Writing with Rosie: You Can Write a Story Too

Giff warmly documents the steps of her writing process, joined by her rambunctious dog, Rosie. Using excerpts from her own books, including Lily’s Crossing and Pictures of Hollis Woods, to help bolster the ideas being introduced, Giff explains how stories begin by coming up with “a person or two” to focus on, finding a setting for that person, and giving him or her a problem to solve. In later chapters, Giff walks readers through creating action and dialogue, as well as juggling the components of story. When writer’s block sets in, she offers clear and constructive advice: “Tell yourself it’s usually one or two things that make the story stop: a person who doesn’t seem real, or a problem that doesn’t make your person worry enough.” It’s an encouraging and frank look at the basics of storytelling, described with compassion and insight. Ages 8–12. (Aug.)