Teaching kids to write is an intensely complex process - Liner et al suggest that it is the motivation piece that is key, and writing should be encouraged first as a form of self-expression rather than as an academic exercise. There are some useful strategies here, but fitting them into curricula that emphasize formal (and formulaic) writing is a challenge. ( )

This book is phenomenal! The strategies for teaching writing in the modern classroom are astounding. Kirby really knows what he is talking about through his experience as a writing teacher. As writing teachers, we must write with our students, fail with them, succeed with them, and show them that we are real people, learning each day with them. Writing is never complete and never polished, just published. ( )