You know that your students have a lot of opinions. Getting them to write those opinions in a logical and succinct way can be tough. One of the best ways to introduce opinion writing is to model how beloved authors share their opinions through the use of mentor texts. The list below includes some tried and true mentor texts along with a few that may be new to you. No matter which book(s) you choose, your students will be laughing the whole time they’re learning!
If your students struggle to write for more than a few minutes at a time, you may also want to build their writing stamina alongside introducing opinion structure.
What You’ll Learn
In this post, you’ll discover:
- What mentor texts are and why they work for opinion writing
- 14 age-appropriate mentor texts that model strong opinion writing skills
- Specific opinion writing techniques each author uses
- How to use mentor texts to launch your opinion writing unit
- A done-for-you opinion writing unit to simplify planning
Take the guesswork out of teaching opinion writing—get ALL the tools you and your students will need to be successful in one unit.
Everything you need to teach opinion writing
What Are Mentor Texts?
Mentor texts are books or passages used as models to teach a specific writing skill. When teaching opinion writing, mentor texts show students how authors clearly state their opinion, give reasons, and support their thinking.
1) I Wanna Iguana
The main character Alex wants an Iguana and spends the book laying out his arguments for why his mom should let him get one. The comparison between Alex’s opinion of life with an iguana and what his mom thinks life with an iguana will be is hilarious.
Best For Teaching: Giving multiple reasons and addressing counterarguments
Why It Works as a Mentor Text:
Alex writes letters explaining why he deserves an iguana. He anticipates his mom’s objections and responds to them directly, modeling how to strengthen an opinion with clear reasoning.
Teaching Move:
After reading, have students write a letter stating an opinion and include at least two “because” reasons to support their thinking.
2) Hey, Little Ant
There is a reason that this book is one that you will hear about anytime opinion writing is brought up. It’s a classic! It’s a story about two battling opinions. A boy thinks ants are for squishing and the ant disagrees.
Best For Teaching: Considering both sides of an opinion
Why It Works as a Mentor Text:
The book presents a back-and-forth debate between a boy and an ant. Students see two opposing viewpoints presented clearly and respectfully.
Teaching Move:
Divide the class into two groups and have each side generate reasons to support their assigned opinion before sharing aloud.
Teacher Tip: Start With a Shared Writing
Before asking students to write independently, co-write an opinion paragraph as a class using one of these mentor texts. Highlight the opinion sentence in one color, reasons in another, and evidence in a third.
3) Don’t Feed The Bear
A bear at a campground LOVES the food that campers leave but a park ranger has a very different opinion. Your students will enjoy hearing a story about two characters with such hilariously different opinions.
Best For Teaching: Supporting opinions with logical reasoning
Why It Works as a Mentor Text:
The contrasting opinions between the bear and the ranger create a clear example of how perspective influences reasoning.
Teaching Move:
Ask students to write which character they agree with and explain why using evidence from the story.
4) Duck! Rabbit!
Is it a duck or is it a rabbit?! This book is a great way to introduce the idea of arguing to support your opinion through the use of kid-friendly optical illusion.
Best For Teaching: Supporting opinions with visual evidence
Why It Works as a Mentor Text:
The same illustration is interpreted two different ways. This models how opinions can differ while both using valid “evidence.”
Teaching Move:
Show an image and have students write an opinion supported by details from what they see.
5) Don’t Let The Pigeon Stay Up Late
If your students are anything like mine they LOVE the Pigeon book series. Pigeon is very opinionated about the fact that he is not tired and wants to stay up.
Best For Teaching: Emotional appeal in persuasive writing
Why It Works as a Mentor Text:
The pigeon uses exaggerated reasoning and emotional arguments to try to convince the reader.
Teaching Move:
Have students write a persuasive speech using expressive language to convince a reader.
6) Can I Have A Stegasaurus, Mom? Can I? Please?!
A boy thinks that a stegosaurus would be the best pet. He then supports his opinion, just like we’re trying to get our students to do!
Best For Teaching: Structured argument writing
Why It Works as a Mentor Text:
The main character presents organized reasons in a back-and-forth letter format.
Teaching Move:
Model writing an opinion paragraph with a clear opinion sentence followed by three reasons.
7) A Pig Parade Is A Terrible Idea
Your students might think that a pig parade is a good idea but they’re wrong. This book is a great example of using support to back up an opinion.
Best For Teaching: Using exaggeration to strengthen opinion
Why It Works as a Mentor Text:
The author humorously explains why a pig parade would fail, using vivid reasoning and examples.
Teaching Move:
Have students write about a silly idea and give exaggerated reasons why it would or wouldn’t work.
8) Earrings
A girl wants, no NEEDS to get her ears pierced. At least, that’s her opinion. Listen to all of her arguments in this book!
Best For Teaching: Writing from personal perspective
Why It Works as a Mentor Text:
The narrator clearly expresses her desire and builds emotional reasoning from a child’s point of view.
Teaching Move:
Students write about something they want and explain why it matters to them personally.
9) Can I Bring My Pterodactyl To School, Ms. Johnson?
Written by the same author as Can I Have A Stegasaurus, Mom? Can I? Please!? A boy thinks that a pterdodactly would be awesome to bring to school. Follow along as he finds creative ways to support his opinion.
