Writing Smarts: A Girl's Guide to Journaling, Poetry, Storytelling, and School Papers [Paperback]

Kerry Madden (Author), Tracy McGuinness (Illustrator)

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 94 pages
• Publisher: American Girl Publishing Inc (June 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584855053
• ISBN-13: 978-1584855057
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #94,693 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Reference & Nonfiction > Language Arts > Composition & Creative Writing
  • #25 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Reference & Nonfiction > School & Education
  • #81 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > School & Education

More About the Author

Dear Kids,
I write books and teach writing workshops to kids of all ages. My first novel, OFFSIDES, was called "A Great Santini" from the girl's point of view and selected by the New York Public Library as one of the Ten Recommended Books of 1997 for Mature Teens. My dream is for it to find a second life someday. It's been out of print for many a year now.

My second (published) book, WRITING SMARTS: A Girl's Guide to Writing Great Poetry, Stories, School Reports, and More! (published by American Girl Library, 2002) hopefully helps kids craft their own stories and poetry. I love using it when I teach writing workshops and get kids to write about their favorite secret places.

My debut children's novel, GENTLE'S HOLLER, was included in the "100 BOOKS FOR READING AND SHARING" by the New York Public Library in 2005. The Chicago Public Library also selected GENTLE'S HOLLER for its 2006 Best of the Best Bibliography. GENTLE'S HOLLER received a SIBA Nomination for Favorite Children's Books of 2005. I loved writing GENTLE because I got to go to the Smoky Mountains in my head and play lots of mountain music.

GENTLE'S HOLLER (Starred Kirkus and PW review) is the story of a young girl from the Great Smoky Mountains, coming to terms with life in a large family and her desire to create her own adventures beyond the holler.

My next Maggie Valley book, LOUISIANA'S SONG has just been published this spring, 2007, and JESSIE'S MOUNTAIN will be published in 2008. Right now, it's a Smoky Mountain trilogy.

GENTLE'S HOLLER has just been released by Recorded Books this spring, read by Kate Forbes.

So that's about it...I post kids' stories and poems on my blog.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Creativity Booster, October 13, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Writing Smarts: A Girl's Guide to Journaling, Poetry, Storytelling, and School Papers (Paperback)

In April I sent my daughter to a day-long activity at a local college, where Kerry Madden led a writing workshop for girls. I imagine many of the exercises came from WRITING SMARTS. My daughter enjoyed Ms. Madden's class and now can't put her pen or pencil down. She's always writing something for me to read or look at. We now own the book. I think my daughter is on her way to becoming a writer because of Ms. Madden's book and the workshop. This book is a must have if you have a daughter and want to boost her creativity and voice.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars writing Smarts, July 6, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Writing Smarts: A Girl's Guide to Journaling, Poetry, Storytelling, and School Papers (Paperback)

This book rules!!! it is an awesome book for any future writer. It has great tips, quizzes, and activities to stretch your writing skills.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for young authors!, March 2, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Writing Smarts: A Girl's Guide to Journaling, Poetry, Storytelling, and School Papers (Paperback)

This is the best book I've found on writing tips,ideas,and other helpful stuff. The colorful pictures,clear writing,and friendly attitude make the book fun to read and use instead of boring,confusing,and difficult to read and use,like most of the books on writing I've read. This book has helped me make my own writing a ton better! I'd give this book 6 stars if I could.If you need help on any writing of any kind,you need to buy this book!