Twisted Topic: Banned Books and More with Ralph Fletcher

If you have been in the education world for a minute and taught writing, chances are high that you know of Ralph Fletcher. He is the author of Craft Lessons, Writing Workshop: The Essential Guide, and What a Writer Needs. Not only does he write books for teachers, but he has also written picture books, and chapter books-one which is one of Jen's favorite read alouds-Flying Solo, He has written books for young adults and poetry books.

We were thrilled to have the opportunity to talk to Ralph, but we are saddened that this interview came about because one of his poetry books: A Writing Kind of Day is being challenged in Franklin County, VA schools because of his poem Bill of Sale that is included in that book. Someone came before their board asking that it be banned-saying that the last line encouraged white children to commit suicide.

We talked about book bannings and all things writing. We really could not be prouder of this episode. Kim Eversole and I were both in tears at the end when we reflected on the interview. Go and live a writing kind of life.

Ralph has some new resources he would like to share:

  1) Get Focused. This is a series of videos produced by Heinemann in which I speak directly to kids. These short videos (about 5 or 6 minutes long) are like mini-lessons. In the end I send the kids off to write. I think teachers will enjoy having high-quality writing instruction they can plug in to their own instruction. Here's the link: 

 https://www.heinemann.com/products/e13524.aspx

 2) New picture book--The World's Loneliest Elephant. I've attached the cover. It's about Kaavan, who was locked in a Pakistan zoo for 35 years. Many people---ordinary citizens and celebs like "the" Cher--worked together to get him released. I'll attach the cover. The illustrator did a fabulous job. This picture book is coming out in late summer.

 3) New edition of A Writer's Notebook. (See attached cover)  I have added seven new chapters (including "Writing in the Digital Age") to update the book. This book will come out next January 

Ralph

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