book review of any book for class 3

Book Review

Book Review Examples

Last updated on: Nov 20, 2023

Good Book Review Examples to Help you Write a Great Review

By: Nova A.

Reviewed By: Chris H.

Published on: Mar 30, 2021

A book review is a common assignment that allows the students to demonstrate the author’s intentions in the book. It also provides them with the chance not only to criticize but also to give constructive criticism on how they can make improvements.

The purpose of writing a book review is to come up with your opinion about the author’s ideas presented in the book. On the other hand, a book analysis is completely based on opinions that are relevant to the book.

Writing a review is something that can be done with any book that you read. However, some genres are harder to write. But with a proper plan, you can easily write a great review on any book.

Read some short book review examples in this guide. They will help you understand the key elements of writing a great review in no time.

On this Page

Academic Book Review Examples

If you are assigned to write a book review, referring to some examples will be of great help. In addition, reading examples before starting the writing process will help you understand what elements are needed for a great book review. There are also many review sites online you can get help from.

Academic book reviews follow a fairly simple structure. It usually includes an introduction, middle paragraphs, and a conclusion that sums up all the ideas.

For a great book review, here are the things you need to focus on during the writing process.

• The main argument presented by the author
• Author’s methodologyAppropriateness for the audience
• Relationship to the real world

Have a look at the following book review examples for kids before beginning the writing process.

Book Review Examples for Middle School Students

Book Review Example For Kids

Book Review Examples for High School Students

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

Book Review Examples for College Students

Book Review Examples for University Students

How to Write a Book Review - Examples

If you don’t know how to write a book review, look at the following steps.

The first step is to plan and create an outline that includes all the points that you will have to cover in the review. Don’t forget to include all the information about the characters, plot information, and some other parts of the chosen book.

The three parts of a book review are:

1. Provide a Summary

What is the book about? Write about the main characters and what is the conflict that is discussed in the book.

2. Provide Your Evaluation

Share your thoughts about the book and what elements work best.

3. Rate the Book

Rate and recommend the book to others who will enjoy reading this book.

If you need to submit a book review soon, we suggest you start reading some book reviews online. Here you can also find some good book review writing examples to understand how to craft each section of a book review.

Book Review Introduction Examples

Thesis Statement Book Review Examples

Tough Essay Due? Hire Tough Writers!

Book Review Conclusion Examples

Critical Book Review Examples

A book review is a critical evaluation of the book, movie, or any other literary work. It has two goals: the first is to inform the readers about the content of the book, and the second is to evaluate your judgment about the book.

A book review is more than a book report. A review is basically a critical essay that evaluates the merits of a literary work. The purpose of writing a book review is not to prove that you have read a book but to show that you think critically about the chosen book.

When you are asked to write a critical book review, you need to identify, summarize and evaluate the ideas of the author. In simpler words, you will be examining and evaluating another person’s work from your point of view.

Science Book Review Examples

A scientific book review will contain the same elements as writing a review for a fiction book; some elements might vary. When you are reviewing a scientific text, you need to pay attention to the writing style and the validity of the content.

Most students turn to non-fictional sources of information. It is important to make sure the information you provide in your review is factual and scientific.

Book review writing can be difficult if you don’t know how to follow the standard protocols. That’s where our reliable book review writing service aims to provide the necessary help.

No matter what your academic level is, we can provide you with the best book review writing help. This type of writing assignment can be tricky and time-consuming. So, if you don’t know how to crack this task, better get professional help.

We at 5StarEssays.com provide exceptional book review writing help. Not only book reviews, but we also provide the best ‘ write an essay for me ’ help to students. Moreover, we also have an AI essay writer to help you with tight deadlines, give it a try now!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you write a book review example.

Here are some steps that will help you to write a book review example.

• Start writing with few sentences and describe what the book is all about
• Focus on your thoughts
• Mention things that you dont like about the book.
• Summarize your thoughts.
• Give rating to the book.

Thesis, Law

As a Digital Content Strategist, Nova Allison has eight years of experience in writing both technical and scientific content. With a focus on developing online content plans that engage audiences, Nova strives to write pieces that are not only informative but captivating as well.

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How to Write a Book Review: The Ultimate Guide

WHAT IS A BOOK REVIEW?

Traditionally, book reviews are evaluations of a recently published book in any genre. Usually, around the 500 to 700-word mark, they briefly describe a text’s main elements while appraising the work’s strengths and weaknesses. Published book reviews can appear in newspapers, magazines, and academic journals. They provide the reader with an overview of the book itself and indicate whether or not the reviewer would recommend the book to the reader.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A BOOK REVIEW?

There was a time when book reviews were a regular appearance in every quality newspaper and many periodicals. They were essential elements in whether or not a book would sell well. A review from a heavyweight critic could often be the deciding factor in whether a book became a bestseller or a damp squib. In the last few decades, however, the book review’s influence has waned considerably, with many potential book buyers preferring to consult customer reviews on Amazon, or sites like Goodreads, before buying. As a result, book review’s appearance in newspapers, journals, and digital media has become less frequent.

WHY BOTHER TEACHING STUDENTS TO WRITE BOOK REVIEWS AT ALL?

Even in the heyday of the book review’s influence, few students who learned the craft of writing a book review became literary critics! The real value of crafting a well-written book review for a student does not lie in their ability to impact book sales. Understanding how to produce a well-written book review helps students to:

●     Engage critically with a text

●     Critically evaluate a text

●     Respond personally to a range of different writing genres

●     Improve their own reading, writing, and thinking skills.

Not to Be Confused with a Book Report!

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BOOK REVIEW AND A BOOK REPORT?

While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are clear differences in both the purpose and the format of the two genres. Generally speaking, book reports aim to give a more detailed outline of what occurs in a book. A book report on a work of fiction will tend to give a comprehensive account of the characters, major plot lines, and themes in the book. Book reports are usually written around the K-12 age range, while book reviews tend not to be undertaken by those at the younger end of this age range due to the need for the higher-level critical skills required in writing them. At their highest expression, book reviews are written at the college level and by professional critics.

Learn how to write a book review step by step with our complete guide for students and teachers by familiarizing yourself with the structure and features.

BOOK REVIEW STRUCTURE

ANALYZE Evaluate the book with a critical mind.

THOROUGHNESS The whole is greater than the sum of all its parts. Review the book as a WHOLE.

COMPARE Where appropriate compare to similar texts and genres.

THUMBS UP OR DOWN? You are going to have to inevitably recommend or reject this book to potential readers.

BE CONSISTENT Take a stance and stick with it throughout your review.

FEATURES OF A BOOK REVIEW

PAST TENSE You are writing about a book you have already read.

EMOTIVE LANGUAGE Whatever your stance or opinion be passionate about it. Your audience will thank you for it.

VOICE Both active and passive voice are used in recounts.

A COMPLETE UNIT ON REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF TEXTS

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This collection of  21 INDEPENDENT TASKS  and  GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS  takes students beyond the hype, special effects and trailers to look at visual literacy from several perspectives offering DEEP LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES by watching a  SERIES, DOCUMENTARY, FILM, and even  VIDEO GAMES.

ELEMENTS OF A BOOK REVIEW

As with any of the writing genres we teach our students, a book review can be helpfully explained in terms of criteria. While there is much to the ‘art’ of writing, there is also, thankfully, a lot of the nuts and bolts that can be listed too. Have students consider the following elements before writing:

●     Title: Often, the title of the book review will correspond to the title of the text itself, but there may also be some examination of the title’s relevance. How does it fit into the purpose of the work as a whole? Does it convey a message or reveal larger themes explored within the work?

●     Author: Within the book review, there may be some discussion of who the author is and what they have written before, especially if it relates to the current work being reviewed. There may be some mention of the author’s style and what they are best known for. If the author has received any awards or prizes, this may also be mentioned within the body of the review.

●     Genre: A book review will identify the genre that the book belongs to, whether fiction or nonfiction, poetry, romance, science-fiction, history etc. The genre will likely tie in, too with who the intended audience for the book is and what the overall purpose of the work is.

●     Book Jacket / Cover: Often, a book’s cover will contain artwork that is worthy of comment. It may contain interesting details related to the text that contribute to, or detract from, the work as a whole.

●     Structure: The book’s structure will often be heavily informed by its genre. Have students examine how the book is organized before writing their review. Does it contain a preface from a guest editor, for example? Is it written in sections or chapters? Does it have a table of contents, index, glossary etc.? While all these details may not make it into the review itself, looking at how the book is structured may reveal some interesting aspects.

●     Publisher and Price: A book review will usually contain details of who publishes the book and its cost. A review will often provide details of where the book is available too.

BOOK REVIEW KEY ELEMENTS

As students read and engage with the work they will review, they will develop a sense of the shape their review will take. This will begin with the summary. Encourage students to take notes during the reading of the work that will help them in writing the summary that will form an essential part of their review. Aspects of the book they may wish to take notes on in a work of fiction may include:

●     Characters: Who are the main characters? What are their motivations? Are they convincingly drawn? Or are they empathetic characters?

●     Themes: What are the main themes of the work? Are there recurring motifs in the work? Is the exploration of the themes deep or surface only?

●     Style: What are the key aspects of the writer’s style? How does it fit into the wider literary world?

●     Plot: What is the story’s main catalyst? What happens in the rising action? What are the story’s subplots? 

A book review will generally begin with a short summary of the work itself. However, it is important not to give too much away, remind students – no spoilers, please! For nonfiction works, this may be a summary of the main arguments of the work, again, without giving too much detail away. In a work of fiction, a book review will often summarise up to the rising action of the piece without going beyond to reveal too much!

The summary should also provide some orientation for the reader. Given the nature of the purpose of a review, it is important that students’ consider their intended audience in the writing of their review. Readers will most likely not have read the book in question and will require some orientation. This is often achieved through introductions to the main characters, themes, primary arguments etc. This will help the reader to gauge whether or not the book is of interest to them.

Once your student has summarized the work, it is time to ‘review’ in earnest. At this point, the student should begin to detail their own opinion of the book. To do this well they should:

i. Make It Personal

Often when teaching essay writing we will talk to our students about the importance of climbing up and down the ladder of abstraction. Just as it is helpful to explore large, more abstract concepts in an essay by bringing it down to Earth, in a book review, it is important that students can relate the characters, themes, ideas etc to their own lives.

Book reviews are meant to be subjective. They are opinion pieces, and opinions grow out of our experiences of life. Encourage students to link the work they are writing about to their own personal life within the body of the review. By making this personal connection to the work, students contextualize their opinions for the readers and help them to understand whether the book will be of interest to them or not in the process.

ii. Make It Universal

Just as it is important to climb down the ladder of abstraction to show how the work relates to individual life, it is important to climb upwards on the ladder too. Students should endeavor to show how the ideas explored in the book relate to the wider world. The may be in the form of the universality of the underlying themes in a work of fiction or, for example, the international implications for arguments expressed in a work of nonfiction.

iii. Support Opinions with Evidence

A book review is a subjective piece of writing by its very nature. However, just because it is subjective does not mean that opinions do not need to be justified. Make sure students understand how to back up their opinions with various forms of evidence, for example, quotations, statistics, and the use of primary and secondary sources.

EDIT AND REVISE YOUR BOOK REVIEW

As with any writing genre, encourage students to polish things up with review and revision at the end. Encourage them to proofread and check for accurate spelling throughout, with particular attention to the author’s name, character names, publisher etc. 

It is good practice too for students to double-check their use of evidence. Are statements supported? Are the statistics used correctly? Are the quotations from the text accurate? Mistakes such as these uncorrected can do great damage to the value of a book review as they can undermine the reader’s confidence in the writer’s judgement.

The discipline of writing book reviews offers students opportunities to develop their writing skills and exercise their critical faculties. Book reviews can be valuable standalone activities or serve as a part of a series of activities engaging with a central text. They can also serve as an effective springboard into later discussion work based on the ideas and issues explored in a particular book. Though the book review does not hold the sway it once did in the mind’s of the reading public, it still serves as an effective teaching tool in our classrooms today.

Teaching Resources

Use our resources and tools to improve your student’s writing skills through proven teaching strategies.

BOOK REVIEW GRAPHIC ORGANIZER (TEMPLATE)

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Book and Movie review writing examples (Student Writing Samples)

Below are a collection of student writing samples of book reviews.  Click on the image to enlarge and explore them in greater detail.  Please take a moment to both read the movie or book review in detail but also the teacher and student guides which highlight some of the key elements of writing a text review

Please understand these student writing samples are not intended to be perfect examples for each age or grade level but a piece of writing for students and teachers to explore together to critically analyze to improve student writing skills and deepen their understanding of book review writing.

We would recommend reading the example either a year above and below, as well as the grade you are currently working with to gain a broader appreciation of this text type .

BOOK REVIEW VIDEO TUTORIALS

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How to Write a Book Review: A Comprehensive Tutorial With Examples

You don’t need to be a literary expert to craft captivating book reviews. With one in every three readers selecting books based on insightful reviews, your opinions can guide fellow bibliophiles toward their next literary adventure.

Learning how to write a book review will not only help you excel at your assigned tasks, but you’ll also contribute valuable insights to the book-loving community and turn your passion into a professional pursuit.

In this comprehensive guide,  PaperPerk  will walk you through a few simple steps to master the art of writing book reviews so you can confidently embark on this rewarding journey.

What is a Book Review?

A book review is a critical evaluation of a book, offering insights into its content, quality, and impact. It helps readers make informed decisions about whether to read the book.

Writing a book review as an assignment benefits students in multiple ways. Firstly, it teaches them how to write a book review by developing their analytical skills as they evaluate the content, themes, and writing style .

Secondly, it enhances their ability to express opinions and provide constructive criticism. Additionally, book review assignments expose students to various publications and genres, broadening their knowledge.

Furthermore, these tasks foster essential skills for academic success, like critical thinking and the ability to synthesize information. By now, we’re sure you want to learn how to write a book review, so let’s look at the book review template first.

Table of Contents

Book Review Template

How to write a book review- a step by step guide.

Check out these 5 straightforward steps for composing the best book review.

Step 1: Planning Your Book Review – The Art of Getting Started

You’ve decided to take the plunge and share your thoughts on a book that has captivated (or perhaps disappointed) you. Before you start book reviewing, let’s take a step back and plan your approach. Since knowing how to write a book review that’s both informative and engaging is an art in itself.

Choosing Your Literature

First things first, pick the book you want to review. This might seem like a no-brainer, but selecting a book that genuinely interests you will make the review process more enjoyable and your insights more authentic.

Crafting the Master Plan

Next, create an  outline  that covers all the essential points you want to discuss in your review. This will serve as the roadmap for your writing journey.

The Devil is in the Details

As you read, note any information that stands out, whether it overwhelms, underwhelms, or simply intrigues you. Pay attention to:

• The characters and their development
• The plot and its intricacies
• Any themes, symbols, or motifs you find noteworthy

Remember to reserve a body paragraph for each point you want to discuss.

The Key Questions to Ponder

When planning your book review, consider the following questions:

• What’s the plot (if any)? Understanding the driving force behind the book will help you craft a more effective review.
• Is the plot interesting? Did the book hold your attention and keep you turning the pages?
• Are the writing techniques effective? Does the author’s style captivate you, making you want to read (or reread) the text?
• Are the characters or the information believable? Do the characters/plot/information feel real, and can you relate to them?
• Would you recommend the book to anyone? Consider if the book is worthy of being recommended, whether to impress someone or to support a point in a literature class.
• What could improve? Always keep an eye out for areas that could be improved. Providing constructive criticism can enhance the quality of literature.

Step 2 – Crafting the Perfect Introduction to Write a Book Review

In this second step of “how to write a book review,” we’re focusing on the art of creating a powerful opening that will hook your audience and set the stage for your analysis.

Identify Your Book and Author

Begin by mentioning the book you’ve chosen, including its  title  and the author’s name. This informs your readers and establishes the subject of your review.

Ponder the Title

Next, discuss the mental images or emotions the book’s title evokes in your mind . This helps your readers understand your initial feelings and expectations before diving into the book.

Judge the Book by Its Cover (Just a Little)

Take a moment to talk about the book’s cover. Did it intrigue you? Did it hint at what to expect from the story or the author’s writing style? Sharing your thoughts on the cover can offer a unique perspective on how the book presents itself to potential readers.

Present Your Thesis

Now it’s time to introduce your thesis. This statement should be a concise and insightful summary of your opinion of the book. For example:

“Normal People” by Sally Rooney is a captivating portrayal of the complexities of human relationships, exploring themes of love, class, and self-discovery with exceptional depth and authenticity.

Ensure that your thesis is relevant to the points or quotes you plan to discuss throughout your review.

Incorporating these elements into your introduction will create a strong foundation for your book review. Your readers will be eager to learn more about your thoughts and insights on the book, setting the stage for a compelling and thought-provoking analysis.

How to Write a Book Review: Step 3 – Building Brilliant Body Paragraphs

You’ve planned your review and written an attention-grabbing introduction. Now it’s time for the main event: crafting the body paragraphs of your book review. In this step of “how to write a book review,” we’ll explore the art of constructing engaging and insightful body paragraphs that will keep your readers hooked.

Summarize Without Spoilers

Begin by summarizing a specific section of the book, not revealing any major plot twists or spoilers. Your goal is to give your readers a taste of the story without ruining surprises.

Support Your Viewpoint with Quotes

Next, choose three quotes from the book that support your viewpoint or opinion. These quotes should be relevant to the section you’re summarizing and help illustrate your thoughts on the book.

Analyze the Quotes

Write a summary of each quote in your own words, explaining how it made you feel or what it led you to think about the book or the author’s writing. This analysis should provide insight into your perspective and demonstrate your understanding of the text.

