The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Being the Father of the Bride

The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Being the Father of the Bride is nothing more than a self-help for the soon to be "father of the bride." This self-help guide was written by Jennifer lata Rung and was published in 2005. This book is nothing more than your friendly buddy sitting next to you and telling you all the things you need to know about your daughter's up coming wedding. The only difference is that this buddy is knowledgable, articulate, and fits in your back pocket.

The nine chapters in The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Being the Father of the Bride covers the basics. The authour talks about your daughter leaving the nest, introduces you to the wedding vocabulary, the planning process, money etiquette, looking good, and your wedding day duties. Each chapter is filled with practical advise and valuable information. The information is straight forward and provides a simple road map for any dad to follow.

I would recommend this pocket book to any dad who has little to know knowledge about this whole wedding thing. It will provide you with some insight as well as help you become familular with the wedding process. However, if you are a dad who has gone through a wedding or two other daughters, this book would only serve as a refresher course or a book that reminds you of all the things you should have done. In either case, you can't lose reading the book. You'll either impress everyone with the wedding knowledge that you have or you will impress everyone on how much you have changed since the last wedding. Either way, you will contribute to the beautiful day your daughter will remember for the rest of her life.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH
This book was very informative and actually enlightened me in a few areas I knew nothing about. When I first purchased the book, I thought it was going to releave me from some of the stress I have been encountering regarding the upcoming wedding of my precious daughter. However, I must confess the book did not relieve any stress but only added. As I read through this pocket book, I came to realize that I'm not like the father next door nor like the perfect ones every daughter dreams about. Movies have done us regular Joe dads a disservice buy setting the "perfect" dad bar so high that the only one who can live up to it are those in the minds of our daughters. That aside, I did realize that this is her special day. Her wedding day is the one event, the one day, she has been planning for since early childhood. This day is the one day she has lived for and it will be the one day she will want to remember for the rest of her life. In addition, I came to realize that I am ment to be a stabalizing force throughout the wedding process (i.e. the finances, the planning, the event). Although my daughter's fiance is capable of this (he is a very smart, wise, and carrying young man) it is important that I make myself available to listen and provide a voice of reason "when asked". Lastly, it is ok to begin preparing what I will say during the reception toast (as well as to the guests). This does not have to be a spur of the moment speech but should be well thoughtout, meaningful, and memoriable.

For those of you men who have a daughter getting married in the near future (i.e. 1-2 years), this book is a recommended read. If anything, this book will provide you with the basic knowledge and wedding lingo to make you look and feel like a superstar. Although you may feel it, your daughter might just think you "are" one of those super perfect dads we see in the movies.

The Final Act

The Final Act was published in 2007 and was written by Chuck Smith. This book was well written and provides the reader with an insight into the last days of man-kind. Using scripture and current events, Chuck Smith shares with his readers why he believes the stage has been set for the last days, unveils information about the rapture, talks about the great tribulation, and discusses the second coming. Irregardless of the pre, mid, or post position you may hold regarding the great tribulation, this book is one worth reading. All positions that Chuck Smith holds are supported by scripture. I am impressed with Chuck's ability to see God's hand within the scripture, within the current events surrounding us daily, and then share this insight in an understandable and meaningful way.

The Final Act was well written and the scriptural postions appeared to be within context. The Final Act was an easy read (not light reading just easy for layman to read) and did not require years of biblical study to grasp what the author was communicating.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH
I enjoyed the book but also was freaked out about it. I struggle with two things: 1) I want Jesus to come and come quickly. I want to be in heaven, be in the presence of God, and sing praises (eventhough I can't sing) day-in and day-out. However, I also want to live a long life and watch my children growup and experience the joy of grandchildren. It is what it is. God's timing is God's timing. The stage has been set and the play has to run its course. Irregardless of what act were are in within this drama, I need to live daily as I am instructed. May all I do bring me one day closer to the master's feet.

The One Minute Manager

The One Minute Manager is one of many "One Minute Manager" books. The One Minute Manager was the runaway #1 national best seller on the New York Bestsell list for two years running. With its simple story line, easy to understand concepts, and practical strategies, The One Minute Manager became one of the most widely used management books in its time. This classic book was written by Kenneth Blanchard, Ph.D. and Spencer Johnson, M.D. It was published the year I graduated from highschool (1981).

As with all of the One Minute books, the One Minute Manager has been written like a story. They typically start out with a main character who is seeking advise from a wise sage regarding a pressing topic. In the One Minute Manger, the main character is on a quest to uncover the secrets of a successful manager. Through his research he discovers that most managers do not have time for him or they really don't share any helpful information with him. That is until he meets the One Minute Manager. This manager takes an appointment immediately and begins to share his secrets. In fact, he sets him up withother who share his view.

The main character learns about setting one minute goals, giving one minute praises, and providing one minute reprimands. He learns these secrets not only from the one minute manager but from those who work under hiim. Things work out so well with the main character that he gets a job working with the one minute manager and he soon finds himself to be just like him.

