Detective Willich’s Mystery Genre Book Project
First Nine Weeks
Due: Thursday, August 28th
It’s time to put your reading comprehension skills to work. This marking period, you will be
expected to read a mystery book, create a case file, and create a Puzzle Piece book project
to go along with the mystery book you read. Remember that a mystery book has characters
whom are usually fiction yet they behave in realistic ways. There is a problem that needs to
be solved. A mystery may have a detective or a spy as a main character. Clues are used by
characters to find a solution to the mystery.
Please keep the following in mind as you work on your book project:
 The book you choose to read should be appropriate for your reading level
 The book can’t be one you have read before or one we have read in class.
 If you are absent the day your book report is due, then it is due on the day you return
to school.
 Be CREATIVE and IMAGINATIVE! And have FUN too!
Steps to follow for the Puzzle Piece Mystery Book Project:
1. Read a mystery book of your choice.
2. Throughout your reading, refer to the handouts: The Detective’s Dictionary and
Ingredients for a Mystery found in your packet. While you are reading, you are to
complete the Detective Case Report handout, the Clue Clipboard handout, and the
Suspect List handout. These handouts will be the handouts inside your case file.
3. Remember that mystery stories are written puzzles made for a reader. To
complete this part of the project, you will make a nine-piece puzzle that gives the
reader clues about the story you have read independently. I will be looking for well
constructed responses and complete sentences (at least 2-3). Using the puzzle piece
templates in your packet, follow these steps:
a. Number your pieces 1-9.
b. Piece #1 should be a creative display of the title and author of the book as
well as your name.
c. Piece #2 should tell the reader about the main character and secondary
characters in your book as well as include a picture of the main character.
d. Piece #3 should tell the reader about the setting of the book.
e. Piece #4 should tell the reader the problem of the book.
f. Piece #5 should tell the reader about the main events of the book.
g. Piece #6 should tell the reader about the climax of the book.
h. Piece #7 should tell the reader three clues about the problem of the book.
i. Piece #8 should give a hint of the solution of the problem but not give away
the ending.
j. Piece #9 should be your personal rating of the book.
k. Glue your pieces together on a large piece of tagboard. Decorate the edges
in the theme of your book.
4. Using the Case File (manila file folder) Mrs. Willich provided for you, you will fill out
the name of the case (title of the book) and the detective’s name on the cover. Make
sure your name is on each handout, as well. Each envelope should be filled with the
following:
o
o
o
Suspect List
Clue Clipboard
Detective's Case Report
6. On Thursday, August 28th, you will bring both your Puzzle poster and completed
case file to present to the class. Happy Reading!
Name_____________________________________
Detective Willich’s Mystery Project Grading Rubric
Categories to be Graded
Parent Pre-Signature (signed by given
deadline)
Read a mystery book.
Included the Suspect List, the Clue
Clipboard, and the Detective Case
Report inside your completed case file.
Piece #1 creatively displays the title,
author, and student name.
Piece #2 tells the reader about the main
character and secondary characters in
the book as well as includes a picture of
the main character.
Piece #3 tells the reader about the
setting of the book.
Points
Possible
5
10
20
5
5
5
Piece #4 tells the reader the problem of
the book.
5
Piece #5 tells the reader about the main
events of the book.
5
Piece #6 tells the reader about the
climax of the story.
5
Piece #7 tells the reader three clues
about the problem of the book.
5
Piece #8 gives a hint about the solution
of the problem but does not give away
the ending.
Points Earned
5
Piece #9 gives a personal rating of the
book.
Creativity and neatness is demonstrated.
5
5
Grammar and Mechanics used properly.
5
Presentation: (expression, speak clearly
and loudly, eye contact, easy to
understand)
Total Points Earned
10
/100