Yes! You Can Learn How to Write Beginning Readers and Chapter Books
By Nancy I. Sanders
Available on Amazon
Table of Contents
Introduction
Part I: The World of Beginning Readers and Chapter Books…..15
Chapter 1: A World All Its Own …..17
1.1 A Place of Wonder and Delight …..18
1.2 A Ripe Field of Opportunity …..20
1.3 The Perfect Fit …..23
1.4 Yes! You Can—but if You Feel You Can’t …..26
Chapter 2: The History of Beginning Readers and Chapter Books …..31
2.1 Before Beginning Readers …..32
2.2 Beginning Readers are Born! …..34
2.3 Types of Leveled Readers …..36
Chapter 3: Tools of the Trade …..45
3.1 Reading Levels and Readability Lists …..46
3.2 State and National Standards …..49
3.3 Build Your Personal Research Library …..56
3.4 Creating Beginning Readers and
Chapter Book Logs ….. 62
Part II: Exploring the Markets for Beginning Readers and
Chapter Books….. 67
Chapter 4: Trade Book Markets …..69
4.1 Exploring the Market …..70
4.2 Landing the Contract …..76
4.3 Working with Editors …..87
4.4 Writing for the Trade Market …..92
Chapter 5: Educational Markets ……101
5.1 Exploring the Market …..102
5.2 Landing the Contract …..105
5.3 Working with Editors …..116
5.4 Writing Leveled Readers …..121
5.5 Teacher Activities and Classroom Resources …..127
Chapter 6: Magazines and Other Markets …..133
6.1 Writing for Magazines …..134
6.2 Writing a Rebus …..138
6.3 Readers Theatre …..144
6.4 English Language Learners …..153
6.5 Other Opportunities …..156
Part III: Writing Beginning Readers and Chapter Books…..161
Chapter 7: Writing Strategies for Beginning Readers and
Chapter Books …..163
7.1 Fresh and Original …..164
7.2 Characters with Kid-Appeal …..171
7.3 Plot and Setting …..177
7.4 Format and Sentence Structure …..182
7.5 The Pizzazz Factor …..189
Chapter 8: Pre-emergent Readers …..201
8.1 Sentence Structure and Vocabulary …..202
8.2 Characters …..206
8.3 Dialogue …..210
8.4 Plot …..212
8.5 Setting …..215
8.6 Topics and Themes …..218
Chapter 9: Emergent Readers …..223
9.1 Sentence Structure and Vocabulary …..224
9.2 Characters …..230
9.3 Dialogue …..232
9.4 Plot …..237
9.5 Setting …..243
9.6 Topics and Themes …..245
Chapter 10: Easy Readers …..249
10.1 Sentence Structure and Vocabulary …..250
10.2 Characters …..253
10.3 Dialogue …..257
10.4 Plot …..260
10.5 Setting …..263
10.6 Topics and Themes …..265
Chapter 11: Advanced Readers …..269
11.1 Sentence Structure and Vocabulary …..270
11.2 Characters …..274
11.3 Dialogue …..277
11.4 Plot …..281
11.5 Setting …..285
11.6 Topics and Themes …..290
Chapter 12: First Chapter Books …..297
12.1 Sentence Structure and Vocabulary …..298
12.2 Characters …..301
12.3 Dialogue …..304
12.4 Plot …..308
12.5 Setting …..312
12.6 Topics and Themes …..314
Chapter 13: Hi-Lo Readers …..319
13.1 Sentence Structure and Vocabulary …..320
13.2 Characters …..325
13.3 Dialogue …..327
13.4 Plot …..330
13.5 Setting …..332
13.6 Topics and Themes …..334
Afterward …..337
Part IV: Appendices …..339
Appendix I: Glossary …..341
Appendix II: Recommended Books for Children’s Writers …..357
Appendix III: About the Author …..361
Books by the Author …..363
Index …..369
Yes! You Can Learn How to Write 