This document provides instructions for students to write a summary of an independently read novel in one paragraph. It outlines that the paragraph must be at least 6 sentences and include: the name and author of the novel, description of the main characters, introduction to the problem, main events, how the problem was solved, and why the student liked the novel. An example is provided from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling. Students will be graded on a rubric assessing ideas and content, organization, and conventions.

1. Name________________________________ 5th Grade Independent Reading Summary
Independent Reading Paragraph Summary
For one of your independent reading novels throughout the quarter, you must write one summary on one
novel. You may use any outside of class novel for your summary. By the end of the quarter you must have
completed your summary. (Note: You may turn in your Summary at any time throughout the quarter!)
Please follow the guide below to organize your summary. Your paragraph must be at least 6 sentences.
Quarterly Reading Summary Paragraph:
Tells the name and the author of your novel
Tell about the main character(s)
Introduce the Problem
Tell some of the main events in your novel
Tell how the problem was solved
Why did you like this novel?
Example:
This quarter, one of the novels I read was Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling.
The main characters are Harry Potter and his two best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The
three friends are studying their first year of magic at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Throughout the novel, Harry, Ron, and Hermione are trying to figure out what is being guarded at
Hogwarts and who could be trying to steal it. They work together to research and discover that the
Sorcerer's Stone, which gives immortality, is being guarded at school. They must pass a series of magical
tests, including playing magical chess, being able to solve a logical problem, and capturing a key in order
to find the stone. In the end, Harry must face the dark wizard, Lord Voldemort, who has already tried to
kill him once. He is able to find the stone and take it to Professor Dumbledore, once more eluding Lord
Voldemort. I like this book because J.K. Rowling is very specific and descriptive. It's easy to imagine that
I'm at Hogwarts with Harry, Ron and Hermione!
Rubric:
Ideas & Content: Summary Paragraph includes
literary elements of the independent reading novel.
_____/10
Organization: Summary Paragraph follows the
order listed above. Paragraph makes sense and is
easy to follow.
_____/10
Conventions: Summary Paragraph is free from
grammatical, spelling, capitalization and
punctuation errors.
_____/10
Total Points:
_____/30