The story ends with an young woman setting up an appointment to talk with the main character about his secret to managerial success.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH
I remember reading this book during my early days of college. It made a lot of sense to me and I believe it became a part of the foundation of my leadership style. It makes sense to set goals, monitor your progress towards them, reprimand when necessary, and celebrate when the goal(s) has been reached. This book was worth the reread. It refreshed my memory on the things I should be doing with the people whom I work with.

The Dark Frigate

If you liked Treasure Island, you will like The Dark Frigate written by Charles B. Hawes. The Dark Frigate was first published in 1923 and was awarded the Newbery Medal. This twenty-four chapter book takes you through the young life of Philip Marsham.

Philip was a boy who always knew he would be a man of the sea. Early in his life, his mother died and his father was out on the sea for long periods of time. During his time away, Philip stayed at a local inn. His father, Tom Marsham, did not come back it was believed he was lost at sea.

Phil's stay at the inn was no boy's camp. It was hard and filled with little love. He left the inn and struckout on his own. Instead of going out to sea, eventhough he was street smart (or I should say sea smart) Phil headed inland. He came upon several land travelors and journeyed with some. At times these journeys lead to mishaps with the law and he would have to leave in haste. During one of these excursions, Phil met a young girl who caught his fancy. They kissed and he made a solom promise to return for her.

Phil and one of his companions on the journey attempted to run from the law by signing onto a ship. Phil clearly had the necessary sea knowledge eventhough he had never been on the sea. He was smart and knowledgable when it came to things of the sea. The captain took a liking to Phil and signed him on. The ship was called The Rose of Devon.

On their voyage, The Rose of Devon encountered a crippled ship. Captain Candle gave out the order to recover the men on the broken ship. This good will was repaid by their taking over the ship and killing all who would not follow their new captain, The Old One. The Old One was none other than Tom Jordan one of the unstable crooked men Phil met on his journeys inland.

Tom Jordan used greed and fear to intice (sp) the men to follow his way. They were pirates insearch of wealth. Time passed, ships overtaken, and life's ended. Phil could take this life no more. He left the ship without permission and sought out a new life. He came across another ship in a hidden cove. It happened to be a war ship, stationed their to protect the small village from pirates. Phil tried to warn the captain but he took him as a lookout for the oncoming pirate ship, The Rose of Devon. Tom Jordan was not ready for the fire power nor the shear strength of the war ship. They were quickly taken over and placed in irons in the bowels of the ship.

They all went to court and everyone was sentenced to death except.......

MY TWO CENTS WORTH

Once I got past all the "pirate" and "old" ways of talking, I was able to get into the story. The language was a barrior but I managed to muddle through it. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed "Treasure Island" or books of that nature. Philip Marshall was a character you can easily identify with and understand why he makes the decisions he makes. He was a boy who was experienced well beyond his years, yet he was young and did what our young do. I admired his committment, his dinasity (sp), his fire, and his determination. I was crushed when the girled he promised to return to had already committed herself to someone else. My heart sank even deeper when she laughed in his face and wrote it off as something foolish. On the flipside, she wasn't as pretty as he remembered, she was heavier, and it appeared that she enjoyed the company of men, many men. In the long run, I think Phil got the better deal.

The Gingerbread Boy

The Gingerbread Boy was edited by Nova Nestrick. This is a classic story about a poor elderly woman and man who live on a farm. They both wanted a child but couldn't have one. So the elderly woman baked a gingerbread boy who came to life as soon as she opened the oven door. This gingerbread boy ran through the fields and met many people who wanted to eat him. It wasn't until the gingerbread boy ran into a wild animal who wanted to eat him. He was told to run home back to his creator, his mother. He ran all the way home and jumped into the arms of his mother.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
The Gingerbread Boy is very similar to The Gingerbread Man. I'm not sure of the major differences but I am sure there are a few. I thought that The Gingerbread Boy and The Dog Who Cried Wolf had a similar plot. Both the Gingerbread Boy and Moka believed that life was better on the other side of the mountain or simply away from where they were. However, in the end, both the Gingerbread Boy and Moka realized that where they came from was better than their perception of the world outside the safety of home.

The Dog Who Cried Wolf

The Dog Who Cried Wolf was written by Keiko Kasza. This delightful book does have an Accelerated Reader quiz. It is only worth .5 points. The Dog Who Cried Wolf takes place in the comfortable home of his owner Michelle. Moka, the dog, sits with Michelle reading a book about wolves. Moka begins to dream about living the life of a wolf. He leaves his comfortable home to become a wolf. He trys to catch dinner but it either gets away or makes fun of him. Lastly he howls at the moon and a family of wolves answer his call. Moka hightails it back home and runs into the arms of Michelle.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
This is a delightful book about a dog who wants to discover his roots. There have been those times in my life when I thought about my life and wanted to run in the other direction. Like Moka, one thinks life would be better on top of the mountain with the wolves; however, the reality is life is pretty good right where you are. Life isn't always greener on the other side of the mountain, its just a different kind of grass.

