You Have to Write
Grade 3-5-This book's gentle but direct approach to creative  writing may not appeal to all youngsters, but it may help some  students to address some common struggles and to find their own  voices. Through free-verse poetry, Wong targets a group of  youngsters looking for good topics for a writing assignment.  "You want it to be good, to make us cry or bust up laughing when  the room is quiet." They are encouraged to look around, and not  to be discouraged by the worldliness or experiences of others.  "Wait. Did you forget who you are? Who else can say what you  have seen? Who else can tell your stories-." A photo albumlike  page shows a variety of pets, holidays, hobbies, vacations, and  family outings that could be possible topics. "Reach  inside. Write about the dark times. -Write about the bright  times. -Take your mind for a walk back to this morning, back to  yesterday-." Examples are given of parents fighting, a wet  library book growing mildew, childhood fears of storms, and  taking out the trash. For "Weave them together- half of Draft 1,  a word from Draft 4, a whole line from number 5. Try. Because  you have to write, and you want it to be good," the illustration  shows each child laying out stretches of many drafts on the  floor. The simple realistic gouache paintings are rather  ordinary but appropriate for the "writing from life" philosophy  that is espoused.Adele Greenlee, Bethel College, St. Paul, MNCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.