ReFoReMo Day 13: KidLit 411 Reflects

3/14/2015

Hi ReFoReMo-ers!

By now you have had a chance to read and study a great deal of mentor texts. It’s important to ask yourself questions about what you have read. Some questions that we've asked ourselves are:

• Why the character did/reacted to something (Motivation)
• What were your feelings about the outcome of the problem (Satisfying ending)
• Why something happened the way it did (Story arc)
• Why the author chose to end the story that way (Ending)

When we ask ourselves these types of questions, we can gain deeper insight into the workings of the text and pictures. For author and illustrator interviews and general writing for kids, you can visit www.KidLit411.com

Happy writing!
The KidLit411 Team

ELAINE KIELY KEARNS is a picture book and middle grade writer. Armed with a master's degree in Education, she spends her time perusing the internet for golden nuggets of information about children's writing for KidLit411.

SYLVIA LIU writes & illustrates for kids. Her picture book, A MORNING WITH GONG GONG, will be published by Lee & Low Books. Her portfolio is enjoyingplanetearth.com, she blogs at sylvialiuland.com, and she helps run kidlit411.com.

141 Comments

Kristi Veitenheimer link

3/12/2015 06:43:20 pm

Great questions! I've been using the plot connector to analyze as many of the mentor texts as I can. It really seems to be helping me analyze the plot and story arc of my own manuscripts. I'm able to ask (and answer) the question - are the MC's failed attempts escalating to the point that my MC falls to his/her lowest point? And does the intended audience care?

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:26:22 am

Plot analyzers are the best, Kristi!

Maria Marshall

3/12/2015 07:00:25 pm

One question I found interesting, and am still trying to answer, is -
When there doesn't there appear to be much change or growth in the MC, does the ending rely upon a twist or is it just classified as a quiet book?

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:25:28 am

Agreed, Maria. Sometimes, they are just quiet.

Jilanne Hoffmann

3/12/2015 07:22:18 pm

So many questions...I'm currently asking myself how dual character picture books succeed without muddying the "message." I'm starting to get a handle on it, I think. Cheers!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:27:07 am

That's no small feat, Jilianne! Well done!

Mary E. Evans link

3/14/2015 02:08:30 am

Jilanne,

I have dual characters in my PB and now wonder the same as you. Plot was not considered for me because my book started out and is written as a poem. I don't think the message is muddled, but not sure. Thanks for sharing!

Rebecca Colby

3/12/2015 08:36:40 pm

Great questions! I'm always particularly interested in how the story is resolved and the direction the author takes for the ending.

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:27:51 am

Me too, Rebecca. I am particularly partial to ending that take the reader in a new direction.

Joyce Tucker link

3/12/2015 10:44:08 pm

Great questions to keep close by as I am writing and to use as I am reading my mentor texts. Thanks for sharing.

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:29:07 am

Glad you found them helpful, Joyce!

Catherine Friess link

3/12/2015 11:08:41 pm

These are great questions. Am pinning this post!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:29:27 am

Thanks, Catherine!

Julie Burchstead

3/12/2015 11:29:22 pm

I am grateful for these great questions. Plot is an area I am working on. Making sure I have enough interesting things along the way, then especially wrapping up to a satisfying ending (that makes the difference in whether a story will be picked up again or not). Having different ways to think about this helps! Thanks!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:30:02 am

Thanks, Julie!

Deborah Allmand

3/12/2015 11:34:58 pm

I also have found in some books like others very little growth. Having little ones around helped me realize that acceptance at a time when their world is so literal is a form of character growth. I do believe in character growth but it doesn't have to be the same type of growth older readers need to see. Thank you so much for the insightful questions on our research quest. Loved looking at picture books in a very different way!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:31:52 am

Yes, Deborah! I have never thought about it like that- the younger the child, the more literal their world. So true.

Kirsti Call link

3/12/2015 11:36:11 pm

I love these questions. Thanks for giving me something to think about as I write and revise, Elaine and Sylvia!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:32:30 am

Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Kirsti!!!