AR QUIZ: 100% :)

The Amazing Life of Birds (The Twenty-Day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech)

The Amazing Life of Birds (The Twenty-Day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech) was published in 2006 and written by Gary Paulsen. This book is a twenty day journal of a boy in intermediate school whose name is Duane Homer Leech. During those twenty days he journaled, Duane compared his days of puberty with that of a young bird born on the ledge of his window. During those twenty days, Duane's voice began to crack, he saw the roster on the cereal box turn into an elbow, he spilled cafeteria food on the girl he really likes, he knocks over the bookshelves in the library, and it was believed he started a ringworm epidemic at his school. If it something could go wrong, it would go wrong for Duane Homer Leech. Fortunately, like the young bird, Duane will jump out of the nest of puberty and into young adulthood.


MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
I am not a fan of journal type literature and this was no acception. Although I really enjoy Gary Paulsen as an author, this book didn't grab me like many of his other books. I'm not sure what it was. My lack of interest or enthusiam could have been due to the topic of puberty or the journal-type writing. This book was not a hit with me. However, it is one I will keep on my book shelf because Gary Paulsen, in my opinon, is a remarkable author for young readers.

December Books

The books I plan to start, complete, and/or purchase in the month of December have been listed below. The books that I am in the process of reading, wanting to start, and plan to purchase for future reading have been rightly notated on the list below with corresponding italicized words. Additionally, I typically have four books in the hopper (in the process of reading). These four books always fall in one of the following five categories: children's literature, personal (self-helpish type books), religious, professional development, and Miss Alainius. Although this journey may be a bit tiresome, I enjoy the adventure of learning.

December books are:

* The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron. It was awarded the Newberry award for the year 2007. - R
* The Gingerbread Boy edited by Nova Nestrick - R
* The Final Act written by Chuck Smith. - R
* The Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. E.Posner (completed several times but just need to post) - PD.
* Improving Student Learning: One Teacher at a Time by Jane E. Pollock - PD
* 50 One-Minute Tips To Better Communication by Phillip E. Bozek, Ph.D. -PD
* Quite Strength by Rosa Parks (and Gregory J. Reed) - R
* The Book of John (in progress) - R.
* Joy in the Journey by Guy Doud (would like to start) - R.
* What's Worth Fighting for in Your School? by Michael Fullan and Andy Hargreaves(would like to start) - PD.
* Leadership and the One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard (would like to start) -PD
*The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard (read but must post) - PD.
*The Big Book of How to Say It Best by Jack Griffin and Robbie Miller-Kaplan (in progress) - PD.

Books, intellectual conversations, and casual conversations all have an influence one one's thinking, actions, discussions. I look forward to the journey that lays ahead. Here's to the journey!

The Higher Power of Lucky

The Higher Power of Lucky was written by Susan Patron and earned the John Newberry Medal in 2007. The setting takes place out in the desert in the small town named Hard Pan with the population of 43. The main character, Lucky, is a young girl around the age of 10 and cleans up after many of the town "AA" meetings. Lucky's mother died two years earlier, she never met her biological father, and now is in the care of a guardian named Bridgitt. She desperately wants to belong, belong to someone. Lucky's mother died, her biolgical father does not want her, and her guardian has a heart for France. The people who attend the "AA" meetings all talk about finding their Higher Power and springing out from rock bottom. Lucky hits rock bottom and then finds her higher power. Lucky's journey from rock bottom upward is worth the read. You meet many characters that warm your heart and bring you into their world of a town of 43 people.

MY TWO CENTS:
My journey over the last six months to read all of the John Newberry Medal winners before June 2008 has been intersting. I have enjoyed each book for different reasons. Each book has a moving story-line that brings the reader into their literature world. This story about a young girl whose mother died, father does not want her, and a guardian who misses France makes the reader have a tender place in their heart for her. You admire Lucky because she sees what others have and strives to attain it. She has no idea what the "higher power" is but through deduction she figures out that she must hit rock bottom before the "higher power" is discovered. Lucky's view of the world is so innocent and pure. You find yourself rooting for her after each page you turn. I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to others. There are a few sections within the story that didn't really add anything to it and would not have harmed the overall storyline if it was ommitted. As a parent, after your child reads this book at the tender age of 9-12 you might have a discussion about some body parts.

AR Quiz: 100%
AR Literature Assessment: 100%

Character Under Attack

"Character Under Attack and What You Can Do About It" was written by Carl Sommer and published in 2005. Carl Sommer is an author who is passionate about communicating values to our youth while teaching basic learning skills. He has authored the Sommer-Time Story series, Reading Success series, Reading Adventure series, and Number Success series.

Character Under Attack is Mr. Sommer's response to the strong opposition he has faced when soliciting his character building books to the public entities that are supposed to be open and nonbiased. His boook outlines the strong opposition he has faced, the philosophical battle we all face, the anticulturalism we all face, and the need for a strong character education movement. Utilizing his personal experience as well as research, Carl Sommer has identified a growing pattern among public entities (i.e. libraries, districts, schools) to shun books that have a strong emphsis on values and character development. His book is interesting and makes one ponder his premis.

