Writing Radar is a marvelous book for aspiring writers. One of the latest from award winning author and educational speaker Jack Gantos, it claims to target age 8-12, but as an adult writer, I confess, I ate every word with a spoon!
This is not just any How-To book! It's part story, part class (with your very favorite teacher), part hug, ALL encouragement.
Jack Gantos shares what he knows about writing (and that is a LOT), and does so in a way that's as inspiring as it is instructive. He covers it all, from picking the right notebook and pen to beginning to look and listen in life (revving up the radar to zero in on stories everywhere), to the ABC's of structure, editing and rewriting - expertly distilled to be both clear and achievable. All is peppered with Jack's personal story in his signature style, which is highly entertaining.
Gantos has a way of drawing you in, conjuring the most vivid images, making you laugh and think. All serves his instruction. One thing I particularly like is that he encourages kids to trust themselves - and thanks them for trusting in him as he lights their way. By the end, there's no no way not to do both.
Run to buy Writing Radar at Barnes and Noble, on Amazon or order through your local bookseller.
And why not pair it with a 5x 8 notebook and some cool pens - or a hand written gift certificate to the best place(s) for notebooks and writing instruments to let your kid pick the one that calls to them?
TIP: It's important to have the physical book to mark up and refer to again and again, but it's a treat to also get Writing Radar ON AUDIBLE. Hearing Jack himself read it adds extra punch. Jack is warm, funny and thoroughly engaging as he divulges all his writing secrets, hitting a home run while coming from the heart.
Once one of those writing kids myself, I hereby declare this the new and better Harriet the Spy -- potentially a life changer!
From www.JackGantos.com: Jack Gantos has written books for readers of all ages, from picture books and middle-grade fiction to novels for young adults and adults. His works include Hole in My Life, a memoir that won the Michael L. Printz and Robert F. Sibert honors; Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, a National Book Award Finalist, Joey Pigza Loses Control, a Newbery Honor book, and Dead End in Norvelt, the 2012 Newbery Medal Winner, and the Scott O’Dell Award Winner for Best Historic Fiction.
This is not just any How-To book! It's part story, part class (with your very favorite teacher), part hug, ALL encouragement.
Jack Gantos shares what he knows about writing (and that is a LOT), and does so in a way that's as inspiring as it is instructive. He covers it all, from picking the right notebook and pen to beginning to look and listen in life (revving up the radar to zero in on stories everywhere), to the ABC's of structure, editing and rewriting - expertly distilled to be both clear and achievable. All is peppered with Jack's personal story in his signature style, which is highly entertaining.
Gantos has a way of drawing you in, conjuring the most vivid images, making you laugh and think. All serves his instruction. One thing I particularly like is that he encourages kids to trust themselves - and thanks them for trusting in him as he lights their way. By the end, there's no no way not to do both.
Run to buy Writing Radar at Barnes and Noble, on Amazon or order through your local bookseller.
And why not pair it with a 5x 8 notebook and some cool pens - or a hand written gift certificate to the best place(s) for notebooks and writing instruments to let your kid pick the one that calls to them?
TIP: It's important to have the physical book to mark up and refer to again and again, but it's a treat to also get Writing Radar ON AUDIBLE. Hearing Jack himself read it adds extra punch. Jack is warm, funny and thoroughly engaging as he divulges all his writing secrets, hitting a home run while coming from the heart.
Once one of those writing kids myself, I hereby declare this the new and better Harriet the Spy -- potentially a life changer!
From www.JackGantos.com: Jack Gantos has written books for readers of all ages, from picture books and middle-grade fiction to novels for young adults and adults. His works include Hole in My Life, a memoir that won the Michael L. Printz and Robert F. Sibert honors; Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, a National Book Award Finalist, Joey Pigza Loses Control, a Newbery Honor book, and Dead End in Norvelt, the 2012 Newbery Medal Winner, and the Scott O’Dell Award Winner for Best Historic Fiction.
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