FICTION BOOK REVIEW - Grade 8
Student Name:
Name of Book:
Author:
# Pages:
Genre:
What is the theme of this book:
SUMMARY: Write a summary of the book.
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1st paragraph- Write about the setting, (where the story takes place, usually time and
place). Introduce the main character or characters in the story. Ex.: What are the
character’s qualities, name, etc. Discuss what conflict/problem the main character
faces in the story. If you’re still having trouble starting, you can answer the questions
who, what, when, where, and how.
2nd paragraph- Summarize what happens up until the high point of the story.(Don’t give
away the ending, this should be just enough to tease the reader into wanting to get this
book). Use some of these transition words to help you write your review:
first
second
third
last
also
between
finally
after that
because
another
next
as a result
then
later
for example
during
OPINION: Write a paragraph giving your opinion on the book. Use these guidelines.
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Write about why you like or dislike this book. Give details, for example: Was the book
confusing? Was it too easy to read or too hard? Was it predictable/believable? Did you
like the ending? What was your favorite part? What connections did you make with
your life or other books? Talk about the author’s style of writing and give examples
from the book. (Minimum 5 sentences)
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Explain whether you would recommend this book to a student or not? Rate the
book from 1 star to 5 stars, and give examples why you gave it the rating you
did. Examples should include a quote or quotes from the book or a summary of
the part of the book you liked or did not like.
NONFICTION BOOK REVIEW - Grade 8
Student Name:
Name of Book:
Author:
# Pages:
Main Topic:
I selected this book because…
Using complete sentences, list 5 facts you learned from this book:
What text features were used to help you understand this topic better?
What piece of information did you find most interesting? Why?
Write 5 or more new vocabulary words you learned AND their definitions.
Write a question you have after reading this book.
YOUR REACTION: How will you use the information you learned from the book? What
did you like about the book? On a 5-star scale (5 being the best), how would you rate
the book? Would you recommend it to others? Why or why not?
Summer Reading Ideas
Timberlane most loved books and authors - as of Spring 2016
Title
Author
Lunar Chronicles (YA)
Marissa Meyer
The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die (YA)
April Henry
Matched Series (YA)
Ally Condie
Zom-B series (YA)
Darren Shan
Wonder and Auggie and Me
R. J.Palacio
Divergent series (YA)
Veronica Roth
Maze Runner Series YA)
James Dashner
The Night she Disappeared (YA)
April Henry
The Fifth Wave Series ( YA)
Rick Yancey
The Enemy Series (YA)
Charlie Higson
TRMS Favorite titles/authors from Popular Genres
Realistic
Fiction
The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin;
Pie by Weeks
We are all Made of Molecules by Nielsen-Fernlund
Science Fiction
Maze Runner series (YA)
Fifth Wave series (YA)
Shadow Children series by Peterson-Haddix
Mystery Fiction
Authors: April Henry, Todd Strasser (YA)
Anything in Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series
Most books by Mary Downing Hahn books
Fantasy Fiction
Harry Potter series by Rowling
Wings of Fire series by Southernland, Unwanteds series by Lisa McMann
Historical
Fiction
Boy in the Striped Pajamas by Boyne, Uprising by Margaret Peterson
Haddix
Prisoner B-3087 (YA) - by Gratz
I Survived series by Tarshis
Sports Fiction
Baseball Card Adventure series by Dan Gutman
Children’s books by authors Tim Green and Mike Lupica
Crossover by Kwame Alexander
Humor Fiction
I Funny series by Patterson
Middle School series by Patterson
Big Nate series by Peirce
Animal Fiction
Buddy by Herlong
Handful of Stars by Lord
Unleashed by Korman
Max: Best friend, hero, marine by Shotz
Horror Fiction
The Enemy series (YA), Zom-B series (YA), Mrs. Peregrine’s Home for
Peculiar Children by Ransom
Need by Charbonneau
Adventure
Fiction
The Raft by Bodeen
Shipwreck Island by Bodeen
Author Will Hobbs books; Author Roland Smith books
Graphic Novels Legend of Zelda series by Himekawa
Smile and Sisters both by Raina Telgemeier
Space Dumplins by Thompson
Non Fiction Picks
Biographies
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Manfish: the story of Jacques Cousteau by Berne
This Star Won’t Go Out by Earl
Within Reach: My Everest Story by Pfetzer & Galvin
Chinese Cinderella by Mah
Chaser: Unlocking the Genius of the Dog Who Knew a Thousand
Words by Pilley
Eleven Seconds by Roy
Science
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History
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Sports
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How to be a Space Explorer by Brake
Video Games: Design and Code your own Adventure by Ceceri
Searching for Great White Sharks: A shark diver’s quest for Mr. Big by
Cerullo
Smart and Spineless: Exploring Invertebrate Intelligence by Downer
Eureka! The most amazing scientific discoveries of all time by
Goldsmith
The Soul of an Octopus by Montgomery
The Next Wave: The Quest to Harness the power of the oceans by
Rusch
A Woman in the House (And Senate) by Cooper
The Boy Who Fell off the Mayflower or John Howland’s Good Fortune
by Lynch
Freedom Summer: The 1964 Struggle for Civil Rights in Mississippi by
Rubin
Bloody Times: The Funeral of Abraham Lincoln and the Manhunt for
Jefferson Davis by Swanson
Big Wave Surfing by Bailey
The 50 Greatest Players in Boston Red Sox History by Cohen
Aqua Sports by Hamilton
Rowing, Sailing and other Sports on Water by Page
Baseball history for kids : America at bat from 1900 to today, with 19
activities by Panchyk
American Library Association Award Winning Books 2016
Newbury (best children’s fiction)
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The War that Saved my Life by Bradley
Roller Girl by Jamieson
Echo by Munoz Ryan
Caldecott (best picture books)
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Finding Winnie: The True Story of the
World’s most famous bear by Mattick
Last Stop on Market Street by de la Pena
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Coretta Scott King (best multicultural
books)
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young
Readers(Hi/Low books for Young Adults)
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Gone Crazy in Alabama by WilliamsGarcia
Voice of Freedom by Weatherford
Hoodoo by Smith
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The Iron Trial by Black
Nimona (YA) by Stevenson
Shadowshaper (YA) by Older