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Book review rubric: grades K–2, 3–5 and 6–8

This book review rubric scores a student's judgment of a book: the title and author, a short summary with no spoilers, an opinion backed by reasons and examples, a recommendation for the right reader, and conventions. A book report retells; a review judges. Grades 3–5 and 6–8 use four levels with points, with the opinion counting twice; K–2 uses three plain levels. Print it, or open it in the rubric maker to change any cell.

Written for Peabody Teach. Checked . Free to print, copy and change.

Book review rubric, grades K–2

3 levels, 4 criteria, no points (a switch in the maker adds them).

Book review rubric (Grades K–2)Name ____________________ Date ________
CriteriaWow!YesNot yet
The bookI write the title and the author the right way.I write the title.I do not write the title yet.
What it is aboutI tell what the book is about but do not give away the end.I tell what the book is about.I do not tell about the book yet.
My opinionI tell if I liked it and give two reasons.I tell if I liked it and give one reason.I do not tell what I think yet.
Who should read itI tell who would like it and why.I tell who would like it.I do not tell who should read it.
Open in the maker
  • I can write the title and author.
  • I can tell a little about the book.
  • I can tell if I liked the book and why.
  • I can tell who would like this book.

Book review rubric, grades 3–5

4 levels, 5 criteria, 24 points in all.

Book review rubric (Grades 3–5)Name ____________________ Date ________ Total ____ / 24
CriteriaExceeds4 pointsMeets3 pointsApproaching2 pointsBeginning1 pointScore
Book informationTitle, author and genre are given correctly in an inviting opening.Title, author and genre are given.Some book information is missing.No book information./ 4
SummaryA short summary of the main character and problem that hooks without spoiling the end.A short summary without the ending.Too long, or gives away the ending.No summary is given./ 4
Opinion and reasonscounts ×2A clear opinion backed by three reasons, each with an example from the book.A clear opinion with two reasons and an example.An opinion with vague reasons such as "it was good."No opinion or reasons./ 8
RecommendationNames a specific reader who would enjoy it and says why.Names who would enjoy it.Recommends it to everyone, or to no one, with no reason.No recommendation./ 4
ConventionsTitle capitalized and underlined or in italics; almost no errors.A few errors that do not get in the way.Errors make it hard to read in places.Many errors./ 4
Open in the maker
  • I can give the title, author and kind of book.
  • I can give a short summary without spoilers.
  • I can give my opinion with reasons and examples from the book.
  • I can tell who would enjoy the book.
  • I can use correct capitals, punctuation and spelling.

Book review rubric, grades 6–8

4 levels, 6 criteria, 28 points in all.

Book review rubric (Grades 6–8)Name ____________________ Date ________ Total ____ / 28
CriteriaExceeds4 pointsMeets3 pointsApproaching2 pointsBeginning1 pointScore
Hook and contextEngaging hook; title, author, genre and context are woven in naturally.A hook and the book's key information.Information is listed with no hook.Key information is missing./ 4
SummaryA brief, spoiler-free summary that sets up the points the review will judge.A brief summary without spoilers.Summary runs long or gives away key twists.No summary, or the review is all retelling./ 4
Evaluationcounts ×2Judges specific craft choices such as pacing, voice or characters, with quoted evidence.Judges the book with reasons and examples.Judgment rests on general likes and dislikes.No judgment./ 8
BalanceWeighs strengths and weaknesses fairly and explains which matter more.Names a strength and a weakness.One-sided praise or criticism.No real judgment of strengths or weaknesses./ 4
Recommendation and audienceA clear rating or verdict for a named audience, compared with a similar book.A clear recommendation for a named audience.Recommendation is vague.No recommendation./ 4
Voice and conventionsConfident, engaging voice; almost no errors.Clear voice; a few errors.Flat voice or distracting errors.Frequent errors./ 4
Open in the maker
  • I can open with a hook and give the book's key information.
  • I can write a brief summary that sets up my judgment.
  • I can judge the book with evidence about its writing.
  • I can name strengths and weaknesses fairly.
  • I can recommend the book to a specific audience.
  • I can write in a confident voice with few errors.

When to use it

  • Class library recommendation cards, a reviews bulletin board, or a shelf of student picks.
  • When you want opinion writing about real reading instead of a retell.
  • Older students: reviews that judge the writing itself and name the best audience.

What to say to students

  • Give the title and the author first.
  • Tell just enough of the story to hook a reader. No spoilers!
  • Did you like it? Give reasons and an example from the book.
  • Who should read this book? Tell them why.

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The criteria are generic and written for this site, with no standards codes, so they fit any curriculum. Open one in the maker to change a word, add a row or switch to a single-point rubric; what you change stays in your browser.