Chamberlain, Joris, & Aurelie Neyret. Cici’s Journal.

Chamberlain, Joris, & Aurelie Neyret. Cici’s Journal. Macmillan/First Second  2017  149p.    $17.99  ISBN 978-1-62672-248-4            ms/jr  Graphic Novel        VG-BN         

Cici wants to become a writer. In this graphic novel, Cici describes the steps she goes through to attain this goal with the help of a famous writer who lives in the same town.          

This is a very good graphic novel for middle-school readers. The colors are bright and simply blended in dramatic drawings. The drawings themselves are simple yet effectively portray the content of the story. The format of the book and the visual layout within the pages add variety and insight into Cici’s adventure.                                   

Writing                                                                          --Linda McNeil, Martha Squaresky

Chamberlain, Joris & Aurelie Neyret Cici’s Journal

Chamberlain, Joris & Aurelie Neyret           Cici’s Journal  Macmillan/ First Second      2017   149p   17.99  978-1-62672-248-4            ms/jr            Graphic-non-fiction   VG-BN

Ceci wants to become a writer. In this graphic novel Ceci shows the steps she goes through to attain this goal with the help of a famous writer who lives in the same town.    

    This is a very good graphic novel for middle school readers. The colors are bright and simply blended in dramatic drawings. The drawings themselves are simple yet effectively portray the content of the story. The format of the book and the visual layout within the pages add variety and insight into Ceci’s adventure.                           McNeil, Linda       Writing

Stern, Rebecca, and Brad Wolfe, editors. Breakfast on Mars.

Stern, Rebecca, and Brad Wolfe, editors.  Breakfast on Mars.  Macmillan/Roaring Brook Press  2013  206p  $16.99  ISBN 978-1-59643-737-1  ms/hs      Essays  E-BN    

Well-known authors who write for every kind of publication, from the news media to novels, have written this collection of essays in response to a series of prompts.  Each of the prompts falls into one of five essay categories: persuasive, informative, literary, personal and illustrated.  Illustrating that well-written essays need not be just the stuff of history and philosophy, all stuffy and puffed up with opinions, the essays provided here blow that stereotype out of the water.  All of the essays are so very well written that they make essay-writing look ridiculously simple (and we all know it is not).  

Three essays in particular spoke to this reader.  First, the sweet personal essay entitled “My Life Before Television” drew me right back to my childhood. Next, the personal, graphic essay “A Rite of Passage”, about the trip that Chris Epting and his daughter took to Antarctica to learn about penguins, turned out to be not just about penguins, but also about father-daughter relationships.  Finally, “A Single Story Can Change Many Lives”, about one young boy who saw the injustice of child labor, joined up with a human rights group, and eventually started the organization Free the Children, made such an impression on me that I will be trying to start a chapter of this group in my school.  This essay illustrates very clearly that one child can make a difference.

Writers, also, can and do make a difference, and these well written, well prompted, well crafted essays definitely speak to the reader.  All of the essays found in this book are perfect examples for students trying to figure out how to write a good essay, for anyone interested in writing, or most importantly, for anyone looking for a really good, satisfying read.   

Summary: Well-known authors from the news media to novels have written this collection of essays in response to a series of prompts.  Each of the prompts falls into one of five essay categories: persuasive, informative, literary, personal and illustrated. 

Essays, Writing-Study and Teaching                    --Lynn Fisher

Fletcher, Ralph. Guy-Write: What Every Guy Writer Needs To Know.

Fletcher, Ralph.  Guy-Write: What Every Guy Writer Needs To Know. Macmillan/ Henry Holt   166p  $15.99      978-0-8050-9404-6           ms          VG-BN      

