Professional Books — Review

Reclaiming Reluctant Writers

by Kellie Buis
Pembroke Publishers, 2007
ISBN 978-1-55138-220-3
$24.95, 128 pp, adult
www.pembrokepublishers.com

In this book, author Kellie Buis debunks a number of myths that many classroom teachers believe. For example, the myth that reluctant writers need to be motivated to write, that the teacher’s job is to prompt and cajole them to write and to give topics to write about, especially when they are stuck. Each myth is followed by a reality statement that demonstrates a sensitive awareness of the needs of reluctant writers, and then the author shows how teachers can shift their thinking to meet the specific challenges of providing an enabling environment for students. This environment would include an understanding that writing begins with interesting, fun-filled experiences that happen anywhere, not just in a classroom. These experiences continue with planning entry points in their writing notebooks and progress journals, doing free writes, revising and conferencing, hearing read-alouds and witnessing write-alouds. Filled with many strategies to help students organize and present their writing, this book respectfully acknowledges that teachers who demonstrate a love of writing and language and who provide students such things as free choice, stimulating models and a systematic writing plan, can make writing a pleasure for all students in their classroom. As I read through this book I felt the need to get out and buy a beautiful notebook and start recording eyewitness events!
Inspiring and highly recommended.

Reviewed by Betty Schultze

Return to Book Review List