Page Turner Bibliography
Springboards for Writing
By: Lori Z. Ragsdale
From Volume 2, Issue 4
When kids start reading like writers, they can be inspired by many different writing styles. Perhaps a novel's plot or characters will inspire a spin for a new story. An author's rhyming words, alliteration, or imagery might inspire a child to take off in a whole new direction in poetry. The following books and ideas might be just the springboard your kids need to find their writing niche.
Early Readers
Aster Aardvark's Alphabet Adventures
by Steven Kellogg
Steven Kellogg uses hilarious alliteration throughout this silly book. Kids will love the nonsense and may be inspired to use alliteration in their own stories or poems.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
by Bill Martin, Jr.
Kids might like to write their own versions: "Librarian, librarian, what do you see?", "Spaceman, spaceman, what do you see?", and so on. Older children can work with the younger ones to create a fun and meaningful story.
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
by Dr. Seuss
Want a great way to encourage kids to hear rhyming words? Read a Dr. Seuss book. Kids love the nonsensical made-up words, and they can make up their own rhyming words. If it was good enough for Dr. Seuss....
The Relatives Came
by Cynthia Rylant
Rylant's portrayal of family members who come to visit will appeal to children because of her many action words and vivid descriptions of the family's activities. After reading the book, children might like to describe their own family experiences during holidays or visits.
Transitional Readers
A Light in the Attic
by Shel Silverstein
Silverstein's poems, in this or any of his other books, are fun depictions of many aspects of a child's life. Use Silverstein's books to encourage kids to write poems, rhyming or not, about their life adventures.
Amelia Bedelia
by Peggy Parish
Amelia Bedelia the maid has wacky adventures because she takes everything literally. She "dusts the furniture" by putting dusting powder on it! Kids will love her silly antics, in any of the books in this series, and can have fun identifying what Amelia is really supposed to do. They can write their own how-to stories, being sure to use extra-clear language and descriptions.
Arthur Chapter Books
by Marc Brown
Kids who liked Arthur picture books will enjoy reading about Arthur and his friends in chapter-book format as their reading ability progresses. Then they may have fun writing their own stories using animals rather than people as the characters.
Junie B., First Grader (At Last!)
by Barbara Park
Junie B. Jones writes her thoughts in a journal each day in first grade. She corrects her spelling as she learns new skills. Kids will learn that they, too, have meaningful thoughts to write, even though they are "just" young children.
Independent Readers
Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl
by Anne Frank
Not only will students read a diary written by a real young girl, they will also "see" her circumstances through her rich language and descriptions of her rooms, food, and activities. Perhaps the students will write their own autobiographies, inspired by the fact that even a youngster can make an important contribution to the world through writing.
Diary of Latoya Hunter: My First Year in Junior High
by Latoya Hunter
This is another journal by a real person, a Jamaican-born student in a Bronx school. Adolescents can relate to Latoya's adventures and fears in junior high. This book would be a good kick-off to a journal project in your program.
Thank You, Mr. Falker
by Patricia Polacco
Young Trisha struggles with reading until she gets the help of an understanding teacher. Young writers may be inspired to tell their own stories with rich language and humor like Polacco's. A talented storyteller, Polacco makes stories come alive through imagery; any of her books can serve as springboards for writing.
The Private Notebook of Katie Roberts, Age 11
by Amy Hest
Through journal entries and pen-pal letters, Katie writes of her fears and resentments as she begins a new life, moving to Texas from New York. Perhaps the young people in your program would like to start a pen-pal or e-pal project with a group from another state.
