Many writers keep journals and, of the 27 children’s writers interviewed here, most started the habit in childhood. Each entry in Paula Graham’s fascinating book includes a black-and-white photograph of the author (often a childhood picture), an brief introduction and a more in-depth interview in which the author reveals his or her journal-keeping practices: size and shape of the actual journal, how many are kept simultaneously, what kinds of notes are made, and how a journal helps them in their work as writers. Many of the entries also include a photograph of the actual interior of writers’ journals, lending an even greater sense of intimacy. Graham has selected a good variety of different types of writers, including Jim Arnosky, Barbara Bash, Marion Dane Bauer, Bruce Coville, Jack Gantos, Jean Craighead George, James Cross Giblin, Gretchen Will Mayo, Naomi Shihab Nye, Graham Salisbury, and Jacqueline Woodson. (Age 8 and older)

Authors show how they use their journals as a creative tool.