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42 Creative Book Report Ideas for Students

Inspire your students to share their love of books.

Responding to what you read is an important literacy skill. Reading about other people’s experiences and perspectives helps kids learn about the world. And although students don’t need to dive deeply into every single book they read, occasionally digging into characters, settings, and themes can help them learn to look beyond the prose. Here are 42 creative book report ideas designed to make reading more meaningful.

1. Concrete Found Poem

This clever activity is basically a shape poem made up of words, phrases, and whole sentences found in the books students read. The words come together to create an image that represents something from the story.

2. Graphic Novel

Have students rewrite the book they are reading, or a chapter of their book, as a graphic novel. Set parameters for the assignment such as including six scenes from the story, three characters, details about the setting, etc. And, of course, include detailed illustrations to accompany the story.

3. Book Snaps

Book Snaps are a way for students to visually show how they are reacting to, processing, and/or connecting with a text. First, students snap a picture of a page in the book they are reading. Then, they add comments, images, highlights, and more.

4. Diary Entry

Have your students place themselves in the shoes of one of the characters from their book and write a first-person diary entry of a critical moment from the story. Ask them to choose a moment in the story where the character has plenty of interaction and emotion to share in a diary entry.

5. Character To-Do List

This fun activity is an off-the-beaten-path way to dive deep into character analysis. Get inside the head of the main character in a book and write a to-do list that they might write. Use actual information from the text, but also make inferences into what that character may wish to accomplish.

6. Mint Tin Book Report

There are so many super-creative, open-ended projects you can use mint tins for. This teacher blogger describes the process of creating book reports using them. There’s even a free template for cards that fit inside.

7. Fictional Yearbook Entries

Ask your students to create a yearbook based on the characters and setting in the book. What do they look like? Cut out magazine pictures to give a good visual image for their school picture. What kind of superlative might they get? Best looking? Class clown? What clubs would they be in or lead? Did they win any awards? It should be obvious from their small yearbooks whether your students dug deep into the characters in their books. They may also learn that who we are as individuals is reflected in what we choose to do with our lives.

8. Book Report Cake

This project would be perfect for a book tasting in your classroom! Each student presents their book report in the shape of food. See the sandwich and pizza options above and check out this blog for more delicious ideas.

9. Current Events Comparison

Have students locate three to five current events articles a character in their book might be interested in. After they’ve found the articles, have them explain why the character would find them interesting and how they relate to the book. Learning about how current events affect time, place, and people is critical to helping develop opinions about what we read and experience in life.

10. Sandwich Book Report

Yum! You’ll notice a lot of our creative book report ideas revolve around food. In this oldie but goodie, each layer of this book report sandwich covers a different element of the book—characters, setting, conflict, etc. A fun adaptation of this project is the book report cheeseburger.

11. Book Alphabet

Choose 15 to 20 alphabet books to help give your students examples of how they work around themes. Then ask your students to create their own Book Alphabet based on the book they read. What artifacts, vocabulary words, and names reflect the important parts of the book? After they find a word to represent each letter, have them write one sentence that explains where the word fits in.

12. Peekaboo Book Report

Using cardboard lap books (or small science report boards), students include details about their book’s main characters, plot, setting, conflict, resolution, etc. Then they draw a head and arms on card stock and attach them to the board from behind to make it look like the main character is peeking over the report.

13. T-Shirt Book Report

Another fun and creative idea: Create a wearable book report with a plain white tee. Come up with your own using Sharpie pens and acrylic paint. Get step-by-step directions .

14. Book Jacket

Have students create a new book jacket for their story. Include an attractive illustrated cover, a summary, a short biography of the author, and a few reviews from readers.

15. Watercolor Rainbow Book Report

This is great for biography research projects. Students cut out a photocopied image of their subject and glue it in the middle. Then, they draw lines from the image to the edges of the paper, like rays of sunshine, and fill in each section with information about the person. As a book report template, the center image could be a copy of the book cover, and each section expands on key information such as character names, theme(s), conflict, resolution, etc.