50 One-Minute Tips to Better Communicate

50 One-Minute Tips to Better Communicate by Phillip E. Bozek,Ph.D. was published in 1991. This text is a practical guide to getting the most out of your memos, meetings, and business presentations. The fifty tips that are offered are nothing more than common sense applications to your memos, meeting agendas, and presentations. Dr. Bozek offers 17 tips for improving your meetings, 16 tips for improving your memos, and 17 tips for improving your presentations. The tips in this book are practical and useful for the beginner, the novis (sp), and the professional. Effective communication is something every person needs to improve upon. Some of the best projects I have worked on, some of the best organizations I have worked with, some of the best classes I have participated in, and some of my best relationships were directly related to effective and explicit communication. People are more willing to follow, support, and defend a cause when they clearly understand the cause. If I know where I am going, where I want the organization to go, and clearly communicate the destination, I have discovered that you tend to have a more dedicated following. This book provides many opportunities for a leader (i.e. the leader of a small group, leader of a classroom, a leader of an organization) to clearly communicate his/her message.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
I find myself referring back to this text at least once or twice a year. Upon my most recent review of this text, I reflected upon some of the practical tips Dr. Bozek has offered. I discovered that many of his practical suggestions have become a common practice in my daily, weekly, monthly communications with my students, parents, teachers, and colleagues. Although it appears that I use many of these tips as if they naturally flow from my fingertips, I can only hope they serve the purpose they were designed to do....clearly communicate purpose and/or direction.

I recommend this 88 page communication book for the professional shelf of any leader, layman or professional.

The Little Engine That Could

The Little Engine That Could was written by Watty Piper and first published in 1971. This is a story about a train that carrys toys and food for all the good little boys and girls on the other side of the mountain. The train that typically brings the toys and food items to the good little boys and girls on the other side of the mountain breaks down. The toys and animals are sad and desperately try to get help. The ask a pompous passenger engine, a studly steam engine, and an exhausted elderly engine. All three of these engines had excuses as to why they could not help the broken down train. Then the toy clown flagged down a little blue engine. This little blue engine had never been on the other side of the mountain. In fact, the little blue engine had never left the train yard. Although small and insignificant, the little blue engine offered his help. With postive thoughts, energy, and pure determination, the little blue engine pulls the train over the mountain to the town with all the good little boys and girls. His montra, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can".

The story took place in the rolling hills. There were several standout characters: a clown, the passenger engine, the steam engine, the old engine, and the little blue engine. The main message of the story is to never give up and always try.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH
One of my ultimate favorites. I have read this to students in grades 2-7th, my staff, and to adults in my university classes. The Little Engine That Could can be used for so many reasons: inspiration, determination, writing, plot, leadership, etc... Over the years as a student, as a teacher, as an administrator, and as a parent, I have found myself referencing this story again and again. When the mountain seemed too high or the shore to far away, I recall the sound of the little engine that could, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can". As odd as it sounds, those four simple words said over and over have gotten me over many mountains.

AR QUIZ: 100%

The Door In The Wall

The Door In The Wall is the 1949 Newberrry award winning book. Marguerite DeAngeli is the writer of this fictional story about a young boy who lives in the times of knights, friars, kings, queens, and people with names like Alan-at-Gate or John-go-in-the-Wynd. The majority of the story takes place on the grounds of the St. Mark parish outside of London. Robin is the son of a knight who has gone off to fight in the Scottish wars and his mother has been called to serve the Queen during her time of extreme illness. The plague has settled in the city of London and people are either fleeing or have perished. Brother Luke, a member of the St. Mark parish has heard that Robin was abandoned by his caregivers. Due to Robin's illness and/or disability, he is immobile. Brother Luke carries him from Robin's house in London to the parish. At the parish, Brother Luke and many of the other menof God teach Robin about the many doors of opportunity that lay before every one. Robin learned that through patience and persistance doors will be opened and he can walk through them. Although Robin was clearly physically handicaped, he was the only one who could save the castle. Robin could swim, he has built up physical endurance, he could easily pass as a peasant, and he knew where to go so Sir Peter would receive the necessary assistance to overcome the Welch. In the end, Robin is given a color of jewels for his bravery and for saving the castle. His dad is one of the men who returned to the castle to fight off the Welch and his mother has completed her service to the Queen. In the end, they all are reunited and return to London. Brother Luke comes to live with the family and becomes Robin's tutor.

TWO CENTS WORTH:
Once I got past all the old English-type language I began to enjoy this story. I have to admit that the language style in which this story was written hindered my reading fluency throughout the story. Other than that, I enjoyed the perspective the author took when facing barriers, both physical and emotional, in one's life. Marguerite DeAngeli used Robin's physical barriers and emotional barriers as "doors of opportunity". As in the alleys of London or in the walls of a castle, there are many doors that lead to somewhere. One must simply find or create the key to unlock the door, push the door open, and then boldly walk through the door. Of all the characters in this story, Brother Luke is the one who sticks out the most. Brother Luke is devoted to God, his church, and his calling in life. He does not skirt his religious responsibilities nor his committment to God dispite the realities of the world that surrounds him. Brother Luke looks at every situation as a door that may or may not be opened. He is patient and kind like that of the stereotypical saint. I was touched by his mentoring of this young helpless boy named Robin. During this time of the plague and of war, Brother Luke was a major influence in Robin's life. Robin grew from a young helpless boy into a strong, determined, and talented young man.

