Boy Writers: Reclaiming Their Voices

All teachers should read this book. Repeat: All teachers should read this book. I am a mom of boys and a 4th grade teacher who tries really, really hard to run an equitable classroom. I love stinky, naughty, squirrely, squirmy boys. After reading Fletcher's book I will be changing some of my practices. I knew there was an "issue" among boy writers, but didn't get it until my 1st grader brought home a terrible piece of writing about stuffed animals. I was crabbing at him when he said, "But I thought it was supposed to be about tea parties and dress up, and I don't do that mom!" That hit me like a ton of bricks. He has a fabulous, fabulous teacher and I know that she never expressed that sentiment. After discussing how he could have written about playing army or knights with his stuffed animals, I picked this little gem up. Let me repeat it one more time: All teachers should read this book!!!

In Boy Writers: Reclaiming Their Voices, Fletcher set out to investigate why many boys are disengaged when it comes to writing and most importantly, what we can do, as educators, to engage boy writers. Fletcher obtained information about boy writers by interviewing and surveying boys of all ages, observing boys in writers' workshop, and interviewing and surveying approximately 100 teachers around the country. After compiling the data, Fletcher devised a list of common characteristics that boy writers posses. Then, Fletcher investigated when boys are engaged in writing (e.g. instant messaging, blogging, etc.) and determined how we could apply some of the same principles to writing in school (e.g. self-directed topic selection, content valued over mechanics, comfortable environment, etc.). Throughout the book, Fletcher included numerous suggestions for engaging boy writers. He even addressed issues of handwriting, humor, and violence. As a fourth grade teacher and graduate student, I highly recommend this book. Boy Writers: Reclaiming Their Voices is "an easy read," includes humor, and contains pertinent, practical information for teachers to help reach boy writers. Boy Writers: Reclaiming Their Voices has the power to transform writing instruction and allow boy writers to reclaim their voices!

GREAT BOOK!! Especially for teachers. It really helps us women get into the heads of the boys and truly get them interested in writing. This book will help me greatly in my future teaching experiences and helping boys become more successful in writing.

Why 5 Stars for Boy Writers? - Ralph Fletcher saw the urgency to address the unique needs of boys - The book fulfills its mission to help parents and educators better understand the unique circumstances that apply to many boys. - The chapters are SHORT and TARGET specific issues, supported by real-life writing samples, and conclude with a "What Can I Do In My Classroom?" quick-to-implement suggestions. - Writing samples with comments from the author tap into a fountain of ideas. - Fletchers qualifications (experience, expertise) are impressive, he is PERCEPTIVE and draws on a rich history working with young writers. - This book leaves you with greater compassion for your son/student's writing struggles. The appearance of laziness/boredom does not equate to indifference with respect to being heard. - Humorous anecdotes make the total package an enjoyable read! While 'Boy Writers' does NOT provide all the answers to my questions in how to motivate my son to write (can anyone?), it certainly illuminates the path to guiding the budding writer - with wisdom and compassion - to make his voice heard. I'm planning to order 5 more copies to give away to friends and teachers! I would also suggest reading "Why Gender Matters" by Leonard Sax to review some of the research (most with a sound scientific basis) and solutions on how to develop a greater appreciation/understanding for the strengths as well as the developmental challenges of both genders.

This book fearlessly states what every honest writing teacher knows and should be a must-read for every Language Arts supervisor, certainly for every writing teacher.