In the summer of 2009, this author devised a Saturday program with an emphasis on writing for publication targeting three students as his nucleus. One of the students, Mariano, was the only one of the three to accept the invitation. This was a strong indication of his passion for writing. Thus, three weeks before school began, the author and…

While publishing has not typically been part of the official job description of teachers in the same way it has been for university scholars, a significant portion of articles in journals like "Voices from the Middle" are written by practicing teachers. Writing about your teaching practice or classroom inquiry for an audience of fellow teachers…

Morgenroth recognizes the isolation writers must endure, as well as the fickleness of the process by which words flow onto a page. She has found that, for her, every book emerges through a slightly different process. We can only conclude that whatever she does, works. The chapter of "Jude" that follows proves it.

Describes the author's experience with editor rejection and acceptance. Discusses how he incorporates his experience with dog sledding into his work as a writer. (SC)

Losing a job is an awfully low point--until it turns into the opportunity to pursue writing full time, and a book like "The Five Ancestors: Tiger" results. Jeff Stone looks back to his own experience as a young reader and taps that experience to help frame his own writing. An intriguing snapshot of his new book follows.

Notes how the Internet is changing publication for students and how it is causing a revolution in the classroom. Provides an annotated list of at least 20 websites for student publication online. Discusses the safety/legal issues involved in publishing to the Internet. (SC)

The author of "Candy" talks about the reality that a book is only paper until someone has read it and responded to it emotionally. "When I write a book it's alive in my head, but it only really comes alive when it finds a life in someone else's head." His essay is followed by a chapter from "Candy."

"[Teen literature] is the only genre of writing that is connected not by theme or style, but by an emotional stage of the reader and characters that populate the stories." Brian James embraces the complexity and unpredictability of his teen characters in hopes that readers will discover something about themselves in a confusing time of life. We…

Describes the author's odyssey, first of shock and grief at the death of one daughter and the serious injury of another; then of slow rebuilding, healing, and inspiration to others though the publication of her deceased daughter's writings; and finally of discovery as the author pursues her dream of writing and illustrating a child's picture book.…

Notes that if students are able to publish, they are often more interested in engaging in the messy, challenging, rewarding process of writing. Describes experiences in writing letters to the editor and letters of appreciation or complaint. Concludes that through these experiences, students see how writing is powerful, accomplishes specific…

Corrigan remembers well the angst and conflict of adolescence, as well as how important the right book at the right time could be in helping kids understand themselves and others. That ability to identify closely with teens permeates her story in verse, "Splintering," several verses of which are included here.

Discusses students' experiences with learning more about the "craft of writing." Considers ways to teach students to choose their own topics; to research; to organize for writing; to welcome imagination, metaphor, and memorable language; how to draft; how to give and get helpful responses; how to revise their writing to create strong…

Notes that publication of student work is too often ignored, partly because teachers and students are unaware of the many publication opportunities that exist, and partly because they do not recognize how powerful students' words are. Encourages students to publish because it gives them power of the most positive kind. Suggests 13 topic ideas for…

Offers researchers' perspectives for online publication. Shows how to establish criteria for validating these sites as valuable resources in student-centered teaching and learning. Gives reasons why middle school writers should publish on the web. Presents a chart of 18 websites with a description and a list of key factors regarding the websites.…

Auseon likens getting to know his characters to a rowdy party to which the "weirdos off the street" have been invited. He comes to believe they're real and then spills them onto a page so we can get to know them, as well. Many boys will identify with Auseon's insecure and awkward protagonist in "Funny Little Monkey," an excerpt of which follows…