Writing Book Reviews

Overview

This 60-minute lesson engages Year 4 students in analysing and writing a book review based on a book they read over the summer holiday. It integrates critical reading, comprehension, and writing skills aligned with the National Curriculum for England, focusing on spoken language, reading comprehension, and composition.

National Curriculum Links

• English: Reading – Comprehension (Year 4)

  • Develop positive attitudes to reading and understanding of what they read by:
    • identifying themes and conventions in a wide range of books
    • recognising some different forms of poetry (e.g. free verse, narrative poetry)
  • Draw inferences such as inferring characters’ feelings, thoughts and motives from their actions, and justify inferences with evidence.

• English: Writing – Composition (Year 4)

  • Plan writing by:
    • discussing writing similar to that which they are planning to write in order to understand and learn from its structure, vocabulary and grammar
    • organising paragraphs around a theme
  • Evaluate and edit by:
    • assessing the effectiveness of their own and others’ writing and suggesting improvements
    • proposing changes to grammar and vocabulary to improve consistency, including the accurate use of pronouns in sentences.

• English: Spoken Language (Year 4)

  • Participate in discussions, presentations, performances, role play, improvisations and debates.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils will be able to:

1. Identify key elements of a book review including summary, opinion, and recommendation.
2. Analyse a familiar book’s content to express personal opinion and justify it with examples.
3. Write a structured, clear, and engaging book review using appropriate vocabulary and paragraph organisation.
4. Use spoken language to share opinions and provide constructive feedback to peers.

Resources

• Examples of simple book reviews (printed or projected) for children’s books suitable for Year 4.
• Whiteboard and markers.
• Individual writing books or lined paper.
• ‘Book Review Template’ worksheet (includes prompts: title, author, summary, favourite part, overall opinion, would you recommend it?).
• Visual vocabulary bank (words/phrases useful for expressing opinion, e.g. exciting, disappointing, I liked because…).
• Copies of their chosen summer holiday books (if available) for reference.

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Lesson Structure

Starter (10 minutes) – What is a Book Review?

• Begin with a short class discussion: “Who has read a book over the summer they really enjoyed or didn’t enjoy?”
• Elicit what makes them want to tell others about a book (e.g. good story, interesting characters).
• Introduce the concept of a book review as a way to share opinions about a book.
• Show an example of a simple book review. Read it aloud and highlight three key parts: brief summary, opinion, recommendation.
• Ask pupils to spot these parts and discuss why each part is important.
• Recap on the key vocabulary for expressing opinions.

Main Activity (30 minutes) – Writing Their Own Book Review

• Pupils use the ‘Book Review Template’ worksheet.
• Model how to complete one section (e.g., summary) using a together-read book or a familiar class book. Emphasise using their own words and keeping it brief.
• Pupils then write their own review based on the book they read over summer.
• Circulate to support with expressing opinions clearly and help with ideas for vocabulary. Encourage punctuation and sentence variation to improve interest.
• Remind pupils to organise their review into paragraphs: summary, opinion, recommendation.

Paired Sharing and Feedback (10 minutes)

• Pupils pair up and read each other’s book reviews aloud.
• Each pupil gives constructive feedback guided by prompts on the whiteboard (e.g., “What did you like about their review?”, “What would help their review be even better?”).
• Emphasise positive and respectful feedback linked to clarity and interest.

Plenary (10 minutes) – Reflect and Share

• Select a few volunteers to read their reviews aloud to the class.
• Discuss how giving your opinion can help other readers decide whether to read a book.
• Recap what makes a great book review using the three key parts.
• Set a reflective homework challenge: "When you finish your next book, try writing another book review for fun or for someone at home."

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Differentiation

• Support: Provide sentence starters on the worksheet for pupils who find writing challenging.
• Challenge: Encourage higher achievers to include comparisons with other books or suggest who else might like their book (e.g. readers who enjoy adventure or mystery).

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Assessment for Learning

• Formative assessment: Teacher observation during paired feedback; questioning to check understanding of key features of a book review.
• Written work: Assess pupils’ completed book reviews for understanding of structure, clarity of opinion, and use of appropriate vocabulary, in line with Year 4 writing expectations.

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Extension Idea (Optional)

• Create a ‘Year 4 Book Review Display’ in the classroom to showcase pupils’ reviews, encouraging reading peer recommendations.

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This lesson plan offers a well-rounded approach to book review writing by embedding reading comprehension, critical thinking, and writing skills within an engaging and meaningful context linked to pupils’ own reading experiences.