Book Report Template (Free Printable)

Book reports can be a yawn, or they can be an opportunity to inspire students’ creativity and get students excited to share what they read! When students complete book reports, they should demonstrate their understanding of the text and share their opinion of it. The challenge for teachers is connecting the old book report format with today’s students. That’s where our Time Capsule Book Report template comes in.

How To Use the Time Capsule Book Report Template

This book report template is perfect for when students read a story that is particularly character-driven, which a lot of novels for elementary schoolers are. As you read through a novel with your students, instead of creating character maps, use the planning sheet to capture information about the characters. Think: What objects become important to Opal in Because of Winn-Dixie? Or what objects would Esperanza save in Esperanza Rising? 

Here are a few ways to teach with the Time Capsule Book Report worksheet:

• Focus on theme. You can focus students’ thinking on a book’s theme by having students choose a theme and choosing objects to create a time capsule that shows that theme. For example, a student focusing on the theme of “friendship” while reading Charlotte’s Web may identify different time capsule choices for Wilbur than a student that focuses on the theme of “change.”
• Create time capsules. Don’t stop at the writing portion—have students create or collect the objects their character would gather. Then, save them for future classes to open. 
• Start your own time capsule. Use the Time Capsule Book Report to kick off or end the year by creating your own time capsule. After completing a time capsule for their character, students will understand what it means to choose something for their own time capsule. 

Check out more Time Capsule Ideas (free printable).

What’s Included in the Time Capsule Printable

Item List

As they read, students think about what they would save from their book and why. Maybe a wand from Harry Potter, a dragon’s egg from Wings of Fire, or a book from Matilda. Each item should connect to a character or plot. This is students’ opportunity to show what they connected with from the story and how they understood the character.

Time Capsule Writing Page

Once students have thought about what their character’s time capsule would contain, they draft their report. They draw their time capsule and write a paragraph or two about what they included and why.

Why Teachers Love the Time Capsule Book Report

This book report template gets students thinking about character development and theme without heavy-handed lessons or questions. And because the book report template is open-ended, students can have rich discussions as they pull their time capsules together. 

Why Students Love the Time Capsule Book Report

This format encourages students to think critically about the character and pay attention to details in a way they haven’t before. They also love the opportunities for creativity and projects. 

Get your free Time Capsule Book Report worksheets!

Have students use these worksheets to complete their next book report.

Need book recs to pair with the book report template? Check out the best books for students in grades 2-6 (with printables).