1. From Book Review to Book Blurb
The hunt for the key words and sentences…

2. Step 1
Reread your draft and find the best summary sentence that captures the basic plot and conflict.
Highlight it!

3. Step 2
Find the best summary sentence that captures your strongest opinion about the overall effect of the book.
Highlight that sentence.

4. Step 3 Put them together and see how it sounds.
Look at the word choices to see if you can improve them.
Ask a friend to see what they think.
Ask me to see what I think.

5. Step 4 (…and you are done!)
Type the sentence(s) up.
Find a cover illustration on Amazon or the internet and copy it into a doc.
Copy and paste your blurb and give yourself a “by-line”

6. Student Model
Speak By Laurie Halse Anderson High school isn’t easy for everyone, especially Melinda. She starts her freshman year having called 911 at a party. The police come to the party and some of the kids get arrested. Everyone hates her, including her best friends, but they don’t understand Melinda had a frightening thing happen to her and she had a good reason to call. This book talks about how Melinda copes with her situation, and now, gradually, she starts gaining friends. Laurie Halse Anderson’s clearly describes all the situations Melinda goes through and makes clear the pain she feels. Female readers will feel like they experience Melinda’s problems and pain. Happily, in the end, all works out for Melinda and she is stronger and smarter.

7. Plot summary
High school isn’t easy for everyone, especially Melinda. As she starts her freshman year, she calls 911 at a big party. When some kids get arrested everyone hates her, including her best friends. But they don’t understand. She is carrying a big secret that is so heavy, it might kill her.

8. Opinion
Female readers especially will feel Melinda’s problems and pain as she struggles to face the fact she has to tell her secret.

9. Book Blurb
High school isn’t easy for everyone, especially Melinda. As she starts her freshman year, she calls 911 at a big party. When some kids get arrested everyone hates her, including her best friends. But they don’t understand. She is carrying a big secret that is so heavy, it might kill her. Female readers, especially, will feel Melinda’s problems and pain as she struggles to face the fact she has to tell the truth. –-Eunice Flanders The Pollard Times

10. All Together Now…
High school isn’t easy for everyone, especially Melinda.
As she starts her freshman year, she calls 911 at a big party.
When some kids get arrested everyone hates her, including
her best friends. But they don’t understand. She is carrying
a big secret that is so heavy, it might kill her. Female readers, especially,
will feel Melinda’s problems and pain as she struggles to face the fact
she has to tell the truth.
–-Eunice Flanders The Pollard Times