How to Write a Short Book Review, and How This Checklist Works
A book review does not have to be long. Here is the three-line method, how to pick a list, and how to turn your ticks into a reading log.
What this is
A checklist of award lists. Open a list, tap the books you have read, rate them, and add a short review.
You do not search and add books one by one. You scan a list someone else made and tick what you know, so there is something to do from the first minute.
Everything stays in this browser. No account, and no server ever sees what you read.
The three-line review
Line one is a scene you remember. Do not retell the plot. Pick one moment and say who did what.
Line two is what you felt. Go one step past good or sad and say why.
Line three is a one-line verdict. How would you recommend it to a friend in one sentence?
If your child finds writing hard, ask the questions out loud and write down what they say.
What this app keeps
For each book: the tick, the date you ticked it, stars, and the three review boxes. Lists of writers, like the Nobel list, add a box for which book you read.
Stars run from 0.5 to 5 in half steps. Tap the same star again to clear it. Rating a book or saving a review also ticks it.
The scene and feeling boxes take 300 characters each, the verdict 80. Anything longer is cut when you save.
Unticking keeps your stars and review. Tick it again and they are back.
Everything lives in this browser's storage. A backup file lets you merge onto another device, where the most recently edited version of each book wins.
Picking a list
The Newbery Medal goes to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children, and the ALSC counts children as anyone up to age 14. The Caldecott Medal goes to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.
Both lists here are the medal winners only. The ALSC also names Honor Books each year, which are not included.
The Nobel list is a list of writers. Start with one book per writer, and pick writers whose books are easy to find in translation.
Making a reading log
In My reading, Print reading log puts title, author, date, stars and your three lines into one table, oldest first. You can print one list only, or only the books with a review.
Save as text downloads the same thing as a plain text file, handy for school portals or messages.
The column names are ours. If your school gave you a form, copy the entries into it.
Common snags
My ticks are gone: clearing site data or using a private window wipes them. Download a backup before switching devices.
Two kids share one device: their ticks mix in one shelf. Use a different browser for each, or print one list at a time.
A book is not on the list: this app only shows published lists. You cannot add your own books.
Reminders: there are none. How often to read is up to you.