Structure Your Body Paragraphs

Dedicate one body paragraph to each quote, ensuring your writing is well-connected, coherent, and easy to understand.

For example:

• In  Jane Eyre , Charlotte Brontë writes, “I am no bird; and no net ensnares me.” This powerful statement highlights Jane’s fierce independence and refusal to be trapped by societal expectations.
• In  Normal People , Sally Rooney explores the complexities of love and friendship when she writes, “It was culture as class performance, literature fetishized for its ability to take educated people on false emotional journeys.” This quote reveals the author’s astute observations on the role of culture and class in shaping personal relationships.
• In  Wuthering Heights , Emily Brontë captures the tumultuous nature of love with the quote, “He’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” This poignant line emphasizes the deep, unbreakable bond between the story’s central characters.

By following these guidelines, you’ll create body paragraphs that are both captivating and insightful, enhancing your book review and providing your readers with a deeper understanding of the literary work. 

How to Write a Book Review: Step 4 – Crafting a Captivating Conclusion

You’ve navigated through planning, introductions, and body paragraphs with finesse. Now it’s time to wrap up your book review with a  conclusion that leaves a lasting impression . In this final step of “how to write a book review,” we’ll explore the art of writing a memorable and persuasive conclusion.

Summarize Your Analysis

Begin by summarizing the key points you’ve presented in the body paragraphs. This helps to remind your readers of the insights and arguments you’ve shared throughout your review.

Offer Your Final Conclusion

Next, provide a conclusion that reflects your overall feelings about the book. This is your chance to leave a lasting impression and persuade your readers to consider your perspective.

Address the Book’s Appeal

Now, answer the question: Is this book worth reading? Be clear about who would enjoy the book and who might not. Discuss the taste preferences and circumstances that make the book more appealing to some readers than others.

For example:  The Alchemist is a book that can enchant a young teen, but those who are already well-versed in classic literature might find it less engaging.

Be Subtle and Balanced

Avoid simply stating whether you “liked” or “disliked” the book. Instead, use nuanced language to convey your message. Highlight the pros and cons of reading the type of literature you’ve reviewed, offering a balanced perspective.

Bringing It All Together

By following these guidelines, you’ll craft a conclusion that leaves your readers with a clear understanding of your thoughts and opinions on the book. Your review will be a valuable resource for those considering whether to pick up the book, and your witty and insightful analysis will make your review a pleasure to read. So conquer the world of book reviews, one captivating conclusion at a time!

How to Write a Book Review: Step 5 – Rating the Book (Optional)

You’ve masterfully crafted your book review, from the introduction to the conclusion. But wait, there’s one more step you might consider before calling it a day: rating the book. In this optional step of “how to write a book review,” we’ll explore the benefits and methods of assigning a rating to the book you’ve reviewed.

Why Rate the Book?

Sometimes, when writing a professional book review, it may not be appropriate to state whether you liked or disliked the book. In such cases, assigning a rating can be an effective way to get your message across without explicitly sharing your personal opinion.

How to Rate the Book

There are various rating systems you can use to evaluate the book, such as:

• A star rating (e.g., 1 to 5 stars)
• A numerical score (e.g., 1 to 10)
• A letter grade (e.g., A+ to F)

Choose a rating system that best suits your style and the format of your review. Be consistent in your rating criteria, considering writing quality, character development, plot, and overall enjoyment.

Tips for Rating the Book

Here are some tips for rating the book effectively:

• Be honest: Your rating should reflect your true feelings about the book. Don’t inflate or deflate your rating based on external factors, such as the book’s popularity or the author’s reputation.
• Be fair:Consider the book’s merits and shortcomings when rating. Even if you didn’t enjoy the book, recognize its strengths and acknowledge them in your rating.
• Be clear: Explain the rationale behind your rating so your readers understand the factors that influenced your evaluation.

Wrapping Up

By including a rating in your book review, you provide your readers with an additional insight into your thoughts on the book. While this step is optional, it can be a valuable tool for conveying your message subtly yet effectively. So, rate those books confidently, adding a touch of wit and wisdom to your book reviews.

Additional Tips on How to Write a Book Review: A Guide

In this segment, we’ll explore additional tips on how to write a book review. Get ready to captivate your readers and make your review a memorable one!

Hook ’em with an Intriguing Introduction

Keep your introduction precise and to the point. Readers have the attention span of a goldfish these days, so don’t let them swim away in boredom. Start with a bang and keep them hooked!

Embrace the World of Fiction

When learning how to write a book review, remember that reviewing fiction is often more engaging and effective. If your professor hasn’t assigned you a specific book, dive into the realm of fiction and select a novel that piques your interest.

Opinionated with Gusto

Don’t shy away from adding your own opinion to your review. A good book review always features the writer’s viewpoint and constructive criticism. After all, your readers want to know what  you  think!

Express Your Love (or Lack Thereof)

If you adored the book, let your readers know! Use phrases like “I’ll definitely return to this book again” to convey your enthusiasm. Conversely, be honest but respectful even if the book wasn’t your cup of tea.

Templates and Examples and Expert Help: Your Trusty Sidekicks

Feeling lost? You can always get help from formats, book review examples or online  college paper writing service  platforms. These trusty sidekicks will help you navigate the world of book reviews with ease. 

Be a Champion for New Writers and Literature

Remember to uplift new writers and pieces of literature. If you want to suggest improvements, do so kindly and constructively. There’s no need to be mean about anyone’s books – we’re all in this literary adventure together!

Criticize with Clarity, Not Cruelty

When adding criticism to your review, be clear but not mean. Remember, there’s a fine line between constructive criticism and cruelty. Tread lightly and keep your reader’s feelings in mind.

Avoid the Comparison Trap

Resist the urge to compare one writer’s book with another. Every book holds its worth, and comparing them will only confuse your reader. Stick to discussing the book at hand, and let it shine in its own light.

Top 7 Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Writing a book review can be a delightful and rewarding experience, especially when you balance analysis, wit, and personal insights. However, some common mistakes can kill the brilliance of your review. 

In this section of “how to write a book review,” we’ll explore the top 7 blunders writers commit and how to steer clear of them, with a dash of  modernist literature  examples and tips for students writing book reviews as assignments.

Succumbing to the Lure of Plot Summaries

Mistake: Diving headfirst into a plot summary instead of dissecting the book’s themes, characters, and writing style.

Example: “The Bell Jar chronicles the life of a young woman who experiences a mental breakdown.”

How to Avoid: Delve into the book’s deeper aspects, such as its portrayal of mental health, societal expectations, and the author’s distinctive narrative voice. Offer thoughtful insights and reflections, making your review a treasure trove of analysis.

Unleashing the Spoiler Kraken

Mistake: Spilling major plot twists or the ending without providing a spoiler warning, effectively ruining the reading experience for potential readers.

Example: “In Metamorphosis, the protagonist’s transformation into a monstrous insect leads to…”

How to Avoid: Tread carefully when discussing significant plot developments, and consider using spoiler warnings. Focus on the impact of these plot points on the overall narrative, character growth, or thematic resonance.

Riding the Personal Bias Express

Mistake: Allowing personal bias to hijack the review without providing sufficient evidence or reasoning to support opinions.

Example: “I detest books about existential crises, so The Sun Also Rises was a snoozefest.”

How to Avoid: While personal opinions are valid, it’s crucial to back them up with specific examples from the book. Discuss aspects like writing style, character development, or pacing to support your evaluation and provide a more balanced perspective.

Wielding the Vague Language Saber

Mistake: Resorting to generic, vague language that fails to capture the nuances of the book and can come across as clichéd.

Example: “This book was mind-blowing. It’s a must-read for everyone.”

How to Avoid: Use precise and descriptive language to express your thoughts. Employ specific examples and quotations to highlight memorable scenes, the author’s unique writing style, or the impact of the book’s themes on readers.

Ignoring the Contextualization Compass

Mistake: Neglecting to provide context about the author, genre, or cultural relevance of the book, leaving readers without a proper frame of reference.

Example: “This book is dull and unoriginal.”

How to Avoid: Offer readers a broader understanding by discussing the author’s background, the genre conventions the book adheres to or subverts, and any societal or historical contexts that inform the narrative. This helps readers appreciate the book’s uniqueness and relevance.

Overindulging in Personal Preferences

Mistake: Letting personal preferences overshadow an objective assessment of the book’s merits.

Example: “I don’t like stream-of-consciousness writing, so this book is automatically bad.”

How to Avoid: Acknowledge personal preferences but strive to evaluate the book objectively. Focus on the book’s strengths and weaknesses, considering how well it achieves its goals within its genre or intended audience.

Forgetting the Target Audience Telescope

Mistake: Failing to mention the book’s target audience or who might enjoy it, leading to confusion for potential readers.

Example: “This book is great for everyone.”

How to Avoid: Contemplate the book’s intended audience, genre, and themes. Mention who might particularly enjoy the book based on these factors, whether it’s fans of a specific genre, readers interested in character-driven stories, or those seeking thought-provoking narratives.

By dodging these common pitfalls, writers can craft insightful, balanced, and engaging book reviews that help readers make informed decisions about their reading choices.

These tips are particularly beneficial for students writing book reviews as assignments, as they ensure a well-rounded and thoughtful analysis.!

Many students requested us to cover how to write a book review. This thorough guide is sure to help you. At Paperperk, professionals are dedicated to helping students find their balance. We understand the importance of good grades, so we offer the finest writing service , ensuring students stay ahead of the curve. So seek expert help because only Paperperk is your perfect solution!

What is the difference between a book review and a report?

Who is the target audience for book reviews and book reports, how do book reviews and reports differ in length and content, can i write professional book reviews, what are the key aspects of writing professional book reviews, how can i enhance my book-reviewing skills to write professional reviews, what should be included in a good book review.

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Book Review Writing

Book Review Examples

Book Review Examples to Help You Get Started

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How to Write a Book Review - A Step By Step Guide

A Complete Book Review Format Guide For Students

Are you in desperate need of some assistance to up your book review writing game? 

We know that penning down a review can come off as a tricky challenge, but do not worry!

To help you write book reviews that carry the essence of the book and engage readers, we have collected a handful of book review examples in this blog. 

The included examples will enable you to understand different writing styles and approaches taken toward book review writing . So, you can use your words effectively to craft the perfect book review.

Let’s kickstart things off!

• 1. Good Book Review Examples for Students
• 2. Short Book Review Examples for Fiction Books
• 3. Non-Fiction Book Review Examples

Good Book Review Examples for Students

You might be a professional writer, or you may not have any experience in writing book reviews. Rest assured, we’ll show you how to write perfect book reviews with the help of a sample template and great examples.

See this template to know what you should include in your book review: 

Book Review Template

Here is a good book review example for 4th-grade students:

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Book Review Examples for Middle School Students

Reading reviews written by others can help you get a feel and flavor of good book reviews. Learning how to write a perfect book review can help students to:

• Critically analyze a text
• Give a personal opinion on the text
• Improve analyzing and critical thinking skills 

Here are some interesting book review examples suitable for middle school students. 

Book Review Example for Middle School Students

Book Review Example for Kids

Book Review of Any Book in 300 Words

Science Book Review Example

Book Review Examples For High School Students

Below, you can also find some good book review examples for high school students. These real-life examples can help you get a clear understanding of the standard book review format that you should follow.

Book Review Example for High School Students

Book Review Examples for Class 9

Book Review Example for Grade 10

Book Review Examples for College Students

As a college student, you are required to demonstrate that you have examined the book from different angles. The points you raise in your book review need to be supported with clear facts and evidence.

The following are some interesting critical book review examples for college students to learn how to write a perfect review. 

Book Review Example for Class 12

Short Book Review for Students

Conclusion of Book Review Example

Short Book Review Examples for Fiction Books

Fiction book reviews follow the same basic formula as writing book reviews of any other genre. For your help, we have compiled exciting examples of fiction book reviews that you can get valuable assistance from. 

Short Book Review Example for Fiction Books

Book Review of Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

“The Hazel Wood” by Melissa Albert is a work of fiction and falls into fantasy and young adult fiction genres. The novel revolves around fantastical fairy tales, and magical realism, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.

Here is an example of a comprehensive review of the book Hazel Wood:

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Non-Fiction Book Review Examples

For reviewing a non-fiction book, you are required to describe the book and summarize major points of interest. You should evaluate the author’s contribution to a subject that you may know very little about.

Here is a great non-fiction book review example to help you come up with a critical perspective on a text. 

Non-Fiction Book Review Example

Hopefully, with the help of the above examples, you get a better idea of how to write a perfect book review.

To wrap it up, Writing a great book review is a tricky task, no matter if you are a high school, college, or university student. Book review writing might seem like a simple task, but it requires excellent analyzing and critical thinking skills.

But, not everyone can crack this task easily. They might need additional help from expert book review writers. That’s why our professional essay writing service offers book review writing help whenever you need it. 

Professional essay writers at MyPerfectWords.com can help you with all your academic requests within your specified timeline. Just contact our customer service and we’ll handle all your queries promptly.

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Writing a Book Review

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Book reviews typically evaluate recently-written works. They offer a brief description of the text’s key points and often provide a short appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses of the work.

Readers sometimes confuse book reviews with book reports, but the two are not identical. Book reports commonly describe what happens in a work; their focus is primarily on giving an account of the major plot, characters, and/or main idea of the work. Most often, book reports are a K-12 assignment and range from 250 to 500 words. If you are looking to write a book report, please see the OWL resource, Writing a Book Report.

By contrast, book reviews are most often a college assignment, but they also appear in many professional works: magazines, newspapers, and academic journals. They typically range from 500-750 words, but may be longer or shorter. A book review gives readers a sneak peek at what a book is like, whether or not the reviewer enjoyed it, and details on purchasing the book.

Before You Read

Before you begin to read, consider the elements you will need to included in your review. The following items may help:

• Author: Who is the author? What else has s/he written? Has this author won any awards? What is the author’s typical style?
• Genre: What type of book is this: fiction, nonfiction, romance, poetry, youth fiction, etc.? Who is the intended audience for this work? What is the purpose of the work?
• Title: Where does the title fit in? How is it applied in the work? Does it adequately encapsulate the message of the text? Is it interesting? Uninteresting?
• Preface/Introduction/Table of Contents: Does the author provide any revealing information about the text in the preface/introduction? Does a “guest author” provide the introduction? What judgments or preconceptions do the author and/or “guest author” provide? How is the book arranged: sections, chapters?
• Book Jacket/Cover/Printing: Book jackets are like mini-reviews. Does the book jacket provide any interesting details or spark your interest in some way? Are there pictures, maps, or graphs? Do the binding, page cut, or typescript contribute or take away from the work?

As You Read

As you read, determine how you will structure the summary portion or background structure of your review. Be ready to take notes on the book’s key points, characters, and/or themes.

• Characters: Are there characters in the work? Who are the principal characters? How do they affect the story? Do you empathize with them?
• Themes/Motifs/Style: What themes or motifs stand out? How do they contribute to the work? Are they effective or not? How would you describe this author’s particular style? Is it accessible to all readers or just some?
• Argument: How is the work’s argument set up? What support does the author give for her/findings? Does the work fulfill its purpose/support its argument?
• Key Ideas: What is the main idea of the work? What makes it good, different, or groundbreaking?
• Quotes: What quotes stand out? How can you demonstrate the author’s talent or the feel of the book through a quote?

When You Are Ready to Write

Begin with a short summary or background of the work, but do not give too much away. Many reviews limit themselves only to the first couple of chapters or lead the reader up to the rising action of the work. Reviewers of nonfiction texts will provide the basic idea of the book’s argument without too much detailed.

The final portion of your review will detail your opinion of the work. When you are ready to begin your review, consider the following:

• Establish a Background, Remember your Audience: Remember that your audience has not read the work; with this in mind, be sure to introduce characters and principles carefully and deliberately. What kind of summary can you provide of the main points or main characters that will help your readers gauge their interest? Does the author’s text adequately reach the intended audience? Will some readers be lost or find the text too easy?
• Minor principles/characters: Deal only with the most pressing issues in the book. You will not be able to cover every character or idea. What principles/characters did you agree or disagree with? What other things might the author have researched or considered?
• Organize: The purpose of the review is to critically evaluate the text, not just inform the readers about it. Leave plenty room for your evaluation by ensuring that your summary is brief. Determine what kind of balance to strike between your summary information and your evaluation. If you are writing your review for a class, ask your instructor. Often the ratio is half and half.
• Your Evaluation: Choose one or a few points to discuss about the book. What worked well for you? How does this work compare with others by the same author or other books in the same genre? What major themes, motifs, or terms does the book introduce, and how effective are they? Did the book appeal to you on an emotional or logical way?
• Publisher/Price: Most book reviews include the publisher and price of the book at the end of the article. Some reviews also include the year published and ISBN.

When making the final touches to your review, carefully verify the following:

• Double-check the spelling of the author name(s), character names, special terms, and publisher.
• Try to read from the vantage point of your audience. Is there too much/enough summary? Does your argument about the text make sense?
• Should you include direct quotes from the reading? Do they help support your arguments? Double-check your quotes for accuracy.

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• How To Series

How to Write a Book Review in 7 Steps

Book reviews are a great way to connect with fellow bibliophiles. A well-written review can help you discover new books, find bookish communities, and spark cultural conversations. When writing a book review, you want to share what you felt about a particular work—why you liked or disliked it—without spoiling it for future readers. Ultimately, the goal of writing a book review is to help readers decide whether to read the book themselves.

Let’s take a look at seven steps to help you write a reliable book review.

