How to help your child write a book review

Take turns reading the book aloud together

Take turns reading the book aloud to each other. Let him read five pages aloud to you. You read the next five pages aloud to him. When you read the book this way you can be certain that he has read the entire book. Reading aloud will create more interest in the book if you make the book come alive by reading in what you believe are the characters’ voices. Try to express the characters’ emotions when you are reading the dialogue. Change your tone of voice to suit the mood of the character. If a character is angry then have an angry tone. If he is happy then adopt that tone for the dialogue. That can make the reading fun.

Have discussions at various points

Don’t turn this into a one sided interview by asking all the questions. At a certain point in the story you could each give your prediction as to what will happen next. What you both think a character will do or say next. You can each give your reasons for your prediction. Then you can read to discover who was right or if any of you made a correct guess at all.

You can also begin to focus on what type of writing the author uses. Together you can identify the time period in which the book is set. You can both give reasons and proof for your decision.

Use correct literary terms

When you talk together about the book use the correct literary terms. You may tell her that you think Mabel will decide to join the chess club. Later however you can use the word character in discussing Mabel and others. You may say to her “I find that some of these characters are very shy.” When you discuss the place or places in which most of the book is set you should introduce the word setting in your discussion. If you use it to her she is likely to use it back to you and also in her writing.

Encourage giving opinions

Show her the difference between giving a summary of the story and having an opinion about the story. When you have finished reading the book you can take turns briefly saying what story the book tells. Let her know that this is a summary. Then you let her give her opinion on the characters. Which ones were realistic and believable and whether any were not believable. Let him explain his reasons for his opinions. Let him identify the impression the book made on him and why he had that impression.

Try to get him to be bold enough to say if he really disliked any part of the book. You can have fun by making a scale and rating different aspects say from 1 to 10.

Outline a structure

Suggest a structure to follow when he is writing so that the book review information he will give will be organised according to headings and paragraphs.

Here are some ways to organise:-

Name of book and author

Type or genre

Brief outline of the events/What was the book about? What were the characters like?

Opinion about the book –likes, dislikes, strong points, weak points

Recommendation – Would you encourage others to read the book? What is the reason for your answer?