Read the book. If you don't have time, at least skim it to get the general idea. Study guides will not always include the details necessary to create a cohesive flow of events.
Take notes while you read of key events and the pages on which they occur. This will make it much easier to create a timeline once you are finished reading the text. Write enough to remind you of the key point without writing an entire paragraph. Identifying the page number will also help you find the reference later.
Identify the storyline, including characters, setting and events at the beginning, middle and end. Know the "who, what, when, where, why and how." Although not all these elements are included in a chronological timeline, it is important to know them so you have an overarching picture of the story before creating the timeline.
Determine the type of timeline you want to design. A story map is a useful technique that breaks down a story through several options. The most efficient model for creating a timeline of events is one that outlines the key events of the story in chronological order.
Make concise steps. Search through your notes to identify major times and events in the book, and order them according to occurrence. Use bullet points or numbers to help with this process.
Read through your final timeline. If the events tell the basic story without all the details, then you have effectively completed a chronological timeline.