When it comes to book reviews there are myriad ways to get your opinion across.
Sometimes you need a 10,000 word thesis.
Aaaaand sometimes you don’t need any words at all…
But you do need to follow some rules if you want someone to actually read your review and understand your particular perspective.
We’re not expecting a deep dive essay out of primary pupils, but whatever length review they’re putting together, these resources will help make them the best they can possibly be.
1 | Book review templates for KS1, LKS2 and UKS2
Create a love of reading in your school by using this set of fantastic book reviews.
There are three templates provided suitable for KS1, Lower-KS2 and Upper-KS2, all of which could be used to create a class or school collection of book reviews to encourage discussion about book choices and develop a love of reading.
Also included is a ‘Fantastic Reads!’ bookmark, designed to be written and placed inside books displayed in the class or school library. This will highlight books to pupils that are recommended by their peers and create a real buzz around reading in your school.
Check these out here.
2 | Book review template for KS1
Writing book reviews enables pupils to offer opinions based on first-hand experiences. Naturally, pupils shouldn’t be expected to review every book they read, but from time to time encouraging them to reflect on their reading is a useful activity.
As pupils are required to offer opinions when reviewing their reading, book reviews provide valuable practice at using the subordinating conjunction ‘because’, which makes them particularly useful teaching tools for meeting the writing requirements of KS1.
Download this template pack here.
3 | Children’s book review examples
Of course, you’ll want to show children some examples of book reviews, and we’ve got a whole host of them here, all sorted by Key Stage/age range.
Check them out.
4 | How to write a book review
For a handy and concise list of things to consider when writing a book review, check out this BookTrust post.
In it, author Luisa Plaja offers her top tips for how to write a brilliant review of the latest book you read – whether you liked it or not.
Check it out here.
5 | Book recap template
This book review template is handy for kids to recap what the story is about, with sections for them to explain the beginning, middle and end.
Then they can talk about what they liked, their favourite character and give it a mark out of 10.
Get this PDF here.
6 | Book review template KS1
One for younger students, this nifty one-page review template asks children to fill in the key information, recap the plot, talk about what they liked and disliked, and tick whether the reading difficulty was too easy, hard or just right.
Plus, they can draw the main character and say whether they would recommend the book to others.
Print this one here.
7 | Book report framework
Or, on the other end of the scale, this 7-page PDF framework helps children go into greater detail with their review, asking for things like setting, tone, who the protagonist is, and personal things like why the child chose this book.
It also asks questions like ‘How did the story make you feel?’ and ‘Would you read other books by this author?’.
Find this one here.
8 | How not to write a book review
‘The characters’ names were too plain’, ‘my ebook never came in the post’ and other bizarre online criticism of children’s literature, read these 13 outrageous and funny one-star reviews of great children’s books.
Check them out here.
