Dear Writer
Libby Gleeson
David Cox

Penguin 2001
Puffin Books

77pp, pbk, $12.95
014131270X

Dear Writer is about two children who plan a surprise party for their teacher, whose favourite writer is R.U. Goodfellow so they try to get R.U. Goodfellow to come as an extra special present. The only problem is that he keeps turning down their offer. They wonder if he really isn’t what they think he is… Read this book if you want to know more.

When I read this book, I found it a bit boring. So I would recommend this book to years 1- 3. The print is easy to read and not too big. The story line is very easy to follow, and the illustrations help understand what the characters are doing. I think that this is a read – along book.

I thought that this book was very well worded. The words appeared before my eyes, like in a movie. I could see it and smell it.

Ling Miao, 11, ACT

This awesome book is called Dear Writer. It was written by a creative author called Libby Gleeson and published by Puffin Books.

It takes place in Sydney, at school. The story starts when Joanne and Lizzie are read a story by their favourite teacher. Then they decide to give him a surprise birthday party and invite his favourite writer. This leads to the search for the writer's identity and the reason he refuses to show his face.

If you love to read and write we highly recommend this book to you. It is perfect for a teacher to read aloud but it is also great to read alone.

Catherine (10) and David (11), Pymble, NSW

Libby Gleeson has written a cool book called "Dear Writer". It's about two girls trying to get this famous writer to come to their teacher's birthday party. They try to bribe him with money, food and ideas for new books. Will it work?……

If you like books about things to do with school you should read this. It's easy to read, it's exciting, and you won't be able to pout it down!

The print is of medium size and it's laid out well.

I think that this book is very good and would recommend it to people from Year 4 to year 6.

Tom P (10), Pymble, NSW

Wow, wowee! Finally, a book as good as  "dear Writer" has arrived! A fantastic story abut two smart, intelligent (you get the idea) girls called Joanne and Lizzie. This is about their hard work, dedication and cleverness, all to get R.U. Goodfellow to come to their teacher's birthday party.

Their teacher, Mr Carlyle, is reading them a touching story about a little boy who is teased and the little girl who stood up for him. Mr. Carlyle loves this story and his birthday is coming up, so the girls are trying to get the author to come to his surprise birthday party.

This story by Libby Gleeson is really good in my opinion! It has reasonably small print and good pictures. This story is aimed at an audience of about 10 years.

Samantha (10) Pymble, NSW

I've never read any of Libby Gleeson's books, but when my teacher read us "Dear Writer" I was desperate for more!

It was MR Carlyle's birthday in 6 weeks. What were they going to do? The Libby had the best idea: she would invite R U Goodfellow, (Mr Carlyle's favourite writer) to the party. Mr Carlyle would love it but the problem was, would the author come? Would Mt Carlyle like him? Who should they tell? Should they tell anyone?

I think "Dear Writer" is great to be read aloud but also fabulous to be read alone. It has a reasonable size print and will make you never want to put the book down until the end. It is one of my favourite books and I hope it will be one of your.

Katherine, (10), Pymble , NSW

I would enjoy being the character of R U Goodfellow because I would love to
to be able to keep a big secret and still get on with life. I wouldn't enjoy
being Mr Carlyle because I would hate being embarrassed in front of my whole
class of students....

Recommended for primary children who love to read and love stories that keep
you guessing.
Reviewer Grade 6 Girl who has just found out reading is fun, Melb, 

N.B. The TL at this school says it would be a great serial read for
classroom teachers.