6 Books to Inspire Student Writers in Elementary School

I used to think mentor texts were just something you pulled off the shelf during writing time. But once I started using them intentionally—really slowing down and showing students how authors craft their words—they became one of the most powerful tools in my upper elementary classroom. From building strong leads to adding dialogue that actually sounds real, mentor texts help young writers see what’s possible and inspire them to try new things.

6 Mentor Texts to Inspire Elementary Writers

Come On, Rain!, by Karen Hesse and illustrated by Jon J Muth. When we’re learning how to show, not tell, this is one of my go-to mentor texts. Hesse’s language is rich, poetic, and bursting with sensory details that bring the heat, hope, and relief of a summer rainstorm to life. It’s especially powerful for helping students visualize how descriptive language adds depth to setting and mood.

When teaching this book, I pause after the first few pages and ask, “What do you see, hear, and feel?” Then, I challenge students to write a paragraph about the weather using all five senses.

I Wanna Iguana, by Karen Kaufman Orloff and illustrated by David Catrow. This clever picture book, written entirely as a series of letters between a boy and his mom, is a perfect mentor text for persuasive writing. It models a structure that’s easy to imitate and shows students how to back up opinions with reasons. Plus, it’s short enough to revisit multiple times during a unit.

When teaching this book, I guide my students to write their own persuasive letters. I let students choose their audience—parents, principal, or me—and their topic: a class pet, extra recess, pizza Fridays. This book helps make the genre approachable and fun.

The Day You Begin, by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by Rafael López. There’s a quiet power in this book that resonates with students of all backgrounds. It’s an honest, gentle mentor text for personal narrative writing, particularly when discussing identity, belonging, and finding your voice. I often use it at the beginning of the year when we’re building classroom community and working on telling our own stories.

After reading this book, we do a “This Is Me” writing prompt where students write about a time they felt different or brave. This book helps them connect emotionally and write with purpose.

Bats: Creatures of the Night, by Joyce Milton and illustrated by Judith Moffatt. This early chapter book is a fantastic mentor text for showing how nonfiction writing can be both factual and engaging. It’s structured, with interesting facts and simple explanations, and my students love the topic. We use this book to study how writers group related facts, use bold words, and keep the reader interested.

After reading a section, I have students create their own mini-chapter about an animal of their choice, using similar headings and structure. It’s a great way to practice organizing informational writing.

Ralph Tells a Story, by Abby Hanlon. This book is my go-to whenever I hear, “I don’t know what to write!” Ralph, the main character, struggles with that very problem, and the story that unfolds is funny, real, and totally relatable for young writers. As a mentor text, it’s wonderful for modeling idea generation, inner dialogue, and writing with a sense of self.

I often read this early in the year and follow it up with a class brainstorm of “small moments” we could write about, just like Ralph.

The Great Kapok Tree, by Lynne Cherry. With its vibrant illustrations and environmental theme, this book captivates my students from the first page. The story unfolds through a series of persuasive arguments from rainforest animals, making it a rich mentor text for teaching cause-and-effect writing. I especially love using the opening paragraph as a mini-lesson on how to hook a reader.

We analyze the lead together as a class, then students write their own strong openings on causes they care about—whether it’s saving the bees or banning glitter in the classroom.

Why Mentor Texts Matter

The more I’ve leaned into mentor texts, the more I’ve seen my students grow as writers. Not only do I love teaching these books, but I actually wrote my own: Carl the Cantankerous Cat. I’ve had the joy of reading my book aloud to dozens of students and have used it as a jumping-off point to teach students about the importance of word choice.

Books like these help take the guesswork out of writing. Instead of just telling students what good writing is, they show them—through real examples—how authors build strong leads, use dialogue that sounds natural, and create a mood that pulls you in.

In my classroom, mentor texts aren’t just read once and shelved. We revisit them again and again. We borrow lines, try out the techniques, and experiment with our own versions. Sometimes we even rewrite a scene or imagine a new ending. These books become trusted writing partners, and I love seeing students return to them on their own during writing time.

Mentor texts don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. A quick read-aloud, a focused teaching point, and a short writing invitation can make a big impact. These seven books have been staples in my writing instruction, and I hope they find a place in your classroom, too.

Don’t underestimate the benefits of picture books for older students. Even in upper elementary, they spark great discussions, make writing skills more concrete, and show students what’s possible—often in just a few pages.