Best For Teaching: Creative reasoning and imagination
Why It Works as a Mentor Text:
The character uses creative logic to justify an unusual opinion, making it highly engaging for young learners.
Teaching Move:
Challenge students to defend a silly opinion using at least three logical reasons.
10) I Want A Dog: My Opinion Essay
Dennis and Mellie decide to write a very thorough, and fun, essay about their desire to get a dog. This is a great mentor text because of the variety and depth of their support for owning a dog.
Best For Teaching: Formal opinion essay structure
Why It Works as a Mentor Text:
The book mirrors an opinion essay format, clearly stating an opinion and supporting it with organized reasons.
Teaching Move:
Highlight the opinion statement in one color and supporting reasons in another to model structure.
11) Red Is Best
Kelly has an opinion- red is the best. The red mittens are better. Her red stockings are better. Her red boots are better. Red is simply the best and she lists a lot of great reasons why her opinion is right.
Best For Teaching: Repetition and conviction
Why It Works as a Mentor Text:
The repeated phrase “Red is best” reinforces the author’s strong opinion while listing simple supporting details.
Teaching Move:
Have students write “_____ is best” and support it with repeated structure.
12) The Pain And The Great One
I bet if you ask your students with siblings who their parent’s favorite kid is that they would have a pretty strong opinion, just like “The Great One” in this hilarious book of sibling rivalry.
Best For Teaching: Perspective and point of view
Why It Works as a Mentor Text:
Alternating viewpoints show how the same situation can inspire different opinions.
Teaching Move:
Assign partners opposite viewpoints and have each write from their character’s perspective.
13) The Perfect Pet
This book can lead to a highly engaging writing prompt for your students, “what is the best pet?” This is a funny book about Elizabeth who is trying to form her own opinion on the topic!
Best For Teaching: Evaluating options before forming an opinion
Why It Works as a Mentor Text:
The story explores multiple possibilities before settling on an opinion, modeling thoughtful decision-making.
Teaching Move:
Have students compare two choices and explain which is better and why.
14) Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type
What’s wrong with cows that can type? It gives them the chance to share all their opinions with the farmer! Not only do they have opinions but so do a lot of the other animals on the farm.
Best For Teaching: Collective persuasion and negotiation
Why It Works as a Mentor Text:
The cows write persuasive letters advocating for better conditions, modeling how opinions can lead to action.
Teaching Move:
Students write a class letter suggesting a positive classroom change, including reasons and proposed solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Using Mentor Texts for Opinion Writing
What makes a good mentor text for opinion writing?
A strong mentor text clearly states an opinion and includes reasons or evidence to support it.
When should I introduce mentor texts in my opinion writing unit?
Use them before drafting begins so students can see examples of strong structure.
Can I use these books for persuasive writing too?
Yes. Most opinion mentor texts also model persuasive techniques like emotional appeal or counterarguments.
What if my students struggle to write more than a few sentences?
In addition to modeling with mentor texts, explicitly teaching writing stamina strategies can help students gradually increase their independent writing time.
Can I reuse the same mentor text for multiple mini-lessons?
Yes. One strong mentor text can be used across multiple days. For example, on day one, identify the opinion statement. On day two, highlight the supporting reasons. On day three, examine persuasive word choice.
What should students look for when analyzing a mentor text?
Teach students to look for:
*The opinion statement
*The reasons supporting the opinion
*Evidence or examples
*Persuasive or emotional language
*Counterarguments (if present)
Color-coding these elements can make the structure visible.
Are mentor texts better for opinion or persuasive writing?
They work for both. Most opinion mentor texts include persuasive elements. In primary grades, the focus is usually on clearly stating an opinion and giving reasons. As students progress, you can emphasize persuasion techniques.
How do I use mentor texts with struggling writers?
Read the text aloud and co-write a class example before asking for independent writing. Provide sentence starters like:
“I think…”
“One reason is…”
“Another reason is…”
This reduces cognitive load and builds confidence.
Should I read the entire book or just excerpts?
In primary grades, reading the full book often increases engagement. However, for mini-lessons, you can reread just key pages that clearly model the writing skill you’re teaching.
What makes a mentor text age-appropriate for 1st and 2nd grade?
An effective mentor text for young learners:
*Has clear, simple opinion statements
*Uses repetitive or predictable structure
*Includes humor or relatable topics
*Models reasoning in 2–4 sentences at a time
Key Takeaways
- A structured unit saves planning time and improves student results.
- Mentor texts make opinion writing structure visible for young learners.
- The best books clearly show opinions, reasons, and support.
- Modeling before independent writing builds confidence.
Now that you’ve presented your students with some awesome and fun mentor texts to introduce opinion writing it’s time to get them doing some writing of their own! Here are 4 simple steps for teaching opinion writing in primary. Also, go here if you could use some opinion prompt ideas.
We’ve Got Your Opinion Unit Planned Out
Help your students build confidence in opinion writing with this easy-to-use unit.
- Step-by-step lessons
- graphic organizers
- sentence starters
- fun prompts to guide them in stating opinions, giving reasons, and supporting ideas.
Join All Access to download the complete opinion writing units for 1st & 2nd grade
2 Responses
GREAT book resources. Love these books and the visual rubric.
The article provides a helpful list of mentor texts that make teaching opinion writing more engaging and structured for young learners. It clearly shows how examples can help students understand how to express and support their opinions effectively.
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