I took a minute to click on the link to the book about boy writers. I know it says there are limited excerpts available, but there are a lot of pages and what seems like whole chapters (very thought-provoking) available to read. What caught my eye, though, and reminded me of a conversation I had several years ago with my IS in Upson County, was the reference to Peter Pan in the forward of the book.
She and I had a conversation once about ability-grouping students. She had been of the opinion that it was a good thing but was beginning to change her mind. I have always thought there are some very strong reasons supporting ability-grouping. As we talked, we touched on the fact that ability-grouping would usually result a class full of boys with behavior problems. This is where Peter Pan comes in. The Island of Lost Boys is a perfect example of ability-grouping. Yes, I know it's fiction. But think about it. Abandoned boys. No one knows what to do with them so they withdraw into themselves, create their own community, and become wildlings. (And don't you think it would great fun to live a wild abandoned life on a island for awhile?)
However, they do respect and love their leader and they do come together for a cause. At the end, we find that they really want the same things that all children want: acceptance, love, home and family, and success. As writing teachers, we need to let them write about food fights, body noises, messes, bullies, and all the other things they must go through on their journey toward adulthood. Once boys find their voice, their writing can really be some of the most creative and interesting you will encounter.