At a glance
- Essential toolkit for KS2 writers to use as a quick reference for writing tips
- Must-have writing workbox full of exciting vocabulary, grammar explanations and example sentences
- Includes a selection of sentences and a method for categorising sentence types with catchy names
- Fun, handy and highly accessible writing resource
While real ninjas were once famed swordsmen, writing ninjas focus on something mightier – the pen.
Write Like a Ninja has a snappy title and its contents are snappier still. Its aim is a simple one: to get children to take ownership of their own writing and take on the world.
This book might be little but don’t let its stature deceive you – it packs plenty of punches. The core ninja skills this mastery manual focuses on include grammar essentials, exciting sentences, word choice alternatives, setting vocabulary tips, character vocabulary and general vocabulary.
The style, design and layout of this book has been carefully crafted to appeal to a wide audience. The text is user-friendly and there are plenty of fun splats, scribbles and decoration on each page, but not to the point of distraction.
The content is king though. Each chapter has been cleverly constructed to help get children out of sticky writing situations.
Where an explanation needs to be given or a definition is required, these are written clearly and concisely, with no complicated thorny bits to confuse.
Part thesaurus, part training manual, part inspiration guide, Write Like a Ninja is a collection of writing tips, nudges and prods to get children thinking of rich alternatives and how to build on their own ideas.
Pupils will love the ninja tips dotted throughout for varying their language use.
There is so much crammed into this book that it acts like an emergency literacy curriculum, yet it doesn’t feel overwhelming or overpowering. Instead, it’s enabling.
It might be aimed at children but teachers will want a sneaky look at this book too, especially if you need nuggets of inspiration during brain fog moments.
You could spend your evenings looking for writing ideas, falling down booby-trapped rabbit holes, or you could just get a copy of this book so you can rest like a ninja.
The skill of a ninja is the art of winning and this book teaches children how to win at writing. Just as ninjas need a wide range of skills to help them succeed in their mission, this book equips children with what they need for their next writing challenge.
One thing you might want to get children writing about is, of course, being a ninja.
This cracking little book has a big heart and is very affordably priced at £4.99.
Verdict
- A powerhouse of clever tips and catchy pointers
- Empowers children to be creative, perseverant and write independently
- Practical, engaging and immensely supportive
- Gives children plenty of ideas for great writing
Upgrade if…
You are looking for a high-quality vocabulary and writing essentials book that injects writing mojo and promotes writing mastery.
Write Like a Ninja is priced at £4.99 or save 15% on a class pack of 10 copies at bloomsbury.com.
Reviewed by John Dabell