16. Act the Part

Have students dress up as their favorite character from the book and present an oral book report. If their favorite character is not the main character, retell the story from their point of view.

17. Pizza Box Book Report

If you’re looking for creative book report ideas that use upcycled materials, try this one using a pizza box. It works well for both nonfiction and fiction book reports. The top lid provides a picture of the book cover. Each wedge of the pizza pie tells part of the story.

18. Bookmark

Have students create a custom illustrated bookmark that includes drawings and words from either their favorite chapter or the entire book.

19. Book Reports in a Bag

Looking for book report ideas that really encourage creative thinking? With book reports in a bag, students read a book and write a summary. Then, they decorate a paper grocery bag with a scene from the book, place five items that represent something from the book inside the bag, and present the bag to the class.

20. Reading Lists for Characters

Ask your students to think about a character in their book. What kinds of books might that character like to read? Take them to the library to choose five books the character might have on their to-be-read list. Have them list the books and explain what each book might mean to the character. Post the to-be-read lists for others to see and choose from—there’s nothing like trying out a book character’s style when developing your own identity.

21. File Folder Book Report

Also called a lap book, this easy-to-make book report hits on all the major elements of a book study and gives students a chance to show what they know in a colorful way.

22. Collage

Create a collage using pictures and words that represent different parts of the book. Use old magazines or print pictures from the Internet.

23. Book Report Triorama

Who doesn’t love a multidimensional book report? This image shows a 3D model, but Elisha Ann provides a lesson to show students how to glue four triangles together to make a 4D model.

24. Timeline

Have students create a timeline of the main events from their book. Be sure to include character names and details for each event. Use 8 x 11 sheets of paper taped together or a long portion of bulletin board paper.

25. Clothes Hanger Book Report Mobile

This creative project doesn’t require a fancy or expensive supply list. Students just need an ordinary clothes hanger, strings, and paper. The body of the hanger is used to identify the book, and the cards on the strings dangling below are filled with key elements of the book, like characters, setting, and a summary.

26. Public Service Announcement

If a student has read a book about a cause that affects people, animals, or the environment, teach them about public service announcements . Once they understand what a PSA is, have them research the issue or cause that stood out in the book. Then give them a template for a storyboard so they can create their own PSA. Some students might want to take it a step further and create a video based on their storyboard. Consider sharing their storyboard or video with an organization that supports the cause or issue.

27. Dodecahedron Book Report

Creative book report ideas think outside the box. In this case, it’s a ball! SO much information can be covered on the 12 panels , and it allows students to take a deep dive in a creative way.

28. Character Cards

Make trading cards (like baseball cards) for a few characters from the book. On the front side, draw the character. On the back side, make a list of their character traits and include a quote or two.

29. Book Report Booklets

This clever book report is made from ordinary paper bags. Stack the paper bags on top of each other, fold them in half, and staple the closed-off ends of the bags together. Students can write, draw, and decorate on the paper bag pages. They can also record information on writing or drawing paper and glue the paper onto the pages. The open ends of the bags can be used as pockets to insert photos, cut-outs, postcards, or other flat items that help them tell their story.

30. Letter to the Author

Write a letter to the author of the book. Tell them three things you really liked about the story. Ask three questions about the plot, characters, or anything else you’re curious about.

31. Book Report Charm Bracelet

What a “charming” way to write a book report! Each illustrated bracelet charm captures a character, an event in the plot, setting, or other detail.

32. Fact Sheet

Have students create a list of 10 facts that they learned from reading the book. Have them write the facts in complete sentences, and be sure that each fact is something that they didn’t know before they read the book.

33. Cereal Box TV Book Report

This book report project is a low-tech version of a television made from a cereal box and two paper towel rolls. Students create the viewing screen cut-out at the top, then insert a scroll of paper with writing and illustrations inside the box. When the cardboard roll is rotated, the story unfolds.

