The Grey Fox

This mysterious story is the fourth in a series of five books written by Susan Cooper. The series is called "The Dark is Rising". The two main characters in this book are Will Stanton and Bran Davies. Will Stanton happens to be the youngest of the Old Ones and Bran Davies a boy of the same age with little skin color and white hair. The story takes place in farm country where they commonly speak Welsh. Will has become quite ill and has been sent to the county on a convalescent in hopes he will recover. At the Clwyd Farm his health returns, he meets the Raven Boy (Bran Davies), and Will remembers fragments of his destiny. As time passes, his destiny becomes clearer as one vision does when the morning fog begins to lift. Will must use the harp to awaken the Sleepers so that the Dark does not overtake the Light or the Light's influence on mankind. Although Will has won the battle in the hills, the stage has been set for a much larger battle between the Dark and Light in book five.

This was a difficult book for me to get into. I am not sure if it had to do with coming into the latter part of the series (e.g. book 4 of 5 books within the series) and not starting at the beginning or if it was the constant use of "Welsh" terminology. Throughout the book, it seemed as if I was a fourth party because I felt as if I missed out on the history or the build up of the current story. There were characters who had depth due to previous introductions but since I have not read the three previous books, I was not privy to that history. Also, it was difficult to read in Welsh. My brain had difficulty switching the w sound to an oo sound (as in pool) or the y sound to an u sound (as in run). Most likely I would have enjoyed the book more if I did not have to switch to reading in Welsh or at least trying to read a word as a Welshman would pronounce it. The thing is I don't even know what these words even sound like. I don't know anyone who speaks Welsh, thus I have no real way of knowing how to properly pronounce some or all of the Welsh words in the text.

When time permits (my goal is to read all of the Newbery Award winning books before June of 2008) I will consider reading the remaining books within the Dark Is Rising series. However, when I do, I will read them in order.

AR SCORE: 90%

The One Minute Apology

Another book in the One Minute series called The One Minute Apology has come across my desk. These one minute books are enjoyable short stories with an intended purpose. I first came across the One Minute Manager back in the late 80's early 90's and enjoyed its simple premise and simple way of delivering a powerful message. Since then I have picked up a few of the other One Minute books and have added them to my personal library. Now that I am an administrator and responsible for the education of many children and adults, my interest in this series of books has reemerged. All to often I make mistakes and need to apologize, but it is my pride and self-centeredness that stands in the way. And I usually feel like crap when my big ego gets in the way.

This book begins with a young man who seeks the advise of the One Minute Manager. He visits him while he is on vacation out on a beautiful lake with his family. The young man learns the powerful lessons of the One Minute Apology from the One Minute Manager, his daughter Annie, his son Brad, his wife Carol, and his mother Nana.

In a nutshell, the One Minute Apology is broken up into three parts: Honesty, Surrender, and Integrity.

No one is perfect. It has been said, "The one man who was perfect, they hung on a cross." And since Jesus walked on this earth, there has not been another perfect person. Perfection people strive for but people will never achieve it. We all make mistakes. To err is human. This book provides the reader with the necessary steps to take when an err has occurred and how to remedy the situation with integrity.

What did I learn from this book and how will I apply it in my daily (home and family) life?
A real student would say they learned a great deal from this book and that they will take these powerful insights and use them daily in their personal and professional life. Well, I'd like to say that but truth of the matter is that when my wife walks into the room or I step into the office, I'll forget everything I read about except two to four main points (or phrases). So what has stuck with me? There were four points and/or stories I will be leaving with.

The first has to do with being aware of your actions and ask yourself the honest question, "Did I make a mistake in words, deeds, and/or actions?" It is important that I look at each situation and be honest with myself. As a person in a position of authority, an easy trap to fall into is the one that you always believe you are right simply because you are in a leadership position.

Secondly, I will take with me is the story about Abraham Lincoln and Colonel Scott. I was taken aback by Abraham's response to Scott's personal request to attend his wife's funeral and comfort his children. This man, this rock, this strong leader of our country was down right rude, inconsiderate, and uncaring. However, the very next morning, Abraham Lincoln went to Colonel Scott's house and sincerely apologized and made things right. This story I will read in it's entirety several times in the near future.

Thirdly, I need to write my own obituary. It sounds weird but in a way it makes a great deal of sense. The brief story about Alfred Nobel and the Nobel Peace prize hit home. How do I want my wife, my children, my family, my friends, and my co-workers to remember me by? A man honest man with integrity and a gentle heart? I hope I don't die soon. I'm not to sure my current obituary would be pleasant to read. This will be a task I take on within the next month or so.

