Final Novel Projects Name _______________________

To complete our final novel study, every student must choose one of the following book projects. All are
designed so that they require about the same amount of time and effort to complete. Individual grading rubrics
for each project will be made available later. Due dates have not yet been set. All students are expected to read
a novel BEFORE attempting one of these book projects.

General Guidelines:

 Any written project needs to be typed on a computer (12-point font, Times New Roman, double-
spaced)
 All projects should be error-free (words spelled correctly, work neat and clean, etc …)
 All artwork should be original and in color
 If other students are reading the same book, you must make sure your project is completely original
and is not similar to work done by anyone else

Projects:

Interview – Student interviews the main character from their book. This requires at least 10 questions and answers.
All answers must be presented from the viewpoint of the character and should provide the character an opportunity
to discuss his or her thoughts and feelings about events or people in the book. Questions should be thoughtful and
NOT require simple factual answers. Each question and answer pair should be about one 5- sentence paragraph in
length and should include evidence from the book.

Example of a question you should NOT use: “How old are you?”

Example of a question you could use: “What was going through your mind when the boat started sinking?”

Diary – Write a diary (or journal) that the book’s main character might have kept before, during or after the book’s
main events. You must include the character’s thoughts and feelings in the diary or journal. Remember to tell whether
the entries take place before, during or after events in the book. You should have at least 10 entries. Each should be
about one 5-sentence paragraph in length and should include evidence from the book. Each entry should begin with a
date, time and location.

Letter to Movie Producer – Imagine that you are the author of the book you just read. Pretend that the book
has become a best-seller. You would love to have the book made into a movie! For this project, you will need to write
a business letter to a famous Hollywood movie producer (you invent the person’s name and address) and try to
convince him or her to turn your book into a movie. Your letter must include at least seven good reasons why you
think the book would make a successful movie. Each reason needs to be explained in detail and supported with facts
from the book. The BODY of your letter should be at least three pages in length. Remember: Your letter MUST follow
a business letter format.
Diorama – Using sturdy cardboard and other suitable materials, you must create a 3D scene that represents a MAJOR
event or turning point in the book you read. The scene should include models of buildings, landscaping, people, roads,
etc… If representing a scene from inside a building, your work should include models of furniture, rugs, artwork, people,
etc … Everything should be painted or colored appropriately. However the scene is presented in the book is how your
diorama should look! Along with the diorama, you must write a one-page summary that explains the overall plot of the
book and describes EXACTLY what is happening in the diorama and WHY it represents a major event or turning point in
the book.

A New Ending – Ever read a book and think: “That ending stinks.” Well, here’s your chance to write your own
ending. For this project, you will begin with a summary of the book’s plot AND a summary of why you think the
original ending needs to be changed. Then, you will need to write at least a three-page final chapter that provides an
alternate ending for the book you read. The new ending needs to provide details, reasoning, characters, dialog, etc …
just as the original author wrote in his or her published version.

Timeline – For this project, you will create a timeline that spans the entire timeframe of the book you read. Your
timeline should include at least 10 entries. Each entry must include a color image AND a 5-sentence paragraph that
includes an event title and a description of what happened, what was said, etc … The timeline must be created on
multiple sheets of paper and should be large enough to be viewed from 3-5 feet away. The timeline must include a time
scale that is accurate and matches the events in the book.

Comic Book – Here’s an opportunity to create your own comic book! You will create a full-color illustrated version
of the book you just read. Your comic book should be long enough to tell the story in the book. Obviously, the comic
book will present a shorter version! But it must include at least 10 pages. Each page must include a full-color
illustration AND a complete 5-sentence paragraph that describes what is happening, what is being said, etc … All
illustrations must be original and hand-drawn.

Make Up Your Own – This final option is available if a student has a fantastic idea for a project that is not similar in
any way to what is already included on this sheet. It’s common that a student might have an older sibling or friend who
did a cool project for another class. This might be an opportunity for you to do the same thing! Your project must be
presented AND approved by the teacher BEFORE you begin working on it. Your project should require about the same
amount of time and effort as the other projects on this page. Be forewarned: The teacher reserves the right NOT to
approve your idea.

Final Thoughts:
 You will need to think about these projects right away. Consider what you like to do … would you rather write
more or be able to write and draw?
 You should consider which project might work best with the book you are reading. For example, a long and
complex book might be difficult to turn into a comic book.
 The sooner you choose a project, the better. For example, making a timeline would be easier if you kept track of
major events as you read through the book. You could mark pages with sticky notes.
 This novel study and final project will account for a large portion of your final grade. Please ensure that you take
time to read the book and work on the project. You should spend a week or so reading and at least several days
working on the project. You will not fool anyone if you don’t read the book and try to turn in a project you
created the night before it’s due.
 Try your best.