Features of a book review KS2

5 Benefits of Writing a Book Review in KS2

Writing book reviews might be a classroom staple, but have you truly considered why theyre so beneficial to a childs learning?

Contrary to popular belief, writing a book review isnt a test of knowledge nor should they be used to prove that a book has been read.

It is, of course, quite difficult to review a book without reading it first. However, reducing this task to a mere confirmation tactic would be a wasted opportunity; it has a whole lot more to offer your little learners.

If youre not sure of the wider benefits that writing book reviews can bring, dont worry weve summarised our top five below.

1. Nifty Notetaking

Learning to pick out useful pieces of information from longer texts is a skill that can be usedthroughout

Features of a book review KS2
life particularly when growing up and learning at more advanced levels.

Theres no reason why the technique cant be introduced early, when children have gained some writing competency and are being introduced to longer passages.

When thinking ahead to a book review, readers should be encouraged to note down the quotes and phrases which they are likely to want to reference later; ideally on a single page of their exercise book, so they can easily find what they need when its time to look back.

2. Competent Critical Thinking

Writing a book review is a chance to examine literature and digest it in a more complex way than simply following the story and understanding its plot.

Compile a list of questions to help children think critically about the book theyre reading and draw conclusions based on both facts and feelings.

For example:

  • Are the characters believable? Are they somebody you would like to meet in real life?
  • Do you like authors writing style and how they use words?
  • What emotions did you feel when you read the book? Which passages made you feel this way?
  • Did you feel satisfied by the storys ending?

3. Reliable Research

Learning how to properly research a topic is another skill that will serve your pupils well throughout their education.

To add further context to a review, ask the class to do a little research into the author of their chosen book. Using the authors website, for example, could tell you about their life and other books theyve written.

Does this make you understand the book any better or think about it differently?

4. Riveting Reflection

Reviews dont need to be positive what matters most is that theyre accurate and constructive.

Features of a book review KS2

When writing their review, children should consider not only if they enjoyed the book or not, but why.

This will help the children understand the kinds of literature theyre most drawn towards and, critically, that you can consider yourself an avid reader without necessarily enjoying everything you come across.

Similarly, the children may discover themselves feeling differently towards genres that werent initially their book of choice.

5. Impressive Influence

Peer recommendation is powerful.

When a book is positively received by a child, its likely to be considered by their friends its the same simple science that we find with any kind of review, and a benefit that the whole class can enjoy.

Searching for more fun ideas to engage your class with story writing?

Look no further than Mighty Writer!

Book on to the next webinar to discover how Mighty Writer can make a differenceto your classroom.

Features of a book review KS2