A wealth of new ways to encourage students to face their fears and master the essential traits of good writing. Practical and insightful, the book features a number of classroom-tested activities that take students from isolated skills to a deep and rich understanding of the form and function of language. The focus is on inspiring young writers to view writing not as a chore, but as a purposeful, pleasurable, and satisfying experience. With all the tools teachers need to create an environment that celebrates personal meaning making and nourishes students as valued members of a writing community.