1. Read the Book

How can you write a review of a book you’ve never read? Alternatively, why would someone want to read a review by someone who has never read the book? The first and arguably most important first step to writing a book review is to read the entire book. Be attentive to your reading experience and note what captured or lost your attention.

2. Take Notes

Once you’ve finished reading the book, go back and take brief, purposeful notes. What are the major events of the book and what were their effects on you as a reader?

Here are some guidelines that can help lay the foundation for your review:

• Explain how the book as a whole affected you.
• Explain how the author evokes an emotional response.
• Explain the relationship between form and content.
• Explain the function of each character in the novel.
• Explain the characters’ relationships to one another.

3. Summarize the Book

All book reviews should include some kind of summary. You’ll want to inform readers of what the book is about without giving too much away. To accomplish this, here are some things to include in your summary:

• How is it categorized by the publisher?
• How is the book structured?
• Who is the target audience?

4. Form an Opinion

Your opinion is the crux of your book review. Be specific! Don’t just say if the book was good or bad, but explain why . Support your opinion with specific examples from the text and move from passing judgement to a thorough explanation.

5. Contextualize the Book

You can often obtain this information from looking at the book’s cover and introduction. Otherwise, you may need to do a little research. Spend some time relating this book to similar works by the author or from the same genre to further your explanation and judgement of it.

Some important questions to consider include:

• What genre does the book fall into?
• Is it the first of its kind or an imitation?
• Is this the author’s first book or fifteenth?

6. Avoid Spoilers

Please, for the love of literature, don’t ruin the book for others. A good book review does not give away the book’s plot twists or endings but piques the interest of future readers. If you absolutely have to give something away about the book, at least mark your review with a fair warning.

7. Review Your Review!

Hooray! You’ve finished writing your review. Now’s the time to step back and revisit your work. You may have to edit your review to add or remove details. Here are some questions to ask during your revisions:

• Did you explain every major aspect of the book?
• What was your target audience?
• Did you write this for a class with specific criteria—or for a fan magazine whose audience already knows this type of book well?
• Did you make a clear claim about your opinion of the book? Do you support your claim with evidence?

For a more in-depth review on how to write a book review, visit eNotes’ How To Series .

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Book Review Writing

Introduction.

If you love to read, at some point you will want to share a book you love with others. You may already do this by talking about books with friends. If you want to share your ideas with more people than your circle of friends, the way you do that is by writing a review. By publishing the reviews you write, you can share your ideas about books with other readers around the world.

It's natural for young readers to confuse book reviews with book reports, yet writing a book review is a very different process from writing a book report. Book reports focus on the plot of the book. Frequently, the purpose of book reports is to demonstrate that the books were read, and they are often done for an assignment.

A book review is a totally different task. A book review's purpose is to help people decide whether or not the book would interest them enough to read it. Reviews are a sneak peek at a book, not a summary. Like wonderful smells wafting from a kitchen, book reviews lure readers to want to taste the book themselves.

This guide is designed to help you become a strong book reviewer, a reader who can read a book and then cook up a review designed to whet the reading appetites of other book lovers.

Form: What should the review look like?

How long should it be.

The first question we usually ask when writing something is "How long should it be?" The best answer is "As long as it takes," but that's a frustrating answer. A general guideline is that the longer the book, the longer the review, and a review shouldn't be fewer than 100 words or so. For a long book, the review may be 500 words or even more.

If a review is too short, the review may not be able to fulfill its purpose. Too long, and the review may stray into too much plot summary or lose the reader's interest.

The best guide is to focus less on how long to write and more on fulfilling the purpose of the review.

How Do You Create A Title?

The title of the review should convey your overall impression and not be overly general. Strong titles include these examples:

• "Full of action and complex characters"
• "A nail-biter that will keep you up all night"
• "Beautiful illustrations with a story to match"
• "Perfect for animal lovers"

Weak titles may look like this:

• "Really good book"
• "Three stars"
• "Pretty good"
• "Quick read"

How Should It Begin?

Although many reviews begin with a short summary of the book (This book is about…), there are other options as well, so feel free to vary the way you begin your reviews.

In an introductory summary, be careful not to tell too much. If you retell the entire story, the reader won't feel the need to read it him/herself, and no one appreciates a spoiler (telling the end). Here are some examples of summaries reviewers from The New York Times have written:

"A new picture book tells a magically simple tale of a lonely boy, a stranded whale and a dad who rises to the occasion."

"In this middle-grade novel, a girl finds a way forward after the loss of her mother."

"Reared by ghosts, werewolves and other residents of the hillside cemetery he calls home, an orphan named Nobody Owens wonders how he will manage to survive among the living having learned all his lessons from the dead. And the man Jack — who killed the rest of Nobody's family — is itching to finish the job."

"In vivid poems that reflect the joy of finding her voice through writing stories, an award-winning author shares what it was like to grow up in the 1960s and 1970s in both the North and the South." Other ways to begin a review include:

• Quote: A striking quote from the book ("It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.") can make for a powerful beginning. This quote begins George Orwell's novel 1984 .
• Background: What makes this book important or interesting? Is the author famous? Is it a series? This is This is how Amazon introduces Divergent : "This first book in Veronica Roth's #1 New York Times bestselling Divergent trilogy is the novel the inspired the major motion picture."
• Interesting Fact: For nonfiction books in particular, an interesting fact from the book may create a powerful opening for a review. In this review of The Middle East by Philip Steele, Zander H. of Mid-America Mensa asks, "Did you know that the Saudi Arabia's Rub' al-Khali desert reaches temperatures of 140 degrees Fahrenheit in the day and plummets to the freezing point at night?"
• Explanation of a term: If a word or phrase in the book or title is confusing or vitally important to understand, you may wish to begin the review explaining that term.

Process: What should I write about?

Deciding what to say about the book can be challenging. Use the following ideas as a guide, but remember that you should not put all of this into a single review — that would make for a very long review! Choose the things that fit this particular book best.

General Information What the reader ought to know

• What kind of book is it? (Picture book? Historical fiction? Nonfiction? Fantasy? Adventure?)
• Does the book belong to a series?
• How long is the book? Is it an easy or a challenging read?
• Is there anything that would be helpful for the reader to know about the author? For instance, is the author an expert in the field, the author of other popular books, or a first-time author?
• How does the book compare to other books on the same topic or in the same genre?
• Is the book written in a formal or informal style? Is the language remarkable in any way?
• What ages is the book geared to?
• Is the book written in normal prose? If it is written in poetic form, does it rhyme?

Plot What happens?

Writing about the plot is the trickiest part of a review because you want to give the reader a feel for what the book is about without spoiling the book for future readers. The most important thing to remember is that you must never give away the ending. No one likes a spoiler.

One possibility for doing this is to set up the premise (A brother and a sister find themselves lost in the woods at the mercy of an evil witch. Will they be able to outsmart her and escape?). Another possibility is to set up the major conflict in the book and leave it unresolved (Sometimes the waiting is the hardest part or He didn't know what he stood to lose or Finding your purpose in life can be as easy as finding a true friend.)

Try to avoid using the tired phrase "This book is about…" Instead, just jump right in (The stuffed rabbit wanted more than anything to live in the big old house with the wild oak trees.)

Characters Who lives in the book?

Reviews should answer questions about the characters in fiction books or non-fiction books about people. Some possible questions to answer include:

• Who are the main characters? Include the protagonist and antagonist.
• What makes them interesting?
• Do they act like real people act or are they too good or too evil to be believable?
• Are they human?
• What conflicts do they face?
• Are they likeable or understandable?
• How do they connect with each other?
• Do they appear in other books?
• Could you relate to any of the characters in the story?
• What problems did the main characters face?
• Who was your favorite character, and why?
• We learn about characters from things they do and say, as well as things other characters say about them. You may wish to include examples of these things.

Theme What is the book about at its heart?

What is the book really about? This isn't the plot, but rather the ideas behind the story. Is it about the triumph of good over evil or friendship or love or hope? Some common themes include: change, desire to escape, facing a challenge, heroism, the quest for power, and human weaknesses.

Sometimes a book will have a moral — a lesson to learn. If so, the theme is usually connected to that moral. As you write about the theme, try to identify what makes the book worth reading. What will the reader think about long after the book is finished? Ask yourself if there any particular lines in the book that strike you as meaningful.

Setting Where are we?

The setting is the time and place the story occurs. When you write about the setting in a review, include more than just the location. Some things to consider:

• Is the book set in the past, present or future?
• Is it set in the world we know or is it a fantastical world?
• Is it mostly realistic with elements of fantasy (animals that can talk, for example)?
• Is the setting unclear and fuzzy, or can you easily make the movie in your mind?
• How much does the author draw you into the setting and how does s/he accomplish that?

Opinion & Analysis What do you really think?

This is where the reviewer shares his/her reactions to the book that go beyond the essential points described above. You may spend half of the review on this section. Some possible questions to address include:

• Why do you think other readers would enjoy it? Why did you enjoy it (if you did) or why didn't you (if you didn't).
• What ages or types of readers do you think would like the book?
• How does it compare with other books that are in the same genre or by the same author?
• Does the book engage your emotions? If a book made you laugh or cry or think about it for days, be sure to include that.
• What do you like or dislike about the author's writing style? Is it funny? Is it hard to follow? Is it engaging and conversational in tone?
• How well do you think the author achieved what s/he was going for in the writing of the book? Do you think you felt what the author was hoping you would feel?
• Did the book feel complete, or did it feel as though key elements were left out?
• How does the book compare to other books like it you've read?

Are there parts that are simply not believable, even allowing for the reader's understanding that it is fiction or even fantasy?

• Are there mistakes?
• Would you describe the book as for entertainment, self-improvement, or information?
• What was your favorite part of the book?
• Would you have done anything differently had you been the author?
• Would any reader enjoy this book? If not, to what ages or type of reader would it appeal?

Special situations: Nonfiction and young reviewers

Some of the tips and ideas above work best for fiction, and some of it is a little too complicated for very young reviewers.

Nonfiction What to do if it's real

When reviewing a book of nonfiction, you will want to consider these questions:

• What was the author's purpose in writing the book? Did the author accomplish that purpose?
• Who is the target audience for the book?
• What do you think is the book's greatest value? What makes it special or worthwhile?
• Are the facts shared accurate?
• Is the book interesting and hold your attention?
• Would it be a useful addition to a school or public library?
• If the book is a biography or autobiography, how sympathetic is the subject?
• Is it easy to understand the ideas?
• Are there extra features that add to the enjoyment of the book, such as maps, indexes, glossaries, or other materials?
• Are the illustrations helpful?

Young Reviewers Keeping it simple

Reviewing a book can be fun, and it's not hard at all. Just ask yourself these questions:

• What is the book about? You don't need to tell the whole story over — just give an idea of what it's about.
• Do you think other people would like it?
• Did you think it was funny or sad?
• Did you learn something from the book?
• l Did you think it was interesting?
• Would you want to read it again?
• Would you want to read other books by the same author or about the same subject?
• What was your favorite part?
• Did you like the pictures?

Remember! Don't give away the ending. Let's keep that a surprise.

General Tips & Ideas

Use a few quotes or phrases (keep them short) from the book to illustrate the points you make about the book. If there are illustrations, be sure to comment on those. Are they well done? Has the illustrator done other well-known books?

Make sure you include a conclusion to the review — don't leave it hanging. The conclusion can be just one sentence (Overall, this book is a terrific choice for those who…).

You can use the transition word handout at the end of the Writer's Toolbox to find ideas for words to connect the ideas in your review. If you would like to read some well-written reviews, look for reviews of books for young people at The New York Times or National Public Radio .

Rating Books How to award stars?

Most places you post reviews ask you to rate the book using a star system, typically in a range of from one to five stars. In your rating, you should consider how the book compares to other books like it. Don't compare a long novel to a short poetry book — that's not a valid comparison.

It's important to remember that it's not asking you to only give five stars to the very best books ever written.

• 5 Stars: I'm glad I read it or I loved it (this doesn't mean it was your favorite book ever).
• 4 Stars: I like it. It's worth reading.
• 3 Stars: It wasn't very good.
• 2 Stars: I don't like it at all.
• 1 Star: I hate it.

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• Critical Reviews

How to Write a Book Review

Last Updated: January 10, 2024 Approved

This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 66 testimonials and 92% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,204,442 times.

Writing a book review is not just about summarizing; it's also an opportunity for you to present a critical discussion of the book so others get an idea of what to expect. Whether you’re writing a review as an assignment or as a publication opportunity, you should combine an accurate, analytical reading with a strong, personal touch. An effective book review describes what is on the page, analyzes how the book tried to achieve its purpose, and expresses any reactions and arguments from a unique perspective.

Review Template

Preparing to Write Your Review

• Write down notes in a notebook or use a voice recorder to document any thoughts or impressions you have of the book as you are reading. They don't have to be organized or perfect, the idea is to brainstorm any impressions you may have of the book.
• Try summarizing the major sections of the book you’re reviewing to help understand how it’s structured.

• For example, if you are reviewing a non-fiction book about the development of the polio vaccine in the 1950s, consider reading other books that also examine the same scientific issue and/or period of scientific development. Or if you are reviewing a work of fiction like Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, consider how Hawthorne's book relates to other 19th-century works of romanticism and historical fiction set in the same time period (the 17th century) as points of comparison.

• Pay attention to the preface, any quotes, and /or references in the book's introduction, as this content will likely shed light on the book's major themes and viewpoint.
• A simple way to determine one of the major themes of a book is to sum up the book in one word or sentence. So, for example, the major theme of The Scarlet Letter could be "sin". Once you have your one-word summary, stretch the single word into a message or lesson, such as "sin can lead to knowledge, but it can also lead to suffering."

• For example, in The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne attempts to combine the writing style of the Romantic Period (1800-1855) with the common, everyday language of the American Puritans of the 1600s. Hawthorne does this with long, descriptive sentences that are strung together with commas and semicolons.

• In the Scarlet Letter, for example, Hawthorne begins the book with an introduction to the text, narrated by an individual who has many autobiographical details in common with the author. In the introduction, the nameless narrator tells the story of finding the manuscript bundled in a scarlet letter "A". Hawthorne uses this narrative framing to create a story within a story, an important detail when discussing the book as a whole.

• If we were to use the Scarlett Letter again, it would be significant to note that Hawthorne chose the adulterer and sinner Hester Prynne as his protagonist, and placed the religious, anti-sin Reverend Wilson in the role of antagonist. In writing a review of The Scarlet Letter, it would be useful to consider why Hawthorne did this, and how it relates back to the book's overall theme of sin.

Creating a First Draft of the Review

• Ensure your introduction contains relevant details like the author's background, and if applicable, their previous work in the genre. [2] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source You can also indicate the main themes you will be discussing in your review to situate the reader and give them an indication of your "take" on the book.
• Several possible openings include: a historical moment, an anecdote, a surprising or intriguing statement, and declarative statements. Regardless of your opening sentences, make sure they directly relate to your critical response to the book and keep them short and to the point.
• If you're unsure on how to begin the review, try writing your introduction last. It may be easier to organize all of your supporting points and your critical position, and then write the introduction last—that way you can be sure that the introduction will match the body of the review. [3] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source

• Keep the summary short, to the point, and informative. Use quotes or paraphrasing from the book to support your summary. [4] X Research source Make sure you properly cite all quotes and paraphrasing in your review to avoid plagiarism. [5] X Research source
• Be wary of summaries that begin with phrases like “[This essay] is about…” “[This book] is the story of…” “[This author] writes about…”. [6] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source Focus on weaving a description of the book's setting, narrative voice, and plot within a critical analysis. Avoid simply regurgitating the book's premise.
• Don't give away important details or reveal the ending of the book in your summary, and don't go into detail about what happens from the middle of the book onwards. [7] X Research source As well, if the book is part of a series, you can mention this to potential readers and situate the book within the series. [8] X Research source

• Use the answers you brainstormed during your preparation for the review to formulate your critique. Address how well the book has achieved its goal, how the book compares to other books on the subject, specific points that were not convincing or lacked development, and what personal experiences, if any, you've had related to the subject of the book.
• Always use (properly cited) supporting quotes and passages from the book to back up your critical discussion. This not only reinforces your viewpoint with a trustworthy source, it also gives the reader a sense of the writing style and narrative voice of the book. [9] X Research source
• The general rule of thumb is that the first one-half to two-thirds of the review should summarize the author’s main ideas, and at least one-third should evaluate the book.

• Examine the strengths and weaknesses of the book, and discuss whether you would recommend the book to others. If so, who do you think is the ideal audience for the book? [10] X Research source Do not introduce new material in your conclusion or discuss a new idea or impression that was not examined in your introduction and body paragraphs. [11] X Research source
• You can also give the book a numerical score, a thumbs up or thumbs down, or a starred rating. [12] X Research source

Polishing the Review

• Always use spell check and adjust any grammar or spelling. Nothing undermines a quality review more than bad spelling and grammar.
• Double check that all quotes and references are properly cited in your review.

Community Q&A

• As you're writing, try thinking of your reader as a friend to whom you're telling a story. How would you relay the book's themes and main points to a friend in a casual conversation? This will help you balance formal and informal language and simplify your critical assessment. [13] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Review the book in front of you, not the book you wish the author had written. Being critical means pointing out shortcomings or failures, but avoid focusing your criticism of the book on what the book is not. Be fair in your discussion and always consider the value of the book for its audience. [14] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Make sure, after you've finished your review, to reread it and check any grammar or spelling mistakes so that it makes sense. Try reading your review from numerous perspectives, or asking a friend to proofread it for you. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 1

Make sure to read the book thoroughly. If you don't, it will be bad.

