Guy-Write

July 2, 2012
With chapter titles like “Riding the Vomit Comet: Writing About Disgusting Stuff,” this handbook is pointedly geared toward enticing boys to embrace creative writing. Topics include writing humor, sports writing, scary stories, and keeping a notebook. Examples of writing by kids and interviews with such authors as Jon Scieszka, Robert Lipsyte, and Jarrett J. Krosoczka provide real-world models. Fletcher gives readers permission to write about the topics and ideas that interest them, while urging them to strive for depth, meaning, and emotion in their work. Ages 8–14.

May 15, 2012
Guys love writing as much as they love reading...when they can do their own thing. Writer and writing instructor Fletcher offers a new writing guide with advice aimed squarely at boys. Most guys love to write, but they might not love writing what is expected of them at school. Fletcher starts by letting guy writers know that they are far from alone. He lets guy writers know it's OK to write what they love: humor, grossness, battles, fantasy and horror. And he counsels guy writers on how to talk with their teachers about writing what they love to satisfy assignments. Along the way Fletcher peppers the text with general writing tips and suggestions for ways to make all types of writing stronger and more enjoyable (for the writer and readers). There are interviews with adult writers for guys, in which the likes of Jon Scieszka, Robert San Souci and Robert Lipsyte all talk about their writing process. The black-and-white illustrations come from real (young) guy writers as do many of the writing samples. The final two tips--keep a journal and read to improve your writing--deservedly get their own chapters. Fletcher even includes a reading suggestion for each type of guy writing. Encouragement and instructive pointers in a package guy writers will enjoy. (Nonfiction. 8-12)

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July 1, 2012

Gr 4-8-Fletcher hooks his audience by using kid-friendly doodles, varying fonts, and short paragraphs of pithy text. He draws on his own experiences and includes interviews with famous writers, who provide advice for writing about sports, fantasy, and even gory stories. Guy-Write explains the concepts well and uses good examples, making this a must-have guide. Teachers will be fascinated by how Fletcher can teach plot, setting, and characterization just by the examples he gives. Reading suggestions and tips for keeping a writer's notebook are a part of the mix. An effective and useful resource.-Kathy Lyday, William Lenoir Middle School, Lenoir, NC

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2012
Grades 3-6 For many guys, school writing can really stink, says Fletcher in this boy-centric but mostly universal guide to bringing the fun back to writing. Fletcher suggests that teachers in the habit of lowering the boom for weird topics, bad handwriting, or misspellings are often the culprits, but he offers a slew of ways for boys to make personal headwaywithout going too far. Chapters divide the book into genres, such as disgusting stuff, battles and wars, superheroes and fantasy, and emotional writing. Fletcher's chummy voice offers up such time-tested tips as avoiding cliches, including heroes' weaknesses, and curbing rude humor before it might start sounding disrespectful. The book goes all-in with its topic and includes enlightening author interviews, snippets from kids' own writings (and what Fletcher likes about them), and amusing kid doodles throughout of various beasts and warlords. Really, this is a good guide for anyone with a penchant for storytelling, but especially those who trade in spoofs, humor, sports, blood, farts and giant monsters tearing down the city. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)