AR QUIZ: 90%

Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks: From the Back of the Bus to the Front of a Movement is a biography written by Camilla Wilson for Scholastic Incorporated. This biography was written for students who read at the fouth grade level. Ms. Wilson did a fantastic job researching the life of Rosa Parks and sharing it with her young readers. The bulk of the 73 pages were spent on Rosa Parks earlier days in Montgomery. Early in her life, Rosa was involved with equal rights. This biography takes the reader through her yearly days and reveals the strong, determined woman behind the Montgomery bus boycott.

MY TWO CENTS:
I enjoyed this book thoroughly. This was a journey into the life of Rosa Parks in the years before the Montgomery bus boycott. I enjoy these types of biographies because they tend to give the reader a picture of the individual's life before they became well known. Rosa Parks did not live a simple and easy life. Her life was filled with pain, suffering, and fear. However, her life was also filled with determination, focus, and compassion. The one thing that struck me the most as I read this biography was Rosa Parks' work ethic. Rosa Parks worked a full-time job as a seamstress, answered phones on her hour lunch break, and participated in a number of politically related organizations after work (i.e. she would type, take notes, contact people, organize the meetings, etc...). When the day was done, she would go home and start all over again. In addition to her work as a seamstress and her volunteer work, she also had to take care of her husband and her parents. I practically buckle thinking about all the responsibilities Rosa Parks had on her shoulders, yet, she carried on. I am thankful she did not give up. I am thankful she did not get out of her seat on the bus. I am thankful she found the energy to carry on. Rosa Parks is a person to be admired and emulated in many ways. All people should be treated equally and there is no one race more superior than another. We all need to eat, we all need to sleep, we all bleed, we all breath, we all love, we all want a better life for our children. Although Rosa Parks took a seat, she stood for all.

King of the Wind

King of the Wind was a 1948 Newberry Award winning book and was written by Marguerite Henery. The book is about a horseboy and the horse he was assigned to. The king of the land wanted to give a gift of several nobel horses along with their horseboys as a gift of friendship. The horses and the boys were shipped across the sea. When they arrived to the intended recipient, the horses were no longer in the stellar shape they were in when they left their native land. The recieving king was not impressed and ordered them to be sold. The story follows one horse and its journey through the land. The horse was sold to many people in the land. Some were nice, some where simple, and some where out right foul. Through it all, the horseboy stayed with his horse. His king sent him with the horse and charged him to stay with the horse until the horse died. In the end, the horse did mate with a nobel horse of the new land and began a lineage of fast, healthy, and strong horses in the new country. The lineage of horses were fast runners. They often won their races and brought pride to the new country. However, this story is about the first horse that began the lineage, the horse called, "The King of the Wind".

MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
First of all, I have to admit publically that I earned a 70% on the AR quiz. I'm not sure why I didn't ace this quiz. I enjoyed this Newberry book tremendously, stories about horses bring back pleasant childhood memories, and the dumb (unable to speak) character entreaged me right from the begining. If I could blame anything, I guess I'd blame it on three things: 1) I'm a slow reader and forget just about everything I read...immediately, 2) there were a lot of teir three vocabulary words, and 3) my new job has me mentally preoccupied.

I am really getting a kick out of reading the Newberry award winning books from 1922 to present. Thus far 95% of the books have been an enjoyable read. As I read these books, I have found myself recommending them to friends, colleagues, and students. I have discovered that the titles of many of these books spring from my mouth throughout our conversations. If you are a person who enjoys horses, particularly race horses, this book may give you a beautiful story behind the lineage of an excellent line of race horses. I have been lead to believe that this story was, in part, based upon a real event. In fact, the King of the Wind has its own grave site that people can still visit today. If I'm in the area, I just might visit it and place the picture on my blog. :)

A Leader's Legacy

A Leader's Legacy was written by James Zouzes and Barry Posner. It was published in 2006 by Jossey-Bass. The Leadership Legacy is James Zouzes and Barry Posner's excellent followup to their leadership book entitled, "The Leadership Challenge". If you have read The Leadership Challenge and liked what you read then "A Leader's Legacy" is a book you want to add to your professional book shelf. However, if you read The Leadership Challenge and did not agree with the general premis, then A Leader's Legacy is not the leadership book for you.

A Leader's Legacy is about leaders who believe that to make a difference we need to understand that extrodinary leaders are: 1) leaders who serve and sacrifice, 2) leaders who build relationships (on and off the clock), 3) leaders who look within themselves, 4) leaders build up others to become leaders (it takes more than one person to move the group forward), and 5) leaders who know it takes courage to lead.

