Five Pages a Day: A Writer's Journey

by Peg Kehret

A biography of the author of numerous books for young people describes her childhood bout with polio, how she became a writer, family relationships, and the importance of writing in her life.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Autobiography

185 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

Peg Kehret writes middle grade fiction and nonfiction. She's won dozens of state children's choice awards, where kids vote for their favorite book.

When she was twelve, Peg was paralyzed with polio. Most of her protagonists are the age she was then.

A volunteer with animal rescue groups, three of Peg's books are co-authored by Pete the Cat."

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

A couple weeks ago, I spent a really happy Sunday afternoon driving out from Queens to Connecticut for a book sale. For someone whose life revolves around books as much as mine does, it's perhaps surprising that I seldom visit book sales; generally, my wants are so specific that I don't bother seeking sales out, assuming they'd mostly be discarded bestsellers and the like. However, I went, and this was a big one, and it was "box and bag" day. After paying my $8, I had a simply delightful time filling my box (I chose the largest one available) with all kinds of things I would never otherwise have given the time of day to. It helped that I had a worthy-feeling purpose in that in addition to tossing things in for myself on a whim, I was also choosing books destined for my high school-aged son's newly founded school library. I had my other son, the 15 year-old Thomas the Tank Engine loving one, with me, and he also enjoyed himself, rooting through the picture books, and triumphantly bringing home six Thomas books, which he spread out in a display for his father to admire when he came home that evening.

Long story short, that's how I ended up with this book, which is actually the first of my purchases from that day that I've read. Peg Kehret is apparently a well known children's author who I'd never previously heard of. I suppose part of the problem was she was started writing in the late 80s, and was very active in the early to mid-90s -- the one point of my life when most of the books I was reading weren't meant for kids. This is a memoir of her writing life, and is gently entertaining. She comes across as a person who is not strikingly interesting, but just very nice, and it made for soothing reading. I was reminded of certain nice people I know from church, people I don't consider to be close friends, but who are kind, and who I'm always happy to see and chat with.

I'm not really inspired to go on to read Peg Kehret's fiction, but I might seek out her memoir of being paralyzed by (and then recovering from -- mostly) polio. My goodreads friends who are Betsy-Tacy fans might be interested to know that in the time of her illness, Peg longed to write a fan letter to one of her favorite authors, fellow Minnesotan Maud Hart Lovelace, but somehow was convinced that Lovelace would have been too busy to have wanted to hear how much her books meant to a girl spending most of her 13th year in a polio ward!

[Sandra Heinzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never previously heard of this author, but I enjoyed reading about her journey as a writer.

[Kim Tyo-Dickerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right after I read this memoir, a friend posted a story about an anti-vaccine parent, and the polio vaccine in particular. I immediately recommended this memoir and Kehret's "Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio" to her and all the concerned parents and educators commenting on her post. Kehret's description of her battle with polio as a child is haunting, in particular her brief and powerful memory of the little girl who shared her hospital ward, a girl so horribly crippled by the disease that her parents took her to the hospital and abandoned her there, no resources to care for her, no hope for her to ever leave. Heartbreaking, and in Kehret's able prose, all the more so for the matter-of-fact way she laid out the situation and comprehended the parents' choices. And the still joyful view of the girls living together and playing together in the ward, all the while seeing Peg improve and knowing that some day she would go home and some would not. The other great thing about this writer's memoir is the descriptions of her persistent pursuit of writing, taking on writing contests and challenges, sending out drafts and receiving rejections, her call from the Library of Congress to check on her career as a writer and their surprise to know that the same Peg Kehret wrote plays, novels, books of wedding vows, and a manual on how to refinish pianos! It's a real pleasure to read about how she finds her way to children's literature at mid-life. Her optimism and work ethic is inspirational. I am very glad I found this on the biography shelf at my new school. As a school librarian, and adoptive mom, I was entrance by her belief in herself, her creation of her family through adoption with no regrets about not being able to having biological children, her refusal to take the "nos" of life and let them pull her down.

[Vivienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to be a writer, read this book. You will be inspired to write five pages a day, even if you don't have much to say, just start writing. Because she desired to be a writer, Peg Kehret worked so hard at it. It definitely was a long journey, but she won some pretty impressive rewards for her writing, some of them were from writing just 25 words! It's a fun quick read. I especially enjoyed this book as I can relate to Peg as we both had Polio as a child and we are both experiencing Post-Polio Syndrome today. She shares some experiences in this book, but her book, "Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio, was especially good. I love her attitude on life:
"Just as I knew that I would have a happy life whether we adopted children or not, I know that my life today would be joyful, productive, and fulfilled no matter where I lived. Contentment comes from the inside, from the ability to appreciate and savor each day as it unfolds."

[Kapila · Rating 4 out of 5]

If Peg Kehret wrote ten more biographies, I would read each one. Thrice. It's just so good to know about good people in the world, and she's certainly one of those with the heart of a beautiful flower. If she were a flower, I'd like to be bold to suggest that she'd be a dandelion - just doing her bit to make the world a more beautiful place, never mind that this little dandelion may have had to grow in between concrete, or face other sorts of hardships that only a dandelion can know. And you know, the world truly is a better place because of her. Dear Peg Kehret, I know your spirit will always live strong in this world of ours. Thank you for your sense of humour, your compassion, and your writing. (p.s. the 4/5 star rating is due to the fact that this biography was too short!)

