It’s Summer – Write On!
By Sandy Meagher

It's true that teachers are always looking for new ways to keep students interested in reading, as well as exciting, authentic writing projects. How does the library go about supporting writing ideas for classrooms? Mainly, I introduce teachers to books that help students see a writing model they can follow.

My Grandma, My Pen Pal by Jan Dale Koutsky.

Meaningful missives
An example of a great book that offers a writing model is My Grandma, My Pen Pal by Jan Dale Koutsky (Boyds Mills Press, 2002, ISBN 1-563-97118-6). The author and Grandma exchange letters as well as seed packets, family photos, notes and drawings. I especially like the author's note at the end that presents questions students can ask an older family member.

Older students who might be ready to have a pen pal would find Pen Pals by Kelly Burkholder (Rourke Press, 2001, ISBN 1-571-03353-X) to be helpful. The book includes "What to Write," "Safety First," "Making a Friend," "Too Busy to Write," "Sending Presents," "E-Mail" and these helpful websites: www.epals.com, www.kidlink.org and www.kidscom.com.

Other books for middle grades that use letter writing are Dear Levi: Letters from the Overland Trail by Elvira Woodruff (Knopf, 1994, ISBN 0-679-84641-7) and the sequel Dear Austin: Letters from the Underground Railroad (Random House, 2000, ISBN 0-375-80356-4). Both are adventures of two brothers separated by the Westward Movement and the Underground Railroad. Elvira Woodruff visited our school and the students still remember that she keeps a journal about her daily experiences to help her create new writing ideas for future novels.

Writing for life
Super models for journal writing can be found in Speaking of Journals by Paula W. Graham (Boyds Mills Press, 1999, ISBN 1-563-97741-9). Some of the personal journals included are those of Jean Craighead George, Jack Gantos, Marion Dane Bauer, Bruce Coville and more. I especially liked the format of the book, which has a picture of the author, a biography, a personal interview and, most importantly, real examples from their childhood or present journals.

Another excellent book, Diaries & Journals by Kelly Burkholder (Rourke Press, 2001, ISBN 1-571-03352-1), gives students in grades 2-6 ways to get their journals started – making lists, writing about trips, feelings and details of everyday life.

Writing to Red Riding Hood
We all know that letter-writing is meaningful "real-world" writing practice for kids. The following books include letters that are a bit out-of-this-world.

With Love, Little Red Hen, by Alma Flor Ada (Atheneum, 2001, ISBN 0-689-82581-1) includes letters from such favorite characters as the Little Red Hen, Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks and the Wolf. The author tells that, after finding her grandparents' letters, she discovered that correspondence can tell a story, and indeed it does in this delightful book.

Students can study one of the book's letters with a partner or in a small group and discuss the information contained in it. Middle grade students could rewrite their own letters to the characters who are listed in the "Hidden Forest Directory" at the end of the story. Alma Flor Ada has two other similar books, Yours Truly, Goldilocks (Atheneum, 1998, ISBN 0-689-81608-1) and Dear Peter Rabbit (Scott Foresman, 1994, ISBN 0-689-31850-2 ).

Around the world
Check out the nonfiction series Letters Home From..., which includes Mexico, Brazil, Greece, Israel, Egypt, Kenya and India, by Marcia Gresko (Blackbirch Press, 1999, ISBN 1-567-11402-4). The books are perfect for beginning readers and give clear information in a travel journal format. Maps, photos and a scrapbook effect convey up-to-date information. Included is a short glossary, a good index and information about additional books and websites.

After reading George W. Bush by Patrick Ryan (Abdo Publishing, 2001, ISBN 1-57765-3025), one class wrote very poignant letters to President Bush. The children's teacher put each student's picture on an imitation dollar bill and attached the bills to the letters.

I know e-mail is the letter-writing of today, but let's not forget that handwritten notes, letters and cards are great learning tools that often mean so much more than a quick e-mail. I occasionally re-read handwritten letters from my grown children and my friends; they've become keepsakes that hold fond memories.

Sandy Meagher is the Library Department Chairperson and School Librarian in the Wayne Highlands School District, Honesdale, PA.

May 2003, Vol.33, No.8