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"When worn-down and somewhat cranky children's-book writer Sam Swope agreed to give a writing workshop in Queens, he became so energized by his twenty-eight students that he "adopted" the class. For three years, he became their writer-in-residence, guiding them through cosmic adventures and too-real troubles as they began to compose the crazy, magical, and often moving stories of their lives. Almost all the students were new Americans - there were kids from twenty-one countries, who spoke a total of eleven different languages - and Swope was drawn deep into their real and imaginary existences, their problems, hopes, fears, and fantasies." "In I Am a Pencil, Swope follows his troop through all the trials and triumphs of their days together, coaxing out words and feelings; watching talents blossom, explode, and sometimes fizzle; holding his breath as the children's families brave new lives in the big, strange city. Moving from nature poems, to metaphors, autobiography, and beyond, Swope shows the children how to deal with their experiences by being creative." "Along the way we meet MeiKai, whose mom is a Taoist priest, ruled by the dictates of the Queen Mother of the West; Aaron, who charms Swope with his sloppy handwriting and loose grasp on literal truth; Noelia, a chubby Dominican chatterbox who becomes the chief suspect in the great report card heist. Some of the children have problems, such as Miguel, an Ecuadorian boy who must cope with a Pentecostal father who puts strict limits on his activities. Or Su Jung, who mystifies Swope with her sudden silences - until he discovers that her mother has left the family. But, whatever their difficulties, all of the children have big dreams." "Preparing his students for a world of adult challenges and dangers, Swope is continually astonished by their courage, humor, humanity, and most of all by their creativity and strength."--BOOK JACKET
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Previews available in: English
Subjects
Children of immigrants, Anecdotes, English language, Study and teaching (Elementary), Composition and exercises, Education (Elementary), English language, study and teaching (elementary), English language, composition and exercises, Multicultural education, Teachers, united statesPeople
Sam SwopePlaces
United StatesShowing 4 featured editions. View all 4 editions?
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1
I Am a Pencil: A Teacher, His Kids, and Their World of Stories
2013, Holt & Company, Henry
in English
1466843926 9781466843929
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2
I Am a Pencil: A Teacher, His Kids, and Their World of Stories
June 16, 2005, Owl Books
Paperback
in English
0805078517 9780805078510
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WorldCat
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3
I am a pencil: a teacher, his kids, and their world of stories
2005, H. Holt
in English
- 1st Owl Books ed.
0805078517 9780805078510
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zzzz
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WorldCat
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4
I Am a Pencil: A Teacher, His Kids, and Their World of Stories
August 3, 2004, Henry Holt and Co., H. Holt
Hardcover
in English
0805073345 9780805073348
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