September Book Report – COURAGE (any genre)
Please choose one of the three options below.
Completed book report will be due by Wednesday, September 30th. Reports may either be
typed or handwritten and should include your name, title of book, author, illustrator (if there
is one) and a brief description as to why you chose to read this particular book.
1. Interview the Characters. Choose at least three main characters in your book and
compose six to eight questions to them. You must also write the character's response
to each question. The questions and answers should provide information that shows
you read the book without giving away the most significant details. Be sure to include
details or information that show how the characters were courageous.
2. "Dear Diary." Create a diary or journal and write at least five entries that might have
been written by a character in the book you read. The entries should share details about
the story that will not only prove you’ve read the book entirely, but it should provide a
reader (like me) with enough information to make me understand the book as well.
3. MAKE A NEW BOOK JACKET/COVER. Fold a piece of paper like it’s a hard cover book
jacket. On the ‘cover’ create a new cover design including the title and author of the
book. On the inside flap write a description of the main character or characters in the
story. On the inside back flap write an original summary of the book. On the back
‘cover’ include information about the author and illustrator, and information about
other books by the same author.
Some Suggested Books:
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez
The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
M.L.K Journey of a King
Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt
The Giver by Lois Lowry
The Island by Gary Paulsen
The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles
Call it Courage by Armstrong Sperry
Climb or Die by Edward Myers
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
And many many more!
COURAGE BOOK REPORT RUBRIC
INTERVIEW THE CHARACTERS
3 = Report includes student name, book title, author, illustrator (if applicable), 6 interview questions for each
character with thoughtful responses using information from book. Report also includes why the book was
chosen and why the student believes it represents courage.
2 = Report includes most of report requirements but lacks detail or description. Reader doesn’t feel as though
student put in enough time to report accurately on the book. Report may lack information as to why student
chose book and how it represents courage.
1 = Assignment specifications were not found within report.
COURAGE BOOK REPORT RUBRIC
INTERVIEW THE CHARACTERS
3 = Report includes student name, book title, author, illustrator (if applicable), 6 interview questions for each
character with thoughtful responses using information from book. Report also includes why the book was
chosen and why the student believes it represents courage.
2 = Report includes most of report requirements but lacks detail or description. Reader doesn’t feel as though
student put in enough time to report accurately on the book. Report may lack information as to why student
chose book and how it represents courage.
1 = Assignment specifications not found within report.
COURAGE BOOK REPORT RUBRIC
INTERVIEW THE CHARACTERS
3 = Report includes student name, book title, author, illustrator (if applicable), 6 interview questions for each
character with thoughtful responses using information from book. Report also includes why the book was
chosen and why the student believes it represents courage.
2 = Report includes most of report requirements but lacks detail or description. Reader doesn’t feel as though
student put in enough time to report accurately on the book. Report may lack information as to why student
chose book and how it represents courage.
1 = Assignment specifications not found within report.
COURAGE BOOK REPORT RUBRIC
“DEAR DIARY”
3 = Report includes student name, book title, author, illustrator (if applicable), five diary entries that might
have been written by a character in the book including enough detailed information from the book that
reviewer feels like they understand the feelings of the character writing the entries. Report also includes why
the book was chosen and why the student believes it represents courage.
2 = Report has less than five diary entries, lacks necessary detail about the story or personal perspective from
character. Report may lack information as to why student chose book and how it represents courage.
1 = Assignments specifications were not found within report.
COURAGE BOOK REPORT RUBRIC
“DEAR DIARY”
3 = Report includes student name, book title, author, illustrator (if applicable), five diary entries that might
have been written by a character in the book including enough detailed information from the book that
reviewer feels like they understand the feelings of the character writing the entries. Report also includes why
the book was chosen and why the student believes it represents courage.
2 = Report has less than five diary entries, lacks necessary detail about the story or personal perspective from
character. Report may lack information as to why student chose book and how it represents courage.
1 = Assignments specifications were not found within report.
COURAGE BOOK REPORT RUBRIC
“DEAR DIARY”
3 = Report includes student name, book title, author, illustrator (if applicable), five diary entries that might
have been written by a character in the book including enough detailed information from the book that
reviewer feels like they understand the feelings of the character writing the entries. Report also includes why
the book was chosen and why the student believes it represents courage.
2 = Report has less than five diary entries, lacks necessary detail about the story or personal perspective from
character. Report may lack information as to why student chose book and how it represents courage.
