My Favorite Fictional Narrative Mentor Texts

Writing the fictional narrative gives kids the chance to play with their imaginations. They can work out problems, create new words, and explore their dreams and fears. These fictional narrative mentor texts are excellent guides students to getting what they imagine on paper.

If you want to learn more about teaching the fictional narrative writer’s workshop, read this article.

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Fabulous Beginnings

The first sentences of these books draw readers in. From the first word these have caught me and I had to read to the very last word.

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle – Avi (This is my all time favorite first sentence! By the end of the sentence, I was ready to read the ENTIRE book!)

Each Little Bird That Sings – Deborah Wiles

Because of Winn-Dixie – Kate Dicamillo (This is also a great choice for voice as well. Every time I read it aloud, my southern accent gets a little bit stronger.)

The Best Christmas Pagent Ever – Barbara Robinson

Click, Clack, Moo – Cows that Type – Doreen Cronin

Tuck Everlasting – Natalie Babbitt (This beginning is a beautiful read.)

Unforgettable Endings

These ending are truly unforgettable! Every time I see these books I feel the ending again and again. (The word choice books below can also be added to this category!)

The Wednesday Surprise – Eve Bunting

First Day Jitters – Julie Danningburg

Night Noises – Mem Fox

The Old Willis Place – Mary Downing Hahn

The Perfect Nest – Catherine Friend

Too Many Toys – David Shannon

Pink and Say – Patricia Polacco

Word Choice

The Wednesday Wars – Gary Schmidt (There are so many wonderful things about this book. But his word choice made Cream Puffs sound so good, that I had to go buy one and try it. Cream Puffs are now my absolute favorite dessert and I request them instead of cake on my birthday. Thanks Gary Schmidt for those extra miles I have to run now!)

The Miraculous Journery of Edward Tulane – Kate DiCamillo (The words in this book read so smoothly, that I can only read it aloud. I have read this one so many times I can’t even count and every time I read it, the kids love it. Yep, even those 5th grade boys. The words are just that good! You can throw this one into the Unforgettable Ending category too!

The Old Lady Who Named Things – Cynthia Rylant

Adding Humor

These books are so much fun to read. The words role off your tongue during read alouds. Students get to see that writing can be fun. LOVE the word choice in these books.

Skippy John Jones – Judy Schachner

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale – Mo Willems

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales – Jon Schieszka

Diary of a Worm – Doreen Cronin

I Want My Hat Back – Jon Klassen

Great Author Study Suggestions

These authors have many books that are great to discuss and dissect during a fictional writing writer’s workshop. These are great to have during my writing conferences so that we can look at how other writers have solved writing problems.