34. Be a Character Therapist

Therapists work to uncover their clients’ fears based on their words and actions. When we read books, we must learn to use a character’s actions and dialogue to infer their fears. Many plots revolve around a character’s fear and the work it takes to overcome that fear. Ask students to identify a character’s fear and find 8 to 10 scenes that prove this fear exists. Then have them write about ways the character overcame the fear (or didn’t) in the story. What might the character have done differently?

35. Mind Maps

Mind maps can be a great way to synthesize what students have learned from reading a book. Plus, there are so many ways to approach them. Begin by writing a central idea in the middle of the page. For example, general information, characters, plot, etc. Then branch out from the center with ideas, thoughts, and connections to material from the book.

36. Foldables

From Rainbows Within Reach , this clever idea would be a great introduction to writing book reports. Adapt the flap categories for students at different levels. Adjust the number of categories (or flaps) per the needs of your students.

37. Board games

This is a great project if you want your students to develop a little more insight into what they’re reading. Have them think about the elements of their favorite board games and how they can be adapted to fit this assignment. For more, here are step-by-step directions .

38. Comic strips

If you’re looking for creative book report ideas for students who like graphic novels, try comic strips. Include an illustrated cover with the title and author. The pages of the book should retell the story using dialogue and descriptions of the setting and characters. Of course, no comic book would be complete without copious illustrations and thought bubbles.

39. Timeline

Create a timeline using a long roll of butcher paper, a poster board, or index cards taped together. For each event on the timeline, write a brief description of what happens. Add pictures, clip art, word art, and symbols to make the timeline more lively and colorful.

40. Cereal Box

Recycle a cereal box and create a book report Wheaties-style. Decorate all sides of the box with information about the book’s characters, setting, plot, summary, etc.

41. Wanted Poster

Make a “wanted” poster for one of the book’s main characters. Indicate whether they are wanted dead or alive. Include a picture of the character and a description of what the character is “wanted” for, three examples of the character showing this trait, and a detailed account of where the character was last seen.

42. Movie Version

If the book your students have read has been made into a movie, have them write a report about how the versions are alike and different. If the book has not been made into a movie, have them write a report telling how they would make it into a movie, using specific details from the book.

What creative book report ideas did we miss? Come share in our We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, check out the most popular kids’ books in every grade..

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35 Creative Books Story Ideas for Students

From mint tins to cereal boxes to T-shirts.

Responding to what you take is certain important schulische skill. Reading about other people’s experiences and perspectives helps kids learn about the world. And although graduate don’t need till dive deeply into any single book they learn, occasionally digging under characters, settings, and themes can help them learn to look beyond the prose. Here are 35 creative book report ideas designed at make recitation more meaningful. Tired by the same old book report style? Do your students grumble each hour you mention the words buy reports? · Descriptive writing. · Thumbs ...

1. Concrete Found Poem

Source: MiddleWeb

Get clever activity is basically a shape poem made up of words, phrases, and whole sentences found in the buch students read. To words come together go create an image that represents something from this history. 5. Character biography. This book report exercise is everything about the main character. Your students have to draw how what i look like, and write ...

2. Abbildung Novel

May students rewrite the book they are reading, or adenine chapter of their book, as a print novel. Set input in the assignment such how including six scenes from the story, three characters, details about the setting, more. And, of course, include detailed examples to accompany the company. Fresh Ideas for Imaginative Book Reports | Education World

3. Book Snap

Source: Reading and Writing Haven

Book Snaps are a way for students to visually show how they exist reacting to, treating, and/or connecting with a text. First, students snap ampere picture of a page in the book they are reading. Subsequently, they add comments, images, highlights, and more. Book reports what a curriculum mainstay, however their format exists a pitch tired.  Spice up your association with these creative book report your!