Angela Hawkins link

3/12/2015 11:50:14 pm

Great questions for all those mentor texts!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:45:26 am

Thanks, Angela!

Sue Heavenrich

3/13/2015 12:38:07 am

great questions to be asking as we read through our books. Funny how they sound similar to the questions my 10th-grade English teacher asked... wish I'd paid more attention back then.

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:46:03 am

LOL! True, Sue!

Lisa Connors link

3/13/2015 12:45:34 am

And I should especially ponder these questions on the books I find confusing or that I don't like....thanks!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 02:41:01 am

Yes you should, Lisa! To see WHY they don't work! Excellent!

maria gianferrari link

3/13/2015 01:02:01 am

Thanks for the reminder, Elaine & Sylvia! Kidlit 411 is such a wonderful site, chock-full of such great resources--thanks for that too!
:)

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:46:47 am

Thanks for saying so, Maria!

Juliann (Juli) Caveny link

3/13/2015 01:11:26 am

Great questions to think about! (Love Kidlit411 too!) I like to look at mentor text on the word level also. Especially in PB-- I love how the slightest variation, antonyms and synonyms, can slant your story or change the mood ("shades of meaning").

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:47:30 am

Thanks, Juli!

Manju Howard link

3/13/2015 01:16:44 am

Great questions. I've focused on PBs that make an emotional connection with readers.
Thanks for everything you do at KidLit411.com.

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:47:49 am

Thanks, Manju!

Debra Shumaker

3/13/2015 01:24:51 am

Great questions! Thanks so much!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:48:02 am

Thanks, Debra!

Deirdre Englehart

3/13/2015 01:30:17 am

These are great questions to consider when reading the mentor texts and when we are writing. I don't know if I always consider all the questions in my writing but think I should be more aware of them. Thank you!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:48:18 am

Thanks, Deirdre!

Val McCammon

3/13/2015 01:40:10 am

I especially like using questions that ask us as readers to consider our feelings about an aspect of the PB. Thanks, Elaine & Sylvia.

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:48:31 am

Thanks, Val!

Laura J / Laura Jenkins

3/13/2015 02:10:44 am

Thanks Elaine and Sylvia! Your feedback is always helpful.

Marianne Kuzujanakis

3/13/2015 02:11:49 am

I love Kidlit411. Thanks Elaine & Sylvia for your advice. Great questions to always ask. Not everyone may see satisfaction as outcome in the same way, but hope for majority. THX.

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:49:00 am

Thanks, Marianne!

Marlaina Gray Cockcroft link

3/13/2015 02:24:40 am

I like these questions, thanks!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 02:34:49 am

Thanks, Marlaina!

Jeanette Bradley

3/13/2015 02:28:55 am

As I take notes on the books I've been reading, I'm going to add your questions to my list of things to ask myself. Thanks!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 02:35:11 am

Thanks, Jeanette!

Nicole Popel link

3/13/2015 02:29:31 am

Every day, my motivation gets a boost after reading each post. Thank you, KIDLIT 411 and Carrie!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 02:35:25 am

Thanks, Nicole!

Kathy Halsey

3/13/2015 02:33:56 am

Hey, Sylvia and Elaine, a great set of questions for us, Elaine. TY for your insight!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 02:35:39 am

Thank you, Kathy!

Ann Magee

3/13/2015 02:47:08 am

Thanks, ladies. It seems the more answers I get, the more questions I have . . . hmm. . . but I love kidlit, so that's a good thing! Off to the bookstore today to find a cozy corner to research. I find my library doesn't have some of the newer titles we've heard about this month :)

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 02:36:09 am

Thanks, Ann!

Pat Miller

3/13/2015 02:47:29 am

Thanks for all the work you put into your Kidlit 411! It's SUCH a huge help!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 02:36:33 am

Thanks, Pat!

Linda Schueler link

3/13/2015 02:48:38 am

Great! I will use these questions on the books I have already analyzed.

