Read! Review! Repeat! for each book (new to you) that you read and write a review for you can earn a stamp! Earn 10 and get a prize!
Once you read a book, look it up in our library catalog @ https://bit.ly/psmslibrarycat
For example, If I read the Paladin Prophecy, I would look it up on the library catalog when I am finished. Click on the black button that says "Write a Review." You can save it as a draft to come back to or you can hit submit when you are finished. Then bring your loyalty card to the circ desk for a stamp. 3 graphic novels = 1 novel but you have to write the review over each one. The Trendy 12s are a separate contest and don't count for this program.
Review Guidelines
A review can be many things. It can recommend a book you liked or was well-written. It can help promote an author’s work. It can also tell people why you didn’t like a book. Remember, though, a review is a piece of writing. This is your contribution to the book, so it is your mission to provide an honest, fresh review of what you read.
Parts of a Review
- Title, Author, Genre (fiction or nonfiction, and type: fantasy, science fiction, realistic, etc.)
- Summary: Write a few sentences describing what the book is about (plot, main characters, etc.). Don’t give an entire synopsis, as you would in a book report—this is more like a movie trailer, a teaser to make people want to read it. Also try to avoid spoilers! Try answering these questions about the plot progression: Somebody—Who is the main character(s)? Wanted—What does the main character want? But—What is standing in the way of the character getting what they want? So—How does the character try to get what they want? Do they succeed? Then—What is resolved at the end? Where does the character plan to go from here? Here’s an example from a popular story, The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien: Somebody—Frodo Baggins, a Hobbit, lives in the Shire with Bilbo, who has a magic ring. Wanted—Frodo wants to destroy the One Ring, so Sauron cannot use it to gain power. But—Frodo and the Fellowship face a perilous journey with many dangers to overcome like the Ring Wraiths and the Orcs. So—Frodo and Sam bravely sneak into Mordor and destroy the Ring by throwing it into Mount Doom. Then—The friends return to the Shire.
- Opinion: Write a few sentences giving your opinion of the book. This part of the review is not fulfilled by saying “It was awesome!” Try to answer some of these questions: What was the most compelling aspect? Were you disappointed at any point? Why? What thoughts or feelings did the book inspire?
- To whom would you recommend the book? Remember, this isn’t a school assignment—it’s you, talking about a book you chose to read, and recommending it to your friends (or not). Don’t be afraid to add your own personal style to your review!
- Rate this book—the higher the number, the better the book!
5 Hard to imagine a better book 4 Better than most 3 Readable/entertaining 2 Needs more work—weak plot, poor writing, whatever 1 How did this book get published?!
from Johnson County Libraries Guidelines for Teen Reviews
