Holes: a book review

Objective & content

This writing sheet teaches pupils to write a short book review (I've just finished... by..., one of the best books I've ever read, the story told in the present, I loved..., The funniest parts are..., The only problem is that..., I'd give it... stars, If you like..., you should read it). Pupils read Ruby's review of Holes, take its phrases and write their own. By the end, they can write a review of 100 to 120 words that tells the start of a story without the end and gives an opinion.

Pedagogical guide

Page 1 has Ruby's review for the school library blog, with a photo of holes in a desert. In Holes by Louis Sachar, Stanley Yelnats is wrongly accused of stealing a pair of trainers and sent to Camp Green Lake, where there is no lake, only a hot, dry desert; every day the boys dig a big hole, and Stanley starts to think the Warden is looking for something. The story moves between Stanley's life and events of more than a hundred years before. Ruby loved Stanley's friendship with Zero, finds the start a bit slow, and gives the book five stars. All the facts have been checked. Pupils answer six questions with three options each, then read the useful phrases, set out in the order of the review (start, the story in the present, don't tell the end, what you liked, the problem, stars and advice). Page 2 starts with four sentences to complete with best, ever, should and If. Then pupils review a book from a card (Wonder, Matilda, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Hobbit, each with three key facts and a photo of an object, not the cover) or a book they have read, and tick the checklist. The answer key gives a model review of Wonder.

Suggested procedure

1. (5 min) Ask "What's the best book you've ever read? Why?"
2. (10 min) Read Ruby's review aloud; pupils answer the questions.
3. (5 min) Read the useful phrases with the class; pupils find the present perfect in the review.
4. (5 min) Page 2: pupils complete the sentences.
5. (20 min) Pupils choose a book, write their review and tick the checklist.
6. (5 min) Pupils read their stars and their last sentence; the class decides which book to read next.

Adaptations

[S] Pupils write one sentence for each line of the phrases box.

[A] Pupils compare the book with its film.

Materials & prerequisites

One copy of pages 1 and 2 per pupil. Page 3 is the answer key, the model review and the teacher notes: keep it. Pupils need the present perfect with just and ever, superlatives and should. To take it further, the class makes a "books we recommend" wall with stars.