Academic

How to Write a Book Report (Format, Template & Example)

Sep 15, 2026 · 8 min read

A book report is a written assignment that summarizes the content of a book, describes its main characters and plot, and offers a brief evaluation of the work. Unlike a book review, which is primarily critical analysis, a book report demonstrates that you read and understood the book — it covers the who, what, where, and why of the story before offering any opinion. This guide explains how to write a book report step by step, with a format, a template, and a worked example.

For a broader look at the analytical writing a book report often leads to, see our guide on how to write a summary — the skill of distilling a longer work into its key points.

What to include in a book report

A complete book report covers:

Bibliographic information — author, title, publisher, year, number of pages
Genre and type — fiction or nonfiction, and the specific genre (mystery, biography, science)
Setting — when and where the story takes place
Main characters — the protagonist and key supporting characters
Plot summary — what happens, in order, without spoiling the ending (unless required)
Main themes or ideas — what the book is really about beneath the plot
Your evaluation — whether you would recommend it and why

The balance between summary and evaluation depends on the assignment. Most school book reports are mostly summary with a short evaluative conclusion.

Book report format

The standard book report format follows this structure:

Introduction — title, author, publication information, and a one-sentence description of the book
Setting — time and place the story takes place
Characters — protagonist and key supporting characters, with a one-sentence description of each
Plot summary — what happens in the book (beginning, middle, end)
Themes — the main ideas or messages the book explores
Evaluation — your opinion, with reasons
Conclusion — a brief summary of your main points and a recommendation

How to write a book report

Step 1: Read the book actively

Read with a pen or use a notes app to track:

Character names and how they relate to each other
Key plot events, in order
Passages or moments that feel important
Anything that surprised you or that you did not understand

Taking notes while reading saves time when you write. You will not need to re-read sections to check a character’s name or find a key scene.

Step 2: Write the introduction

The introduction identifies the book and frames your report. Include:

The title and author
Publication information (year, publisher — check the book’s copyright page)
A one-sentence description of what the book is about

“The Old Man and the Sea” (1952) by Ernest Hemingway is a short novel about an aging Cuban fisherman who struggles alone for three days to land an enormous marlin in the Gulf Stream.

Keep it to two or three sentences. Do not begin your report with “This book is about…” — open with the title and author first.

Step 3: Describe the setting and characters

Setting — one paragraph on when and where the story takes place. For fiction, this means the time period and location. For nonfiction, the context in which the events occurred.

Characters — introduce the protagonist first, then supporting characters. For each character, write one sentence: who they are, what they want, and what role they play in the story.

Santiago is the protagonist — an old fisherman who has gone 84 days without a catch and is determined to prove himself once more. Manolin is a young boy who learned to fish from Santiago and remains devoted to him despite pressure from his parents.

Step 4: Summarize the plot

The plot summary is the longest section of most book reports. Write it in the order events happen:

Beginning — how the story opens, who the main characters are, and what situation they face
Middle — the central conflict or challenge and how the characters respond
End — how the conflict is resolved (include the actual ending for most school reports, unless instructed otherwise)

Write in present tense: “Santiago rows out to sea,” not “Santiago rowed out to sea.”

Do not include every scene or every character. Focus on the events that drive the plot.

Step 5: Identify the main themes

Themes are the ideas the book explores beneath the plot. Common themes include: perseverance, identity, justice, loss, courage, family, and the human capacity for change.

State the theme and explain how the book develops it:

One of the book’s central themes is dignity in defeat. Hemingway shows that Santiago’s worth as a man is not determined by whether he lands the fish, but by how he faces the struggle.

Aim for two to three sentences per theme, with at least one specific example from the book.

Step 6: Write your evaluation

This is where you offer your opinion. A strong evaluation:

States whether you would recommend the book and to whom
Gives a reason based on the book’s content (not “I liked it” — what specifically worked or didn’t)
Notes any weaknesses fairly

“The Old Man and the Sea” is recommended for readers who appreciate character-driven, spare prose. Hemingway’s writing is deceptively simple — the sentences are short, but the meaning is layered. Readers expecting a fast-paced plot may find the pace slow, but those willing to sit with the story will find it rewarding.

Step 7: Write the conclusion

Restate the book’s main point in one sentence, summarize your evaluation in one sentence, and close with a recommendation.

Book report template

Title: [Title of the book] Author: [Author’s name] Publisher and year: [Publisher, year published] Pages: [Number of pages] Genre: [Fiction/nonfiction, specific genre]

Introduction [One to two sentences: title, author, and a brief description of the book.]

Setting [When and where the story takes place.]

Characters [Protagonist: one sentence. Supporting characters: one sentence each.]

Plot summary [Beginning: what situation do the characters face?] [Middle: what is the central conflict and how do the characters respond?] [End: how is the conflict resolved?]

Themes [Theme 1: name the theme and explain how the book develops it, with one example.] [Theme 2 (optional): same format.]

Evaluation [Would you recommend it? To whom? What worked, and what didn’t?]

Conclusion [One sentence restating the book’s main point. One sentence summarizing your opinion.]

Book report example (short version)

“The Giver” by Lois Lowry (1993)

“The Giver” is a young adult dystopian novel set in a seemingly perfect future society called the Community, where all pain, conflict, and choice have been eliminated. The protagonist, twelve-year-old Jonas, is selected to serve as the Community’s Receiver of Memory — the one person who holds the true history of the world before sameness was imposed.

The central conflict begins when Jonas starts receiving memories from the current Receiver (whom Jonas calls the Giver) and realizes the cost of the Community’s perfection: no color, no love, no individual freedom — and the quiet killing of anyone deemed unfit. Jonas must decide whether to accept the system or attempt to change it.

The book’s main theme is the relationship between choice and meaning. Lowry argues that a life without pain or conflict is also a life without genuine love, beauty, or purpose. Jonas’s journey from contentment to anguish to resolve illustrates this theme clearly.

“The Giver” is recommended for readers aged 12 and up and for anyone interested in the ethics of utopian thinking. The writing is accessible without being simple, and the ending — deliberately ambiguous — leaves readers with questions worth discussing.

Common mistakes to avoid

Summarizing every chapter — focus on the arc of the plot, not a chapter-by-chapter retelling
Not including your own evaluation — most book reports require some opinion; a pure summary is not a complete report
Starting with “This book is about…” — open with the title and author first
Writing in past tense for fiction — use present tense when describing what happens in the story
Forgetting bibliographic information — always include author, title, year, and publisher

Use AI to check your summary

Before you start writing, paste the book description or your notes into our free AI text summarizer to get a quick read-back of the key plot points and themes. Comparing that to your own draft helps you spot what you missed or over-explained.

Frequently asked questions

What is a book report? A book report is a written assignment that summarizes a book’s content — plot, characters, setting, and themes — and includes a brief evaluation. It demonstrates that you read and understood the book.

How long should a book report be? Elementary school book reports are typically one to two pages. Middle school reports are two to three pages (500–750 words). High school and college reports can run three to five pages (750–1,500 words), with more emphasis on analysis and themes.

How do you start a book report? Begin with the title and author, followed by publication information and a one-sentence description of the book. Do not open with “This book is about…”

What is the difference between a book report and a book review? A book report primarily summarizes the content and demonstrates comprehension. A book review focuses on critical analysis — evaluating the book’s quality, comparing it to similar works, and making a recommendation to potential readers.

Do you spoil the ending in a book report? Usually yes — a book report is not written for potential readers, but to demonstrate your understanding of the book. Include the ending unless your teacher specifically says not to.