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 02:36:56 am

Thanks, Linda!

Rita Lorraine Hubbard link

3/13/2015 02:54:33 am

Hi Elaine and Sylvia, great post! I have indeed read many mentor texts in the last few weeks; some I loved instantly, and others I felt no connection to whatsoever! With the questions you've posed, I'm hoping I can go back and figure out why I felt differently about different books. For example, I've been back and forth to the library on at least four occasions, checking out and returning large stacks of books each time, but I'm still holding on to two books (part of a series) I checked out on my very first library trip because I love them so. It's going to be interesting to focus on just what it is that has captured my heart. Thanks for getting me started with these questions.

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 02:37:36 am

So glad you found the post helpful, Rita!

Erin Nowak link

3/13/2015 02:55:19 am

A perfect post as we close in on the halfway mark soon. Thanks for the insight! And I love KidLit 411!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 02:39:31 am

Thanks, Erin! So glad you love KidLit411!

Leslie Goodman link

3/13/2015 03:16:14 am

I learned a long time ago to write down the central question of the story we're writing and keep it in sight the whole time, making sure everything continually answers that question. But these additional questions you've given us are equally valuable, not just as we read mentor texts, but as we write our stories. After all, with hard work and persistence, our manuscripts could become mentor texts, too.

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 02:39:56 am

Thanks, Leslie! So glad you found the post helpful!

Lori Dubbin

3/13/2015 03:25:42 am

Thank you, Sylvia and Elaine, for your great questions as we read mentor texts. They make me dig deeper as I study plot and endings -- the hardest things to get right in my own writing. Thanks also for the great answers and resources you provide in KidLit411!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 02:40:27 am

So glad you liked the post! Thanks!

Robin Currie link

3/13/2015 03:31:52 am

Finally a way to organize the chaos of my reading this month. I am keeping up with 5 a day and now have a way to categorize them. Great questions!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 02:41:29 am

Thanks, Robin!

Doreen Lepore link

3/13/2015 03:35:07 am

Thanks Elaine and Sylvia for the questions and kidlit411!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:45:02 am

Thanks, Doreen!

Rene` Diane Aube

3/13/2015 03:45:11 am

Love these thought provoking questions, Elaine and Sylvia! Going to put them on a card and post them in a highly visible spot..,but not higher than the bi-focals will allow :)

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:44:31 am

Thanks, Rene!

Jarm Del Boccio link

3/13/2015 04:00:19 am

Thanks for the thoughtful list of questions, Elaine and Sylivia. I can now ask them as I review the texts.

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:44:17 am

Thanks, Jarm!

JEN Garrett link

3/13/2015 04:02:44 am

Asking questions IS a great way to analyze mentor text... Especially when the answer is "It didn't." Why some technique WASN'T chosen is often as insightful as Why it was.

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:43:54 am

YES, Jen! We must remember the "flip side" questions too!

Penny Parker Klostermann link

3/13/2015 04:04:01 am

Thanks for this handy list of important questions to consider as we read and write. KidLit411 is the BEST!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:43:15 am

Thank you, Penny!!! xo

Rachel Hamby link

3/13/2015 04:05:11 am

I hope you two know how much I love what you do for me! KidLit411 is a wonderful 'catch-all for writers and illustrators. Thanks for the work you put into it. :)

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:42:59 am

Thank you so much for saying so, Rachel! That makes us so happy!

Maria Laso

3/13/2015 04:20:22 am

Short and sweet but oh, so deep--like me! HA.

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:42:20 am

LOL! Yes, direct and to the point is sometimes best!

Janie Reinart

3/13/2015 04:35:10 am

Love the questions. I am always amazed on how subjective everything is. Some of the PBs are just okay and then there are the ones that make you say WOW! Thanks for the post.

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:41:55 am

Janie, truer words have never been spoken! Amen!

Kathy Mazurowski

3/13/2015 05:07:32 am

Those are important questions. Thanks for KidLit 411too!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:41:19 am

Thanks, Kathy!!