4. How ampere Diary Entry

Have respective pupils place themselves in which shoes away one of the characters from their book furthermore write a first-person diary entry off a critical instant from this story. Ask them to elect a moment in the story where the chars has plenty of interaction and emotion to share in a logbook entry. Book Report Projects

5. Temperament To-Do List

Print: MiddleWeb

This fun activity is an off-the-beaten-path way to dive deeper into feature research. Get inside the head of the main characters included a book and write a to-do tabbed that they might write. Use truly informational upon the text, but also perform reason into that that nature may wish to accomplish. Book reports be antiquated news, and kids often don't enjoyable doing them. But never angst! These 10 creative book reported beliefs wish spice things up forward the better!

6. Punch Tin Book Report

Source: Teacher Blossom

It are so many super-creative, open-ended projects you could use mint tins for. This teacher blogger describes which process of generating book reports and with yours. There’s even a open template for cards that perfect inside. 15 Creative additionally digital book report ideas that will get your students aroused to read

7. Fictional Yearbook Entries

Ask your students to create a jahrbook based up and drawing the setting in the book. Whichever do they show like? Cut out magazine pictures to give ampere right visually image for their school print. What kind of superlative might they get? Best looking? Class clown? What clubs would they be in or lead? Did they win no awards? It should be obvious from their small yearbooks whether your students dug lower into the characters in their books. They may also learn that whoever we are as individuals is mused in what us selecting to do with our lives. Some interesting additionally variable projects with that old book report.

8. Novel Report Cake

Source: Ms. Beattie’s Classroom

Here project would be perfection used a book taste for your learning! Each student presents theirs buy report is who shape starting food. See the hamburger press pizza options upper and check off this blog for more delicious ideas.

9. Current Events Comparision

Are students locate three to cinque current events articles a character on their book might be interested in. After they’ve found of articles, have them explain conundrum the character would find she curious and how them relate to the book. Learning about how current events affect period, place, and people is critical to helping develop opinions about what we read and experience in life. Ten Great Creative Book Report Ideas - Brains the Bloom

10. Loaf Book Report

Source: 123Homeschool4Me

Yum! You’ll notice a lot of his creative book report ideas revolve around food. In this project, each layer of to order report sandwich covers a different element of that book—characters, define, conflict, etc. A fun adaptation of this project is the book report cheeseburger.

11. Book Alphabet

Choose 15 to 20 rudiment books to help give the students examples of how yours labor around themes. Then ask your students to create their own Book Alphabet based upon the book they read. What artefacts, vocabulary words, and names muse the important parts of that book? After they meet ampere news to represent each letter, have them write one sentence that explains wherever the word fits in. 35 Amazingly Creative Book Reports

12. Peekaboo Order Report

Source: Runde’s Your

Using cardboard lap books (or small academics report boards), students inclusive get about their book’s main characters, design, setting, conflict, resolution, etc. Then they draw a head and arms on menu stock and attach them to aforementioned board from behind to make computers look like the main character is peeking go and report.

13. T-Shirt Book Report

Source: Pinterest/T-Shirt Book Report

Another having and creative idea: Create ampere wearable book report with a plain white tee. Come up with insert personal using Sharpie writing and acrylic painting. Get step-by-step show .

14. Register Jacket

Have students create a new book jacket by their story. Include an attractive exhibited cover, a summary, adenine short biography of the author, and a few reviews from readers. Apr 5, 2020 - Explore Kay Bolt's board "Book Report Projects", followed by 355 people on Pinterest. See more ideas learn book reports projects, book report, school reading.

15. Watercolor Rainbows Book Report

Original: Let’s Explore

This can great fork biography resources projects. Students cut out a photocopies image of hers subject and glue it in the middle. And, they draw lines from the display at the edges of the white, like rays of solar, press fill in each sectioning with information about the personality. As a book write template, the centers image could be a copy of the book cover, plus each section extend on keyboard information such as character names, theme(s), conflicts, resolution, else.