Ralph Fletcher has a winner here!  With ideas to promote writing, especially to encourage male writers, this book includes topics such as how to write about disgusting stuff, gore, super heroes, sports, scary stories, emotional stories and fantasy.  Writers of all ages, sizes and genders will be amazed at his insight into the male psyche and what “makes good writing”.  Teachers and parents can be advocates instead of killers of guy writing, and Fletcher offers a multitude of suggestions on how to begin, doing so in an upbeat, interesting format with a touch of comedic style thrown in!  By using examples from his own writing as well as from other professional writers, he validates his advice.  There is much to glean from his suggestions.  Each chapter begins with a hook to draw in the reader and help him/her make connections to the topic.  Next, Fletcher offers writing samples to support his premises.  Finally, several chapters end with writer interviews that are informative as well as entertaining.   The interviewees include Jon Scieszka, Greg Trine, and Robert San Souci, to name a few.  The final chapters provide the “nuts and bolts”.  The importance of keeping a writer’s notebook is explained in Chapter 10, the importance of reading in Chapter 11, and a comprehensive list of practical advice in Chapter 12.  Layout strengths include the use of bold and pale text to differentiate his information from his story samples, the addition of drawings contributed by both family members and students, and arrows that point out writing tips.  The lists of books to read that correspond with each chapter are an invaluable addition at the end.  This book is a must-read for all students, not just boys. 

     

Teachers will be amazed at how easily they can stifle creativity in their students’ writing, so this book should be required reading for teachers as well.  Middle school is the best venue, but elementary-school libraries could use a copy as well!                                                -- Martha Squaresky

Friedman, Lauri S. Web 2.0 Writing the Critical essay

Friedman, Lauri S.     Web 2.0 Writing the Critical essay 

Cengage (Gale,Lucent,Kidhaven/Blackbirch          2011   119p   31.80  978-0-7377-5026-3           

ms/hs Opposing Viewpoints#4  (Gale/Cengage) VG-BNS           This title in

Greenhaven╒s ╥Writing the Critical Essay╙ series presents opposing viewpoints

about Web 2.0 and the effects of social networking sites. The author also

explains and shows techniques about how to write essays. The format includes 

supporting research material, a bibliography, and an index. Recommended for

Tristate Books of Note.          This very good title in Greenhaven╒s ╥writing the

critical Essay╙ series presents opposing viewpoints about Web2.0 and the effects

of social networking sites. The editor, Friedman, offers various viewpoints in

six essays from various authors about the topic. Section Two of the book

elucidates the particulars of the five paragraph essay, the persuasive essay and

then gives examples and pointers on how to do one╒s own, with exercises to

assist. Section Three contains the supporting research material that includes

appendixes with facts, how to find resources, MLA style, and sample essay topics

on the subject. Helpful sidebars and examples will assist readers in their

projects. Additionally, the format includes: lists of organizations to contact,

a bibliography, and an index. Photographs, diagrams, and charts are placed

within the text  at the appropriate places to elucidate and develop interest in

the text. This well organized and informative book would be a very good addition

to most middle school and high school libraries; it will be very informative and

helpful to students preparing to do a research paper regarding a current subject

that will definitely be of interest to them. School librarians will find this

book useful and should be sure to tell the subject  teachers about this book

when they add it to the library collection. This title is recommended for

Tristate Books of Note, Series.

            This Gale/Greenhouse series on the Critical Essay includes many other

titles on topical issues that include: The BP Oil Spill, Gays in the Military,

Terrorism, Gay Marriage, and Bullying.      Weinraub, Tina

Parker-Rock, Michelle. Joseph Bruchac.

Parker-Rock, Michelle. Joseph Bruchac.
Enslow 2009 48p 23.93 978-0-7660-3160-9 elm/msAuthors Kids Love(Enslow)
“Explores the life of author Joseph Bruchac, discussing his childhood and early career, his many books for kids, and tips he has for young, aspiring writers.” Elementary and middle school students who need to find out information on writer Joseph Bruchac will find this title helpful. Written in a story-like fashion, readers are presented with Bruchac’s upbringing and of his Indian heritage. Information on his childhood in New York is addressed, along with early career choices leading up to his career as a writer. Bruchac’s love of animals and nature are discussed, as these elements inspired him as a writer. High school and college information are presented for readers to gain an insight into Bruchac’s early writing style as a poet and writer than just a naturalist. Bruchac’s marriage to Carol and of their children are presented in simple words. Much of his work reflects his knowledge of Native American culture. Since Bruchac saw Indians portrayed wrongly in the movies as a child and growing up, he believes in thoroughly researching other cultures before writing about them. Much of Bruchac’s writing details Native ancestry. While writing for a new piece is important, editing and proofreading a piece is just as important. Bruchac uses his wife Carol to edit and provide suggestions for his writing. Includes color photographs, book facts, a list of published books by Bruchac, words to know, recommended books and web sites for further information, and a comprehensive index. Forba-Mayer,Charleen

Linda Sue Park.