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.thedramateacher.com/genre-or-style-a-dramatic-problem/
• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/book-reviews/
• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/introductions/
• ↑ https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Book-Summary
• ↑ https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/QPA_quoting.html
• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/summary-using-it-wisely/
• ↑ http://www.booktrust.org.uk/books/teenagers/writing-tips/tips-for-writing-book-reviews/
• ↑ http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/bookrev/tips.htm
• ↑ http://www.infoplease.com/homework/wsbookreporths.html
• ↑ http://guides.library.queensu.ca/bookreviews/writing

About This Article

To write a book review, start with a heading that includes the book's title, author, place of publication, publisher, date of publication, and number of pages. Then, open your review with an introduction that includes the author's background as well as the main points you'll be making. Next, split up the body of your review so the first half of the review is a summary of the author's main ideas and the rest is your critique of the book. Finally, close your review with a concluding paragraph that briefly summarizes your analysis. To learn how to read a book critically so it's easier to write a review, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Book Reviews

What this handout is about.

This handout will help you write a book review, a report or essay that offers a critical perspective on a text. It offers a process and suggests some strategies for writing book reviews.

What is a review?

A review is a critical evaluation of a text, event, object, or phenomenon. Reviews can consider books, articles, entire genres or fields of literature, architecture, art, fashion, restaurants, policies, exhibitions, performances, and many other forms. This handout will focus on book reviews. For a similar assignment, see our handout on literature reviews .

Above all, a review makes an argument. The most important element of a review is that it is a commentary, not merely a summary. It allows you to enter into dialogue and discussion with the work’s creator and with other audiences. You can offer agreement or disagreement and identify where you find the work exemplary or deficient in its knowledge, judgments, or organization. You should clearly state your opinion of the work in question, and that statement will probably resemble other types of academic writing, with a thesis statement, supporting body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Typically, reviews are brief. In newspapers and academic journals, they rarely exceed 1000 words, although you may encounter lengthier assignments and extended commentaries. In either case, reviews need to be succinct. While they vary in tone, subject, and style, they share some common features:

• First, a review gives the reader a concise summary of the content. This includes a relevant description of the topic as well as its overall perspective, argument, or purpose.
• Second, and more importantly, a review offers a critical assessment of the content. This involves your reactions to the work under review: what strikes you as noteworthy, whether or not it was effective or persuasive, and how it enhanced your understanding of the issues at hand.
• Finally, in addition to analyzing the work, a review often suggests whether or not the audience would appreciate it.

Becoming an expert reviewer: three short examples

Reviewing can be a daunting task. Someone has asked for your opinion about something that you may feel unqualified to evaluate. Who are you to criticize Toni Morrison’s new book if you’ve never written a novel yourself, much less won a Nobel Prize? The point is that someone—a professor, a journal editor, peers in a study group—wants to know what you think about a particular work. You may not be (or feel like) an expert, but you need to pretend to be one for your particular audience. Nobody expects you to be the intellectual equal of the work’s creator, but your careful observations can provide you with the raw material to make reasoned judgments. Tactfully voicing agreement and disagreement, praise and criticism, is a valuable, challenging skill, and like many forms of writing, reviews require you to provide concrete evidence for your assertions.

Consider the following brief book review written for a history course on medieval Europe by a student who is fascinated with beer:

Judith Bennett’s Ale, Beer, and Brewsters in England: Women’s Work in a Changing World, 1300-1600, investigates how women used to brew and sell the majority of ale drunk in England. Historically, ale and beer (not milk, wine, or water) were important elements of the English diet. Ale brewing was low-skill and low status labor that was complimentary to women’s domestic responsibilities. In the early fifteenth century, brewers began to make ale with hops, and they called this new drink “beer.” This technique allowed brewers to produce their beverages at a lower cost and to sell it more easily, although women generally stopped brewing once the business became more profitable.

The student describes the subject of the book and provides an accurate summary of its contents. But the reader does not learn some key information expected from a review: the author’s argument, the student’s appraisal of the book and its argument, and whether or not the student would recommend the book. As a critical assessment, a book review should focus on opinions, not facts and details. Summary should be kept to a minimum, and specific details should serve to illustrate arguments.

Now consider a review of the same book written by a slightly more opinionated student:

Judith Bennett’s Ale, Beer, and Brewsters in England: Women’s Work in a Changing World, 1300-1600 was a colossal disappointment. I wanted to know about the rituals surrounding drinking in medieval England: the songs, the games, the parties. Bennett provided none of that information. I liked how the book showed ale and beer brewing as an economic activity, but the reader gets lost in the details of prices and wages. I was more interested in the private lives of the women brewsters. The book was divided into eight long chapters, and I can’t imagine why anyone would ever want to read it.

There’s no shortage of judgments in this review! But the student does not display a working knowledge of the book’s argument. The reader has a sense of what the student expected of the book, but no sense of what the author herself set out to prove. Although the student gives several reasons for the negative review, those examples do not clearly relate to each other as part of an overall evaluation—in other words, in support of a specific thesis. This review is indeed an assessment, but not a critical one.

Here is one final review of the same book:

One of feminism’s paradoxes—one that challenges many of its optimistic histories—is how patriarchy remains persistent over time. While Judith Bennett’s Ale, Beer, and Brewsters in England: Women’s Work in a Changing World, 1300-1600 recognizes medieval women as historical actors through their ale brewing, it also shows that female agency had its limits with the advent of beer. I had assumed that those limits were religious and political, but Bennett shows how a “patriarchal equilibrium” shut women out of economic life as well. Her analysis of women’s wages in ale and beer production proves that a change in women’s work does not equate to a change in working women’s status. Contemporary feminists and historians alike should read Bennett’s book and think twice when they crack open their next brewsky.

This student’s review avoids the problems of the previous two examples. It combines balanced opinion and concrete example, a critical assessment based on an explicitly stated rationale, and a recommendation to a potential audience. The reader gets a sense of what the book’s author intended to demonstrate. Moreover, the student refers to an argument about feminist history in general that places the book in a specific genre and that reaches out to a general audience. The example of analyzing wages illustrates an argument, the analysis engages significant intellectual debates, and the reasons for the overall positive review are plainly visible. The review offers criteria, opinions, and support with which the reader can agree or disagree.

Developing an assessment: before you write

There is no definitive method to writing a review, although some critical thinking about the work at hand is necessary before you actually begin writing. Thus, writing a review is a two-step process: developing an argument about the work under consideration, and making that argument as you write an organized and well-supported draft. See our handout on argument .

What follows is a series of questions to focus your thinking as you dig into the work at hand. While the questions specifically consider book reviews, you can easily transpose them to an analysis of performances, exhibitions, and other review subjects. Don’t feel obligated to address each of the questions; some will be more relevant than others to the book in question.

• What is the thesis—or main argument—of the book? If the author wanted you to get one idea from the book, what would it be? How does it compare or contrast to the world you know? What has the book accomplished?
• What exactly is the subject or topic of the book? Does the author cover the subject adequately? Does the author cover all aspects of the subject in a balanced fashion? What is the approach to the subject (topical, analytical, chronological, descriptive)?
• How does the author support their argument? What evidence do they use to prove their point? Do you find that evidence convincing? Why or why not? Does any of the author’s information (or conclusions) conflict with other books you’ve read, courses you’ve taken or just previous assumptions you had of the subject?
• How does the author structure their argument? What are the parts that make up the whole? Does the argument make sense? Does it persuade you? Why or why not?
• How has this book helped you understand the subject? Would you recommend the book to your reader?

Beyond the internal workings of the book, you may also consider some information about the author and the circumstances of the text’s production:

• Who is the author? Nationality, political persuasion, training, intellectual interests, personal history, and historical context may provide crucial details about how a work takes shape. Does it matter, for example, that the biographer was the subject’s best friend? What difference would it make if the author participated in the events they write about?
• What is the book’s genre? Out of what field does it emerge? Does it conform to or depart from the conventions of its genre? These questions can provide a historical or literary standard on which to base your evaluations. If you are reviewing the first book ever written on the subject, it will be important for your readers to know. Keep in mind, though, that naming “firsts”—alongside naming “bests” and “onlys”—can be a risky business unless you’re absolutely certain.

Writing the review

Once you have made your observations and assessments of the work under review, carefully survey your notes and attempt to unify your impressions into a statement that will describe the purpose or thesis of your review. Check out our handout on thesis statements . Then, outline the arguments that support your thesis.

Your arguments should develop the thesis in a logical manner. That logic, unlike more standard academic writing, may initially emphasize the author’s argument while you develop your own in the course of the review. The relative emphasis depends on the nature of the review: if readers may be more interested in the work itself, you may want to make the work and the author more prominent; if you want the review to be about your perspective and opinions, then you may structure the review to privilege your observations over (but never separate from) those of the work under review. What follows is just one of many ways to organize a review.

Introduction

Since most reviews are brief, many writers begin with a catchy quip or anecdote that succinctly delivers their argument. But you can introduce your review differently depending on the argument and audience. The Writing Center’s handout on introductions can help you find an approach that works. In general, you should include:

• The name of the author and the book title and the main theme.
• Relevant details about who the author is and where they stand in the genre or field of inquiry. You could also link the title to the subject to show how the title explains the subject matter.
• The context of the book and/or your review. Placing your review in a framework that makes sense to your audience alerts readers to your “take” on the book. Perhaps you want to situate a book about the Cuban revolution in the context of Cold War rivalries between the United States and the Soviet Union. Another reviewer might want to consider the book in the framework of Latin American social movements. Your choice of context informs your argument.
• The thesis of the book. If you are reviewing fiction, this may be difficult since novels, plays, and short stories rarely have explicit arguments. But identifying the book’s particular novelty, angle, or originality allows you to show what specific contribution the piece is trying to make.
• Your thesis about the book.

Summary of content

This should be brief, as analysis takes priority. In the course of making your assessment, you’ll hopefully be backing up your assertions with concrete evidence from the book, so some summary will be dispersed throughout other parts of the review.

The necessary amount of summary also depends on your audience. Graduate students, beware! If you are writing book reviews for colleagues—to prepare for comprehensive exams, for example—you may want to devote more attention to summarizing the book’s contents. If, on the other hand, your audience has already read the book—such as a class assignment on the same work—you may have more liberty to explore more subtle points and to emphasize your own argument. See our handout on summary for more tips.

Analysis and evaluation of the book

Your analysis and evaluation should be organized into paragraphs that deal with single aspects of your argument. This arrangement can be challenging when your purpose is to consider the book as a whole, but it can help you differentiate elements of your criticism and pair assertions with evidence more clearly. You do not necessarily need to work chronologically through the book as you discuss it. Given the argument you want to make, you can organize your paragraphs more usefully by themes, methods, or other elements of the book. If you find it useful to include comparisons to other books, keep them brief so that the book under review remains in the spotlight. Avoid excessive quotation and give a specific page reference in parentheses when you do quote. Remember that you can state many of the author’s points in your own words.

Sum up or restate your thesis or make the final judgment regarding the book. You should not introduce new evidence for your argument in the conclusion. You can, however, introduce new ideas that go beyond the book if they extend the logic of your own thesis. This paragraph needs to balance the book’s strengths and weaknesses in order to unify your evaluation. Did the body of your review have three negative paragraphs and one favorable one? What do they all add up to? The Writing Center’s handout on conclusions can help you make a final assessment.

Finally, a few general considerations:

• Review the book in front of you, not the book you wish the author had written. You can and should point out shortcomings or failures, but don’t criticize the book for not being something it was never intended to be.
• With any luck, the author of the book worked hard to find the right words to express her ideas. You should attempt to do the same. Precise language allows you to control the tone of your review.
• Never hesitate to challenge an assumption, approach, or argument. Be sure, however, to cite specific examples to back up your assertions carefully.
• Try to present a balanced argument about the value of the book for its audience. You’re entitled—and sometimes obligated—to voice strong agreement or disagreement. But keep in mind that a bad book takes as long to write as a good one, and every author deserves fair treatment. Harsh judgments are difficult to prove and can give readers the sense that you were unfair in your assessment.
• A great place to learn about book reviews is to look at examples. The New York Times Sunday Book Review and The New York Review of Books can show you how professional writers review books.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Drewry, John. 1974. Writing Book Reviews. Boston: Greenwood Press.

Hoge, James. 1987. Literary Reviewing. Charlottesville: University Virginia of Press.

Sova, Dawn, and Harry Teitelbaum. 2002. How to Write Book Reports , 4th ed. Lawrenceville, NY: Thomson/Arco.

Walford, A.J. 1986. Reviews and Reviewing: A Guide. Phoenix: Oryx Press.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Blog – Posted on Wednesday, Apr 03

How to write a book review in 3 steps.

If the idea of reading for free — or even getting paid to read — sounds like a dream come true, remember that it isn’t a pipe dream. There are many places aspiring book reviewers can read books for free, such as Reedsy Discovery — a new platform for reviewing indie books. Of course, if you’re giving serious thought to becoming a book reviewer, your first step should be learning how to write a book review. To that end, this post covers all the basics of literary criticism. Let’s get started!

The three main steps of writing a book review are simple:

• Provide a summary: What is story about? Who are the main characters and what is the main conflict? 
• Present your evaluation: What did you think of the book? What elements worked well, and which ones didn’t? 
• Give your recommendation: Would you recommend this book to others? If so, what kinds of readers will enjoy it?

You can also download our free book review templates and use it as a guide! Otherwise, let’s take a closer look at each element.

Pro-tip : But wait! How are you sure if you should become a book reviewer in the first place? If you're on the fence, or curious about your match with a book reviewing career, take our quick quiz:

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How to write a review of a book

Step 1. provide a summary.

Have you ever watched a movie only to realize that all the good bits were already in the trailer? Well, you don’t want the review to do that. What you do want the summary to do is reveal the genre, theme, main conflict, and main characters in the story — without giving away spoilers or revealing how the story ends.

A good rule of thumb is not to mention anything that happens beyond the midpoint. Set the stage and give readers a sense of the book without explaining how the central issue is resolved.

Emily W. Thompson's review of The Crossing :

In [Michael] Doane’s debut novel, a young man embarks on a journey of self-discovery with surprising results.

An unnamed protagonist (The Narrator) is dealing with heartbreak. His love, determined to see the world, sets out for Portland, Oregon. But he’s a small-town boy who hasn’t traveled much. So, the Narrator mourns her loss and hides from life, throwing himself into rehabbing an old motorcycle. Until one day, he takes a leap; he packs his bike and a few belongings and heads out to find the Girl. Read more...

Here are a few more reviews with well-written summaries for you to check out. The summary tend to be the longest part of the book review, so we won’t turn this post into a novel itself by pasting them all here: Le Cirque Navire reviewed by Anna Brill, The Heart of Stone reviewed by Kevin R. Dickinson, Fitting Out: The Friendship Experiment reviewed by Lianna Albrizio.

Non-fiction summary tip: The primary goal of a non-fiction summary is to provide context: what problems or issues has the book spotted, and how does it go about addressing them? Be sure to mention the authors of the title and what experience or expertise they bring to the title. Check Stefan Kløvning’s review of Creativity Cycling for an example of a summary that establishes the framework of the book within the context of its field.

Step 2. Present your evaluation

While you should absolutely weave your own personal take of a book into the review, your evaluation shouldn’t only be based on your subjective opinion. Along with presenting how you reacted to the story and how it affected you, you should also try to objectively critique the stronger and weaker elements of the story, and provide examples from the text to back up your points.

To help you write your evaluation, you should record your reactions and thoughts as you work your way through a novel you’re planning on reviewing. Here are some aspects of the book to keep in mind as you do.

Your evaluation might focus heartily on the book’s prose:

Donald Barker's review of Mercenary : 

Such are the bones of the story. But, of course, it is the manner in which Mr Gaughran puts the bones back together and fills them with life that makes “Mercenary” such a great read. The author’s style seems plain; it seems straightforward and even simple. But an attempt at imitation or emulation quickly proves that simple it is not. He employs short, punchy sentences that generate excellent dialogue dripping with irony, deadpan humour and wit. This, mixed with good descriptive prose, draws the characters – and what characters they are – along with the tumultuous events in which they participated amidst the stinking, steaming heat of the South American jungle, out from the past to the present; alive, scheming, drinking, womanising and fighting, onto the written page.

You can give readers a sense of the book by drawing comparisons to other well-known titles or authors:

Laura Hartman's review of The Mystery of Ruby's Mistletoe :

Reading Ms. Donovan’s book is reminiscent to one of my favorite authors, Dame Agatha Christie. Setting up the suspects in a snowbound house, asking them to meet in the drawing room and the cleverly satisfying conclusion was extremely gratifying. I can picture Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot nodding at Ms. Donovan saying “Well done!”

Not everyone’s tastes are the same, and you can always acknowledge this by calling out specific story elements in your evaluation: 

Kevin R. Dickinson's review of The Heart of Stone :

Whether you enjoy Galley’s worldbuilding will depend heavily on preference. Galley delivers information piecemeal, letting the characters, not the author, navigate the reader through Hartlund. A notable example is the magic system, an enigmatic force that lacks the ridge structures of, say, a Brandon Sanderson novel. While the world’s magical workings are explained, you only learn what the characters know and many mysteries remain by the end. Similar choices throughout make the world feel expansive and authentic.

Non-fiction evaluation tip: A book’s topic is only as compelling as its supporting arguments. Your evaluation of a nonfiction book should address that: how clearly and effectively are the points communicated? Turn back to Stefan’s critique for an example of a non-fiction critique that covers key takeaways and readability, without giving away any “big reveals.”