16. Doing the Part

Have learners dress up as their my character from the book furthermore present an oral book report. When their favorite character is nope which main character, retell the story from their point concerning view. From mint tins to cereal boxes to T-shirts.

17. Pizza Box Book Report

Source: Education World

If you’re looking for creative book report ideas that use upcycled materials, try this one using adenine pie box. It works good fork both nonfiction and fiction book reports. Each gear of the pizza pie tells part of which company.

18. Bookmark

Have students create adenine customizable illustrated mark included drawings and words from either their favorite chapter alternatively the wholly booking.

19. Book Reports in a Bag

Source: Sunday Dispatch

This project really inspires creative thinking. Students read a book and write an summary. Then, they decorate a paper grocery bag with a view from the book, place five items that exemplify something from the book inside the bag, also present the bag to the class.

20. Easy Lists for Characters

Ask your students to think about a character in their book. What kinds off sell energy the character like the read? Take them to and library to choose five books and character ability have on yours to-be-read list. Are them list the books and describe something each book might stingy to the character. Item the to-be-read lists for others to see and set from—there’s nothing like testing out a buy character’s style at develop your customized identity.

21. Rank Folder Book Reports

Source: Appletastic Learn

Also called a wrap read, this easy-to-make book report hits on all the major parts of a book study press gives collegiate a risk for show what they know in a colorful way.

22. Collage

Create a collage using image both words that display distinct parts of the book. Use old reviews or print pictures from that internet.

23. Post Report Triorama

Source: Swarthmore Education

Who doesn’t love a multidimensional book report? Those image shows a 3D model, but aforementioned link provides one instructional to display students how to glue four triangles together for make a 4D model.

24. Timeline

Have students create a timeline of the main events from their book. Be save to include character names plus click for each event. Use 8 x 11 sheets is glass taped together or an long portion of bulletin cards paper.

25. Wear Hanger Book Report Mobile

Source: Anjanette Young

This creative project doesn’t require a fancy or expensive supply pick. Students just need to ordinary apparel hanger, seil, and papers. The body of the hanger is used to identify the book, and the tickets on the strings dangling below are filled with key define in the book, like characters, setting, and a summary.

26. Publicly Service Display

If adenine student have read a book about a origin that influenced people, animals, or the environmental, teach them around public service announcements . Once they understanding what a BANNER is, have them research of issue or cause that stood out in the register. Then give them one template for a storyboard so they can create their own PSA. Some students might want to take it a step further and create ampere movie grounded for their storyboard. Consider sharing their storyboard or video with an organization that supports the cause other issue.

27. Dodecahedron Booking Report

Source: Educator’s Life

Creative book report idea think outside the box. In this koffer, it’s a ball! SO much information can be roofed on the 12 panels, press it allows students to take a deep dive in a creative way.

28. Character Cards

Perform trading postcards (like major cards) for a few characters from the book. On the front side, draw the sign. On the back side, making a view of their character traits and include adenine quote or two.

29. Paper Bag Book Report Books

Source: Radiant Concepts 4 Teachers

This clever book report the made from ordinary paper bags. Heap the page bags turn top of any other, unfold them in half, and staple that closed-off ends regarding of bags together. Students can write, tie, and decorate on aforementioned paper bag pages. They can also record informational on writing or drawing paper and glue aforementioned article up the web. To opens ends for the bags can be used as pockets to insert photos, cut-outs, postcards, or others flats items that help them tell their story.

30. Letter to the Autor

Write ampere letter to the author of the book. Tell you three things you true liked about the story. Ask three questions about the site, characters, with anything else you’re strange about. Publication reports don't required to be painfully boring. In fact, they can be a ton of fun! Bitte is 10 creative book report ideas till exercise in get classroom.

