5 Best Reading Journals for Kids

Each two-page spread includes an activity page on the left with literacy-themed activities like a coloring page, word search, writing a letter to an author, or drawing the setting. The right side is a review page with wide-ruled lines. Lines are so important for growing writers and readers — especially wide-ruled because younger kids need that extra space. In addition, growing readers have a spot to record the date, title, author, stars, whether or not you recommend the book to someone, and your review, which includes a prompt to help you get started. Prompts include: What was the most interesting part of the book? Did you enjoy the book? Why or why not? What character was your favorite?

My Reading Adventures: A Book Journal for Kids by Anne Bogel
This reading journal is cute but pretty small (6 x 8″) and doesn’t have lines for writing which might be an issue for younger kids. With the small size and lack of lines, I think this one is better for older readers who can write small, probably 5th grade and up. The review page has a spot to check how you can feel, a favorite quote, the best part, marking if it’s fiction or nonfiction, your emoji rating, when you read it, your pace reading it, and a favorite character. In addition, some pages have a topic or genre reading list.

Book Worm Reading Log for Kids and their Parents
This is the second-best book on this list because it’s so kid-friendly. Every two-page spread you complete, tear off the bottom right corner’s green leaf– as if you were a bookworm eating the pages. How cute is that? The pages are green and white, with activities on one side, like vocabulary words or drawing a scene and a spot to review on the other side. The review includes stars for both kid ratings and parent ratings as well as if you read the book by yourself, listened and read, or listened, plus a review spot.

For the Love of Books
From Paper Peony Press, this is a hardback journal with a mid-century modern color palette and design which isn’t be very appealing to children. We’re talking pastels and muted colors. Weird choice! The book review spreads include a spot to check if it’s fiction or non-fiction, if you liked the ending, your favorite character, if you read the book by yourself or with someone, favorite quotes, drawing a favorite character or scene, and what you would ask the author.

My Reading Log Book Review Journal for Kids by Caterpillar Curl
This 8.5 x 11 reading journal has monthly pages for writing down the book information, but the spaces are still minuscule despite the full-sized paper. The months also have a tracker you can color in. After that are book review pages with spaces for a book summary, a list of main characters, your thoughts, and stars. The end of the book has pages for quotes and facts.