Step 3. Give your recommendation 

At the end of the day, your critique needs to answer this question: is this a book you would (or wouldn’t) recommend to other readers? You might wrap up by comparing it to other books in the same genre, or authors with similar styles, such as: “Fans of so-and-so will enjoy this book.” 

Let’s take a look at a few more tips:

You don’t need to write, “I recommend this book” — you can make it clear by highlighting your favorable opinion:

Following in the footsteps of Jack Kerouac and William Least Heat-Moon, Doane offers a coming of age story about a man finding himself on the backroads of America. Doane’s a gifted writer with fluid prose and insightful observations, using The Narrator’s personal interactions to illuminate the diversity of the United States.

Despite his flaws, it’s a pleasure to accompany The Narrator on his physical and emotional journey. The unexpected ending is a fitting denouement to an epic and memorable road trip.

Add more punch to your rating by mentioning what kind of audience will or won’t enjoy the book:

Charleigh Aleyna Reid's review of The King of FU :

I would recommend this book to anyone who grew up in the 90’s and would like to reminisce about the time, someone who is interested to see what it was like to be a 90’s kid, or perhaps anyone who is looking for a unique, funny story about someone’s life.

Unless you found the title absolutely abhorrent, a good way to balance out a less favorable book review it to share what you did like about the book — before ultimately stating why you wouldn’t recommend the novel:

Nicola O's review of Secrets of the Sea Lord :

Overall, there are plenty of enjoyable elements in this story and fans of Atlantis and mer mythology should give it a try. Despite this, it does not rise above a three-star rating, and while I had some difficulty pinning down why this is, I concluded that it comes from a surprisingly unsophisticated vocabulary. There are a couple of graphic sex scenes, which is absolutely fine in a paranormal romance, but if they were removed, I could easily imagine this as an appealing story for middle-schoolers.

Non-fiction recommendation tip: As with fiction book reviews, share why you did or didn’t enjoy the title. However, in one of the starkest divergences from fiction book reviews it’s more important than ever that you mention your expectations coming into the non-fiction book. For instance, if you’re a cow farmer who’s reading a book on the benefits of becoming a vegetarian, you’re coming in with a large and inherent bias that the book will struggle to alter. So your recommendation should cover your thoughts about the book, while clearly taking account your perspective before you started reading. Let’s look once more at Stefan’s review for an example of a rating that includes an explanation of the reviewer’s own bias.

Bonus tips for writing a book review

Let’s wrap up with a few final tips for writing a compelling review.

• Remember, this isn’t a book report. If someone wants the summary of a book, they can read the synopsis. People turn to book reviews for a fellow reader’s take on the book. And for that reason...
• Have an opinion. Even if your opinion is totally middle-of-the-line — you didn’t hate the book but you didn’t love it either — state that clearly, and explain why.
• Make your stance clear from the outset. Don’t save your opinion just for the evaluation/recommendation. Weave your thoughts about the book into your summary as well, so that readers have an idea of your opinion from the outset.
• Back up your points. Instead of just saying, “the prose was evocative” — show readers by providing an actual passage that displays this. Same goes for negative points — don’t simply tell readers you found a character unbelievable, reference a certain (non-spoiler) scene that backs this up.
• Provide the details. Don’t forget to weave the book’s information into the review: is this a debut author? Is this one installment of a series? What types of books has the author written before? What is their background? How many pages does the book have? Who published the book? What is the book’s price?
• Follow guidelines. Is the review you’re writing for Goodreads? For The New York Times ? The content and tone of your review will vary a good deal from publication to publication.
• Learn from others. One of the best ways to learn how to write a great review is to read other reviews! To help you out with that, we’ve published a post all about book review examples .

Writing book reviews can be a rewarding experience! As a book-lover yourself, it’s a great opportunity to help guide readers to their next favorite title. If you’re just getting started as a reviewer and could use a couple more tips and nudges in the right direction, check out our comprehensive blog post on how to become a book reviewer . And if you want to find out which review community is the right fit for you, we recommend taking this quick quiz:

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Finally, if you feel you've nailed the basics of how to write a book review, we recommend you check out Reedsy Discovery , where you can review books for free and are guaranteed people will read them. To register as a book reviewer, simply go here !

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How To Write A Book Review: 6 Steps To Take

Adiba Jaigirdar

Adiba Jaigirdar is an Irish-Bangladeshi writer, poet, and teacher. She resides in Dublin, Ireland and has an MA in postcolonial studies. She is currently working on her own postcolonial novel and hopes that someday it will see the light of day outside of her computer screen. Twitter:  @adiba_j

View All posts by Adiba Jaigirdar

Whether you’re a student, a novice blogger, or just someone looking to become a more active user of Goodreads, writing a book review is an important skill to have! Here are six steps for how to write a book review for school and beyond. 

1. Begin with a brief summary of the book

This is probably the best way to introduce any review because it gives context. But make sure to not go into too much detail. Keep it short and sweet since an official summary can be found through a quick google search!

2. Pick out the most important aspects of the book

I usually break this down with character, world-building, themes, and plot. But this might vary between books, genres, and your tastes!

Dedicate a paragraph to each of these important aspects, discussing how well the author dealt with it, along with what you enjoyed and what you didn’t enjoy.

3. Include brief quotes as examples

Including quotes is always a great idea, because it gives examples for everything that you’re saying! If your review talks about a character being particularly witty, a witty line from the character lets your readers see exactly what kind of witty character you’re dealing with here.

But be careful: lengthy quotes can take up big chunks of space and overpower your review. Short quotes will usually get your points across while letting your work shine through.

4. Write a conclusion that summarises everything

Like your introduction, keep your conclusion short and sweet! It should bring up the main points of your review, along with your overall opinion of the book.

5. Find similar books

A great way to wrap up a review is to find similar books to the one you’re reviewing. So you can say, “if you were a fan of X book, I think you’ll definitely like this one!”

You can also be more specific, looking at the exact things that might make two books similar. So you can suggest something like…“if you liked that the main character in X book was a kick-ass superhero, then you’ll love the main character of this book!”

6. Give it a star rating

A star rating is obviously encouraged in a lot of review sites, but they’re not necessary! If you do want to give a star rating, you can go the conventional “out of five/ten” route. You could also try something slightly less conventional, and break down your star-rating into different categories for character/plot/world-building, etc.

Now go forth and review! And share any tips you have for how to write a book review in the comments.

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Best Books for 3rd Graders: Teacher Recommended

We’ve done the work and have compiled a list of teacher-recommended books perfect for this 3rd grade. This list covers a wide range of classics for young learners and are both age appropriate yet challenging. From the magical world of Harry Potter to the heartwarming tale of Wonder, we have something for every type of reader.

These books offer adventure, mystery, and fun-filled escapades to keep your child engaged and entertained. So, grab a cozy blanket and a cup of hot cocoa and prepare for quality reading time with your little one!

Exploring the World of Contemporary Books for 3rd Graders

Reading is of course important for your students as it expands language skills, imagination, and cognitive abilities. The following books cover diverse themes and characters that engage young readers. Let’s get started:

Harry Potter series – Discover magic and character development

Harry Potter, an enchanting tale of a young wizard’s battle against evil, captivates children and adults. With relatable characters, compelling plotlines, and themes of courage, friendship, and perseverance, it sparks imagination and creativity in young readers. Teachers highly recommend it as a must-read for 3rd graders seeking adventure. Join Harry and his friends on their magical journey, where the magic of reading comes alive.

The Secret Keepers – Mystery adventure

‘The Secret Keepers’ is an enthralling mystery adventure book by Trenton Lee Stewart. It tells the story of Reuben, an 11-year-old who stumbles upon a watch capable of turning back time. The book captivates young readers with its complex characters, intricate plot, and fast-paced narrative.

Beyond entertainment, it imparts valuable lessons on trust, friendship, and courage, making it a prized addition to any classroom or home library. Teachers highly recommend ‘The Secret Keepers’ for its ability to cultivate critical thinking and foster creativity in 3rd graders.

Geronimo Stilton – Adventure storytelling

The ‘Geronimo Stilton series by Elisabetta Dami offers young readers fun and engaging adventures. Filled with problem-solving and teamwork, these books entertain and impart valuable life skills. The series is educational and entertaining, with elements like humor, vocabulary words, and historical facts.

Its popularity has led to spin-off series and merchandise, making it a hit among 3rd graders who enjoy animal tales, mysteries, and imaginative storytelling.

Wonder – Dealing with difficult personal issues

The bestselling book ‘Wonder’ tells the story of a boy with facial differences and his journey through school. Its message of kindness and empathy resonates with both 3rd graders and adults. ‘Wonder’ has been adapted into a successful film and graphic novel, encouraging readers to embrace differences and practice empathy daily. It is a great starting point for exploring bullying, friendship, and self-acceptance with 3rd graders.

The Puzzling World of Winston Breen – Problem solving book that promotes teamwork

‘The Puzzling World of Winston Breen’ presents an engaging mystery that challenges third graders to solve puzzles alongside the characters. Author Eric Berlin skillfully combines humor and suspense, making the story enjoyable for young readers.

This chapter book encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills and promotes teamwork and cooperation among the characters. With its intriguing storyline and interactive elements, ‘The Puzzling World of Winston Breen’ is a must-read for any 3rd grader who enjoys mysteries and puzzles.

Inside Out and Back Again – A captivating story

‘Inside Out and Back Again’ takes readers on a captivating journey as they follow a young girl’s voyage from Vietnam to Alabama. This thought-provoking book explores themes of identity, culture, and resilience in adversity.

Written in verse, it offers third graders a unique and engaging reading experience. With its multiple awards and accolades, including the National Book Award and the Newbery Honor, ‘Inside Out and Back Again’ is a must-read for young readers seeking an inspiring and captivating story that will stay with them long after the last page.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Relatable for children

‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ brings to life a middle schooler’s hilarious and relatable experiences. With engaging illustrations and a unique narrative style, this chapter book keeps young readers entertained from start to finish. It explores important themes like friendship, bullying, and family dynamics in an accessible way. With numerous sequels, this book series is a must-read for 3rd graders looking for delightful chaos and relatable characters.

The Unadoptables – Ridiculous escapades

‘The Unadoptables’ takes readers on an adventurous journey alongside five orphans as they escape from their cruel caretaker. Set in Amsterdam, the book immerses young readers in vivid descriptions of the city’s landmarks and culture. Through the story, children learn about the importance of friendship and perseverance. With its elements of mystery and adventure, ‘The Unadoptables’ is a captivating choice for young readers who love chapter books. Its relatable characters and uplifting theme make it a must-read for 3rd graders.

The Wild Robot – Technology meets adventure

In ‘The Wild Robot’ by Peter Brown, readers are taken on a captivating journey alongside a robot who finds herself stranded on an island. Through the adventures of this charming protagonist, the book explores themes of humanity, nature, and friendship. With beautiful storytelling and meaningful messages, Brown’s illustrations bring the story to life, making it accessible to young readers. This heartwarming tale has received numerous awards and is recommended for children who enjoy adventure, technology, and engaging stories.

Esperanza Rising – An inspiring story

In the captivating story of ‘Esperanza Rising,’ readers are taken on an inspiring journey alongside a young girl as she moves from Mexico to the United States. This thought-provoking novel explores essential themes such as immigration, family, and overcoming adversity. Author Pam Muñoz Ryan skillfully engages young readers with her accessible writing style. Additionally, ‘Esperanza Rising’ allows teachers to discuss cultural differences and empathy with their students. It is a must-read for any 3rd grader seeking inspiration and a thought-provoking story.

How to Eat Fried Worms – A story of perseverance

Published in 1973, ‘How to Eat Fried Worms continues to captivate young readers with its humorous and adventurous storyline. Following Billy’s bet to eat fifteen worms in fifteen days, the book explores themes of bravery, perseverance, and standing up for oneself. Kids can relate to the character’s struggles and triumphs as they navigate friendships and challenges. With over 14 million copies sold, this timeless classic is a must-read for third graders.

Freckle Juice by Judy Blume

In Judy Blume’s ‘Freckle Juice, readers are taken on a humorous journey that explores the universal desire to be someone else. The story follows Andrew as he becomes obsessed with getting freckles, leading to disastrous and hilarious consequences. With an engaging and relatable writing style, Blume teaches important lessons about self-acceptance and being content with who you are. ‘Freckle Juice’ is a must-read chapter book for 3rd graders, offering laughs and valuable insights.

Sideways Stories from Wayside School – Classic children’s literature

‘Sideways Stories from Wayside School’ is a whimsical and humorous short story collection that captivates young readers. With quirky characters and hilarious scenarios, the book keeps readers engaged from start to finish. This chapter book, written by Louis Sachar, features easy-to-read prose, making it perfect for third graders still developing their reading skills.

Beyond the laughs, the book also imparts valuable lessons about friendship, empathy, and problem-solving. A beloved classic in children’s literature, ‘Sideways Stories from Wayside School’ is a must-read for any 3rd grader.

Stuart Little by E.B. White

A timeless classic for 3rd graders and beyond, ‘Stuart Little’ takes readers on an enchanting journey through the bustling streets of New York City. The story revolves around Stuart, a small but brave mouse, as he embarks on thrilling adventures alongside his human family and animal friends. E.B. White’s charming and witty writing style makes it a perfect read-aloud in classroom settings. Children learn valuable lessons about kindness, bravery, and perseverance through Stuart’s escapades.

Fantastic Mr. Fox – Fun filled for young learners

‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’ is a beloved children’s book by the renowned author Roald Dahl. The story revolves around a clever fox who embarks on a thrilling adventure to outwit three notorious farmers. Filled with humor, excitement, and valuable life lessons, this whimsical tale is perfect for 3rd graders who deeply love animals and enjoy engaging storytelling. It serves as an excellent introduction to the works of Roald Dahl for young readers exploring his captivating world.

Maya and the Robot – An empowering tale

‘Maya and the Robot’ is a captivating book that centers around a young girl’s journey into the world of coding and building robots. This STEM-focused story encourages young readers, like third graders, to explore their interests and embrace the power of technology. With diverse characters and themes of friendship, perseverance, and creativity, ‘Maya and the Robot offers an empowering reading experience for elementary school students.

This book, written by Eve L. Ewing, has received acclaim for its engaging story and positive message, making it a must-read for any young reader.

Lola Levine Is Not Mean – Heartwarming and delightful

In the heartwarming story, ‘Lola Levine Is Not Mean,’ young readers will embark on a journey with Lola as she navigates the challenges of finding her place in the world. Author Monica Brown’s engaging writing captures the spirit of childhood adventure while addressing themes of identity, friendship, and cultural differences. With illustrations by Angela Dominguez bringing Lola’s world to life, this book is a delightful addition to any 3rd-grade reading list.

Mercy Watson to the Rescue – Award winning book

‘Mercy Watson to the Rescue’ by Kate DiCamillo is a humorous tale about a pig named Mercy and her exciting adventures. With colorful illustrations and engaging characters, this book captivates young readers. It’s a great chapter book for 3rd graders, with short chapters and simple vocabulary. Through Mercy’s story, children will learn essential themes of kindness, empathy, and problem-solving. This Newbery Medal-winning author has created a must-read for any young reader.

Anisa’s International Day – Inspiration and aspiring

The heartwarming story of ‘Anisa’s International Day’ encourages readers aged 7 to 9 to celebrate diversity and multiculturalism. The main character Anisa takes the initiative to create an international fair at her school where different cultures are showcased. Through this, the book promotes important values such as friendship, teamwork, and accepting differences. ‘Anisa’s International Day’ is a must-read for young readers, making it a great addition to any classroom or home library.

News from Me, Lucy McGee – Sad and touching

In ‘News from Me, Lucy McGee,’ a young girl navigates the challenges of her parent’s divorce. This heartfelt story explores themes of family, friendship, and discovering one’s voice in difficult situations. Mary Amato, the author, skillfully combines humor and emotion, creating an engaging and relatable tale. With its relatable characters and thoughtful narrative, this book is recommended for 3rd graders, offering a valuable resource for discussing divorce’s impact on children.

Dog Man: From the Creator of Captain Underpants – A fun graphic novel

The ‘Dog Man: From the Creator of Captain Underpants series is a thrilling graphic novel that captivates young readers with its humor, action-packed adventures, and relatable characters. Written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey, the creator of the famous Captain Underpants series, these books are specifically designed to engage kids and encourage reading.

With 10 books in the series, there’s plenty of content for third graders. Educators and parents alike have praised Dog Man for its positive impact on reading and literacy skills.

Bernice Buttman, Model Citizen – Riveting topics around social issues

‘Bernice Buttman, Model Citizen’ is a compelling book that follows the story of a resilient young girl from a challenging neighborhood who perseveres and aims to improve her life. This relatable tale explores essential themes such as friendship, empathy, and overcoming obstacles. Written by Niki Lenz, it has received acclaim for its humor and ability to connect with young readers.

This realistic fiction with strong characters is recommended for 3rd graders and can serve as a valuable resource for teachers to delve into discussions surrounding relevant social issues.

The Secret Garden – A timeless classic f

‘The Secret Garden’ by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a timeless classic for young readers. The book follows the journey of a young girl named Mary as she discovers a magical garden. The novel explores themes of friendship, forgiveness, and the power of nature.

‘The Secret Garden’ is a great way to introduce children to literary techniques like symbolism and foreshadowing. The book has been adapted into several films and stage productions, making it a multi-media experience for young readers.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – Another must read classic

‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ takes readers on a whimsical and imaginative journey through a fantastical world. The book’s themes of identity, self-discovery, and imagination encourage critical thinking and creativity in 3rd graders. Written by Lewis Carroll, this classic tale introduces young readers to the works of a celebrated author from the Victorian era. ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ is highly recommended by teachers for its timeless appeal and ability to capture the hearts of young readers.

