Books for Young Writers


"Reading is like breathing in; writing is like breathing out." ~~~ Pam Allyn

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At Wordplay Wisdom, we've seen time and time again that the first step to becoming a strong writer is being an avid, curious, open-minded reader. Reading a wide variety of books will provide young writers with multiple paths to explore the many possibilities within writing, uncover their writing preferences, and hone their skills.


Below are benefits for each of the categories of books Wordplay Wisdom discusses most frequently.

  • Fiction: The magic of stepping into the shoes and emotions of another person is possible through fiction. The wide variety of genres and structures also allow readers to find the best homes for their own stories.
  • Nonfiction: Works of nonfiction not only help readers learn about any subject but also provide frameworks for explaining complicated issues clearly and concisely.
  • Poetry: From dazzling descriptions to achingly beautiful emotions, poetry is powerful. There's also nothing like poetry to help readers understand the power of the perfectly chosen word.
  • Reference Books: Want to know the components of a dinosaur tail for your fantasy tale? The details of a sailboat's rigging for your pirate yarn? A synonym for the word "synonym"? Reference books provide the specific details that can make your story shine.
  • Writing and Editing Craft Books: Craft books help readers understand the what, why, and how of strong writing and editing. Many also provide specific writing examples that allow readers to analyze the framework behind the works they love.

For your ease, the books highlighted on Wordplay Wisdom's blog and social media channels are listed in our shop at Bookshop.org. Click on our name below to visit our shop and see all the mentioned books. Alternatively, click on the scrolling bar below to select a particlar book. All purchases at Bookshop.org help fund independent bookstores - you can even choose to support your local independent bookstore!

Our Favorite Books on Writing


Our Favorite Books on Editing

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