BOOK REPORT VISUAL AID/PROJECT CHOICES
INTERVIEW
Pretend you are a reporter for a magazine like Time or Entertainment. Choose
one character from your book to interview. Look over interviews in magazines as
examples of how to format your interview. Use the author’s details of
characterization to give an accurate portrayal of the character in the
introduction paragraph and the character’s responses to questions. The
requirements are as follows:
 Write one introductory paragraph, describing the appearance and mood of
the character and the setting of the interview (italicized). Be sure to include:
 The character’s appearance
 The character’s actions/behavior
 The character’s words, thoughts and feelings
 Ask your character at least 10 questions with at least 5 “feed-off” questions
(labeled “Q”). Do not number your questions.
 The character’s answers are thorough and detailed (labeled “A”).
 Within the questions and answers, the following topics are addressed:
 The character’s background/past.
 How the character feels about events and other characters from the
book.
 How the character thinks s/he compares to a character in another
book.
 What the character thinks will be in his/her future and why.
 As s/he answers your questions, describe the character’s movements,
gestures, facial expressions, body language to give the answers richer depth
(italicized).
 It is preferred that the Interview is typed (one-inch margins, 12 point font,
Times or Times New Roman font); however, a neatly handwritten report is
also acceptable.
 Each question and its answer is single-spaced; double space between
questions.
 No spelling, mechanical, and/or grammatical errors are present.
 Include a drawing of your character (must be your own interpretation of the
character’s appearance based on the book).
MOVIE & POSTER
If you were to produce a movie of your book, what would be the title? Who
would direct? Who would star? Create a movie poster of your book and
complete a write-up explaining your reasons for choosing your director and
actors. Choose a director based on the mood or tone of the book; you are
encouraged to research directors and actors. Choose your actors based on the
author’s characterization such as:
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The character’s appearance
The character’s actions/behavior
The character’s words, thoughts and feelings
The reactions of other characters
WARNING: If you choose a book that has already been made into a film, DO
NOT use anything from the film in your report! All ideas and work must be your
own.
POSTER – suggested: poster board size - has the appearance of a real movie
poster and is attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness.
• Title is large, bold, and clearly visible.
• Large, colorful, detailed graphics illustrate the mood or tone of the book, and
do not resemble the book jacket or cover (or an existing movie poster).
• Title and graphics cover the entire poster – very little blank space.
• The director, actors, and actresses are identified (include the roles the actors
are playing).
• At least 2 positive comments from fictional critics are present.
• No spelling, mechanical or grammatical errors are present.
WRITE UP – typed or hand written
• Write-up, if typed, (double-spaced, one-inch margins, 12 point font, Times
or Times New Roman font). Two pages – minimum.
• Includes a thorough explanation of the mood or tone of the story with
evidence from the book. Then thoroughly explains why the particular director is
the best choice for the film version.
• Includes a description of the characterization of each character, and explains
why the chosen actors are the best choices to depict the characters.
• No spelling, mechanical, and grammatical errors are present.
BOOK JACKET & SALES PITCH
If you really loved your book, this may be the report for you! Design a NEW book
jacket for your book that would entice people to pick it up at the store and buy
it.
Then prepare a short sales pitch or commercial to present orally to the class.
Remember – the purpose of a commercial is to sell, sell, sell!
WARNING! Your book jacket must not resemble an existing jacket or cover from
your book. All work must be your own.
BOOK JACKET – paper should be folded to look like a book jacket.
 Front: Tile and author are clearly visible. Colorful, detailed graphics depict the
mood or tone of the book, would entice readers to pick up the book, and
take up the entire cover (no blank space).
 Back: Includes at least 3 (paragraph-long) reviews from fictional critics or
authors that: 1) address the plot, the characters, and the author’s
techniques, and 2) create anticipation or a desire to read the book.
 Inside-Front Cover: Includes a well-written synopsis that creates anticipation
and DOES NOT divulge the ending (at least one paragraph).
 Inside-Back Cover: Describes the author and how his/her life experience
contributed to or affected the story (at least one paragraph.
 No spelling, mechanical or grammatical errors are present.