If you are a leader who needs to be the only one in charge, the one who demands respect, and the one who leaders with mandates, then this is not a book that supports your style. However, if you are a leader who believes it takes a cohesive team to complete a project effectively, a leader who gives respect when earned, and a leader who builds a shared vision, then this is a book that will encourage you to press on. James Zouzes and Barry Posner utilize twenty-five years of research and real life examples of leaders (big and small) who have made a difference and created a legacy. Their research and real life stories give all individuals the hope, courage, and belief that "anyone" (and that means me) can be a leader who makes a difference in the world in which I live.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
In my opinion, this is a book worthy of anyone's book shelf, professional or personal. If you are a person who has been called to work with people (i.e. school, church, youth sports leagues, etc...) this is the book that will enspire you. If you are the type of leader who believes that it takes the whole crew to run the ship instead of just the captain, then this book is for you. However, if you believe it is my way or the high way, this book is not for you. You will think it is a waste of paper, ink, and time. Every page of this book will contratict your way of doing things.

I highly recommend this book to any person who is in charge of a project and has to work with more than one person. This book has a way of building your confidence and enspiring you to do the best that you can as well as encourage those working with you to step beyond their current position.

Outlearning the Wolves

Who ever thought that a simple book about sheep and wolves could unveil the benefits of a learning organization. Outlearning the Wolves: Surviving and Thriving in a Learning Organization is such a book. Through the sheep characters, David Hutchens is able to communicate the benefit and the power the comes with the concept of questioning the status quo. According to nature the wolf eats the sheep and the sheep accept their fate. However, Otto, one of the new sheep, began to question why the wolf had to eat the sheep. Otto began to question among the other sheep and encouraged other sheep to challenge the status quo of the sheep eating wolf. Although Otto died well before his time, he planted the seed of asking questions and seeking out the answer. Marietta, one of the sheep who took his word to heart, gathered the sheep together to resolve the issue of the wolf eatting the sheep. Through the efforts of many members of the flock they discovered why the wolf kills more sheep during the dry season than in the rainy season. Together they devised and executed a plan to solve the issue of the wolves coming into their pasture and taking a sheep for their dinner. In the end, the sheep became a "learning flock".

MY TWO AND A HALF CENTS:

I love parables. The more simple they are the more I tend to benefit from them. The first page of this book only had four words - "This is a wolf." My kind of book! :)

The message is simple: No matter who you are in life, you can outlearn the wolves.

Years ago in the education field our opperating montra was "life long learners". After reading this business management type book the term life-long learners made a little more sense to me. In education and in life we often set in our ways. If the child is failing or if I am failing I all to often blow it off due to variables outside of my direct influence. David Hutchens encourages his readers to challenge the barriers (percieved or real) and ask questions from every angle. Just because someone says it can not be done, doesn't mean it can not be done. In my younger years it was rare that I questioned anyone. If I was told it could not be done or I was not permitted to do it or you will never be able to do it I would accept my fate and walk away. It wasn't until I was encouraged to ask questions and challenge the status quo. Why can't I earn an A? Why can't I become a teacher? Why can't I be an administrator? Why can't all children learn? What barriers are preventing our EL students from mastering ELA standards? What steps do we need to take in order to improve our API score and AYP status? Collectively questioning, seeking answers, adapting, implementing, and revising ones plan are variables on a learning organization. It is my hope that I remain and finetune my life long learning skills. It is my hope that all organizations I work in question the status quo, collect data, generate plans based on data, implement the plan, and then continue to revisit and revise. A person or a group of people who are constantly looking for ways to learn and better themselves (personally or professionally) will always be in the front. These are the leaders who take organizations into places others have only dreamed of. Here's to the Otto's in the world.

November books I hope to read - 2007

The books I plan to start, complete, and/or purchase in the month of November have been listed below. The books that I am in the process of reading, wanting to start, and plan to purchase for future reading have been rightly notated on the list below with corresponding italicized words. Additionally, I typically have four books in the hopper (in the process of reading). These four books always fall in one of the following five categories: children's literature, personal (self-helpish type books), religious, professional development, and Miss Alainius. Although this journey may be a bit tiresome, I enjoy the adventure of learning.

November books are:

* King of the Wind by Marguerite Henery. This book was awarded the Newberry Award in 1948. - CL
* Character under Attack and What You Can Do About It was written by Carl Sommer. Printed in 2005. - P
* The Final Chapter written by Chuck Smith. - R
* Outlearning the Wolves written by David Hutchens. The second edition printed in 1998. - PD
* The Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner (completed several times but just need to post) - PD.
* The Book of John (in progress) - R.
* A Day's Journey by Jon Courson (in progress-1 year) - R.
* How Full is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D. (completed but just need to post) - SH.
* Joy in the Journey by Guy Doud (would like to start) - R.
* What's Worth Fighting for in Your School? by Michael Fullan and Andy Hargreaves(would like to start) - PD.
* Leadership and the One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard (would like to start) -PD
*The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard (read but must post) - PD.
*The Big Book of How to Say It Best by Jack Griffin and Robbie Miller-Kaplan (in progress) - PD.