Brenda Huante

3/13/2015 05:09:17 am

These are very good questions to ask as we read books.

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:40:55 am

Thank you, Brenda!

Joanne Sher link

3/13/2015 05:10:13 am

FABulous questions, ladies! Thanks - for this AND Kidlit411 :)

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:40:36 am

Thank you, Joanne!

Suzy Leopold

3/13/2015 05:15:09 am

Four excellent thought provoking questions to consider as mentor texts are studied. Thank you, Elaine and Sylvia, for all that you do for the Kid Lit World by sharing great stuff on the KidLit411 blog.

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:40:23 am

Thank you, Suzy!!!

Vivian Kirkfield link

3/13/2015 06:38:42 am

Thanks so much, Sylvia and Elaine! I think it's important to have these questions in our minds as we write...and especially as we revise. Sometimes I'll read one of my stories and it seems to be missing something...I'll keep this list of questions close by. :)

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:40:09 am

Thank you, Vivian!!!

Gabrielle Snyder

3/13/2015 06:41:47 am

Thanks, Sylvia and Elaine, for reminding us of these vital questions to keep in mind!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:39:56 am

Thanks, Gabrielle!

Sandy Powell

3/13/2015 07:28:19 am

I will ask myself these questions as I read the mentor texts. Thank you.

And I love your website and newsletter. Your newsletter is SO informative. I have gained so much knowledge from reading it. Thank you for such a great newsletter.

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:39:42 am

Thank you for saying so, Sandy! Sylvia and I work very hard each week and it's nice to know people love it! :)

Joanne Roberts link

3/13/2015 09:10:23 am

It's been a great week so far. I've got 36 books under my belt and a huge stack to go. Thanks.

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:38:51 am

Wowza! So much fun!

Kaye Baillie

3/13/2015 09:12:22 am

Great questions to ponder. I was wondering what makes me love particular books, what makes me want to add them to my collection? Why some I only want to read once? How do the authors make me care?

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:38:34 am

YES, Kaye!!!! More great questions!!

Therese Nagi

3/13/2015 09:23:13 am

You have given us good questions to ponder. I'm going to ask those questions while writing.

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:37:41 am

Glad you found them helpful, Therese!

AJ Irving link

3/13/2015 09:53:07 am

Great questions! I love Kidlit 411! Thank you!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:37:19 am

So glad you love KidLit411! Thanks for stopping by, AJ!!

Romelle Broas link

3/13/2015 09:57:12 am

Thank you. I've started writing a list of questions I should be asking myself when reading mentor text. I also wrote a list i should look out for. I came up with two pages of questions for myself! I am finding it very helpful.

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:36:58 am

Thank you, Romelle!

Keila 2 link

3/13/2015 12:00:38 pm

Really working hard to connect to my mc's motivation. Great questions.

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:36:41 am

Ahh, yes, and sometimes it's even harder to show the motivation without telling!

Stephanie Geckle link

3/13/2015 12:07:09 pm

Thank you for these very important questions. Sometimes I need reminding! It can be hard separating work from play ;)

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:35:47 am

That is so true, Stephanie!!

Laura Renauld

3/13/2015 01:07:46 pm

I'm learning that plot is only one piece of the puzzle. Thanks for all the advice!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:35:27 am

Thanks, Laura!

Heidi Yates

3/13/2015 02:05:28 pm

These are important questions to consider. Thank you for the wonderful advice. :)

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:35:12 am

Thanks, Heidi!

Janet Smart link

3/13/2015 03:12:41 pm

Great list. Thanks for sharing.

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:34:57 am

Thanks for stopping by, Janet!

Sandy Perlic

3/13/2015 04:41:34 pm

Great advice! So often I don't look deeper to find out what makes a book work. Need to "work" on that!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:34:42 am

And sometimes when you've been doing it, you forget! (Guilty) Thanks, Sandy!

