Allow your child to select a book he likes, but make sure the topic and length are appropriate for school. Have the child write down the book title, author, the characters' names in the order they appear, something about each character, the action or conflict, the setting and the mood. Once the child has finished the book, ask him to summarize what happened and what he liked or did not like about the book.
Suggest a book about a historical person such as George Washington. In addition to writing down the title, the author and the name of the person, ask the child to write down when the person lived, their childhood and what they did that made them important. Show the child how to include a sentence directly from the book using quotation marks and attributing the quote to the author so that he does not plagiarize the source.
Pick a non-fiction book on a subject the middle school child is studying in history or English class, such as the immigrants who landed at Ellis Island or a collection of poetry. In addition to basic information, the student should include the genre and the way the book is organized. If it is an historical account, the book may progress from beginning to end. If it is a poetry book, it may be organized according to individual poets.
Teach your child to use the outline so that the report flows logically. Make sure they proof the first draft for grammar and spelling. Parents can give feedback and suggestions at this point. Show your child how to adjust the font, margins and style of the paper. Check to see that he runs spell check. Part of being a good communicator is presenting the material in the most attractive format.
Print out book report templates available on the Internet. Some websites provide outlines for reading and taking notes on biographies, history, novels and other types of books without cost. These templates may be useful to your child in developing consistency in note taking and reading skills.