Books, intellectual conversations, and casual conversations all have an influence one one's thinking, actions, discussions. I look forward to the journey that lays ahead. Here's to the journey!

Nate the Great and The Boring Beach Bag

Nate the Great and The Boring Beach Bag was written by Margaret XYZ. It is one of many books in the Nate the Great book series. The reading level of this delightful mystery book is 2.0 (2.0 is equivalent to second grade zero month - September).

Nate is at the beach swiming in the beautiful ocean with his dog Sludge. Oliver, the boy who follows everyone, swims out to Nate to tell him someone stole his boring blue beach bag. Nate agrees to help Oliver find his boring blue beach bag. Nate and Oliver set out to gather clues to help them solve the mystery. Nate talks with Oliver, Annie, Esmerelda, and the girl who runs the beach restaurant. Using his uncanny detective skills, Nate the Great uncovers the mystery. No one ever stole the bornig blue beach bag. It was Oliver who could not find his borning blue beach bag in the first place. Another mystery solved by Nate the Great.


MY TWO AND A HALF CENTS WORTH
This is a delightful mystery book series for young readers. The main character is a boy so I would say that this series is marked for young (1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade) male readers. Although I don't consider myself as young as a second grader, I do enjoy reading these fun, yet simple mystery stories written by Margaret XYZ.

Main Characters: Nate the Great, Oliver the boy with the boring beach bag, sludge Nate's dog, and Annie the girl running with her dog.
Setting: The beach.
AR Score: 100% ;)

Investing without a Silver Spoon

Investing without a Silver Spoon was written by The Motley Fool. It was published in 2000. This book has been divided into two parts. The first part is an introduction to direct investing and the second part of the book is nothing more than a laundry list of companies that permit direct investing. Part one of the book consists of nine chapters and is only a total of 96 pages. Part two has no chapters, lists all the companies in alphabetical order, and is a total of 311 pages. Part one provides the investing layman with knowledge about direct investing. This book provides an argument for investing now instead of later as well as the advantages for direct investing plans. The book also reviews the disadvantages of direct investments and times when not to invest. The authors walk the reader through the enrollment process and covers industries and companies to embrace. This book provides a brief education on how to determine a company's valuation and performance measures. Recordkeeping, portfolio tracking and taxes are also reviewed in part one of this book. Lastly, we all need to know how to sell the stock we purchase through a direct investment plan.

The authors of Investing Without a Silver Spoon take great pride in providing their readers with detailed information on how to start and finish their investing journey in the world of Direct Investing. It is not hard but it requires self-discipline. Although this method of saving for your future may not provide you with a bazzilon dollars but this will provide you with a fiinancial foundation to build upon.

MY 2 1/2 CENTS WORTH

I have been a fan The Motley Fool for years. I have thoroughly enjoyed their financial advise, their professionalism, and humor. Their website has encouraged many financial gun shy individuals to step out into the world stocks and invest wisely in one's own future. I have always been frustrated with the financial world interms of its intimidation factor. The only people who know anything about tend to have lots and lots of money. I on the other hand am a common man with little to know money, yet I need to provide for the future. I have two children who need to go to college, they both will have a wedding (some day), my wife and need to have retirement $, and we will need to have a little spending money every now and again. To do this with little to no knowledge is scary and intimidating. Most stock brokerages prey on the ignorant and cator (sp) to the wealthy. Motley Fool, on the other hand, has become a champion for the little man or I should say for the man with little money. They provide financial information for the layman. They make investing look simple enough even for a layman to do. Their strategy is simple: reduce your debt, research in companies that allow the invester to purchase stock directly from the company, and invest regularly (i.e. weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or quarterly). Historically, this strategy has helped many individuals prepare for their retirement years. Personally, I have used this method of savings to save for my children's college, our first automobile, a partial down payment on the house, and a new garage door. Although this is not the answer to everyone's financial woe's (sp), it is a savings path that can help many people get into the stock purchasing game with a minimal impact on their fiancial wallet. Fifty dollars a month is no more than ten Starbucks latayes (sp). That same fifty dollars a month could purchase you 1-2 shares of stock from companies like Edison, Intel, Starbucks, Walmart, or Tyson. In one year you would have spent $600 on special coffee that tasted good going into the body and most like felt good going out of the body. However, that same $600 dollars spent on the stock through the companies direct investment program still exsists in the form of 6-12 shares in the company. An added bonus would be that the stock has gone up and/or the company also provides you with a dividend (sp). Either way you end up with a lot more than the coffee your drank earlier.

I highly recommend this book to those who have little discresionary funds, yet are looking for ways to provide for the future. Although saving for one's future is not easy, this book provides a path that can be implemented by anyone who has some discretionary funds and self-discipline. Here's to investing without a silver spoon.