Juliana Lee link

3/13/2015 06:21:43 pm

Great questions! If anyone is interested, I'm part of a Facebook group which asks and answers questions about picture books. We focus on books written by first time authors who are not their own illustrators. Afterwards, we interview the author online. Join us at Debut PB Study, we'd love to have you!

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:34:08 am

Yes! Sylvia and I belong to that group and it is fabulous! Please join! See you there!

Yvonne Mes link

3/13/2015 06:24:59 pm

Hooray, my favorite writers are here! Great questions from the kidlit411.com team. So glad to be in the Penguin Posse with you guys ;-)

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:33:35 am

I love you so much! xoxo Thanks for always being so supportive!!!

Lori Mozdzierz

3/13/2015 11:24:02 pm

Amazing how the right question asked can fold the aloof answer.

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 01:33:05 am

Love that, Lori!

MaDonna Maurer link

3/14/2015 01:38:22 am

Thanks for the questions to ask. They are very practical, therefore helpful! Love KidLit411 - thanks for all the insights and help you do there as well!

shirley johnson

3/14/2015 06:53:38 am

Very good questions to reflect on. Very helpful. Thanks.

Teresa MI Schaefer link

3/14/2015 07:33:28 am

So funny how some things can be right under your nose and you don't know it. I have certainly used these questions in looking at my own mss, but never methodically applied it to other published texts. Thanks Elaine.

Doris Stone

3/14/2015 02:37:44 pm

I love 411. Thank you, Elaine and Sylvia!

Heather Pierce Stigall

3/15/2015 04:57:09 am

These are great questions to keep in mind as I'm reading AND writing. Thank you so much!

Elaine Hillson

3/16/2015 01:07:48 am

Great questions to keep in mind when writing as well as reading. At the end of a draft it can sometimes surprise me how these very questions allow me to revise more effectively. Thanks for sharing.

Caroline Twomey link

3/16/2015 01:53:12 am

Great questions-esp while editing/revising my own stories! I love the kidlit 411 site, it is a fountain of information and encouragement-Thank you!

Carrie Finison

3/16/2015 02:58:00 am

These are great questions! I'm focusing my study this week on plot and endings, so these will be helpful. Thanks!

Mary Worley

3/16/2015 03:01:41 am

It's interesting how two of the four questions deal with the ending. I think that is the part that makes or breaks a story for me. I like the twists/surprises but I want it to be sweet as well. Good to have general questions. Your website is fabulous, too!

Karen Nordseth Roos

3/16/2015 03:57:50 am

thank you for these questions!

Cassie Bentley

3/17/2015 01:14:08 pm

Thank you for your suggestions to keep us on track while we are writing and for Kidlit411.

Beth Gallagher

3/18/2015 02:21:10 am

Absolutely terrific questions!!! Thanks for great inspiration!

Denise Engle

3/18/2015 04:04:35 am

Thank you for reminding us of the important questions to ask when reading and upon which to reflect when writing! Go Kidlit411!

Lauri Meyers link

3/26/2015 02:19:09 pm

Good questions Kidlit 411!

Karen Nordseth Roos

3/30/2015 04:29:52 pm

so important to go beyond the initial impression of a story. i sometimes find it hard to delve into the beyond when i find a story that i don't resonate with. thank you.

Anita Banks

3/31/2015 04:27:59 am

Thank you!

Amie Valore-Caplan

3/31/2015 09:13:45 am

Reading so many books has helped me notice similarities and differences in so many aspects! Since you only get a first read once, I tried to especially notice a book's pacing--occasionally finding that I was wishing for one more spread before the last page.Thanks for your suggestions of other things to look for!

Lydia Lukidis link

3/14/2016 10:25:01 am

I love the ladies at Kidlit 411! They are so generous with their knowledge....

Elizabeth Duncan link

3/14/2016 01:07:41 pm

Thanks for the guiding questions to help me analyze the mentor texts and other picture books.

ReFoReMo Day 13: KidLit 411 Reflects

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