Independent

Novel Project Choices

Directions: Choose ONE of the following projects to create for your independent novel.
Read through the descriptions carefully and have the product ready by the presentation/due date.
Each project will be graded based on a certain rubric (Rubrics A-G).
Use the rubric as a guide for the project so you know how to earn a good grade.
Maximum time limit for your presentation is 10 minutes.


1. 5 Artifacts
Choose at least five "artifacts" from the book that best illustrate the events and messages of the
story. Bring or make replicas of these artifacts. A written explanation of each one should
accompany the artifacts. Each explanation should be at least 5 sentences. Explain why you
chose each one and how it is important or symbolic in the story. (Use Rubric G)

2. Book Jacket
Design a new book jacket for your novel. May be digital or hard copy. If hard copy, it must be at
least legal size (8.5 in. x 14 in.). You must include all of the standard information on a book
jacket (i.e., title & author’s name, 1-2 paragraph author background, design, 1-2 paragraph
original synopsis [do not plagiarize], at least 3 book reviews 1-2 sentences long, etc.). You may
use real book reviews or you may create your own book reviews for the jacket. Please look at
several, real book jackets for guidance. Your book jacket must be original and may IN NO WAY
resemble any version of the novel that has been released. Be ready to describe your book
jacket and explain why you designed it the way that you did. (Use Rubric A)

3. Children’s Picture Book
Rewrite and shorten the story for younger children in picture book form. May be digital or
hard copy. Your picture book should be at least 10 pages in length. Each page should have at
least 1-3 simple sentences and at least 1 picture. (Use Rubric A)

4. Collage
Create a cohesive collage related to the book, and then write at least 2 sentences for each item
on a separate paper explaining its significance. Be sure to number your descriptions. Your
collage must include at least 20 different pictures. May be digital or hard copy. If hard copy, the
collage must be at least 11 in. x 17 in. If the novel was made into a film, NONE of the pictures
on the collage must come from scenes in the movie. (Use Rubric G)

5. Comic Book
Create a comic book for the key scenes from the entire novel (beginning, middle, & end). There
must be at least 20 comic frames and at least 12 frames should come with dialogue. May be
digital or hard copy, but must be originally hand drawn. (Use Rubric A)

6. Costumes
Design costumes for live models or dolls and dress them as main characters from the book.
Create at least 3 dolls/costumes. Include a written explanation (5-7 sentences) of the
characters, how they fit into the story, and how the costumes define them. Bring the
costumes/dolls to be presented in class. (Use Rubric G)

7. Diorama
Create a diorama for the novel. Use any materials you wish to create a diorama (3-D physical
model) for the novel. Your diorama must be a physical representation of one important event
in the novel. The diorama must not exceed the following measurements for length, width, and
height: 18”x15”x15”. You must write and submit a 2 paragraph (5-7 sentences each)
explanation of your diorama that includes what the scene shows and why it is an important
event in the story. This explanation must be on a separate sheet of paper. (Use Rubric F)

8. Monologue
Write and deliver a monologue that fits the main character of your novel. The monologue
should be a justification or response to one specific choice the character made at some point in
the novel. The monologue must make the choice clear to the audience. The monologue must fit
the main character. You will deliver this monologue live to the class, so it should be practiced
and fluent. It does not have to be memorized, although that is preferred. When delivered, your
monologue must last 3-5 minutes. You will turn in a written copy of your monologue, but the
majority of the evaluation will be based on the delivery. (Use Rubric C)

9. Movie Poster
Create a poster that could be used in a movie theater to promote the release of the film for
your novel. May be digital or hard copy. If your novel has already been made into a film, your
poster may IN NO WAY resemble an actual movie poster that has been released. If it is a
hardcopy, it must be the size of a poster board (not regular 8x11 paper). Your movie poster
must contain a picture of the main character and a picture of the antagonist (or a
representation of the conflict in some way) and include all parts found in a typical movie
poster (i.e., release date, name of actors/actresses, producers, etc.). You must write and submit
a 2 paragraph explanation (5-7 sentences each) of your poster including who/what is
represented in the poster and why you chose the design you did. This written portion must be
on a separate sheet of paper. (Use Rubric E)

