knee surgery. That's less important than the Blazers getting the best available talent, and Clingan qualifies as a potential backstop for their offensive-minded young perimeter players.

Having started the draft with four picks, Portland ended up making just one after sending the No. 14 pick to the Washington Wizards as part of a deal for Deni Avdija and trading both second-rounders for future ones.

Sacramento Kings : B+

Round 1: Devin Carter (No. 13)

Carter represents Sacramento's latest swing at finding a defensive-minded guard to play behind and potentially with starter De'Aaron Fox . The highest of those picks, Davion Mitchell , was traded to the Toronto Raptors in a cap-related move Thursday. The Kings also still have 2022 second-round pick Keon Ellis and 2023 second-rounder Colby Jones .

Of those players, Carter has the best chance of sticking. He was more productive for his age than Mitchell and more highly regarded by scouts than Ellis and Jones.

San Antonio Spurs : B

Round 1: Stephon Castle (No. 4) Round 2: Juan Nunez (No. 36 via Indiana), Harrison Ingram (No. 48)

Despite trading the eighth pick to Minnesota in a deal that adds to their stockpile of future first-rounders, the Spurs doubled up on adding to their backcourt. Castle is the big name, having helped UConn to a second consecutive title as a freshman starter. His size, skills and defensive versatility are all pluses, but Castle will need to develop as either a playmaker or an outside shooter in order to become a legitimate two-way contributor.

In the second round, San Antonio added one of the draft's better playmakers in 20-year-old Nunez, a possible candidate to continue his development overseas. The Spurs also drafted Ingram, betting on his improvement to 38.5% from 3-point range as a junior after hitting 32% his first two seasons.

Toronto Raptors : B+

Round 1: Ja'Kobe Walter (No. 19) Round 2: Jonathan Mogbo (No. 31), Jamal Shead (No. 45 via Sacramento), Ulrich Chomche (No. 57 via Memphis)

I'll admit I'm not totally sure why my projections were quite so high on Walter, who ranked sixth. Getting him at the No. 19 pick is solid value and represents Toronto taking another shot on adding valuable wing shooting after drafting Gradey Dick a year ago.

Mogbo was one of my favorite sleepers in this year's draft. His ability to play up positionally at barely 6-foot-6 barefoot using athleticism and effort is somewhat reminiscent of former Raptors big man Precious Achiuwa . Shead is an experienced college point guard who enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season at age 21.

Utah Jazz : B-

Round 1: Cody Williams (No. 10), Isaiah Collier (No. 29) Round 2: Kyle Filipowski (No. 32)

If you told people a year ago the Jazz would land both Collier and Williams, they'd surely wonder how Utah acquired a second lottery pick. Both players entered the season ranked in the top 10 before uneven freshman performances in the former Pac-12.

Of the two, I'm actually somewhat higher on Collier, who went 19 picks lower. He was more productive in the Nike EYBL competition as well as at USC, granting that Williams played through injury at Colorado. I would have preferred the Jazz going a different direction with the 10th pick. I did like the value in Utah stopping Filipowski's slide early in the second round. Former Jazzman Kelly Olynyk is a comp for Filipowski, so Utah should have a good idea how to use him.

Washington Wizards : A-

Round 1: Alex Sarr (No. 2), Bub Carrington (No. 14), Kyshawn George (No. 24 via New York)

Starting the night with only one pick in the top 25, the Wizards landed three of my top 15 prospects. That was partially because Washington got a second lottery pick by trading Avdija to Portland, landing Carrington. The Wizards also moved up two spots to take George, who went a tad lower than projected.

None of Washington's three rookies is older than age 20. Nor is 2023 Wizards lottery pick Bilal Coulibaly , giving their rebuild a diverse base of young talent as a starting point. In Sarr, they might have got the player with the most star potential in the 2024 draft. Washington's rebuild is moving slowly in the right direction.