 Book jacket resembles an actual book jacket and is attractive in terms of
design, layout, and neatness.
SALES PITCH – DO NOT read from the summary of your book jacket.
 Sales pitch is typed or neatly hand written (double-spaced, 1-inch margins,
12-pt. Font, Times or Times New Roman).
 No spelling, mechanical or grammatical errors are present.
 Pitch is about 2 minutes long and appears to be prepared and rehearsed.
 Pitch includes a strategy for attracting customers and entices audience to
read the book.
 Your speech and body language are clear and enthusiastic.
REVIEW
Imagine you’re a book critic for a magazine or newspaper, like Entertainment or
The New York Times. Write a review of your book, then prepare a presentation
for your classmates. Look at reviews in magazines and newspapers as models of
how your review should be.
WRITTEN REVIEW
 Review is typed or neatly hand written, double-spaced, with one inch
margins, 12-point Times or Times New Roman font.
 Review is 2 to 3 pages in length.
 Title is original, sums up your article, and would attract readers.
 Text is a cohesive piece of writing.
 The following elements are present:
 Information about the author and his/her past work
 A summary of the book without divulging the ending
 Critique of the author’s work – strengths and weaknesses
 The overall impression
 Who should or shouldn’t read the book to and why.
 The end of the review includes a grade or score for the book (be sure to
inform the reader of your grade system; for example 4 out of 5 stars.
 Review is written entirely in the third person. No “I,” “me,” “my,” “we,” “our,”
“you,” “your,” etc.
 No spelling, mechanical, or grammatical errors are present.
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE & NEWS REPORT
Imagine you’re a reporter for a major newspaper like The San Francisco
Chronicle or The New York Times. Report on the climatic event from your book,
as though it has just
happened, and then present a news report on the event. Use newspaper
articles to guide you as you write your article. Watch the news and use the
reporters as models for how to report your story.
ARTICLE
 Article is typed or neatly hand written, double-spaced, with one inch
margins, 12-point Times or Times New Roman font.
 Article is 2-3 pages in length.
 Headline and subheading grab the attention of the reader.
 All information is fact (objective), not opinion (subjective).
 The following elements are present:
 Lead (first paragraph) establishes to who, what, when, where.
 Events leading up to the climax
 An objective description of the climatic event
 Witness testimony (quotes from characters) describing or reacting to the
event and/or its aftermath.
 Description of who the witnesses are and how they were involved with the
event
 Article is written entirely in the third person. No “I,” “me,” “my,” “we,” “our,”
“you,” “your,” etc.
 No spelling, mechanical, or grammatical errors are present.
NEWS REPORT
 Event is reported thoroughly and objectively.
 Voice and manner resembles those of a professional news reporter.
CHILDREN’S BOOK
You are a children’s book author and illustrator. Write an abridged version of
your book, keeping in mind the age of your audience. Also keep in mind that
illustrations tell the story too – you’re drawings can reveal information like the
setting or what the characters look like, so you don’t even have to write that
part! Also, feel free to turn your characters into whimsical animals! Then read
your book to the class, as though they are the child-aged audience you
abridged the book for.
BOOK – minimum size: 10” x 10”
 Cover - Title and author are clearly visible. Your name, as the author of the
abridged version, is visible. An original colorful graphic that relates to the
book’s content is present (that doesn’t resemble the book’s actual cover)
and takes up the entire cover (no blank space).
 Content is appropriate for children anywhere between the ages of 3 to 11.
 There are at least 10 pages (not including the cover) – each include typed or
neatly hand written text and detailed/ colorful illustrations.
 Written portion is plot/action-based. Details are revealed through the
illustrations.
 Three plot elements are present: conflict, climax, resolution.
 No spelling, mechanical or grammatical errors are present.
 Book is neat and well organized. Pages are attached.
ORAL
 Book is read clearly and dramatically to reveal the tone and mood of the
story.
 Voice inflection, gestures, body language and facial expressions enhance
the meaning of the story.