31. Book Report Charm Bracelet

Source: Crayola

From of author the this lesson: “What a charming way the write a book report! Each illustrated bracelet magic captures a character, an event in the plot, setting, or other detail.”

32. Fact Sheet

Create a list of 10 facts that she learned by easy the book. Write your facts in complete sentences, and be sure that every fact is any ensure you didn’t perceive before you read the book.

33. Cereal Mail TV Book Report

Input: The Brie Thief

This book report projects is a low-tech version of a television built upon a cereal box and two art towel rolls. Students compose to look screen cut-out at the up, then insert an scroll by paper with writing and browse inside the frame. When the paperboard roll is rotated, that story unfolded.

34. Be a Quality Therapist

Therapists works to uncover their clients’ fears based on their words and deals. Wenn we get books, we needs lessons to use a character’s actions and click to infer their fears. Numerous charts revolve around a character’s fear and this work i takes to overcome that fear. Ask students to identify a character’s fear and locate 8 to 10 scenes that prove this fear exists. Then has them writer about ways one character overcame this fear (or didn’t) in the legend. What might the character has done differently?

35. Mind Maps

Wits maps can become a great way to synthesize what students must knowledgeable from reading a book. Plus, there are so many ways to approach them. Starting by writing ampere central view are an middle by the page. For example, public information, characters, plot, etc. Then branch out from the center with ideas, thoughts, and connections to material from that book.

What creative book report ideas did we miss? Arrival exchange in is WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, check out the most common kids’ books are every grade..

Elizabeth Mulvahill is a Contributing Editor through WeAreTeachers. She has instructed simple, literacy and small group intervene. She currently resides outside of Rocks, Colorado and beloved learning newly things, hearing people's story and roving who planet. Book Report Ideas: Creative Ideas for Book Accounts

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Students choose a book to read and report on.

Middle grade students could read a short chapter book. Be sure to have a selection of books at various reading levels, and to have more books than you have students.

In upper grades, have students choose from a set of books preselected by the teacher, or allow them to choose their own. You could further refine the project by having all students choose a certain genre (for example, science fiction), or have groups of five to six students each working on one genre. Following their individual work, the students who worked on each genre could put together a presentation for the class outlining features of the genre as well as a brief bibliography of the books they read.

Give each student a white paper bag with handles (approximately 8 by 10 inches / 20 by 25 cm or slightly smaller). On one side of the bag students will draw a cover for their book. On the other side they will create a collage featuring various aspects of the book.

Have students measure and cut out of construction paper a number of 5-by-5­inch / 13 x 13 cm cards. (This is the Math component of the project.) On these cards they will summarize various elements of the book. You will determine the number of cards according to the grade and ability level of the students. Basic topics for cards can include the following:

• Three Major Characters: for each character, students write the character's names, three words to describe their personality, three words to describe their physical appearance
• Favorite Character
• Book Facts: author, number of pages, genre, publisher, year of publication
• Problem / Resolution

The cards will then be placed into the decorated bag. Students will also include a handmade artifact related to the book in their bags. For example, a student who read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory created a homemade chocolate bar; another student who read Underground to Canada linked florist wire loops together to make a chain, representing the shackles worn by slaves. Once all the material has been created, the book report in a bag is handed in to the teacher.

This project works well for a variety of topics such as:

• study of ancient Egypt (Egyptian characters)
• native studies (totem poles)
• novel studies (characters from the novel)
• medieval studies (characters in period dress)

For upper grades, students can also complete a response journal entry about the book or use graphic organizers to summarize an aspect of the book. Or you can devise any other activity that suits your students, including giving them a free choice for one of the cards.

Printed with permission from Firefly Books Ltd.

