The Whole Truth: Writing Fearless Nonfiction

Gr 4–6—A conversational, friendly, encouraging tone enlivens the series, though the cheery, motivating voice makes creative writing seem perhaps too easy ("Inspiration is everywhere! New ideas are just waiting to be discovered."). Notable features include the visuals (strong, captioned photographs and colorful, quirky illustrations); "Your Turn" exercises, which provide stimulating writing prompts; and sidebars that highlight famed authors and excerpts from their works. While useful, explanations and tips aren't always clear or specific. Additionally, organization and focus are a little weak in some volumes, as transitions between topics don't always seem logical. For those who struggle with writing, the wordiness of some titles may prove daunting. Glossary entries include pronunciation guides, with some pronunciation aids proving wholly unnecessary (e.g., instructions in pronouncing the words plot and blog).