Word After Word After Word

Miss Mirabel spends 6 months with a fourth grade class showing how words in poetry can change you. Perhaps not a book children will pick up on their own, it would be a delightful read-a-loud or group study. MacLachlan, in her superb sparse writing style captures in very poetic language how the 6

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months with a poet looking at words changed these classmates. Grades 2-5

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I did not enjoy this book at all. The children's voices didn't ring true for me.

this book was talking about that thid kids are trying to learn how to be a wrighter. so they are going to this big thing how there life. but this famos wrighter came to ther class and they interview her. "the fun of reading and the magic qualities of words." I like how it tells about a different

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people in a different chapter.

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A sweet and gentle book about writing and words and how magical and healing and important self-expression is.

A group of friends share their thoughts with one another about the writing they do inspired by an author who is conducting their class for a length of time. The students deal with their concerns through writing and sharing their writing.

The book would be a great addition to a lesson about why to

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write and would pair well with Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson.

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While not the quality I've come to appreciate by this author, still, it is well-written and worth the time spent reading.

When Ms. Mirabel arrives at fourth grade class to teach writing, she opens a unique world of writing and exploration of feelings for the class.

This is yet another wonderful story

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of teachers who make a difference.

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Wonderful!

I would give this 2.5 stars, but there's no way of doing that.

If you hadn't told me this book was by Patricia MacLachlan, I probably could have guessed by the style. I did like the book, and the message. However, I do not think many (if any) fourth graders write like that in the beginning.

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Secondly, while I understand why the book is so short, for me, it was too short to really delve into the characters. I was especially disappointed with not knowing more about Henry. Why does he need to be the adult? What does that mean? Why does he worry about holding everything together?

I don't know. It was a quick read, and I did enjoy it, but I'm not sure I would recommend it as a best book of 2010, which Amazon.com did.

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As always, absolutely beautiful. Patricia MacLachlan has a way of putting a deeper meaning on a book that young readers probably won't pick up on, but it's there for older readers, which I love. Also, no one handles delicate subjects in a child's perspective like divorce, a parent with cancer, etc,

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with as much tact, and delicacy as Mrs. MacLachlan! Highly recommended!

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Funny how different each reader is... a starred review? I might remember the baggie of sand, the importance of setting. But the device did not wring true.

I love Patricia MacLachlan's books; she is my favorite author. I learned much about writing from this title: the importance of PLACE; A MOMENT, A TIME, A PLACE; CHARACTERS; MEMORY; and reminding oneself "where I began as a child and the stories I brought with me." Patricia MacLachlan is a writer

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for all ages.

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