Book Project Outlines

For your book project, pick 7 ideas from the following suggestions that demonstrate-

  1. Book Review
  2. Summary (Main Idea of the Book)
  3. Character Analysis
  4. Theme Analysis ( Or Conflict Analysis)
  5. A Letter to the Writer
  6. Creative Response
  7. Graphic that illustrates the book

Suggested ideas for the book project:

  1. Write a book review as it would be done for a newspaper. ( Be sure you read a few before writing your own.)
  2. Write a feature article (with a headline) that tells the story of the book as it might be found on the front page of a newspaper in the town where the story takes place ( for book summary).  
  3. Interview a character from your book. Write at least ten questions that will give the character the opportunity to discuss his/her thoughts and feelings about his/her role in the story. However you choose to present your interview is up to you. (for character analysis)
  4. Write a diary that one of the story's main characters might have kept before, during, or after the book's events. Remember that the character's thoughts and feelings are very important in a diary. (for character analysis)
  5. Write about one of the character's life twenty years from now. (creative response)
  6. Dramatize a scene from the book (creative response).
  7. Write a letter (10-sentence minimum) to the main character of your book asking questions, protesting a situation, and/or making a complaint and/or a suggestion. This must be done in the correct letter format. (character analysis or creative writing)
  8. Write a FULL (physical, emotional, relational) description of three of the characters in the book. Draw a portrait to accompany each description. (character analysis & graphic)
  9.  Write and perform an original song that tells the story of the book.( creative writing)
  10. Design a book jacket for the book. I STRONGLY suggest that you look at an actual book jacket before you attempt this. (graphic & summary)
  11. Create a newspaper for your book. Summarize the plot in one article, cover the weather in another, do a feature story on one of the more interesting characters in another. Include an editorial and a collection of ads that would be pertinent to the story. (summary/ character analysis/creative writing/graphic/ theme analysis)
  12. Do a book talk. Talk to the class about your book by saying a little about the author, explain who the characters are and explain enough about the beginning of the story so that everyone will understand what they are about to read. Finally, read an exciting, interesting, or amusing passage from your book. Stop reading at a moment that leaves the audience hanging and add "If you want to know more you'll have to read the book." (book review)
  13. Make a graphic representation of an event or character in the story. / Make a Venn diagram of the people, events or settings in your story. (graphic)
  14. Make a poster advertising your book so someone else will want to read it. (graphic)
  15. Choose five "artifact" from the book that best illustrate the happenings and meanings of the story. Tell why you chose each one. ( theme analysis)
  16. Stories are made up; on conflicts and solutions. Choose three conflicts that take place in the story and give the solutions. Is there one that you wish had been handled differently? ( conflict analysis)
  17. Imagine that you are the author of the book you have just read. Suddenly the book becomes a best seller. Write a letter to a movie producer trying to get that person interested in making your book into a movie. Explain why the story, characters, conflicts, etc., would make a good film. Suggest a filming location and the actors to play the various roles. ( book summary)
  18. Write a different ending for your story. / Write a different beginning. ( creative response)
  19. Write a letter to the author of the book (letter to the author).
  20. Make a character tree, where one side is event, symmetrical side is emotion or growth. ( character analysis)
  21. Choose a quote from a character. Write why it would or wouldn't be a good motto by which to live your life ( character analysis)
  22. Make a Venn diagram on the ways you are like and unlike one of the characters in your story( character analysis)
  23. Write an obituary for one of the characters. Be sure to include life-time accomplishments. (character analysis)
  24. Do some research on a topic brought up; in your book. ( creative response)
  25. Find a song or a poem that relates to the theme of your book. Explain the similarities. ( creative response)
  26. Exaggerate either characteristics or events and write a tabloid-style news story related to your book. ( character analysis)
  27. Write a letter to the main character of the book. Write the letter he or she sends back. ( creative response)
  28. Write a diary as the main character would write it to explain the events of the story. Must have at least 5 entries( character analysis/creative response)
  29. Make a collage representing some event or part of your book. (graphic)
  30. Create a radio ad for your book. Write out the script and tape record it as it would be presented. Don't forget background music! (creative response)
  31. Make a "wanted" poster for one of the characters or objects in your book. Include the following: (a) a drawing or cut out picture of the character or object, (b) a physical description of the character or object, (c) the character's or object's misdeeds (or deeds?), (d) other information about the character or object which is important, (e) the reward offered for the capture of the character or object. ( graphic)
  32. You are a prosecuting attorney putting one of the characters from the book you read on trial for a crime or misdeed. Prepare your case on paper, giving all your arguments. ( character analysis/ creative response)
  33.  Make a list of at least ten proverbs or familiar sayings. Now decide which characters in the book you read should have followed the suggestions in the familiar sayings and why. ( character analysis/ creative response)
  34. Pick a national issue. Compose a speech to be given on that topic by one of the major characters in the book you read. Be sure the contents of the speech reflect the characters personality and beliefs. ( creative response)
  35. Complete each of these eight ideas with material growing out of the book you read: This book made me wish that..., realize that..., decide that..., wonder about..., see that..., believe that ..., feel that..., and hope that... ( reader's response)
  36. Look through magazines for words and pictures that describe your book. Use these to create a collage on a bookmark. Make the bookmark available for others to use as they read the same book. ( graphic)
  37. Design a poster to advertise your book. Be creative...use detail...elaborate...use color! Can you make it 3-D or movable? ( graphic)
  38. Gather a large collection of current events that reflect incidents that closely parallel those in your novel. ( creative response)