Lastly, I need to stop using worry words. According to the author of the One Minute Apology, worry words are: should have, could have, would have, and if only. As I reflect over the past six months, those worry words have infiltrated my vocabulary, both in writing and verbally. In retrospect, it is easy to see how these words do not build strength or confidence in the leader nor his constituents.

I enjoyed this book as much as I did the One Minute Manager. In fact, I went on line and purchased several other books written by Ken Blanchard. The books I purchased were: The Secret, Leadership and the One Minute Manager, Gung Ho, Putting the One Minute Manager to Work, Self-Leadership and the One Minute Manager, and Lead Like Jesus: Lessons from the Greatest Role Model of All Times.

I hope to read those titles in the near future.
Some quotes from the book that just seem to hit home.

• "The time consuming part comes in being completely honest with yourself and taking responsibility for your mistakes before you apologise." page 15


• "At the core of most problems is a truth you don't want to face."


• The longer you wait to apologize your weakness will be perceived as wickedness.


• "Honesty is telling the truth to ourselves and others. Integrity is living that truth." page 33


• "Without a change of behavior, just saying I'm sorry, is not enough."


• "Never apologize just to appease someone."


• "Never assume what another person is thinking."


• "The best way to apologize to someone you have harmed is to tell them you made a mistake, you feel badly about it, and how you will change your behavior."


• "People with humility don't think less of themselves. They just think about themselves less."

Ginger Pye

Ginger Pye written by Eleanor Estes is a delightful story about the Pye family. The family consists of father Pye who is a famous "bird" man, mother Pye who is the youngest mother in town, Jerry Pye who will grow up to be a "rock" man, Rachel Pye who will grow up to be like her father, Uncle Bennie who is only three years old, and an old cat named Gracie.

Jerry wants a dog really bad. He is determined to get one even if he has to earn the money for it. He discovers a pup over at the Speedy farm and gets permission from his parents to buy it. Jerry does not have the dollar to purchase it so Jerry, Rachel, and Uncle Bennie set out to earn the money.

Thanks to Sam, the kids dust the church, get their dollar, travel to the Speedy farm and purchase their pup. At the farm, on their way home, and at the lake the kids discover a mysterious person with a yellow hat following them. They never really see the person just the big yellow hat.

They named the pup "Ginger" because of the ginger-like color. Just think if the dog looked like an apple. It's name would be Apple Pye. Anyway, I thought that was funny.

On Thanksgiving Day, Ginger Pye showed up missing. Months went by as Rachel, Jerry, and literally the whole town looked for Ginger Pye.

The mystery was solved and Ginger Pye was found on Jerry's birthday. It wasn't until Rachel and Jerry got home from their excursion that they realized that Uncle Bennie was their hero. Although Ginger Pye was no longer a young pup, Ginger played with endless energy and enthusiasm.

AR SCORE: 100%

Living Beyond Regrets

"Living Beyond Regrets" by Guy Rice Doud is a book about living beyond regrets. It is a book that helps you see that regrets and anger have an impact on your life. Many of us are driven. Driven to succeed. Driven to be the best. Driven to be all that we perceive we need to be. What have I done in the past that I regret? What words, actions, or perceptions trigger the anger button?

Guy Rice Doud opens the door to his personal journey and invites the reader to walk with him. His journey is painful, yet insightful for both the author as well as the reader. We learn that we all have failed; however, we are not failures. We learn that we can not change our past, nor the perceptions of others, yet we can chose our attitude and the way we look at things. We also chose to believe in God's word. It is so easy to say we believe in God's word but to actually put it into practice is another thing. Guy shared a story in chapter nine (Come to the Well) that really hit home. In a nutshell, the prospector discovered the well on the map was dry, yet someone created a sign telling the reader that there was a new well 2 miles due north. The prospector was faced with a choice, go in the direction the map suggested or trust the handwritten sign. Both choices were bleak especially since his need for water was critical. The prospector goes through a series of "faith-based" choices and ends up making it to his destination. The point of this story is to point out that life is filled with the forks in the road and we must "trust" God. He will bring us through but we must trust that God will do what he says.

