What I'm Reading: Word After Word After Word by Patricia MacLachlan

In the author's note at the end of this short novel for readers about age 8 to 12, Patricia MacLachlan, author of many beautiful novels and picture books, says that she was asked to write a book about writing. Rather than creating some sort of how-to manual, she chose to write this novel about four fourth graders and a poet who visits their class. Patricia MacLachlan notes that she and Ms. Mirabel have things in common. Both carry bags of dirt to remind them of the land they came from. Both h...