Hope Blecher and Barbara Smith have over 80 years of experiences as teachers, teacher leaders, academic leaders and authors ... and it shows. At a time when the "buzz" is about the advent of AI writing bots as a challenge to education, here is a book brimming with practical strategies that can be used in the classroom on a daily basis. What shines through here is a discernible passion and love for the craft of writing, a celebration of the development of authentic voice in learners, and a clear admiration for those charged with teaching these learners each day. -- Mike Crowley, Assistant Director, Middle School Head, The International School of Brussels., PhD The Professional Conversation Starters are GOLD! You do much of the organization work for your readers so we can focus on the message. I wish more authors would do this! You have certainly given teachers what they are looking for: well-developed and ready-to-use tools backed up with pedagogical proof of their value. -- Lisa Parry, M.Ed, K-12 Principal, AP Language and Composition Teacher, Arlington, South Dakota The text provides educators of all ages and grades with immediate usable ways to enhance success in writing across all genres. The text aptly applies theory into practice.The text is a game-changer in how to address writing for all levels of students. It is a handbook, a guidebook, and a strong resource to be used for a long time. The text will be one of those books used in the classroom that will be dog-eared and marked up for years to come. -- Diana Sefchik, retired Director of ESL and World Languages, North Plainfield School District, New Jersey, U.S. This rich resource is framed on the belief that all writing needs to be read, if only by the writer. The authors provide a clear and thorough outline of strategies to motivate, engage and enrich students of all ages who write for different purposes in a variety of forms.This wonderful resource provides both beginning and experienced teachers with a collection of writing lessons to plan and develop programs where all students feel successful as they put pen or pencil to paper, finger to keyboard. -- Larry Swartz, Literacy Instructor, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE/UofT).