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe – Became a popular movie

‘The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe’ by C.S. Lewis takes young readers on a magical and epic adventure into a fantasy world. This classic book has captivated children for decades and continues to inspire them today. It teaches valuable lessons about bravery, loyalty, and determination while offering a glimpse into a fantastical realm filled with mythical creatures and enchanting magic.

With its relatable characters and captivating storyline, ‘The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe’ is a must-read for any 3rd grader’s bookshelf.

Charlotte’s Web – Classic read on loss and love

‘The Endearing Tale of ‘Charlotte’s Web” is a heartwarming story that follows the unlikely friendship between Wilbur, a pig, and Charlotte, a spider. This book, written by E.B. White, has been cherished by readers since its publication in 1952. It teaches valuable lessons about friendship, loyalty, and selflessness and provides relatable characters and themes that resonate with young readers in the third grade. The enduring popularity of ‘Charlotte’s Web’ has led to its adaptations into movies and stage productions, cementing its place as a beloved classic in children’s literature.

Little House in the Big Woods – Charming tale of a bygone era

‘Little House in the Big Woods’ by Laura Ingalls Wilder takes readers on a journey back to the late 1800s, offering a glimpse into the simple and rustic rural life through the eyes of a young girl. With its focus on family values, self-sufficiency, and the charms of rural living, this classic chapter book captivates young readers with its relatable characters and enchanting storytelling. It also allows parents and teachers to explore historical events and cultural differences. Adventure, animals, and the great outdoors await in this must-read for 3rd graders.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer – Social class and culture

‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer’ is a captivating and thrilling novel that follows the exhilarating escapades of a young boy. Filled with themes of friendship, adventure, and growing up, this classic book offers an immersive experience of the American small-town life of the mid-19th century. It provides a unique perspective on social class and culture during that era, making it an ideal choice for 3rd graders interested in exploring classic literature and historical fiction.

A Wrinkle in Time – Strong female characters

‘A Wrinkle in Time’ by Madeline L’Engle continues to captivate young readers with its timeless appeal. This classic novel showcases strong female characters and delves into good versus evil, science, and family themes. It has received numerous awards and has been adapted into movies and TV shows. ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ encourages imagination and critical thinking, making it a must-read for third graders. Additionally, the book is a valuable tool for discussing topics such as diversity, acceptance, and perseverance.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz – Both a movie and an interesting book

‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ by L. Frank Baum is a beloved adventure story that has captivated generations of young readers. In this classic tale, a young girl named Dorothy embarks on an exciting journey to the magical land of Oz. Along her adventurous ride, she encounters fascinating characters like the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion.

This enchanting book beautifully conveys important lessons about friendship, courage, and determination, making it a must-read for 3rd graders drawn to tales of adventure and magic.

Best books for 3rd grade – Conclusion

In conclusion, these teacher-recommended books for 3rd graders offer various genres and themes that will captivate young readers. From magical adventures in “Harry Potter” to heartwarming tales in “Wonder,” these books will inspire imagination and foster a love for reading.

Whether it’s the whimsical charm of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” or the timeless appeal of “Charlotte’s Web,” each book on this list has something unique to offer. So, encourage your 3rd grader to dive into these captivating stories and embark on unforgettable literary journeys. Help them discover the joy of reading and let their imaginations soar. These books are sure to become treasured favorites on their bookshelves.

Editorial Staff

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Writing an Excellent Book Review: A Step-by-Step Guide

‘ So many books, so little time ’, said Frank Zappa. We all love to read storybooks. They are filled with amazing characters, beautiful pictures and so many more things. These books welcome us into their fascinating world, spark our imagination and curiosity and, above all, they bring joy to our life. We then want to share our experience of reading a particular book with our family and friends. Some of us might find it tough to remember all the details at that time. One way of remembering all the wonderful details of the book is by writing them down. So, let’s learn how to write a book review today!

Tips on how to write a book review for children

There are many reasons for learning to write a book review. It helps us share our thoughts and feelings about the book, strengthens our writing skills and sharpens our thinking skills. Now, are you ready to write a book review? Here are a few things that you would want to cover in your book review. Pick up the latest book you have read and let’s get started!

Title, author and other details

Before you even begin to write your book review, you need to write down the title of the book and the name of the author. You may also want to write the name of the illustrator who created the beautiful images in the book. Another good practice would be to write the name of the publisher. You are most likely to find this information on the cover page of your book. 

Here’s the order: 

• Title of the book
• Name of the author
• Name of the illustrator
• Name of the publisher

Book ratings

A Book review is all about your opinion of the book. Hence, you should include something that lets the reader know instantly if you liked or disliked the book. One way of doing this is to give it a rating out of 10 or use the 5-star method. For example, you could give all 5 stars to a great book and 2 stars to a book that you didn’t really like. Remember that your book review must be in line with these ratings, so do this at the end, but leave some room for it on top of the page so that the reader notices it instantly. 

Here’s the rating guide:

• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – I loved this book, and I think everyone else will love it too. 
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – I liked this book, and I think most of my friends would like it. 
• ⭐⭐⭐ – It’s a good book, and many will enjoy reading it. 
• ⭐⭐ – I didn’t like this book, but a few of my friends would like it. 
• ⭐ – I didn’t like this book at all, and most of my friends will agree with me. 

Summarise the book

Summarise the book in less than 100 words. Be mindful and do not give away too much information about the story. While summarising the book, remember to not give away the surprises in the book. You could describe where the story takes place and the main event in the story.

Here are a few things you can include in your summary:

• Moral of the story or a lesson learned from reading the story.
• Place and main event of the story; just don’t reveal the surprise here.
• Main characters and what kind of people they are. 
• How easy is the book to understand?

Share things that you liked and disliked about the book

Start by writing about three things that you really liked about the book. You could talk about the words used, the characters and how the story began or ended. Then you could cover things that you disliked in the book; it could be the pictures or even the way the story ended. 

Here are a few things you could talk about:

• Did you like the way the story was written–beginning, middle and end?
• Did you like the ending? Why or why not? Could it be better?
• Were the characters and their thoughts explained well?
• Were the words easy to understand?
• Were there pictures? Did you like them? Why or why not?
• Was the story interesting or dull? Why or why not?

These pointers will help you write a book review that covers almost everything about the book. At the end of it, you could also mention if you would like your family and friends to read it as soon as possible or if they can pick another book to read. Remember that writing a book review is not always easy; initially you may find it very hard, but soon with practice you will get better. So keep writing! All the best! 

Did you find these tips helpful? Do leave a book review of your favourite book in the comments section. 

Also read, 

• A Step-By-Step Poetry Writing Guide For Children
• Seven-Day Challenge To Help Your Child Write Their Very First Story
• The Ultimate Checklist For Language Development

About the Author

Mekhala Joshi

“Me-kha-la!” That happens at least once when she introduces herself to new people. She wholeheartedly believes in the quote by Arthur Rubinstein that says – “if you love life, life will love you back”. She is an organizational psychologist and psychometrician. She was a class teacher of 36 adorable girls for two years, grades 2 & 3, as a part of the Teach For India Fellowship. These little girls have a special place in her heart, and when she writes for children, she writes for them!

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

August 21, 2023

I am loving your articles. As a volunteer who have worked for Teach for India, i can appreciate that you wrote this article by putting yourself in the shoes of them. Because whenever there is a presentation, or a speech by a visitor to the college or school, I use to do the same. My focus was on giving high quality feedback at the end of the lecture so i use to jot down all the important ideas discussed.

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How to Write a Book Review: Awesome Guide

A book review allows students to illustrate the author's intentions of writing the piece, as well as create a criticism of the book — as a whole. In other words, form an opinion of the author's presented ideas. Check out this guide from EssayPro - book review writing service to learn how to write a book review successfully.

What Is a Book Review?

You may prosper, “what is a book review?”. Book reviews are commonly assigned students to allow them to show a clear understanding of the novel. And to check if the students have actually read the book. The essay format is highly important for your consideration, take a look at the book review format below.

Book reviews are assigned to allow students to present their own opinion regarding the author’s ideas included in the book or passage. They are a form of literary criticism that analyzes the author’s ideas, writing techniques, and quality. A book analysis is entirely opinion-based, in relevance to the book. They are good practice for those who wish to become editors, due to the fact, editing requires a lot of criticism.

Book Review Template

The book review format includes an introduction, body, and conclusion.

• Introduction
• Describe the book cover and title.
• Include any subtitles at this stage.
• Include the Author’s Name.
• Write a brief description of the novel.
• Briefly introduce the main points of the body in your book review.
• Avoid mentioning any opinions at this time.
• Use about 3 quotations from the author’s novel.
• Summarize the quotations in your own words.
• Mention your own point-of-view of the quotation.
• Remember to keep every point included in its own paragraph.
• In brief, summarize the quotations.
• In brief, summarize the explanations.
• Finish with a concluding sentence.
• This can include your final opinion of the book.
• Star-Rating (Optional).

Get Your BOOK REVIEW WRITTEN!

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How to Write a Book Review: Step-By-Step

Writing a book review is something that can be done with every novel. Book reviews can apply to all novels, no matter the genre. Some genres may be harder than others. On the other hand, the book review format remains the same. Take a look at these step-by-step instructions from our professional writers to learn how to write a book review in-depth.

Step 1: Planning

Create an essay outline which includes all of the main points you wish to summarise in your book analysis. Include information about the characters, details of the plot, and some other important parts of your chosen novel. Reserve a body paragraph for each point you wish to talk about.

Consider these points before writing:

• What is the plot of the book? Understanding the plot enables you to write an effective review.
• Is the plot gripping? Does the plot make you want to continue reading the novel? Did you enjoy the plot? Does it manage to grab a reader’s attention?
• Are the writing techniques used by the author effective? Does the writer imply factors in-between the lines? What are they?
• Are the characters believable? Are the characters logical? Does the book make the characters are real while reading?
• Would you recommend the book to anyone? The most important thing: would you tell others to read this book? Is it good enough? Is it bad?
• What could be better? Keep in mind the quotes that could have been presented better. Criticize the writer.

Step 2: Introduction

Presumably, you have chosen your book. To begin, mention the book title and author’s name. Talk about the cover of the book. Write a thesis statement regarding the fictitious story or non-fictional novel. Which briefly describes the quoted material in the book review.

Step 3: Body

Choose a specific chapter or scenario to summarise. Include about 3 quotes in the body. Create summaries of each quote in your own words. It is also encouraged to include your own point-of-view and the way you interpret the quote. It is highly important to have one quote per paragraph.

Step 4: Conclusion

Write a summary of the summarised quotations and explanations, included in the body paragraphs. After doing so, finish book analysis with a concluding sentence to show the bigger picture of the book. Think to yourself, “Is it worth reading?”, and answer the question in black and white. However, write in-between the lines. Avoid stating “I like/dislike this book.”

Step 5: Rate the Book (Optional)

After writing a book review, you may want to include a rating. Including a star-rating provides further insight into the quality of the book, to your readers. Book reviews with star-ratings can be more effective, compared to those which don’t. Though, this is entirely optional.

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Dive into literary analysis with EssayPro . Our experts can help you craft insightful book reviews that delve deep into the themes, characters, and narratives of your chosen books. Enhance your understanding and appreciation of literature with us.

Writing Tips

Here is the list of tips for the book review:

• A long introduction can certainly lower one’s grade: keep the beginning short. Readers don’t like to read the long introduction for any essay style.
• It is advisable to write book reviews about fiction: it is not a must. Though, reviewing fiction can be far more effective than writing about a piece of nonfiction
• Avoid Comparing: avoid comparing your chosen novel with other books you have previously read. Doing so can be confusing for the reader.
• Opinion Matters: including your own point-of-view is something that is often encouraged when writing book reviews.
• Refer to Templates: a book review template can help a student get a clearer understanding of the required writing style.
• Don’t be Afraid to Criticize: usually, your own opinion isn’t required for academic papers below Ph.D. level. On the other hand, for book reviews, there’s an exception.
• Use Positivity: include a fair amount of positive comments and criticism.
• Review The Chosen Novel: avoid making things up. Review only what is presented in the chosen book.
• Enjoyed the book? If you loved reading the book, state it. Doing so makes your book analysis more personalized.

Writing a book review is something worth thinking about. Professors commonly assign this form of an assignment to students to enable them to express a grasp of a novel. Following the book review format is highly useful for beginners, as well as reading step-by-step instructions. Writing tips is also useful for people who are new to this essay type. If you need a book review or essay, ask our book report writing services ' write paper for me ' and we'll give you a hand asap!

We also recommend that everyone read the article about essay topics . It will help broaden your horizons in writing a book review as well as other papers.

Book Review Examples

Referring to a book review example is highly useful to those who wish to get a clearer understanding of how to review a book. Take a look at our examples written by our professional writers. Click on the button to open the book review examples and feel free to use them as a reference.

Book review

Kenneth Grahame’s ‘The Wind in the Willows’

Kenneth Grahame’s ‘The Wind in the Willows’ is a novel aimed at youngsters. The plot, itself, is not American humor, but that of Great Britain. In terms of sarcasm, and British-related jokes. The novel illustrates a fair mix of the relationships between the human-like animals, and wildlife. The narrative acts as an important milestone in post-Victorian children’s literature.

Book Review

Dr. John’s ‘Pollution’

Dr. John’s ‘Pollution’ consists of 3 major parts. The first part is all about the polluted ocean. The second being about the pollution of the sky. The third part is an in-depth study of how humans can resolve these issues. The book is a piece of non-fiction that focuses on modern-day pollution ordeals faced by both animals and humans on Planet Earth. It also focuses on climate change, being the result of the global pollution ordeal.

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is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

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Books For Third Grade Readers​

Everything you need to know to support your third-grade reader..

If you have been watching your child’s  reading progress  with eager anticipation since that first touch-and-feel baby book , then the  third-grade reading level*  is a time to get really excited. While readers at first – and second-grade levels are, for the most part, still learning the fundamentals of reading, the third-grade level is when readers tend to start  finding their reading wings . From  greater reading confidence and ability  to  a sense of independence  in the topics and genres they choose, readers at the third-grade level are busy developing  more complex reading skills  at this stage in reading development.

More broadly, the third-grade level is a  transitional period  in which readers build the skills they will need to tackle more complex educational tasks; readers at this level are transitioning from learning to read to reading to learn. Much of a reader’s  later academic success  will depend on the skills developed at this critical stage. In this article, we’ll outline key skills to look out for and support, as well as some of the choices you can turn to support your reader’s fledgling independence.

Remember that not every child develops reading skills (or any skill, for that matter) at the same pace, and children of the same age may have widely varying reading levels. A child in third grade will not necessarily be reading at a third-grade reading level—they may be reading at a  first – or  second-grade  reading level or a fourth- or fifth-grade reading level or above.

Supporting A Third-Grade-Level Reader’s Growing Confidence and Reading Ability

Your third-grade level reader is probably reading at least some texts independently and has developed a good-enough command of language to be able to appreciate plot and meaning. According to the common core standards, a  reader at this level  should be reading some multi-syllable and irregularly spelled words, self-correct mistakes, and answer text-specific questions. Developing these skills means that they are ready for more challenging reading tasks.

To help your third-grade level readers progress at this stage, encourage them to branch out and explore new authors, genres, topics, and writing styles. Provide reading-related tasks and questions that help them understand non-literal expressions, such as metaphors, and encourage them to express opinions, make comparisons, and talk about books.

This stage is also the right one to start introducing  supporting skills , such as looking up unfamiliar words, judging the quality of a book, and understanding context. Show your reader how to use tools like dictionaries and search engines, encourage them to articulate the strengths and weaknesses of a book, and urge them to research authors’ lives and the historical periods in which different books were written.

Finally, as your reader develops more complex reading skills, you will want to be on the lookout for emerging reading disabilities. Research suggests that intervention received at the second-and third-grade readings levels is much  more effective  than that delivered at a later stage.

Choosing Books by Subject Matter to Support Developing Third-Grade Reading Skills

As already mentioned, the third-grade level is the ideal time to start exploring new things. There are several areas worth exploring as you help your reader choose exciting new books.

Historical fiction can be a great way to help your reader flex their comprehension muscles and explore context simultaneously. Ellen Levine’s Henry’s Freedom Box , Yona Zeldis McDonough’s  The Bicycle Spy , and Patricia Polacco’s  Fiona’s Lace are great choices.

If you are homeschooling, classic fiction—think Pippi Longstocking , Roald Dahl novels, or fairy tales —are a great option because so many supporting educational materials are freely available.

While many readers will gravitate to fiction, it is also worth remembering that fantastic non-fiction options are available for this age group. Look for biographies , like Joseph Bruchac’s A Boy Called Slow or Ann McGovern’s The Secret Soldier , or informational texts— National Geographic has offerings on just about every subject under the sun, from dinosaurs to soccer.  

Choosing Genres and Forms to Support a Wide Range of Interests and Literacy Skills

The third-grade level also opens up a range of new forms and  genres of text for your reader to enjoy. Series books can offer a sense of familiarity and security and are an excellent choice for reluctant readers (although they pose a risk to variety and breadth of reading matter).  Captain Underpants , How to Train Your Dragon ,  and  Wayside School   are all popular choices, with enough substance to challenge as well as entertain.

Don’t forget to include some poetry:  Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes ,  books by Shel Silverstein , and Dr. Seuss ‘s stories are all great choices.