[Margaret · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yuck! First time I read this book I enjoyed it. Coming back I was pretty much disgusted by her patronizing tone. Especially in the chapter called 'Revision, Revision, Revision'. Ms. Kehret was visiting a classroom where she met a sassy little girl. The teacher told her this little girl wanted to become a writer, but she wouldn't revise her work. Ms. Kehret's reaction was, 'If she really wants to become a writer, she needs to revise her attitude'. Oh my goodness! Even if you think that, why publish it? And who made you the attitude police? It came off as very patronizing. And so did a lot of the other parts, whenever she was talking about her writing later. The beginning, when she was writing magazine articles as a young housewife, was quite interesting. It sank into this condescension when she started writing about all the books that she had written.

[Salsabrarian]

Booktalk: You probably know Peg Kehret as the author of books such as (list). Did you also know that she won a brand-new car just for writing 25 words? She also won a trip to Hawaii, a gold coin, free groceries, and season tickets to the Seattle Mariners, each time for just writing 25 words or less. Ms Kehret always wanted to be a writer, ever since she was a girl and she talks about what it took for her to be successful. Entering contests where she had to write 25 words or less was one of the many ways she worked at becoming a writer. She worked on her high school newspaper and yearbook, and later she wrote radio ads and magazine articles. She wasn't always successful and not everything she wrote got published. But Ms Kehret kept working on it because she knew that writing was what she wanted to do. If writing is what YOU want to do, you'll want to read FIVE PAGES A DAY.

[Janalyn Blanchard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book more than I thought I would. I thought it was going to be a writer writing about how to be a successful writer, but it wasn't. It was an autobiography and an interesting one at that. I was inspired and impressed by this woman's determination and resolve to get up and keep on going even when things got rough. And things got pretty rough for her from time to time. I liked the humor she used and all the personal stories. This is a book written for kids and I think I just may read it to mine sometime soon.

[Liz Benitez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interest Level Grades 6 - 8
Grade level Equivalent: 6.5
Lexile Measure®: 960L

This book is about Peg and she tells us the story of how she became a writer, her marriage and her experience as a mother. We also learn about how important writing is to her above most things in her life. This book can be kept in the classroom library of a six grade classroom because this is when many children are discovering who they want to become and some might want to be writers. Teachers need to expose children to the life of writers so that they can see the process they go through.

[Sophie T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a a really good book. It is basically a life story of Peg Kehret, and how she became a writer. It shows you how hard it is. I admit when I first saw the cover I did not want to read it but I am glad I did. It is now one of my favorite books. If you are looking for a good nonfiction, READ THIS BOOK!
Sophie

[Denise L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful! What a pleasure to read this creative, unique, inspiring authors account. Recommended highly to me by a fifth grader I had low expectations but this may be one of my favorite reads all year. She wrote her first children's book at age 50 and has given me much hope for this day and many more to come. Thank you for sharing your life Mrs. Kehret!

[Amy Schafer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this easy-to-read book in the juvenile bio section of my local library. It has tons of useful information expressed very simply. Plus, you'll be inspired by Peg's own story of triumph over hardship. I'm planning to read more books by this author.

[Annette Condron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This woman is a great story teller, her life story is a great read, I read it in one evening. A must for any aspiring authors out there. Her stories are page turners and hard to put down, great reads for children or adults

[Book Him Danno · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, she mentioned all the places she receives inspiration and I think I may start to carry a small note book to record my observations. We met her at the library and she has had quite the interesting life. She is from my hometown.

[Camille 11-12 · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an okay book and it had some good parts and some not so good parts.On a scale from 1-10 I would give it a 8 1/2,because it was a good book about Peg Kehrat.I would recomend it some of my friends,but not all of them.

[Angela Kidd Shinozaki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring! I just finished making my own story idea box. I couldn't put down the chapter on her childhood polio. Now I want to read that book ;-) She portrays the writer's journey so vividly and offers some great writing tips, as well.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son told me I should read this book, and I am very glad I did. What a fabulously full life Peg Kehret has lived! Very informative for the budding young author and very touching for everyone else!

[Simran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book. It showed us the writer life of Peg Kehret. I found that this book was not boring like most autobiography's. It was interesting and well paced. It also had a lot of tips on how to become a better writer. I thought it was as good as one of her novels.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of our friends and family doesn't know that I personally love TO write. I've even wowed college professor's with my writing. This book is a great inspiration for writers and I did learn a few helpful tips. I plan on reading other books by Peg Kehret.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Peg Kehret's writing and to learn that she didn't start publishing until in her 50s is really inspiring. I had read her childhood autobiography and like how this dealt more with her as an adult. It's a typical writers tale about try, try again, but it's still a great one.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

i really liked this book it helped me understand the process of getting work published and the hard work that goes into becoming an author

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

small steps was better but still amazing!!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: https://hiplibrariansbookblog.com/200...

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read, I read it all today. Being a fellow writer, it is always fun to laugh (and cry) with other authors as they share their stories of becoming 'writers'. Still in the process myself.

[Blythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book so much that I sent a letter to the author. Yes. It is worth a read.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring!

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was an interesting read. she had so much tenacity when it came to living her dream of becoming an author.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio so I picked up her memoir that she wrote later that encompasses more of her life. It's more of her memoir as an author than an autobiography. Kehret's story of becoming a writer is inspiring! She tried lots of styles of writing and worked consistently for years before she was considered "successful."

[Kate Belt · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this memoir Kehret describes her life after recovering from polio as a teen. She’s had a fascinating career, starting with proofing for their daily newspaper and writing commercial ads for a radio station while still in high school! I’ll continue reading through much of her backlist because even though her novels are classified as children’s books, they don’t read that way to me.

[Sunday Dutro · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast-paced and very dated autobiography of a woman writer. I absolutely loved following the trajectory of her career and learning about how many things are the same (like waiting for the rejection or acceptance or finding a good agent) and how many things are different (like how we research).