1 = Assignments specifications were not found within report.
COURAGE BOOK REPORT RUBRIC
NEW BOOK JACKET/COVER
3 = Report includes a
Book Report Grading Rubric
1) Book cover done on a realistic fiction book
10%
2) Front illustration shows a main scene or theme
from the book
10%
3) Illustrations are neat and colored
5%
4) Title of the book is included on the front
cover and on the “spine” of the book
5%
5) Complete summary that does not give away
the ending on the inside front flap
30%
6) 3 written quotes from the book and student
response to each
15%
7) Interesting tidbits on the back cover
15%
8) Correct punctuation, spelling, and format
10%
Total ____/100%
Miss Barlow
Book Report – Courage
October 9, 2009
Interview the Characters
I chose to read “The Willoughby’s” a novel written and illustrated by Lois Lowry. I read this
book because I’ve read other books by Lois Lowry and I think she’s a great author. I believe
this book shows courage because the characters face difficult situations but always work
together, in their own unusual way, to overcome them. By the end of the book I think they’re
a closer family because of all they overcame.
RUTH
Question: What is your earliest memory?
Answer: It’s funny because I remember being really scared being carried around in a basket. It
seemed many people were looking at me and talking around me. I’m not really sure what
happened but there were lots of people but none of them seemed to like me.
Question: It seems the name Ruth fits you perfectly, but it wasn’t your original name. Can
you tell me about how you got your name?
Answer: I know that when I was left at my benefactor, Commander Melanoff’s house, there
was a note attached that said my name was Ruth. I’ve always liked the name and think it does
suit me. I can’t imagine being named anything differently.
NANNY
Question: What was your impression of the Willoughby parents?
Answer: I thought they were terribly rude. They didn’t seem to know or care about their
children. I was concerned about taking the job initially but didn’t know how I could leave the
children with these horrible parents. I also thought it was weird that they hired me and
expected me to start right away. They basically had their bags packed and were ready to take
off.
Question: Do you like the children?
Answer: I really do. I felt they just needed someone to love them and listen to them. It
seemed they were responsible to raise themselves so I was excited to help them.
COMMANDER MELANOFF
Question: Did you think you would ever have another family or even love anyone after the
loss of your wife and son?
Answer: I most certainly did not. When I lost my family, I wanted to give up on life. I didn’t see
the point anymore. My wife was difficult to love but I appreciated how she cared for our home
and my son.
Question: When you found Ruth on your doorstep, did you consider not giving her a home?
Answer: I was nervous at first that I wouldn’t be able to love her as she deserved. Someone
left her on my doorstep so I knew she didn’t have many options. Once I saw her sweet little
face, I knew she needed me and I thought maybe I was being given another chance at having
a family of my own. Now, I cannot imagine my life without her.
Miss Barlow
Book Report – Courage
October 9, 2009
Dear Diary
I chose to read “The Willoughby’s” a novel written and illustrated by Lois Lowry. I read this
book because I’ve read other books by Lois Lowry and I think she’s a great author. I believe
this book shows courage because the characters face difficult situations but always work
together, in their own unusual way, to overcome them. By the end of the book I think they’re
a closer family because of all they overcame.
Dear Diary,
June 20, 2009
My name is Barnaby. I have a twin brother who is also named Barnaby so my parents
just call us A & B. What the heck is that about? I don’t know anyone that has the same name
as their twin and have to be called a stupid letter. At least I’m A which means I was born first. I
kind of feel bad for B. He will have to know his entire life that he’s always second best. That
kind of sucks for him. I gotta go. Time is calling me and he’ll take points away if I don’t hurry.
Dear Diary,
June 23, 2009
The weirdest thing happened today. We heard some strange noises on our porch and
we ended up finding a baby in a basket. Jane really liked her but I thought she was obnoxious.
I don’t want to keep her. Not at all. I don’t want her to die or anything but really what are we
going to do with a new baby? Our parents don’t even like us that much and this little brat isn’t
even related at all. I guess it doesn’t matter too much what I think because Tim will tell me
what I think at some point. I have to do what Tim says because he’s the oldest and because
he’s in charge of our point system.
I need to go now because it’s getting kind of cold up here in my room and it’s not my
day to wear our sweater. I need to go do exercise or something to warm up. Maybe I’ll take
the new baby for a run. Just kidding. I doubt she even walks.