11+ Free Book Report Templates For Students

If you’re looking for student book report templates, you have come to the right place.

I have compiled some of the best free printable book report templates that encourage students to showcase their reading comprehension skills and knowledge of any book – fiction or nonfiction. 

These book report templates include pages that reinforce a variety of reading skills, prompt critical thinking and help students structure information in a meaningful way.

What’s more, they are suitable for all ability levels of students – from struggling to gifted and talented learners.  

So if you are a teacher looking to assess students’ literacy abilities in a way other than assigning over-the-top book report projects, then these ready-to-use templates are a perfect fit.

Using them, students will be able to produce something great.

Book Report Templates

Book reports usually include…

  • Title and author,
  • Summary of the book,
  • Theme(s),
  • Story elements (characters, setting, problem, solution), and
  • Recommendations.

However, the possibilities are many as to what information students report from their books. 

In order for students to write a book report in a meaningful way, try one of the following book report templates which include written and visual formats that appeal to a range of learning styles. 

These graphic organizers are suitable for young readers as well as older readers.

1. Book Report Timeline

This book report template is a timeline that reinforces the literacy skill of sequencing. It includes spaces for students to record six main events. 

The steps flow in a vertical manner from the top of the page to the bottom of the page with transitional words (first, next, finally, etc.) used throughout in order to guide students along.

This very simple but effective book report template is best suited for younger students. 

It will help them to synthesize information, reflect upon the story, and think about which ideas from the book are most important. 

2. 5Ws Book Report

The 5Ws book report template, which works well with fiction and nonfiction texts, is great for younger students because it guides them in answering basic questions derived from who, what, when, where, why, and how

After reading a book, students will generate questions using the question stems and answer them on the book report template. 

Because students can create their own leveled questions, this template is great for differentiating instruction because it serves well both advanced and lower-performing students. 

3. Book Report Story Elements

If you seek simple book report templates, this one is a good fit. 

Because students learn the story elements relatively early in their school life, this book report project template makes a great review activity. 

Using the template, students will identify the story’s author, illustrator, characters, setting, problem, and solution.

4. Book Report Vocabulary Squares

In each of the six squares, younger students will write and sketch important words from their books.

Examples of words students may choose…

  • New words learned
  • Confusing words
  • Review words
  • Words they figured out using context clues
  • Figurative language

They will write the words in the boxes and then sketch each of them.  

As an extension, have students complete a book report vocabulary squares template for each chapter or section of their books. 

5. Book Report Sequencing

To have young readers practice sequencing and main idea, provide them with this helpful book report sequencing template. 

It’s straightforward and provides transition words to guide them along. 

Use for both fiction and nonfiction books. 

6. Book Comparison

Students will analyze two books by the same author and complete a Venn diagram that shows how the two books are alike and different.

Afterward, they will summarize the information in paragraph form. 

Comparison activities serve well as critical thinking exercises because they prompt students to reflect upon similarities and differences among themes, authors, characters, books, etc.

As an extension, encourage students to compare several pairs of books by the same author (e.g. Gail Gibbons books) in order to observe recurring themes, the author’s writing style, similarities among characters, etc.   

7. Sketch and Summarize

Using the sketch and summarize template, students will sketch the characters, setting, problem, and solution in the squares with the matching number. 

This graphic organizer reinforces the story elements plus summarizing and can be used for all ability levels and grade levels. 

Remind students that a summary includes only the most important events from a book. 

8. ABC Book Report

ABC books aren’t just for younger students. They work well with elementary, middle, and even high school students!

This type of reading project promotes critical thinking, reinforces a variety of literacy skills, strengthens vocabulary, and engages students to the max. 

What’s more, this activity is able to be differentiated for a range of ability levels since students are the ones who choose the words for their books. 

To use this template, students will brainstorm a significant word from their books for each letter of the alphabet. 

They will record each word in the rectangle to the right of each letter. Then on the lines below, they have to explain the reasoning behind that word selection.

Remind students that all the words they choose must be connected to the book in some way. 

Encourage them to provide “deep connections” instead of surface-level surface connections.

9. T-Shirt Book Report

If you desire creative book report templates, try this one. 

Provide guidelines so that students know what information to write on each part of the T-shirt. 

For example:

  • Sleeve one: title of the book
  • Sleeve two: author and illustrator
  • The main part of the T-shirt – a summary of the book, figurative language, important vocabulary, facts, opinions, book recommendations, confusing parts, favorite parts, etc. 

There are many ways to structure information for the T-shirt book report template.

As an extension or to make the assignment more challenging, ask students to complete a T-shirt for each chapter or section of their books.

10. Sketch and Caption

This book report template is perfect for lower elementary students. 

They will sketch a picture in the space at the top of the page that shows the main idea of their books. Then they will write a caption or description to accompany the drawing.

Consider having students present their book projects to a partner or the class. 

11. Research Book Report

After reading a nonfiction book, students will choose a topic related to the book that they would like to explore further. 

As an example, if a student is reading about Martin Luther King, Jr., they may want to research segregation, racism, peace, etc. 

As they conduct research, they will record six facts on the template and then create a drawing that represents the topic.

12. Book Review

Book review templates work well for all grade levels. 

After reading a book, prompt students to reflect on what they liked and didn’t like about the book. 

This book report template provides space for students to record the title, author, illustrator, plus summary of the book.

Additionally, they will rate the book using a 5-star rating system, describing what they liked/disliked about the story thus providing a balanced perspective.

As an added bonus, place these recommendations on a bulletin board so that classmates get ideas for future reads. 

Final Thoughts

Boost literacy skills, tap into different learning styles, and save time planning book project ideas by using these printable and free book report templates that come in a variety of formats. 

They meaningfully engage all ages and ability levels.