It is an exciting milestone for a young reader to begin reading chapter books independently. But when your little bookworm is reading independently, how can you know if they are actually understanding the words they are reading? Allow me to offer a simple solution: A book review printable for young readers.
An Exciting Milestone
It is a treat to watch your child work his or her way through a chapter book, hopefully getting hooked and protesting when you call everyone to the kitchen for dinner. But this new stage brings its own challenges. When you and your child no longer sit side by side as he reads each line of a book aloud to you, it can be hard to know how much of each book your child is actually reading. Is he skipping words? Is she skimming and mostly looking at the pictures? Is he painstakingly sounding out each word, while retaining none of the plot?
Of course, there are little ways to check in. When I catch my son laughing while reading a book, it is adorable, and is also a good sign he is understanding a funny part of the book. If he is reading a book I have also read, we can talk about our favorite parts, or I can ask questions about characters. For a more literal test on reading level, I can choose a paragraph and ask my son to read it aloud to me.
(A sneaky way to get your child to read aloud…)
Side note: If your child, like mine, does not like to be your show pony, and is not eager to read aloud after gaining reading-independence, there are ways to do this that seem less like a reading test. One of my favorite times to ask my son to read aloud is after an especially loud fit of laughter.
“I could hear you laughing from the kitchen! What is so funny? Would you read it to me?”
Or you might walk by and notice an illustration.
“What is happening here! (Comment on the illustration.) Could you read this part to me?”
Generally speaking, I have found my son is much more willing, and even eager, to read to me if I am showing sincere interest in the book, and it doesn’t feel like a reading assessment. And the truth is, while I may be glad to have a little reading check-point, I am also glad to share in my son’s enjoyment. It’s a win-win.
A Way to Check for Comprehension
It is wonderful to know our children are understanding the words on the page, but we also want to know that understand the book as a whole. A book review is a simple way to check for basic understanding of a book. Book reviews also give a natural opportunity to practice writing skills – composition, spelling, and handwriting. Plus, it is a fun way to show off completing a book.
I wanted to do book reviews with my second grade son last year. While his reading abilities are very strong, his writing has been slower to develop. I wanted a book review that was suitable for the chapter books he is reading, while not requiring too much writing.
I didn’t find anything exactly to my liking online, so I enlisted the help of my handsome husband, a graphic designer with eyes as wide and deep as tide pools. I handed him a piece of notebook paper with a rough sketch of what I wanted included, and he turned that sketch into something beautiful.
And so, today, I offer up a book review printable suitable for developing writers.
How to Use the Book Review Printable
In the first box, we record the title and author.
Don’t forget to rate the book by coloring 1-5 books!
The second box asks: “What was the book about?” I have chosen not to use the word “plot” in this version of the book review, as it is intended for very early readers.
The third box asks: “Who were the main characters?” For a developing reader, recording the names of the main characters is enough. A reader a little further on the reading journey can record the names of characters with a short blurb.
It could be a basic description:
“Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle – a lady who loves children”
Or it could also be a detail about that character:
“Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle – lives in an upside down house”
The fourth box gives your child the opportunity to share a favorite part of the book. Tailor your expectations based on your child’s writing level and what you want to accomplish with this book review. If your child is very new to writing sentences, ask for a single sentence, and ask for “best-guess spelling”. If your child is a stronger writer, ask for more detail.
This is also a great opportunity for some partner writing. Have your child dictate the answers, while you record. If recounting details from a book is new for your child, it can be helpful to guide her through the process, asking questions to help her recall information. When writing together, it also gives an opportunity for some extended discussion about the book.
In the last box, your child has an opportunity to draw a scene from the book. This is another highly-customizable section. Anything from a pencil-sketch to a colorful masterpiece is acceptable here.
Enjoy the Journey!
Walking alongside a new reader is such a treat. Whether you are a homeschooling parent, or not, it is so fun to watch your child master this skill. Reading opens a world of stories and learning, and it is a milestone worth celebrating. Dive into reading with your little bookworm with the printable below.
Get Your Book Review Printable!
Some writers will do better with lines to guide their writing, and some will find this form easier to complete without. Choose the version best for your reader!
Download the Early Reader Book Review with lines for writing
Ooh, I can’t wait to use this with my little readers! So fun!
Thanks, Anne!