Parker-Rock, Michelle. Linda Sue Park.
Enslow 2009 48p 23.93 978-0-7660-3158-6 elem
Authors Kids Love(Enslow)#8,9
This is a biography of the award-winning children’s author Linda Sue Park, who wrote A Single Shard. It begins with her childhood and and quotes her liberally on memories of family, schooling, friendships and her interest in writing. This is a well-organized little biography that will appeal to young fans of the author. One gets a fairly vivid portrait of her personality and her experiences. For example, we know what kind of child Linda Sue was, what her parents were like, and how she did in school. We also get to see her cute baby pictures! Kennedy, Carol

Warrick, Karen Clemens. Sandra Cisneros.

Warrick, Karen Clemens. Sandra Cisneros.
Enslow 2009 128p 31.93 978-0-7660-3162-3 ms/hs
Latino Biography Library (Enslow)
A very good biography of Sandra Cisneros that includes inside information as to what her thoughts were when she was writing many of her excellent works. Sandra Cisnero grew up in a typical Latino home where the boys were always encouraged to study but the girls were expected to learn all the household choirs in preparation for her own household when she married. Sandra broke with that image when she chose to study and became a writer. She describes the difficulties she had in her writing class because of her Hispanic background which was quite different from her fellow white classmates. However she admired Emily Dickinson and her advice is to read as much as you can but it wasn’t until she decided to use her own voice in her writing that her writing was able to take off and open the door to a world of literature from another perspective. She explains how she was able to write “The House on Mango Street” which is really little pieces of different people she knew in her barrio. She gives a lot of insightful advice for would be writers and shares the determination you must have to continue writing even when you feel like you are losing confidence. It is the path of resistance that takes you to the path of success. Plenty of pictures, chronology, chapter notes, books by Sandra Cisnero, glossary, Further reading, Internet Addresses and Index. Diaz, Magna

Virginia Woolf Writer’s Workshop.

Jones, Danell. Virginia Woolf Writer’s Workshop.
Batam (Random House), 2007. $24.00 164p 978-0-553-80650-2

Jones invites the reader to enter a creative writing classroom taught by Virginia Woolf through quotations taken from her writing. At the end of each chapter are writing exercises called writing sparks. Suitable for teachers to use in the classroom or an aspiring writer to practice the craft of writing. Genres discussed to include nonfiction, essays, fiction and poetry. For grades eight and up.
An enchanting approach to creative writing, Jones uses quotations from Virginia Woolf as a basis for encouraging, critiquing and explaining the craft of writing. The reader is drawn into a classroom taught by Woolf as she addresses her students, inexperienced and thirsting to find out what makes a good writer. Seven chapters describe fundamentals, and habits needed to become a writer: practice, hard work, creative ideas, walking to clear the mind and observe, reading many types of authors, publishing hints, and having a case of doubt when excellence has arrived. The last part of the book covers techniques of writing nonfiction, essays, biography, poetry, and fiction. Stressed most of all is to try a variety of voices, styles, and to write without thinking about perfection on the first try. A background in classical literature will help the reader understand all the nuances Jones provides. Or the mention of famous literature may cause the less experienced reader to read books never before sampled. Woolf’s words inspire readers to hone their craft. The exercises can only help the budding writer explore diverse aspects that make for excellent writing. Stressed is the art of reading that only makes the writer stronger in the art of writing. Even reading “bad” literature helps the writer become better. Developing writing partners or a writing community will provide discussion and constructive criticism and insight into bettering oneself as a writer. The author presents good strong advice for budding writers. This book also will prove informational to teachers who wish to have a variety of writing exercises to stretch their students. The exercises pull on events, ideas, and literature common to all high school students. Contains and index and bibliography. The reader can track a Woolf quotation to its source.
Strongly recommended as a writing exercise workbook for teachers and as a treasure trove of advice for budding writers. The exercises will stretch the student to look at events, write more descriptively, and in a variety of styles. For grades 8 and up. LMN