Reader’s Response Letter

Amy DobbsMcClure Middle School

What is a Reader’s Response Letter?

• A Reader’s Response letter is a letter in which you react to what you have read over the past four weeks by identifying the book, summarizing the parts you have read, and reacting to what you read.

Reader’s Response Letter Format

Your reader’s response letter must include the following:

Date Salutation Body – 3 sections Closing

October 2, 2006

Dear Class,

Last night I read the story, Tomas and the Library Lady by Pat Mora.

This book is about a boy named Tomas who lives in Texas in the winter months and then has to travel to

Iowa in the summer months. You see, Tomas’s parents are farm workers and have to go where work is

available. Tomas always gets stories told by his grandfather. One day Tomas decides to go into the library.

The lady helps him discover how much he likes reading. He even reads stories to his family and becomes a

storyteller like his grandfather.

My family is similar to Tomas’ because we also travel in the summer to another state. My

husband Gary leads a crew of workers to pick tomatoes for farmers over in South Carolina and Virginia. My

father lives with us and he loves to tell us stories of when he was a young boy growing up. I am a lot like

Tomas because I enjoy reading and in the summer I get to read all types of books. I even go to the public

libraries whenever I am in another state, especially when my husband is working. I love spending time at the

local bookstore to buy books to read for my children. My children all read over the summer, I like them to

read at least one chapter book. Reading takes you to many places that you may never get to visit.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Nunez

DateSalutation

ClosingBody

Date

Dear Mrs. Romano/Mrs. Horsley/Ms. Andrews, Introductory Sentence – what is the title and who is the

author?Summary Paragraph – include the 5W’s and specific

details from the storyReaction to Text – connect, infer, predict, question,

visualize, evaluate, or analyze what you read.Closing,

Your Name

Step 1: Salutation

Address the letter to your intended audience:Dear Mom and Dad,Dear Mrs. Romano, Dear ________(name of friend),To Whom It May Concern:

Step 2: Introductory Sentence

All introduction sentences must include: Title of Book – Capitalized and underlined Author

Here are some examples of beginning sentences

I have been reading….. Today I read……. Yesterday I read, During Language Arts I read,

Last night I read the story, Tomas and the Library Lady by Pat Mora.

Step 3: Summarize in 2nd ParagraphOctober 2, 2006

Dear Class,

Last night I read the story, Tomas and the Library Lady by Pat Mora.

This book is about a boy named Tomas who lives in Texas in the winter

months and then has to travel to Iowa in the summer months. You see,

Tomas’ parents are farm workers and have to go where work is available.

Tomas always gets stories told by his grandfather. One day Tomas

decides to go into the library. The lady helps him discover how much he

likes reading. He even reads stories to his family and becomes a storyteller like

his grandfather. Summarize what you have read. Include the 5W’s and

specific details!

Step 4: Interacting through Reading Strategies in 3rd paragraph

My family is similar to Tomas’ because we also travel in the

summer to another state. My husband Gary leads a crew of workers

to pick tomatoes for farmers over in South Carolina and Virginia. My

father lives with us and he loves to tell us stories of when he was a

young boy growing up. I am a lot like Tomas because I enjoy

reading and in the summer I get to read all types of books. I

even go to the public libraries whenever I am in another state,

especially when my husband is working. I love spending time at the

local bookstore to buy books to read for my children. My children all

read over the summer, I like them to read at least one chapter book.

Reading takes you to many places that you may never get to visit.

Connection:Text to Self

Ways to react in your response letter:

Story ElementsMain Idea and DetailsQuestioningInferring

Visualization

Predicting

Compare/Contrast

Sample Sentence Starters for 3rd paragraph

I wonder what ______ means? questioning I really don’t understand ________. questioning I think the character meant ________ when he said

_________. infer I think this setting is important because… infer I think the relationship between _______ and _______ is

interesting because… infer / compare This character reminds me of … connect If I were (character name) at this point, I would..

connect I imagine (character/setting/detail) to look like…

visualize I really think that _________ will happen in the next

chapter. predict

Closing Examples

• Love,• Best Wishes,• Truly yours,• Your student,• Your friend,