BROCHURE & TRAVEL AGENT
Imagine that you’re a travel agent putting together a vacation that would let
your clients experience the book. Create a brochure that would entice clients to
consider your vacation, then prepare a presentation to sell your vacation to an
audience. Use the author’s description of the setting and events in the plot to
help design the perfect vacation getaway! Use the theme, tone, or mood of the
book to design your brochure.
BROCHURE – Fold larger size paper (8“ x13“) into 3 sections. You will
have a total of 6 sections to fill with the following information:
 Section #1: Cover/Front of the brochure – advertises the “name” of your
vacation package and what book it’s inspired by. Include a picture or
graphic.
 The Front of the brochure would be the first thing a customer would see, so
make it enticing!
 Section #2: Write at least one paragraph describing the overall theme of the
vacation, how it relates to the theme of the book, and who would enjoy this
vacation. Include a picture or graphic.
 Section #3: Describe the accommodations, food, and transportation
arrangements. Include a picture or graphic.
 Sections #4-6: Schedule of activities: Label and explain at least 5 activities
that are created based on events from the book.
 Describe/Summarize the major event(s) from the book.
 Brochure is colorful, with very little unused space, and neat and organized.
 Writing may be typed or handwritten, as long as it’s legible and error free.
 No spelling, mechanical or grammatical errors are present.
ORAL - DO NOT read from the brochure.
 Pitch includes a strategy for attracting customers and entices clients to “buy”
the vacation.
 Speech and body language are clear and enthusiastic.
MENU
Many restaurants have dishes inspired by a theme. Create some dishes that are
inspired by characters, the setting, the plot, the tone or mood, and the theme of
your book. Design a menu that captures the essence of your book. Give each
dish a name, describe what’s in each dish, and explain how each dish is inspired
by the book. For added fun you may prepare one of your dishes to share with
the class!
MENU
 Includes the name of your restaurant.
 Provides a brief synopsis of the book.
 Includes a minimum of eight dishes – each of the following courses are
represented at least once: appetizer, soup or salad, main course, and
dessert. Indicate which dishes go under which courses.
 Use at least four of the following six elements as inspiration for your dishes:
characters (protagonist, antagonist), setting (when & where), plot elements
(conflict, climax, resolution), mood, tone, and theme.
 Each dish is creatively named. For each, there is a detailed and appetizing
description of ingredients and an explanation of how the dish is connected
to an element from the book.
 Menu design is neat and organized (may be typed or hand written).
 No spelling, mechanical or grammatical errors are present.
SHARE A DISH (optional but encouraged) prepare one of your menu items, and
share with the class – as though you are a chef sharing your dish with your
patrons.
Oral includes a brief synopsis of the book, a thorough description of the dish,
and an explanation of how the dish is inspired by the book. Speech and body
language are clear and enthusiastic.
PARTY PLANNER
Plan a party inspired by your book! Consider the following elements: characters,
setting, plot events, mood, tone, and theme. Design an invitation, decorations,
food, party layout, entertainment and activities for your guests that will allow
them to experience your book. Prepare a collage illustrating and explaining
your party, and present your party to the class.
COLLAGE – suggested: poster board size
 Title of your party and the title and author of your book are clearly visible.
 Includes a brief synopsis of the book.
 Invitation – Title of party, date, time, location (inspired by the setting).
 Menu – Includes at least five items that are appropriately named for the
book. May be appetizers, buffet, or sit-down courses (inspired by characters
and plot events).
 Includes a thorough description of at least 2 activities (inspired by plot
events) and at least one source of entertainment (inspired by plot, mood,
tone, or theme). Explain how each is related to your book.
 Include a drawing of the party layout, showing where food, activities,
decorations, etc. will be.
 The collage is decorated to show what the party decorations would be like
(inspired by mood, tone, or theme).
 Collage design is colorful, neat, and organized. Design and party elements
consistently match the theme, tone, or mood of the book.
 No spelling, mechanical or grammatical errors are present.
ORAL – Explain party to the class. DO NOT simply read from your collage.
Oral includes a brief synopsis of the book, a thorough description of the party,
and an explanation of how the party elements (food, décor, entertainment) are
inspired by the book.