"Filled with illuminating quotes and inspiring anecdotes, The Writing Shop is potent, simple, and persuasive. It pulled the writer in me back to mynotebooks and fueled the teacher in me to refresh the classrooms I work in. Anecessary and timely reminder about the importance of authenticity."- Dorothy Barnhouse, international literacy consultant, author of Readers Front and Center , and co-author of What Readers Really Do "I was given an advance copy of Suzanne Farrell Smith''s book The Writing Shop and I was thrilled to see her promote a refocusing of our work with writers thatembraces the brilliance of a shop model. Suzanne believes that just like whenlearning a craft or trade, a shop is the most engaging environment in which tobe mentored, to experiment, and to practice the craft of writing. The humanelement of developing trusting and nurturing relationships between master andapprentice is central to the premise of her work. She shares anecdotes from herpersonal life and from real-world experiences of craftsmen to illuminate herideas and the elements of shop. Suzanne advocates for a playful and stimulatinglearning environment, without compromising academic expectations.

Cometake a peek inside her shop and learn from a master!"- Paula Bourque, literacy coach and author of Close Writing: DevelopingPurposeful Writers in Grades 2-6 and Quick Writing: Nurturing Heartsand Minds in Elementary Classrooms " The Writing Shop is rich. Rich in storytelling, rich in detail, rich in imagery,rich in inspiration. I challenge any teacher reading this book to not be inspiredand renewed with a fresh sense of what is possible when children are allowedto play in the process of writing. In The Writing Shop , Suzanne continues atradition of master teachers generously sharing their hard-earned insight intohow teachers can help children steward the shop that is their own imaginationand voice. Teachers tasked with helping children master the craft of writingwould do well to add this immensely useful and beautiful text to their shelf."- Nancy Cavillones, writer and former New York City English teacher"Reading Suzanne Farrell Smith''s The Writing Shop is like embarking ona journey of the senses, where one finds oneself immediately endeared toher lovely vision of what writing workshop could be. With frequent nods tothe value that play, noise, and "mess" can bring to any kind of workshop,Suzanne reminds us to slow down and enjoy not just the products that studentsultimately create, but their beautiful and varying processes as well--for thisis where the true magic of writing workshop happens."- Shawna Coppola, author of RENEW! Become a Better--and MoreAuthentic--Writing Teacher "This beautiful, approachable book not only teaches you how to teach writing,but reclaims the rightful place of "shop" in writing workshop.

SuzanneFarrell Smith captures how it should feel for anyone of any age to write: fullof exploration, spontaneity, and joy. The Writing Shop is the perfect blend ofteaching strategies, student stories, and Suzanne''s own personal journey inbecoming a teacher of writing and, more importantly, of writers. Novel in itsapproach and singular in its voice, The Writing Shop is a must-read book thatwill undoubtedly make your classroom and your students come alive throughthe writing process. Every child deserves the kind of writing shop classroomSuzanne will help you create."- Katie Egan Cunningham, Associate Professor at ManhattanvilleCollege and author of Story: Still the Heart of Literacy Learning andHappiness by Design "Real writing is messy business. Rarely do writers churn out perfect worksby following a linear, five-step writing process to a T. Why then do weexpect our students to perform this way? In The Writing Shop , SuzanneFarrell Smith masterfully breaks down the barriers of product-focusedwriting instruction and invites teachers to let their students explore the messybusiness of writing as a craft. Beautifully woven among tidbits and talesof her own young writing students, Suzanne''s detailed, specific suggestionsfor integrating the essential components of a creative shop into a classroomare perfect for both the novice and the experienced teacher, for those juststarting to integrate a workshop model to those who are looking for ways toreinvigorate an existing writing workshop.

Best of all, Suzanne focuses onthe fun of writing and ignites (or reignites!) an excitement that is essential forany teacher looking to inspire students to find, develop, and hone the skillsthat make writing messy and real and wonderful."- Jenni Eaton, writer, English teacher at Takoma Park Middle Schooland Adjunct Associate Professor of Writing at University of MarylandUniversity College" The Writing Shop connects to the roots of a true workshop and helps usunderstand that writing is an art of playful making and doing. Suzanne takesconcepts like ''living like a writer'' and makes them crystal clear by weavingin personal stories, teaching stories, and research. Reading this book isa gift to any teacher who wants to ensure that shop is a big part of theirwriting workshop and that students and teachers alike feel energized andauthentically engaged in writing."- Gravity Goldberg, literacy consultant and author of Teach Like Yourself "In The Writing Shop , educators will find a blueprint for creating a workshopin which students learn the fundamentals of composition with glee rather thandread, that inspires reluctant writers to experiment and play, and facilitatesstudent leadership, competence, and confidence. Writers will find a guidefor revolutionizing the writing desk, as well as the practice of writing. Witha warm, clear, compassionate voice, Suzanne invites readers to join her inapproaching writing as a messy, joyful experiment. Part history, part memoir,part how-to, this book is a celebration of the written word.

It is the kind ofbook you will carry around in your back pocket and, in no small part becauseof Suzanne''s keen insight and wisdom, the kind of book that becomes amentor and a friend."- Sarah Twombly, writer and Adjunct Professor at Husson University.