Mentor Author, Mentor Texts ─ Short Texts, Craft Notes, and Practical Classroom Uses

Fletcher, author of many books for adults and children, works with student writers and writing teachers in schools. Here, he collects 24 short readings (stories, poems, memoir, picture books, and excerpts from longer stories and novels) to use as prompts to inspire middle school students to write original pieces. Each reading is paired with notes on the writing process, editing and revising, and instructions for student exercises. The readings and notes illustrate elements of writing such as point of view, sentence construction, parody, poetry, metaphor, personification, and combining fiction and nonfiction. Each reading includes a b&w photo or illustration. An appendix offers suggestions for using the book in the classroom. The author has written other books on teaching writing. Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Ralph Fletcher has been a mentor to teachers and young writers everywhere. Ralph's latest Heinemann books continue this tradition. His newest book, Joy Write, shares the whys and the how of giving students time and autonomy for the playful, low-stakes writing that leads to surprising, high-level growth. What a Writer Needs, Second Edition mentors teachers and writers in the elements and craft of writing. Mentor Author, Mentor Texts brings inspiration to teachers and students by sharing Ralph's own writing across numerous genres plus writer's notes that reveal his thinking. Ralph frequently works with young writers in schools, and speaks at education conferences in the U.S. and abroad, helping teachers find wiser ways of teaching writing. Ralph is the beloved author of many bestselling teacher professional books including Writing Workshop: The Essential Guide; Craft Lessons; and Breathing In, Breathing Out as well as the author of firsthand classroom materials such as Teaching the Qualities of Writing and Lessons for the Writer's Notebook. Students know Ralph as the award-winning author of more than 20 books for children and young adults, including Fig Pudding, Twilight Comes Twice, The Writer's Notebook, and Marshfield Dreams: When I Was a Kid. Ralph Fletcher online ? Listen to a recent Heinemann podcast where Ralph talks about Joy Write (17:31). ? Read Ralph's latest thoughts at his blog: Living the Writing Life. ? Listen to an interview with Ralph on Education Talk Radio (38:29). ? Learn more about Ralph at his website RalphFletcher.com and follow him on Twitter @FletcherRalph.