These are the items I discuss in a “book report conversation” with upper elementary or middle school students. For junior high or high school students, you can assign a short paper that summarizes the setting and plot and then focuses on just one of items on this list, such as conflict, character, theme, compare/contrast, etc. ~Elizabeth

Introductory Section

___Book Title

___Author

___Year the book was published

___Setting (Where and When the story took place)

Character Section

___List and briefly describe the important characters.

___Name the protagonist (main character) and antagonist (against the main character), if applicable.

___What does the main character want? What is the problem to be solved (the conflict)?

Plot Section

___Give a summary of events (tell what happens through cause and effect – this is the plot).

___Tell how the main character’s problem got solved. (What was the story resolution?)

Analysis Section

___What is the theme of the book? (What is the main message the author is trying to communicate?)

___In what ways did the main character change, learn, or grow? (Or not?)

___Is the book similar to any other books you’ve read?

___Are any characters similar to other characters you’ve read about?

Conclusion Section

___Did you like the book? Why or why not?

___Who would like this book? (People who like certain types of stories, etc?)

If a student “gets stuck” on any of these questions, I help them out with further questions or potential answers. This usually leads to even more fruitful conversations.