"This book focuses on the what, the why, and the how of narrative writing with resources and real classroom examples to support the teaching suggestions and sequences. The strategies are effectively organized with the goal of the gradual release of responsibility. Each of the narrative standards is clearly divided and unwrapped for the reader with practical classroom examples and graphic organizers. Ruday takes the overwhelming feeling out of teaching narrative writing." --Karina Nevers, Learning Strategist, Gibson Elementary School, Henderson, Nevada
"The Narrative Writing Toolkit has great usefulness for language arts teachers in grades 3-8 and beyond. Not only does the book clarify the Common Core State Standards for narrative writing, but it also breathes life into the standards through the engaging use of mentor texts and classroom narratives. I even plan to use some of these techniques to teach my college courses. There is always a need to focus on ways to present material, illustrate it with mentor texts, let the students practice with group activities, and then let the students be able to take responsibility for the material in their own writing." --Sharon Saylors, Associate Professor of English, Prince Georges Community College, Largo, Maryland, and Co-President, Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar, an NCTE affiliate