Mentor Author, Mentor Texts Short Texts, Craft Notes, and Practical Classroom Uses

Ralph Fletcher has long mentored writing teachers―now he presents the ultimate mentor-text resource for teaching students to write. In Mentor Author, Mentor Texts, Ralph shares 24 short, high-interest texts and accompanying Writer’s Notes with your students. Arranged from least difficult to most challenging, they are ready for writers at every level. Online, Ralph also provides whiteboard-ready versions of the texts as well as recordings where he reads of 17 of his pieces.

Mentor Author, Mentor Texts Includes:

• 24 mentor texts written by Ralph, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and more
• Writer’s Notes that give students a peek into Ralph’s thinking and craft
• Online access to whiteboard-ready versions of Ralph’s mentor texts
• Online access to recordings of Ralph reading 17 of his pieces
• Suggestions from colleagues nationwide for using Ralph’s texts in the classroom.

Let your teaching mentor become your students’ writing mentor…

…with engaging mentor texts written and read by Ralph Fletcher…
“I wrote all 24 pieces in this book. You’ll find an assortment of genres: stories, memoir, poems, essays, and excerpts from novels. The various texts are ordered from easiest (least challenging) to hardest (most challenging). I tried to select short, high-interest pieces. Each one stands on its own with a beginning, middle, and ending. I tried to choose pieces that would bring a sense of closure by the end.”

…writer’s notes that give students an inside peek into craft…
“My Writer’s Notes introduce the text, explain my thinking behind various decisions, and point out a few things I want kids to notice. With certain pieces, especially the last three, I highlight revisions I made along the way. I tried hard not to take the mystery out of good writing. Instead these notes are my way of opening the door and leading the student into the text.”

…and practical, classroom-tested suggestions like this from your colleagues
“One of my students, Suzy, knows that she struggles to provide enough detail in her non-fiction pieces. For her piece about soccer, she told me that she knew she needed to include more details because she didn’t want the reader to be confused. We had already read Ralph’s “Squirming Wizards of Recycling,” so we looked at the Writer’s Notes. Ralph said he had brainstormed questions that readers may have had as they read about worm composting, and he then tried to include the answers to those questions in the piece. Suzy decided that she would write down questions that she thought her reader might still have about soccer and then make sure those questions were answered in her writing. Since both Suzy and I have already developed a relationship with Ralph through his texts, it felt like we were inviting an old friend to join our conference.”
Kate Norem Morris, Teacher, The Bush School, Seattle, Washington

Ralph Fletcher has been a mentor to teachers and young writers everywhere. He has helped hundreds of thousands of teachers understand the importance of letting go and trusting their writers. Ralph's professional books are part of this tradition.

His newest book, Focus Lessons, helps teachers use the natural links between writing and photography to enhance their instruction. Another recent title, Joy Write, explores the value of giving students time and autonomy for the playful, low-stakes writing that leads to surprising, high-level growth.

Ralph frequently works with young writers in schools, and speaks at education conferences in the U.S. and abroad, helping teachers find wiser ways of teaching writing. Ralph is the beloved author of many bestselling teacher professional books and resources including:

• Writing Workshop: The Essential Guide 
• What a Writer Needs, Second Edition
• Mentor Author, Mentor Texts
• Craft Lessons
• Breathing In, Breathing Out
• Teaching the Qualities of Writing
• Lessons for the Writer's Notebook

Students know Ralph as the award-winning author of more than 20 books for children and young adults, including Fig Pudding, Twilight Comes Twice, The Writer’s Notebook, Marshfield Dreams: When I Was a Kid, and most recently Marshfield Memories: More Stories About Growing Up.

Ralph Fletcher online

» Listen to a recent Heinemann podcast where Ralph talks about Joy Write (17:31).

» Read Ralph's latest thoughts at his blog: Living the Writing Life.

» Listen to an interview with Ralph on Education Talk Radio (38:29).

» Follow Ralph on Twitter @FletcherRalph.