From the Publisher
Each chapter ends with appealing and doable exercises. Levine urges her audience to cast away self-criticism and to write and rewrite, underscoring that this is an enjoyable, important process. An engaging and valuable addition. — School Library Journal (starred review)
“The snippets themselves are marvelously diverse, opening the possibilities for writing in a multitude of genres. By the end of the book, if a reader has faithfully followed her instruction, he or she will be well on the way to becoming a writer.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Praise for Writing Magic — :
“What comes through on every page is Levine’s passion for craft. Aspiring writers of all ages can dip in and out of this book, which has the clarity and sparseness of Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird.” — Publishers Weekly
“Levine is a friendly mentor in these pages.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
“A veritable treasure trove of advice and guidance for writers across a range of ages.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“A well-meaning and friendly resource that may well save young writers much time and distress and, perhaps, lead to success in getting published. — Kirkus Reviews
“Have fun, and save what you write!” Those words close out nearly every chapter of this valuable writing guide... Questions from visitors to Levine’s blog are used as springboards, and Levine is generous in sharing her struggles, tactics, and experience. — Publishers Weekly
Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
Levine is a friendly mentor in these pages.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
The snippets themselves are marvelously diverse, opening the possibilities for writing in a multitude of genres. By the end of the book, if a reader has faithfully followed her instruction, he or she will be well on the way to becoming a writer.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
The snippets themselves are marvelously diverse, opening the possibilities for writing in a multitude of genres. By the end of the book, if a reader has faithfully followed her instruction, he or she will be well on the way to becoming a writer.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
A veritable treasure trove of advice and guidance for writers across a range of ages.
Stephanie Garber
A well-meaning and friendly resource that may well save young writers much time and distress and, perhaps, lead to success in getting published.
Kirkus Reviews
2014-10-01
A best-selling children's author offers a comprehensive guide for aspirants. In 2009, Levine started a blog about writing, short essays that became a writers' advice column, and this volume presents the blog's "greatest hits." Character building and "hatching the plot" are clearly what young writers get stuck on most often and thus receive substantial treatment here. Other issues, such as theme, "mid-story crisis," back story, flashback, foreshadowing and mystery are also covered. There's a seriousness about the craft that's refreshing; Levine is determined to help young writers get the underpinnings right—verb tense, using a thesaurus (or "word grazing," as she calls it), clarity and grammar. She urges readers to take to heart her advice about usage, writing, "here's a command about grammar and spelling: Get it right. An editor won't give the newbie writer any latitude on this." Most chapters end with the friendly reminder to "[h]ave fun, and save what you write!" The volume has a pleasing circularity, beginning with the author's discussion of her own blog and closing with advice on writing blogs, since a well-written blog offers what Levine's became, a means of mutual support for writers. A well-meaning and friendly resource that may well save young writers much time and distress and, perhaps, lead to success in getting published. (Nonfiction. 11 & up)
