Enticing Hard-to-Reach Writers

by Ruth Ayres

In her moving and personal book Enticing Hard-to-Reach Writers , Ruth Ayres weaves together her experience as a mother, teacher, and writer. She explores the power of stories to heal children from troubled backgrounds and offers up strategies for helping students discover and write about their own stories of strength and survival. She shares her own struggles and triumphs and hard-earned lessons from raising a family of four adopted children. Her experience is invaluable to any teacher whose has met children living in poverty, in unstable households, or in fear of abuse. Ayres explores brain research and the ways trauma can change the brain and how encouraging all students to write can help offset some of these effects. She believes that all students benefit from revealing their stories, by communicating information and opinion that allows darkness to turn to light in the lives of children. In the last part of her book she offers up practical suggestions for enticing all writers, regardless of their struggles. Enticing Hard-to-Reach Writers invites you on a journey to become a teacher who refuses to give up on any student, who helps children believe that they can have a positive impact on the world, and who―in some cases becomes the last hope for a child to heal.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Writing, Nonfiction

168 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2017

Reviews

[Rita Shaffer]

Thank you Ruth Ayres! So many great ideas for helping all writers.

“All children deserve to know that they can write a different version of their stories.”

[Kara Belden]

A lovely little book with a million important reminders about why and how to reach the hearts of our young writers.

[Kim Bahr]

Again it is stated conferring is the heart of teaching writers. Love how Ruth listens and encourages talk/sharing.

[Julie]

I knew I wanted to read this book from the moment I heard Ruth Ayres was writing it, and it was as good as I knew it would be. Focusing mostly on elementary and middle school classrooms, the author lets stories of her own children, who were adopted from difficult backgrounds, illustrate the importance of giving all children a voice, and provides concrete strategies for convincing children to use the voices they have in writing. I recognized my high school students in her stories, and I found many adaptable ideas for my own classroom. But mostly I felt inspired and reminded of the connections among us all—we all deserve to tell our stories and to have them treated with empathy and respect, especially in the classroom.

[Patrick]

Loved it. Great resource. A personal journey writing resource. Great ideas, thoughts, and perspectives. Really makes me rethink how I work with young writers. Well done!

[Beth Honeycutt]

I feel so lucky to be a teacher and to have so many important and inspiring books written for me as a professional! Another must-read!! Thank you, Ruth, for your honesty and passion!

[Travis]

Working with student writers is a challenging task, but if we can get students to write from their hearts, the rewards are glorious. Ruth Ayres invites teachers to reflect on their teaching practices and adopt methodology that is based on sympathy and love. If we want students to write, we have to accept all of the psychology that accompanies writing craft. I love her thoughtful analysis of the writing process and can't wait to share this book with my colleagues. Her words of wisdom have stretched my thinking. As I consider the moves that will pull reluctant writers into crafting meaningful pieces, I know I will return to Ruth's book again and again.

[Ashleigh Rose]

It is impossible not to be moved by this book. A perfect blend of mindset building, practical application, and heart warming educator fuel. Not only does Ayres know a serious thing or two about the impact of trauma on kids (as a mother of four kids from hard places), let alone writers, she also demystifies some of what can feel complex or scary in writing workshop in a brief 150 page work of pure incredible. If you work with kids who come from hard places, read this book now. As Ayres ends the book reminding us, “All children deserve to know that they can write a different version of their stories.”

[Andrea]

I enjoyed the memoir-like nature of this teacher professional development book. It was slim and a quick read. There were a lot of good ideas for reaching all writers, especially writers that are dealing with trauma and other issues in their lives. A good reminder that our students carry more with them than we often see.

[Tressa Smail]

This is a fantastic read! It speaks whole-heartedly to the importance of narrative in everyone’s lives (not just “students”). There are excellent pedagogical perspectives to apply, as well as ideas for lessons.
Loved it!

[Pernille Ripp]

Really fantastic writing resource which gave me a lot of things to reflect on, as well as practical ideas to try. I am grateful for Ruth's words of wisdom as well as how she gently reminds us of how the students perceive the writing process.

[Leigh Anne]

I know I am a much better teacher, writer, and person for having read this book. See my review at A Day in the Life. https://adayinthelifeof19b.blogspot.c...

[Diana Pettis]

Loved the practical tips about enticing writers to write.

[Paula]

Ruth has practical wisdom and insights into reaching those writers who keep you up nights.
She writes from experience and from the heart.