Description A strong book review critically evaluates the makings of the novel. As the writer, it is not your job to summarize the book. That is what can be found on the back cover if any of your readers decides to check the book out. Instead you will discuss your opinion of the book, in writing, using information from the book as support.
Comparison: Your book review must state the name of the book and the author’s name. Compare the book to other relevant novels. Although your readers may not have read the book you are evaluating, they may have read this other book and will better understand your opinion. Evaluate the characterization in the novel.
Characterization: Consider the literary makeup of both the main character and the character they have a conflict with. What do you like about the characters? What don’t you like about the characters? Why?
Conflict: Consider the plot and the actions that lead to the conflict. What happens in the plot that leads to this conflict? How is the main character involved? How does the conflict help the reader understand the big picture? How did the conflict keep you interested in the plot?
Connections: Consider the theme (big picture) throughout your review. Explain how the author uses literary elements (specifically characterization, plot, conflict) to help the reader understand the theme. What can you learn as the reader about life, society, the world, from this theme?
★ Rating: Rate your book. Five stars means it was one of the best books you have ever read. Zero stars means you hated it so much you can’t even comprehend why your teacher forced you to read it. Remember just because you hated the ending or the conflict or a character, doesn’t mean you hated the book. In fact, generally the more impassioned or emotional you are with a book (even a negative emotion) means you enjoyed it in some way.
What absolutely must be in my book review?
OPINION! Book review not book report. This is your moment to voice your thoughts, your joys, your angers about the novel you read.
EVIDENCE! Use direct and indirect evidence to support your opinion. Without said evidence, your opinion is meaningless.
EXPLANATION! We all have opinions and they are awesome, but without explanation, they are meaningless. Always include the why. Connect your explanation to the evidence. This explains the how.
CONNECTIONS! We read books to better understand the world around us, to better understand our society, to better understand ourselves as individuals. Connect the book to the social understandings we gained from social studies.
Publication Your book review is published on the Reading Log page of your éPortfolio. Follow these instructions:
Find an image of the book cover online. Download the image and then upload into your writing portfolio. Notice below I placed my image inside my review text box. This is an option but not a requirement. Create a design that matches your portfolio.
Begin your review by stating the title of the novel in italics followed by the authors name (Feed, M.T. Anderson).
Write your review beneath the title and author. Remember internet format means you don’t indent the paragraphs instead you put a space between each one. (Please note my review below is just a partial view, not my entire review based on the required components.)
Send a professional email to Addie for final review.
If you would like to enhance your Goodreads presence, copy your review online as well.