reading

Our class is doing a project where we will be learning to be better writers. We have heard that you like to write. So we have decided to write to you in hopes that you will respond.
===We have been inspired by the book, __Dear Mr. Henshaw__, by Beverly Cleary. The book is about a boy who writes to his favorite author. In the story, the author writes back to the boy and encourages him to write. We are hoping that you would be able to write back to us with suggestions on how to become better writers.===

Questions for the book //Dear Mr. Henshaw//:
Dear Mr.Henshaw, I have some questions for you...

1.Have you written a book about a person or people? 2.How many stages do you go through before sending a book into the publishers? 3.What do you do in your spare time? 4.Have you ever been frustrated by a book? If so how many times?

January 28, 2007 1-28-08  Dear Ms.Johnson, Hi! How are you? I’m Kate. I'm in Mr.Mendell's class. I have heard that you write novels and other books. I loooove to write and read books. I also absolutely love to do Sudoku! I dislike math but not as much as I dislike working in our Daybooks. I also play the viola. I have a sister a mom, a dad, and a dog. My sister's name is Lauren and she's in Ms.Morris's class. My dog's name is Cinnamon and she's a "Cavalier king Charles spaniel". Not a lot a lot of people know what Breed my dog is. When I grow up I would like to become an author like you. I was one of the people to win the writing contest last year. So I have a start. I was wondering if you could give me some writing tips that you use yourself. Are you working on another book? If so, what is it called? I was just wondering... is your job fun or boring? You don’t have to write back but I really would like it if you would! Thankfully, Kate

January 29, 2008 1-29-08  Dear Ms.Johnson, Hi again! I am going to tell you what I look like so maybe you can spot me in the halls or in school. I have brown hair and brown eyes. I pretty much like to wear any pants that you give me except for ones that are either too small or too big. I really don't like shirts that have weird beads on them or are ugly colors like the crayon colors; tropical rain forest green and pine green the regular colors; brown or bright yellow. I like to wear my sneakers or boots. I am now trying to grow my bangs. My mom has been nagging me about it. She says that it's hanging in my face and doesn’t look nice. So I'm now growing my bangs. But I personally think that I look better with my bangs "hanging in my face". What kind of shoes do you like to wear? Your Friend, Kate

February 4, 2008 2-4-08  Dear Ms. Johnson, Like I said in my first letter, my family includes my mom, my dad, my sister, my new dog, and me. My dog… well she’s a pain. I really love that little puppy. As for my sister she’s okay but needs to be a little nicer. My mom and dad are cool. I really like them. My dad is really funny and my mom's really helpful and funny also. Who’s in your family? Mom? Dad? Sister? Brother? Your friend, Kate

February 12, 2008 2-12-08 Dear Mrs. Johnson, I live pretty close to the school. Do you? About two years ago I had a addition done to my house. Now it’s much bigger and I feel lucky. I used to have a big, nice forest in my back yard that I **loved**. My neighbor, sister, and I used to take long walks and mini adventures in it. But now it’s being cut down by mean people and replaced by 12 new houses. I live right down the street from the middle school. But now mean people are also making the middle school bigger and they had to cut down another forest to make what we think is a drainage basin. The forest they cut down was mini though. It's still trees! Do you think the mean people shouldn't of done that? Please be a honest as possible if you write back. Your friend, Kate

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