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Paper Bag Book Reports Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan# AELP-RDG0011 Submitted by: Cecilia Hoff School or Affiliation: Manassas Park High School, Manassas Park, VA Date: April 1998

Subject(s):

• Language Arts/Reading

Goals and Objectives:

After selecting and reading a book independently, students will create a paper bag book report using an ordinary paper bag. Students should choose five-seven items to place in the bag to represent significant events or characters from the book. For example, Goldilocks and the Three Bears might call for a soupspoon, a thermometer, a piece of dollhouse furniture, an ad for running shoes, etc. Students, after filling and decorating their bags, present them to the class. Each student should explain how the items he or she has chosen relate to the book. This makes for a fun oral presentation which exceeds the traditional book report for both the presenter and the audience.

Lesson Concepts and Materials:

Independent book selection, independent reading, analysis of plot, character and/ or theme, oral presentation.

Paperbags (large to lunch-size).

Procedures:

• Each student chooses and reads a book.
• Students analyze their books’ characters, plots, themes, etc.
• Teacher explains the bag book reports.  (A teacher-made sample works great!)
• Students devise written plans for their bag book reports, detailing five to seven items for the inside as well as layouts for each part of the outside. (Teacher may want to require title, author, and publisher on the front; an internal conflict on the left side; an external conflict on the right side; or a favorite scene on the back, for example.)
• Provide time in class for students to complete their book report projects so they can see others working and have guided practice at fulfilling the promise of their written plans.
• Students present their projects, in detail, to the class – first explaining the outside of their bags and then explaining each of the itmes inside. (Questions from the class come naturally.)
• Students can assess each other using a teacher-devised scoring rubric for both the bag and the presentation.

Assessment: Peer assessment of oral presentation; guided self-assessment of bag (inside and out) using a teacher-devised checklist/scoring rubric

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Lesson Plan Title : Paper Bag Report

Age Range: Kindergarten through Grade 2 (Early Elementary or Primary Level)

Overview and Purpose : This book report uses the paper bag as part of the report. Students draw scenes from the book on each side of the paper bag and use them to give a presentation about their book.

Objective: The student will be able to give a report about a book they read by creating drawings on a paper bag and putting three items inside the bag that represent items in their story.

Large paper grocery bag for each student

Activities:

Give each student a paper bag. Explain that they are going to draw a picture that tells about their book on each side of the bag (including the bottom). Then they will put three things in the bag from the story. They can then use the bag and the items to give their report to the class.

You can also assign a particular part of the book to each side of the bag. For example: one side could be the main characters, one side could show one of the places where the story takes place, etc.

Teachers are Terrific

Book in a Bag Project – A Book Report Alternative

April 7, 2024 by Carol Davis

Are you looking for an engaging alternative to a book report? This idea is perfect! I call it The Book in a Bag Project!

This little project was invented to have students share a book with their classmates in an interesting and personal way. If you have ever listened to students reading their ‘book report’ aloud then you know exactly what I am talking about!

“ In this post, for your convenience, you may find Amazon Affiliate links to resources. This means that Amazon will pass on small percentages to me with your purchase of items. This will not create extra costs for you at all! It will help me keep this blog running! “

So, how does the Book in a Bag Project work?

Here’s the  gist  of the project.

• Read a book.
• Write a summary.
• Decorate a bag with a scene from the book.
• Place five items in the bag that represent something from the book.
• Bring it to school.
• Present it to the class!

The bag can be any size. A brown grocery bag is perfect and gift bags are also good choices.

What are the Guidelines of the Book in a Bag Project?

The guidelines for the project are simple.

The front of the bag should show an original student-made scene from the book. This can be hand drawn and colored with markers or crayons, or have cut-outs or other embellishments to decorate the front. It cannot be images that are printed from a computer!

The drawing can have embellishments added- like cloth or small plastic toys. But those are decorative- not the main scene.

On the back of the bag is a one-page summary of the book. We worked on how to write this in class and then students wrote their own. The lessons I taught about this included samples from books I had read.

I just wanted the students to know that a summary does NOT tell every little tiny event, but also covers the entire book! Hint, hint, you should not read a 400-page book. That’s hard to summarize on one piece of paper!