The author also encourages the readers to examine the regrets they have. Name one regret you have and then ask yourself a simple question, "Why is this a regret?" When done in complete honesty, this can be a powerful and insightful experience. In addition, the author suggests the reader examine what makes them angry. After you have compiled a list of 6-10 things, look for patterns or look for the root of the anger. Although this book is not a simple fix, it is a book that provides hope and encourages the reader to press on, chose the right attitude, and trust that God does not see us as a failure through His Son Jesus.

Bud, Not Buddy

Has there ever been a time when you picked up a book and within the first few pages began rooting (sp) for the main character? For me this is rare. It usually takes a while for me to "warm-up" to the main character or even a secondary character. However, in "Bud, Not Buddy" written by Christopher Paul Curtis, I found myself in his corner immediately.

When you first meet Bud, you discover he is a young boy around the age of 10. He has already lived four years in an orphanage and all Bud has to his name is an old warn out suitcase and the contents inside. The suitcase is so old it is held together by twine. His mother died when he was six, thus, the has lived the last four years in the "Home".

Bud Caldwell has been in several foster homes for short periods of time. On his last visit, a switch or something inside him turned on and he decided to go on the lam. He simply took off and decided to seek out his birth father. As every boy dreams, his daddy will want him and welcome him with open arms.

The setting is the depression, money, jobs, and food are hard to come by. Although these barriers do not stop Bud we travel with him on his journey to find his father who lives in Grand Rapids, only 20 or so miles away from the "Home". Bud is positive that his father, Herman E. Calloway, lives in Grand Rapids because of the 3-4 flyers he has in his suitcase.

As you read Bud, Not Buddy, you can help but cheer for him. It seems as if every corner Bud turns down there is someone or something there to dismantle his dream. This boy is polite, determined, persistant, and always looking at the cup of life as half-full.

In the end, Bud does find his family. Although the reader knows that life is life and that a Disneyland ending of happy-ever-after will not happen, you realize that happy-ever-after is just knowing that you are home with people who love you.

AR SCORE: 100%

Lupita Manana

Lupita Manana is written by Patricia Beatty. It is a fictional story about a young girl, Lupita, and her brother, Salvador, who must cross from Mexico to America. Their journey begins when the get the news about the death of their father, the main financial provider. Their mothers tells them that they must go to America and earn money for their family's survival. Their aunt, Consuelo, is their mother's sister. Years ago, Consuelo crossed the boarder and moved to Indio, California. Lupita's mother told the children they must go live with Aunt Consuelo, work in Indio, and send money back to the family. Salvador and Lupita don't know how to get to Indio let alone cross the boarder. Mom simply tells them they must go and get there. These two children (pre-teen Lupita and mid-teen Salvador) set out on their way to Indio, California.

Although this text is fictional, I am confident that the story-line matches the life journey of many Mexican immigrants who have had to cross the boarder for survival. Although I have read other fictional text of a similar nature (i.e. The Crossing by Gary Paulsen), Lupita Manana introduces the reader to the multiple layers of fear a child, teen, or adult has when they cross the boarder into America illegally. Lupita, a pre-teen who is innocent in thought and action, tends to look at life as if the glass is half-full unlike her brother who sees the glass half-empty. It was interesting to me that the layers of fear were more than just the immigration police. They learned to fear other Mexicans as they were traveling to Tijuana. Once in Tijuana, they learned to fear the coyote who would exploit their dream for financial gain. They also learned to fear the "gringo" who robbed and shot at them as they attempted to cross the boarder. Once across the boarder, Lupita and Salvador, learned to fear the police as well as the imigration police (la migra) who pick up those in America illegally and deport them.

All of these different levels of fear made me think about many of the possible reasons why the parents of the students I serve may be reluctant to provide the school with personal information or complete forms that require personal information (i.e. phone numbers, work status, social security numbers, etc...). Until I can build the needed trust with the parents of the student's we serve, I am sure that many of them have multiple levels of fear. This fictional book gave me a better understanding of what many of my constituents may have gone through or someone close to them may have gone through.

Could I? Would I attempt a similar journey like Lupita and Salvador? What a journey.

My Literature Journey

I can honestly say that I hated to read as a child. It was painful. Reading was labor intensive and difficult to get through. The light went on sometime during the year 1990. I'm not sure exactly (actually I do but I'll withhold this part of my journey out until later) but I began to read more. Although I would not say that I began reading like a hornet but I did read more than I ever did in the past. It wasn't until I became a principal that I really realized the importance of reading, that is, the reading for knowledge and the reading for pure joy. Thus, I have begun this blog in hopes to record the books I read and reflect on their influence on how I view and interperet the world around me. Welcome to my journey.