Readers at this level can also branch out from the written word to other forms of reading: magazines, audiobooks , and graphic novels can all be fantastic ways to introduce your reader to new ideas and develop broader forms of literacy. For example, the  Adventures in Cartooning  series by James Sturm will help readers build their drawing and writing skills as well as visual literacy, and magazines like  MotoKids ,  Little Player , and  Young Rider  can help your reader build literacy skills while indulging in specialist interests.

Supporting Diversity and Inclusion in Book Choices for Third-Grade Readers

Readers’ burgeoning critical thinking skills at this level make this an ideal stage for deeper exploration of social issues , including diversity and inclusion . There are many excellent books for readers at this level, from non-fiction books on advocacy , history books , and  biographies to historical and contemporary fiction.

For example, Todd Kortemeier’s  Unsung Heroes of Social Justice  introduces readers to some of the less well-known heroes of social justice movements through time. Kaelyn Rich’s  Girls Resist!   provides a practical guide to advocacy and protest for young women (although the advice is equally relevant to other ages and genders). Cece Bell’s  El Deafo ,  Ruby Bridges and Margo Lundell’s  Through My Eyes ,  and Allen Say’s  Grandfather’s Journey   are all examples of powerful texts that celebrate diversity for this reading level.

Check Out Some of the Best Books for Third Graders

• 5 Gorgeous Animal Adventure Novels for Kids
• 4 African American Biography Books for Kids
• I Survived Graphic Novel Series Review
• 10 Outstanding Poetry Books for Kids
• 5 Excellent Audiobooks for Kids Ages 8 and Up

BOOKS FOR THIRD GRADE READERS

• You Can Change the World: The Kids’ Guide to a Better Planet | Book Review

You Can Change the World: The Kids’ Guide to a Better Planet is a well-written, inspirational, and practical guide to environmental activism for kids.

• The Legendary Mo Seto, by A.Y. Chan | Dedicated Review

The Legendary Mo Seto is a touching but action-packed coming-of-age tale, perfect for readers who love action, mystery, and immersion in a good fight scene. 

• An Interview with A. Y. Chan, Creator of ‘The Legendary Mo Seto’

In this captivating interview, A. Y. Chan, the author of The Legendary Mo Seto, shares insights into the inspiration behind her debut novel.

• Daisy’s Near CATastrophe | Dedicated Review

Daisy’s Near CATastrophe is a sweet and inspiring story, perfect for pet lovers and for sparking conversations about bravery and self-belief. 

The Magic Sea Turtle, by Kathleen Welton | Awareness Tour

Join us on a virtual book tour for the enchanting picture book The Magic Sea Turtle by Kathleen Welton, illustrated by Chau Pham.

The Magic Sea Turtle, by Kathleen Welton | Dedicated Review

The Magic Sea Turtle is a story about learning how to grow and benefit from adversity. Change comes to everyone, but it can be a scary prospect.

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• The Legendary Mo Seto, by A.Y. Chan | Book Giveaway

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BOOK REVIEWS BY KIDS

Guidelines for parents to help children write book reviews.

Book : Dog man

Author : Dav Pilkey Review by : Samar

Review : I like this book because dog man is very smart and powerful. my favorite part dog man saving the world,my not favorite part is petey tried to escape from [Read More]

Book : Cat kid comic club perspectives

Review : What i liked about this book is that melvin and naomi became happy with each other. what i dont like about this book is they keep fighting . Samar. [Read More]

Book : Geronimo stilton

Author : Elisabetta Dami Review by : Aarav Singh Kalsi

Review : Geronimo Stliton is a realy good book .it has so many adventurs featurs .I love the book most because it has funny parts in the book. [Read More]

Book : MEETING the CHALLENGE

Author : Kassymzhomart Tokaev Review by : Aiym Kakimzhanova

Review : Good morning/evening/night, I would like to share an preview of an book, it clearly shows, the progress of being diplomat, Tokaev (President of Kazakhstan) started working in a [Read More]

Book : Diary of a wimpy kid the last straw

Author : Jeff Kinney Review by : Aahana

Review : Hi my name is Aahana and today I will review the book Diary of a wimpy kid the last straw. The book is amazing and the way he tells what's [Read More]

Book : The Story of Heidi

Author : Johana Spyri Review by : Nano

Review : This book is about a girl name Heidi a 10 or 12 year old girl. The genre of this book is folklore and adventure. once upon a time there was a girl [Read More]

Book : Dog Man the Tale of Two Kities

Author : Dav Pilkey Review by : Spock

Review : Character is DOGMAN the police dog and the DOGMAN oner chief and Petty the cat. PLOT SUMMARY the book is about they have to kids named Geor and Harold they [Read More]

Book : The Twelve Dancing Princesses

Author : Emma Helbrough Review by : Poom

Review : This book is very fun I rate it for 4.5 stars. There was a grumpy king that had twelve princesses. The princesses liked to dance but the king hated it. One [Read More]

Book : Pigsticks and Harold and the incredible journey!

Author : Alex Milkway Review by : Pitipatt Nipanutiyun Pat

Review : This book is about a pig called Pigsticks who wants a partner then he founded a perfect partner called Harold and my favorite page is page 64 to page 65 because it [Read More]

Book : Masha And The Bunny

Author : Aranniyan Review by : Rajeev

Review : Once upon a time, there was a girl named Masha. She likes bunnies. She always plays with the bunny. Masha's Father Comes at 7clock. happy when she sees her father. [Read More]

Book : 101 Dalmatians

Author : Walt Disney Hard Cover Edition Review by : Ibhan Diwan

Review : I decided to read this book because I like dogs. I loved that every page in this book had a dog!! I was surprised to see 99 puppies. But I never [Read More]

Book : Turtle in Paradise

Author : Jennifer L Holm Review by : Ishita Padiyar

Review : The book is about a girl named Turtle who goes to her relatives’ place who she has never met before. She makes friends and finds treasure with them. Her mother [Read More]

Book : Land of Stories Series

Author : Chris Colfer Review by : Ishita Padiyar

Review : I read all 6 books in this series. The series is about twins – Alex and Conner. Their grandmother gifts them a book called The Land Of Stories. They fall into the [Read More]

Book : Matilda

Author : Roald Dahl Review by : Idhika Diwan

Review : I decided to read this book as I like the book cover. The book cover has the picture of a girl reading. I also like to read hence I chose [Read More]

Book : Queen Clara

Author : Ladybird Books Review by : Ibhan Diwan

Review : I decided to read this book because I want to be a king. Like a king, I want to rule everyone in the country. This book is about a queen [Read More]

Book : Big Cats

Author : Rhonda Klevansky Review by : Idhika Diwan

Review : In the first week of my summer holidays, I finished reading this book. This is a big and heavy book and is all about big cats like lion and tiger. [Read More]

Book : Daddy Pig's Office

Review : I read this book during the starting of summer holidays. It was a fun story about Peppa Pig and her little brother, George. The most fun part of the book [Read More]

Book : Cheeky Little Kitten

Author : Joan Stimson Review by : Ibhan Diwan

Review : I read this book, last week. It is about a little kitten and his friends. It is a very very funny book because it has so much of tickling. The [Read More]

Book : That cat with the feathery tail and other stories

Author : Enid Blyton Review by : Idhika Diwan

Review : I read this book yesterday evening. It is a collection of 15 stories. I enjoyed all the stories in this book. My favourite story was “Simple Simon goes shopping”. This funny [Read More]

Book : Pete the cat- Sir Pete the brave

Author : James Dean Review by : Aaradhya Tejas Thatte

Review : My favorite book is “Pete the cat- Sir Pete the brave”. This book is about Sir Pete and Lady Callie. One night, lady Callie plays harp beautifully and everyone falls [Read More]

Book : Some places more than others

Author : Renie Watson Review by : Jahnavigouri Panicker

Review : Some places more than others is a pretty good story about finding your roots written by Renèe Watson. Amara lives in Oregon and she want to visit New York, [Read More]

Book : Night diary

Author : Veera Hiranandani Review by : Jahnavigouri Panicker

Review : See the video review on my booktube channel https://youtu.be/q6M01lcUNOU This book is so good .Capturing writing style. Brilliant book. Must buy. The book is written [Read More]

Book : Strange birds a field guide to ruffling feathers

Author : Ceila. C.Perez Review by : Jahnavigouri Panicker

Review : ~~' Even though history is in the past and we can't do anything about what happened then we can try to make it right to day ' ~~ ■ This book Strange [Read More]

Book : Living in Space

Author : Katie Daynes Review by : Ibhan Diwan

Review : Last week I finished reading a book called “Living in Space”. Do you know why I read this book? I read it because I want to go to space. This [Read More]

Book : Snicker the Brownie.. and other stories

Review : This week I finished reading a collection of stories. I got this book as a present for Dussehra. There were sixteen stories in the book. Out of these, I liked [Read More]

Book : Cars 3

Author : Disney Pixar Movie Book Collection Review by : Ibhan Diwan

Review : Last week I finished reading a book called Cars 3. The book is a part of Disney Pixar Movie Book Collection. It is a very big book. I took one week [Read More]

Book : Finding Nemo

Author : Disney Pixar Movie Book Collection Review by : Idhika Diwan

Review : I recently finished a book called “Finding Nemo”. This book is a part of Disney Pixar Movie Book Collection. The book is about a young clownfish called Nemo and his [Read More]

Book : The Lion King

Author : Disney Review by : Ibhan Diwan

Review : I finished reading a book called “The Lion King”. It is about a lion called King Mufasa, Queen Sarabi and their son called Simba. His father told Simba that when [Read More]

Book : James and the Giant Peach

Review : Book review of James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl During my Christmas vacation, I finished a book called “James and the Giant Peach”. The book was about a [Read More]

Book : Spell Bound!

Author : Nalini Sorensen Review by : Vania Vriksha

Review : Our 5.5 year old voracious reader LOVED it ! We encouraged Vania to review the book 'Spellbound!' written by Nalini Sorensen & published by Scholastic. Her observations - • The cover of the [Read More]

Book : By Royal Appointment

Author : Jeffrey Archer Review by : Vania Vriksha

Review : Our 5.5 year old daughter reviews the book "By Royal Appointment" written by Jeffrey Archer, illustrated by Priya Kuriyan & published by Pan Macmillan India. Here are her answers to our questions: 1. [Read More]

Book : Friends Behind Walls

Author : Harshikaa Udasi Review by : Vasudha Jhawar

Review : My name is Vasudha Jhawar and today I have written a book review about a book called FRIENDS BEHIND WALLS. The author of the book is Harshikaa Udasi so let [Read More]

Book : The Ickabog

Author : J.K.Rowling Review by : Vasudha Jhawar

Review : This story is about 'Ickabog', the monster, who people thought was scary and fearsome. It starts with the story of Fred, the king of Cornucopia and his Chief advisor Herringbone, [Read More]

Book : Fun in Devlok Omnibus

Author : Devdutt Pattanaik Review by : Vasudha Jhawar

Review : This book tells various stories of Indian gods and goddesses portrayed as human beings. There are stories about Saraswati, Kama, Yama, Krishna and even cows. It is enjoyable, imaginative and [Read More]

Book : Charlotte's Web

Author : E.B.White Review by : Tejas Sriram

Review : The main characters in Charlotte's Web are Wilbur, the pig, and Charlotte, the spider. Wilbur is about to be killed! Only one who can save him is Charlotte. Fern adopts [Read More]

Book : Famous Five: Five on a Hike Together

Author : Enid Blyton Review by : Tejas Sriram

Review : The Famous Five series, by Enid Blyton, is one of the bestsellers. It is extraordinary, innovative, fun and mind-blowing stories of children who solve mysteries. My favourite book is Book 10: [Read More]

Book : Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Author : JK Rowling Review by : Tejas Sriram

Review : An Intro to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Dumbledore: The headmaster of Hogwarts. Being a great man, he saves Harry Potter from Voldemort. Harry Potter: The main character, Potter, [Read More]

Book : Gullivers Stories

Author : Jonathan Swift Review by : Aashima Nair

Review : Lemuel Gulliver, a voyager of the sea. He leaves his homeland, England, in search of adventure. He washes up on a strange island. The people speak a different language, have [Read More]

Book : FING

Author : David Waliams Review by : Aashima Nair

Review : FING When I was about 3 or 4 years old, I was afraid of any type of monster or weird creature. Ironically, after the age of 5, I fell in love with monsters. [Read More]

Book : Ignited Minds

Author : A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Review by : Aashima Nair

Review : We all have heard of the scientist A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (1931-2015). He received a number of awards like the Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990) and the Bharat Ratna (1997). He [Read More]

Book : Magic Tree House - Valley of dinosaurs

Author : Mary Pope Osborne Review by : Aaditri

Age : 6 years 7 months

Review : Once there were two kids Jack and Annie. Jack liked real things but Annie liked pretend things. When they were going home they saw a magic tree house. They climbed [Read More]

Book : The Jungle Storytelling Festival

Author : Janaki Sabesh Review by : Vania Vriksha

Age : 3 years 10 months

Review : The book is written by Janaki Aunty. Aunty who draws(illustrator Debosmita Mazumdar)has drawn Ostroo in pink,orange,black & white)The book cover is green because it has leaves [Read More]

Book : Something's moving !

Author : Daya Subramanian Review by : Vania Vriksha

Age : 3 years 9 months

Review : Recently, we started to ask questions after reading the book with Vania encouraging her to retell the story in her own words! Here's Vania's take on the book as she [Read More]

Book : The Case of the Stolen Smells

Author : Pankaja Srinivasan Review by : Vania Vriksha

Review : I like Bajji hand with green nail polish on the cover of the book....Raju works in Indian haircut saloon...Indian flag is there on the board...Raju was eating [Read More]

Book : Princess Easy Pleasy

Author : Natasha Sharma Review by : Vania Vriksha

Review : Review of the humour quotient in the book : Princess Easy Pleasy says 'eww I don't like this Taaza milk'. The cow drinking watermelon juice. Rabbit going inside Queen's dress. They [Read More]

Book : Diary of a Wimpy Kid- The Meltdown

Author : Jeff Kinney Review by : Aashima Nair

Review : It is currently winter and one of these days I thought I was going to freeze to death but thank god it does't snow in Mumbai or I would not [Read More]

Book : The Adventures of Captain Underpants

Author : Dav Pilkey Review by : Aashima Nair

Review : I recently read a book called The Adventures of Captain Underpants.The reader of this review may think this the weirdest book on the planet, but you are wrong. The [Read More]

Book : Esio Trot

Author : Roald Dahl Review by : Aashima Nair

Review : Esio Trot (The word tortoise backwards) I recently read a book called Esio Trot by Roald Dahl. It was a hilarious and let me tell what it is all about. [Read More]

Book : Charlie and the Choclate Factory

Review : Both adults and children love chocolate. It is one of the most adored foods in the world. If you are a chocolate lover how would you feel if you entered [Read More]

Review : Books, books and more books. That would be heaven for some people, but for some kids this is normal. I read a book called Matilda sometime ago. This story is [Read More]

Book : The Creakers

Author : Tom Fletcher Review by : Mihir Garg

Age : 10 years 6 months

Review : Have you ever been curious about what makes those creaking noises under your bed? These sounds are made by the creakers. 10-year-old Lucy is astonished to find that all the [Read More]

Book : BOOKASURA

Author : Arundhati Venkatesh Review by : Aashima Nair

Review : Do you like books? How would you feel if someone came and destroyed all of them . I recently read a book called Bookasura .Yes, it is exactly how it sounds . [Read More]

Book : Tom Gates-Genius Ideas

Author : L. Pichon Review by : Aashima Nair

Review : What do you call a genius idea? Is it an amazing thought or is it an idea you thought was out of this world. I recently read a book called [Read More]

Book : The Boy In A Dress

Author : David Walliams Review by : Siddharth Sharma

Review : Here is my review of the book ‘The Boy in a Dress’ by David Walliams. The story starts with a family of three – Dennis, his elder brother and their father. [Read More]

Book : Where's the Meerkat?

Author : Paul Moran Review by : Disha Raam

Age : 5 years 9 months

Review : This book is about finding Meerkats in different places of the world. The meerkats hide in each place and we need to find them all. They hide in Cairo, Rio [Read More]

Book : Four Children and IT

Author : Jacqueline Wilson Review by : Siddharth Sharma

Age : 10 years 4 months

Review : I read a book called Four Children and It written by Jacqueline Wilson. It’s a fiction book inspired by the book Five Children and It written by E Nesbit [Read More]

Book : Horrid High

Author : Payal Kapadia Review by : Siddharth Sharma

Age : 10 years 3 months

Review : Horridness to the Core I recently read a story called Horrid High and here is my review about it.     The book is about a boy named Ferg. Ferg's parents wanted [Read More]

Book : Dosa Amma Dosa

Author : Tulika Publishers Review by : Vania Vriksha

Age : 3 years 1 months

Review : Ghee roast dosa is my favorite because it is tasty. My favorite line in the book 'And one big dosa all for me'! [Read More]

Book : The Butterfly Dance

Author : Suzanne Barton Review by : Aaditri

Age : 5 years 7 months

Review : The book is about two butterflies Dotty and Stripe. Dotty was a blue butterfly and Stripe was a red butterfly. They were best friends and they shared everything. They always [Read More]

Book : Kutti and the mouse

Author : Shobha Viswanath Review by : Vania Vriksha

Age : 3 years 0 months

Review : I like the story because of kozhukaatais (they are yummy) ! Characters I like in the story are Kausi and Kumar. I can imitate Kutti and her Amma! My favorite dialog [Read More]

Book : Tonka If I Could Drive An Ambulance

Author : Michael Teitelbaum Review by : Edward

Review : He imagines that his ambulance's emergency lights flashing and siren blaring racing all over town [Read More]

Book : What if

Author : A. H. Benjamin Review by : Aaditri

Age : 5 years 1 months

Review : This story is about some farm animals and their first meeting with a kangaroo. The animals didn't know what a kangaroo could do. They were very worried because they thought [Read More]

Book : Fancy Nancy - Every Day is Earth Day

Author : Jane O'Conner Review by : Aaditri

Age : 4 years 10 months

Review : It is about Being Green.In school Fancy Nancy and her friends write down the rules for protecting the planet Earth. Then she goes home and tries to teach her [Read More]

Book : Winne the Pooh - Honey to Share

Author : Sara Miller Review by : Disha Raam

Age : 4 years 9 months

Review : Winne the Pooh loves honey. He shared his pots of honey with his friends Owl, Piglet, Tigger, Eyore, Rabbit, Kanga & Roo and Christopher. Winne the Pooh had a picture of [Read More]

Book : The Gruffalo's Child

Author : Julia Donaldson Review by : Aaditri

Review : It is a very nice story. The pictures are nice, and the Gruffalo's child looks cute. I like that the father says to his child - don't go to the [Read More]

Book : Here come the Aliens

Author : Colin McNaughton Review by : Aaditri

Age : 4 years 8 months

Review : Its a very funny book. The aliens are funny, their spaceships are funny, and the planets they come from are funny. They eat in a funny way without any manners [Read More]

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We don’t lose our class goldfish: penelope rex, book 3, common sense media reviewers.