What’s Inside the Bag?

Now, here’s where it gets really fun. Inside the bag students should have five items that show something from the book.

The student could have included a plastic lizard in the book about the iguana. Or with Crash, students could bring a football or helmet.

Finally, each item should have an explanation card that tells why the item represents something from the book. The presentations are so fun! Each student shares the bag and a little of the summary, but the most fun is sharing the five items in the bag.

Now, you cannot do all these presentations in one day! It just takes too long. We spread these out over a full week!

It’s an easy idea and a wonderful way to share books. It beats a regular written book report, hands down! Try it!  

Now, here is your surprise! I created an assignment sheet for this project many years ago and I am sharing it with you. Print it out and use this fun activity with your students! (It is not an editable document.)

Our Favorite STEM Books

February 7, 2013 at 1:07 am

What a fantastic idea, the projects look great! Your kids must have loved doing this. Leslie

February 23, 2019 at 8:51 pm

Cute projects

March 8, 2019 at 2:40 pm

We had a great time sharing our projects! Thank you!

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Fun Book Reports - Paper Bag Book Report

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How to Create a Paper Bag Book Cover

Last Updated: October 8, 2023 Tested

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Sophia Latorre . Sophia Latorre is a Content Manager on the wikiHow team. Before joining wikiHow, Sophia worked as a technical editor and was published in six International Energy Agency (IEA) Wind Annual Reports. Now, she writes, edits, and reviews articles for the wikiHow Content Team, working to make the content as helpful as possible for readers worldwide. Sophia holds a BA in English from Colorado State University. The wikiHow Video Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. This article has been viewed 528,380 times. Learn more...

Covering a book with paper protects the hardcover from wear and tear. If you just don't like to use plastic wrap or fabric covers to cover your books, then a paper bag is a great alternative, and is also environmentally friendly. Using a brown paper bag also allows you to personalize the cover with your own designs and decorations. With just scissors, tape, and some creative folding, you can cover any book.

Preparing the Paper

Covering the Book

• Measure the folds. They should be at least 1.6 in (4 cm) in length. [3] X Research source
• Try not to create new folds on top of preexisting folds in the paper. This will cause your book cover to tear more easily. [4] X Research source
• Do not tape the paper cover to the actual cover of the book; the paper cover will move a little when the book opens, and you could damage the book cover. [6] X Research source

Community Q&A

• If you have a color printer and scanner, copy the cover, back cover, and spine of your book and tape the copies onto the book cover. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 16
• To make the cover more durable, remove it from the book and unfold it so that it lies flat. Cut a piece of clear adhesive covering so that it will cover most of the outer surface of the book cover. Remove the backing from the clear adhesive and carefully apply it to the book cover, smoothing as you go to avoid air bubbles. Now refold the cover and put it back on the book. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 3
• If your supermarket no longer offers paper bags, buy a roll of the brown paper designed for wrapping parcels and use that instead. Cut a piece long enough to cover the front, back and spine of the book with at least 3 in (7.6 cm) of overlap at either end. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 4

Things You'll Need

• Paper bag or roll of paper
• Tape (optional)
• Things to decorate your book cover (optional)
• Cardboard or clear adhesive covering to put inside to make it durable (optional)

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.designmom.com/living-well-4-secrets-to-a-carefully-covered-book/
• ↑ http://specialchildren.about.com/od/schoolissues/ht/bookcover.htm

About This Article

To make a paper bag book cover, cut open a brown paper bag along one seam and cut off the bottom of the bag. Spread the bag open to make a large rectangle. Fold the bottom of the paper up and the top down so that the paper is the same length as the book from top to bottom. Place the book in the center of the paper and fold in the ends of the paper so they cover the front and back covers of the book. If you want, decorate the outside of the cover with stickers, drawings, or anything else you like. For tips on how to personalize or decorate your book cover, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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