Some Things Are Scary by Florence Parry Heide
This is a good resource for tapping into topic choice for personal narratives.

Come On, Rain! by Karen Hesse
I really love the writing in this story.
There are lots of great elements in this narrative:

• lead with dialogue.
• voice
• descriptive language
• action
• similes
• use of dialogue
• ellipsis . . .
• show don’t tell
• character development
• building up suspense
• endings

Fireflies! by Julie Brinckloe

Another great narrative. It’s sort of a series of small moments with lots of heart. . .

• lead with weather/time
• slow down the action
• show don’t tell
• descriptive language
• sensory details
• inner thoughts
• dialogue
• character development
• long and short sentences voice
• story has a heart
• ending

The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant

Recalls a special moment. . . kids can use a time line to plan out a story like this and string together a series of small moments into one narrative account.

• lead with time
• details
• descriptive language
• sensory details
• long sentences that use lists (adding details)
• short sentences describe feeling
• using punctuation
• show don’t tell
• repeated lines
• ending takes you back to the start

My Best Friend by Mary Ann Rodman

Great for topic choice - a time I felt. . .
Can be used to help teach:

• a series of small moments linked together by the theme
• leads with time and introduces setting and character
• dialogue
• show don’t tell
• short and long sentences
• details and descriptions

My Father’s Hands by Joanne Ryder

A good resource for descriptive language.

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
An old favorite!
lead with time/setting
descriptive language
similes
slow down the action
setting
use of dialogue
show not tell
action
relationship between characters
short and long sentences
heart
voice