Funny, silly dinosaur story has amazing illustrations.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

A good read-aloud with challenging words for emerg

Have courage; sometimes things aren't as scary as

Penelope's parents show her they're proud of her.

Parents need to know that the delightfully illustrated We Don't Lose Our Class Goldfish , by Ryan T. Higgins, is a silly, well-written story of a dinosaur who is terrified of a goldfish. This is the third book in the Penelope series, which began with We Don't Eat Our Classmates . But each book can stand…

Educational Value

A good read-aloud with challenging words for emerging readers such as "neighbors," "accidentally," and "donation."

Positive Messages

Have courage; sometimes things aren't as scary as they seem.

Positive Role Models

Parents need to know.

Parents need to know that the delightfully illustrated We Don't Lose Our Class Goldfish , by Ryan T. Higgins , is a silly, well-written story of a dinosaur who is terrified of a goldfish. This is the third book in the Penelope series, which began with We Don't Eat Our Classmates . But each book can stand on its own. Here, Penelope is scared to take her class pet home because Walter the goldfish has scary eyes and menacing fins and teeth that bite, but the young dinosaur learns a great lesson about courage . The facial expressions on each character are phenomenal, somehow capturing silliness and fear in big eyes and tiny bodies, all full of color and life. This is a great book to read aloud, with lots of places for a reader to change tone and volume and bring their own kind of silly to the story.

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Community reviews.

• Parents say (1)

Based on 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Penelope the dinosaur is afraid of the goldfish Walter in WE DON'T LOSE OUR CLASS GOLDFISH. When it's her turn to take Walter home, Penelope can't even stand to look at his scary eyes and ferocious teeth. So she puts him away, out of her sight so she can get some rest, but when she wakes up he's gone. As she searches for Walter, she starts to wonder if he's really as scary as she thinks.

Is It Any Good?

The art stands out in this wonderfully written picture book, with huge eyes on faces oversized for the tiny bodies, color splashing all over the pages, and silly words like "bitey" to read aloud. We Don't Lose Our Class Goldfish is both fun and funny, and has a great lesson about reconsidering things that are scary. Penelope is a tenderhearted dinosaur that young readers can empathize with, her fears are relatable, and her successes a joy to celebrate.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about how they react when they're afraid, like Penelope is in We Don't Lose Our Class Goldfish . When have you been scared of something and how have you reacted?

What have you been afraid of that you realized was not as scary as it seemed? Has anything seemed not to be scary to you at first, but you changed your mind?

What other books have you read about having courage ?

Book Details

• Author : Ryan T. Higgins
• Genre : Picture Book
• Topics : Dinosaurs , Great Girl Role Models
• Character Strengths : Courage
• Book type : Fiction
• Publisher : Disney-Hyperion
• Publication date : March 28, 2023
• Publisher's recommended age(s) : 3 - 5
• Number of pages : 48
• Available on : Hardback, Kindle
• Award : Common Sense Selection
• Last updated : April 6, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

Our editors recommend.

We Don't Eat Our Classmates: Penelope Rex, Book 1

We Will Rock Our Classmates: Penelope Rex, Book 2

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs: As Retold by Mo Willems

Dad and the Dinosaur

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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

Apple M3 MacBook Air 15-inch review: The sweet spot laptop

Apple's big-screen macbook air goes big on ai with the new m3 chip, but it's the battery life that really impresses.

Tom's Guide Verdict

The Apple MacBook Air 15-inch delivers fantastic performance from its M3 chip along with class-leading battery life, plus faster Wi-Fi 6E and the ability to power two monitors. I’d like to see more ports, but overall this is a stellar laptop for work and play.

More powerful M3 chip

Supports two external displays

Faster Wi-Fi 6E

Amazing battery life

Just two Thunderbolt / USB-C ports

MacBook Pro M3 is faster

Can we please have a touchscreen?

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

• Cheat Sheet
• Pricing and release date
• Design and ports
• Display and audio
• Performance
• Graphics and Gaming
• Battery life

I see the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 as a sweet spot laptop between the MacBook Air 13-inch and the MacBook Pro 14-inch . You get a bigger display than both models and the power of the entry-level Pro for less sticker shock.

The 15-inch MacBook Air M3 (from $1,299, $1,699 as tested) is pretty great based on my testing so far. You get a powerful new M3 chip, faster Wi-Fi 6E and — yup — the ability to power two external monitors. It’s good to know that Apple is paying attention to user feedback, not to mention our own MacBook Air 15-inch M2 review . 

The biggest upgrade is the new M3 chip, which Apple says makes the MacBook Air 15-inch the “best consumer laptop for AI.” We’re talking about being able to do stuff like removing background noise from your videos, create generative AI images and more faster than ever before. The M3 chip also makes the Air a capable gaming machine with the ability to play titles like Death Stranding and Grid Legends with smooth frame rates.

Overall, the MacBook Air 15-inch is one of the best laptops you can buy, and it’s likely worth the upgrade if you’re coming from a MacBook Air M1 or older MacBook. Plus, you’ll get a bigger display and more powerful speakers than the MacBook Air 13-inch — if you’re willing to pay a premium. Just don't expect MacBook Pro-level performance. Here’s the pros and cons in my MacBook Air 15-inch review. 

MacBook Air 15-inch M3 review: Cheat Sheet

• Who is it for? Those looking for a big-screen MacBook without the premium Pro price and those upgrading from a MacBook Air M1 or older laptop.
• What does it cost? The 13-inch MacBook Air M3 starts at $1,299 on Apple’s website .
• What do we like? Stronger M3 performance, including faster Neural Engine for AI tasks; over 15 hours of battery life; vivid 15-inch display; sweet-sounding speakers; sleek design; powers two external displays.
• What do we not like? Just two Thunderbolt/USB-C ports; just 8GB of unified memory to start; and less performance than M3-powered MacBook Pro
• Bottom line? The MacBook Air 15-inch is a sweet-spot laptop between the 13-inch MacBook Air and pricier 14-inch MacBook Pro. Competing Windows laptops are faster in some tests, but they can't touch Apple's endurance. 

MacBook Air 15-inch M3 review: Specs

Macbook air 15-inch m3 review: price and release date.

The MacBook Air 15-inch with M3 is available to order now and goes on sale March 8. The starting price is $1,299, which is $200 more than the 13-inch model. For that premium, you get a larger display and more powerful speakers, so it really comes down to how much you value that extra real estate.

The entry-level configuration of the 15-inch Air comes with 8GB of unified memory and 256GB of storage, but the model we tested costs $1,699 and has 16GB of memory and a 512GB SSD. If you just want 8GB of memory and 512GB SSD you’ll spend $1,499. See our MacBook deals page for the lowest prices. 

MacBook Air 15-inch M3 review: Design and ports

The 15-inch MacBook Air M3 has an identical design to its predecessor, but I’m not complaining. You get a lightweight 3.3-pound laptop with a sturdy aluminum unibody chassis. That’s only about half a pound more than the 2.7-pound 13-inch MacBook Air and considerably lighter than the 4.2-pound Dell XPS 15 OLED. 

I continue to appreciate the lip on the front of the 15-inch Air, which makes this laptop easy to open, as well as the Touch ID button for quickly logging in with your fingerprint. The keyboard also continues to be comfortable and bouncy, and the trackpad gives you a huge, accurate surface area. 

In terms of ports, you’re limited to 2x Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports, a headphone jack and MagSafe 3 charging port. I wish Apple offered three ports on the 15-inch model, which would be a nice benefit for the 13-inch with the bigger chassis. The MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 (from $1,599) has 3 Thunderbolt ports plus HDMI and an SD Card slot. 

The good news is that the 15-inch MacBook Air now supports two external displays at once, compared to just one for the previous model. However, you do need to keep the lid closed in order to get that second screen, so make sure you grab a keyboard and mouse .

I’m torn about the Midnight blue color on our review unit. It really pops, but it picks up fingerprints quickly despite Apple saying that it has an anodization seal to reduce fingerprints. You can also pick from Starlight (a pale gold), Silver and Space Gray. 

MacBook Air 15-inch M3 review: Display and audio

No, it’s not OLED, but the MacBook Air 15-inch has one of the brightest and most vivid displays in its class. I was sucked in by this display as I watched the trailer for Dune 2, from the piercing blue eyes of Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya’s characters to the menacing giant sandworms and the stunningly ornate gold and golden brown costume of Rebecca Ferguson. 

And this panel is so bright I had to turn the brightness below 50% on my bus ride commute home so as not to blind fellow passengers. 

* Lower numbers are better

In our lab tests, the MacBook Air 15-inch turned in an impressive max brightness of 503 nits when displaying HDR content. That’s lower than the Dell XPS 14 OLED, but higher than the Acer Swift Go 14.

Apple’s panel reached a strong 77.5% of the DCI-P3 color space, which is a bit lower than the Dell and Acer. And it’s color accuracy was on a par with the XPS 14 but not as strong as the Swift Go 14. 

I know macOS doesn’t support touchscreen input but there are rumors Apple is working on adding this feature at some point. I wish that some point was now, as there are times I wish I could just reach out and touch the screen on the 15-inch Air, whether it’s thumbing through photos or playing an Apple Arcade game. 

The MacBook Air 15-inch packs a six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers, compared to four speakers for the 13-inch Air. And you do get more volume and bass. The Dune 2 soundtrack had plenty of punch, and Noah Kahan's "Dial Drunk" with Post Malone sounded crystal clear without distortion with plenty of twang coming through from the guitar. 

MacBook Air 15-inch M3 review: Performance

The MacBook Air 15-inch’s M3 chip uses the same 3-nanometer architecture as the MacBook Pro M3, and Apple says it’s up to 60% faster than the MacBook Air M1 . The M3 chip has an 8-core CPU, a 10-core GPU and faster 16-core Neural Engine for machine learning tasks.

In everyday use, the 15-inch Air M3 proved snappy. It could easily juggle dozens of tabs in Chrome (including Spotify playing), while I switched between Slack for work messages and editing photos in Pixelmator Pro. 

On Geekbench, which measures overall performance, the MacBook Air M3 was faster than the Dell XPS 14 OLED and Acer Swift Go 14 — both of which are equipped with the latest Intel Core 7 Ultra processors. We also saw a pretty big jump from the MacBook Air M2 to the Air M3.

However, the MacBook Air M3 was a bit behind the Dell XPS OLED and Swift Go 14 on the multi-core test. 

On our video transcoding test using Handbrake, the MacBook Air M3 15-inch took 6 minutes and 34 seconds to transcode a 6.5GB 4K video to 1080p resolution. That’s over a minute faster than the MacBook Air M2 (7:46). The Dell XPS 14 was even faster at 6:20 and the Acer Swift Go 14 took just 5:41, though that was with an earlier version of the Handbrake app.

However, it's important to note that the MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 with the same chip finished nearly a minute faster. This is likely because the MacBook Pro's fan enables the system to offer better sustained performance for tasks like this. 

So how about creative tasks like editing photos and videos? On the PugetBench PhotoShop test, which assigns a score based on how effectively a system uses scripts to apply a series of filters and other adjustments to a number of high-res photographs, the M3 Air handily annihilated the M2, but competition with XPS 14 ended up being closer-fought due to its beefier RTX 4050 GPU. 

On the Premiere Pro video test, the MacBook Air M3 15-inch was faster than the older M2 version but well behind the Dell XPS 14 and the MacBook Pro 14-inch with M3 chip. 

The 512GB SSD on this 15-inch MacBook Air M3 turned in impressive read and write speeds on the BlackMagic Disk Speed test. We saw read and write speeds of 3,068 MBps and 3,050 MBps. The M2 MacBook Air turned in a faster write speed but slower read speed (3145 MBps/2,793 MBps). The XPS 14 turned in higher write and read speeds exceeding 4,500 MBps. 

The MacBook Air 15-inch also includes Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, which Apple is up to twice as fast for downloads and streaming. 

MacBook Air 15-inch M3 review: AI

The MacBook Air 15-inch M3 chip has a 16-core Neural Engine that’s designed to make quick work of AI-related tasks. But it’s important to remember that Apple Silicon has had this machine learning capability since the M1 chip in 2020.

So what can you do with this AI power. This includes removing background noise using CapCut, automatically enhancing photos in Pixelmator Pro and running full large language models (LLMs) right on this laptop. 

To test out the new MacBook Air’s AI prowess we tried a couple of scenarios, starting with image creation in the DiffusionBee app, which leverages Stable Diffusion. We used the following prompt and timed how long it took to create: “a golden retriever jumping up to catch a tennis ball on the beach with crashing waves in the background”

It took the 15-inch MacBook Air M3 28.5 seconds to create the image, which is an improvement on the 37 seconds it took the MacBook Air M2. The Dell XPS 14 took just 14.9 seconds to create an image using the same prompt, but we had to use a different tool called Easy Diffusion, so it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison (ahem). 

I also loaded the FreeChat app on the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 and timed how long it took to answer this prompt: “Give me a 500-word explanation of why the sky is blue.” It took 1 minute and 2 seconds to complete the task, compared to 1:11 for the MacBook Pro M2 Pro. I could definitely tell the M2 Pro MacBook needed more time to “think” before giving an answer.

MacBook Air 15-inch M3 review: Graphics and Gaming

If you’re into gaming, the MacBook Air 15-inch won’t give the best gaming laptops a run for their money in the graphics or game selection department. But there’s certainly enough graphics muscle here to play some titles at solid frame rates with crisp graphics.

As with the MacBook Pro M3, the MacBook Air M3 features Dynamic Caching, alongside hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing. Dynamic Caching allocates the use of local memory in hardware in real time so that only the exact amount of memory is needed for each task. 

I had a blast racing at over 140 mph in the Grid Legends game. The cars looked photorealistic as I tore around the track in London at sunset, complete with realistic reflections on the body of my vehicle. And the graphics barely slowed down as I crashed into other cars and walls. Whoops!

However, I would not expect high frame rates with more demanding titles. For example, the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 averaged less than 15 fps when we benchmarked Borderlands 3 on this laptop.

MacBook Air 15-inch M3 review: Battery life

The MacBook Air 15-inch M3 delivers amazing endurance. On the Tom’s Guide battery test, which involves continuous web surfing at 150 nits of screen brightness, the MacBook Air M3 15-inch lasted an epic 15 hours and 3 minutes. That’s even better than the 14:48 the 15-inch MacBook Air M2 averaged. 

The Acer Swift Go lasted for 9:50 and the Dell XPS 14 died after just 6:26. So it’s very impressive that the 15-inch Air lasted over 5 hours longer than competing Windows laptops. And you’ll definitely find this system on our best laptop battery life list. 

Anecdotally, I used the MacBook Air 15-inch on the bus during a commute from New Jersey to New York City for 1.5 hours for surfing the web, working in Slack and editing photos and the system was down to just 88% when I got to my destination. 

MacBook Air 15-inch M3 review: Verdict

The fact that it's hard to find something wrong with the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 tells you a lot about Apple's mid-range laptop. You get very strong performance from the M3 chip paired with super long battery life, a great display, and a sturdy, lightweight design. Competing Windows laptops with Intel Core Ultra 7 processors offer a bit more raw processing power, but they're not in the same league as the 15-inch Air when it comes to endurance.

As for AI, I think the Neural Engine inside the 15-inch MacBook Air has a lot of potential to make you more productive using a new wave of AI tools — especially when it comes to generative AI photo editing and creation. But the M3 is not that much of a leap over the M2 in this department.

My only real gripe with the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 is that it offers slower performance than the MacBook Pro 14-inch with the same M3 chip when performing more demanding tasks like video editing. So if you do a lot of that kind of work the MacBook Pro will be worth the $300 premium.

Overall, the MacBook Air 15-inch is a big-screen ultraportable laptop that's totally worth it. 

Mark Spoonauer is the global editor in chief of Tom's Guide and has covered technology for over 20 years. In addition to overseeing the direction of Tom's Guide, Mark specializes in covering all things mobile, having reviewed dozens of smartphones and other gadgets. He has spoken at key industry events and appears regularly on TV to discuss the latest trends, including Cheddar , Fox Business and other outlets. Mark was previously editor in chief of Laptop Mag, and his work has appeared in Wired, Popular Science and Inc. Follow him on Twitter at @mspoonauer.

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