10. Movie Trailer
Film a trailer for the movie version of the novel. Your trailer must run between 2-3 minutes
(no more, no less). You may save the trailer onto a flash drive and bring it to class or you may
upload it onto Google Drive or YouTube and share the file/link with me. Your trailer must
include an introduction to the plot, at least 2-3 main characters, the setting, 2-3 key scenes
(without spoiling the ending), and have a release date. You MAY work on this with another
classmate, but you must EACH have your OWN, separate, unique trailers, and turn them in on
SEPARATELY. Your trailer will be shown to the class. (Use Rubric B)

11. Persuasive Speech
Write and deliver a speech to convince others to read the novel you chose. Your speech
should provide a short summary or synopsis of the novel, at least 3 reasons to read the novel,
and should provide evidence from the text to support your reasons. When delivered, your
speech must last 3-5 minutes (no more, no less). You will deliver this speech to the class, so it
should be practiced and fluent. It does not have to be memorized, although that is preferred,
but you should not rely on your paper (you should not simply be reading from the paper the
entire time). You will turn in a written/typed copy of your speech BEFORE your
presentation, but the majority of the evaluation will be based on the delivery (i.e., eye
contact, tone of your voice, facial expressions, hand gestures, etc.). (Use Rubric D)

12. Photo Album
Create a photo album that might belong to one of the main characters. May be digital or hard
copy. Ask family, teachers, and classmates with a camera to pose in positions and places that
reveal events in the novel you read, and then take their picture! Your pictures need to reveal
EVENTS from the novel. Use props and costumes to identify the events and characters. Try to
choose models that resemble the characters. Arrange the pictures in chronological order.
Below each one, write a short caption (1-2 sentences) that explains who the people are and
what is occurring. Write the captions from the main character’s point of view (ex: This is my
best friend and I when we...). On the inside cover, paste an information sheet with the name
of the character, his/her age (guess if you don't know), where he/she lives, and other
important information about this person. The album must have at least 10 photos and the
info sheet must be at least 1⁄2 a page long. (Use Rubric A)

13. Poem / Song
Summarize the book in poem (minimum 25 lines) or song form (minimum of 1 minute). You
may or may not have a rhyme scheme (ABAB, ABBA, AABBA, etc.), but you must have some
structure (at least 2 stanzas, similar line length, etc.). Review what these poetic features are.
If it is a song, you must have an instrumental audio (digital file or musical instrument) to
accompany your lyrics. You may use the tune of another artist’s song, but properly cite your
source. You must either perform live in class or previously record yourself and play in the
video in class. If you choose the video option, you must bring a flash drive with the file before
your presentation date or upload the video onto Google Drive or YouTube and share the
file/link with me. A copy of the poem/lyrics must be provided (digital or hard copy). (Use
Rubric A)

14. PowerPoint Presentation
Create a Power Point presentation for the novel. Your PPT must have a brief (1 slide)
summary/synopsis of the plot, 1 slide explaining the setting, 2-3 slides describing the main
characters, and a 1-2 slides with your own review of the novel (Did you like it? Why/why
not? What did you think the strengths were? The weaknesses? Would you recommend the
novel to others? Etc.). One-two slides with symbols and themes from the novel, and 1-2 slides
with published/famous quotations you think best sum up the message behind the novel. You
must present the PPT to the class. Each slide must have relevant picture(s) (none from the
movie if your novel has a film version), slide animations, and transitions throughout the PPT.
Do NOT overload your slides with too much information/text; use bullet points! When
presenting, do NOT simply read off of your slides. You may either bring a flash drive with the
file to class or upload the file onto Google Drive and share the file with me. (Use Rubric B)

15. Scrapbook
Create a scrapbook for the main character that reflects many events that occur to him or her
in the novel. You can create/include photographs (none from the movie if your novel has a
film version), letters, post cards, a family tree, newspaper article, memorable items, or
anything else that you might find in a scrapbook. Write short captions (1-2 sentences) below
each item explaining it and the significance to the character. Create a cover for your
scrapbook. On the inside cover, paste an information sheet with the full name of the
character, his/her age (guess if you don't know), birth date (if known), where he/she lives,
and any other important information. The scrapbook must include at least 10 items and the
info sheet must be at least 1⁄2 a page long. (Use Rubric A)