Lawn Boy

Gary Paulsen has done it again. In 2007, he has released another fictional book that will appeal to young male readers, especially those who have run into the biggest summer delima....no money. Gary Paulsen takes you on a six to eight week summer journey of a twelve year old boy and the business he incidentally started. Lawn Boy is a delightful read for those who love to read, laugh, and learn about money.

Lawn Boy is a fictional book about a twelve year old boy who begins a lawn service, the stock market, and sponsors a prize fighter named Joey Pow. The first problem this twelve year old faced was that he needed some cash to purchase an intertube for his bike. He has no money nor does his parents. Grandma gives the young man an old riding lawn-mower that used to belong to grandpa. As he is cutting his lawn one of the neighbors asked him to cut his lawn and the business began. The second problem the twelve year old had was were to put all the money he earned. Arnold, one of his customers who was a work-at-home stock broker, helped him invest his money as well as build his lawnservice business. A third problem this young man faced was the competition who wanted to extort money from his business and the workers. The last problem our entrepuner faced was how to tell his parents he had earned over $400,000 in six to eight weeks. All of the problems were solved in humorous ways only to create another problem to be solved.


MY 2 1/2/ CENTS WORTH

This is another delightful and enjoyable book by Gary Paulsen. I thoroughly enjoy these types of books. They bring back memories of boyhood delemas as well as inspire individuals to press forward despite one's circumstances. I think every young man with little to no money in his pocket should read this book and uncover the possibilities available as an entrepuner (sp).

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind was written by T. Harv Eker and published in 2005. It is a "How to get rich" type of book. It is a book for those who wish to explore the whys they are in their financial state and how they can change their "financial blueprint." According to the author, we are in controll of our financial well-being. We are rich, poor, or inbetween all because of our financial blueprint. Mr. Eker explains to the reader why he/she is in her current financial state (typcially individuals who have purchased this book are already in a financial situation and are looking for a solution) and then proceeds to provide the path of recovery. The book does provide some helpful hints that, I believe, are nothing more than common sense. However, there are also some bits of advise that may put individuals into more financial peril. Like all self-help type books, they offer advise. This advise will work wonders for some and devistate others. All readers should read these type of self-help books with a bit of causion.

School Personnel Administration: A California Perspective

School Personnel Administration: A California Perspective (sixth edition) was written by Arthur J. Townley and June H. Schmieder-Ramirez. The first edition was printed in 2001 and this sixth edition was printed in 2007.


School Personnel Administration: A California Perspective (sixth edition) is a text that provides the reader with a brief but detailed history of the personnel position in the educational field particularly in California. In addition, this text provides the reader with a comprehensive look at the roles, responsibilities, and governing laws that surround the personnel administration position.

This text is fifteen chapters and comes with a companion CD. The CD is nothing more than an outline of the text, however, it does provide some additional information in some sections of the text. The fifteen chapters focus on the personnel administration position within California. These chapters cover the following topics: history of personnel administration, the chief personnel officer, process of selecting personnel, process of evaluating personnel, process of discipline, staff development, collective bargaining, certificated personnel, classified personnel, organizational culture/climate, and the legal aspects of school personnel administration.

MY TWO AND HALF CENTS

For those of us who are looking to learn about the personnel administrative role within the educational field in California, this is a book for you. School Personnel Administration: A California Perspective contains a great deal of information about the personnel administrative position. This information is concise and easy to read. However, it is not light reading. When reading this textbook, I highly recommend you read 1-2 chapters per sitting. The text is so rich with information, it can be overwhelming and you may miss vital information if you rush through the text.

I found this textbook to be very informative and worthy of my professional bookshelf. As I read through the text, many of the questions and misunderstandings surrounding the personnel administrative department were answered. This text will help all of those who have worked or are currently working in the educational field gain a better understanding of how the personnel department functions and why they do what they do. I recommend this text for those who have become interested in a position within the personnel administration department.

Gary Paulsen: Real-Life Reader Biography

Real-life Reader Biography: Gary Paulsen was written by Ann Gaines and published 2002.

This biography was written for the elementary age reader who has become interested in the distinguished writer named Gary Paulsen. The book begins with Mr. Paulsen's experience in the Iditarod. Three of the chapters cover his younger years and the years as a struggling writer. The last chapter skims through the 1990's when his career as a writer skyrocketed. The children's author by the name of Gary Paulsen became well known by the students and teachers connected to the grades 6th - 10th.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH
As a young reader who wants to know more about the life of Gary Paulsen, this is a great introductory book. In fact, although I have read other biographies and autobiographies on Gary Paulsen, there were a few new bits of information I either didn't read before or simply skipped over them in the past. For example, I did not know the first book he wrote was The Special War. Now that I know this information, I will search for a reasonably priced hardback book. As of this writing, I have been unable to locate a hardback copy available.

The Glass Cafe

The Glass Cafe or, The Stripper and the Sate: How My Mother Started a War With the System That Made Us Kind of Rich and a Little Bit Famous was written by Gary Paulsen and was published in 2003.

The Glass Cafe was written in the style of an autobiography, however, it was not written about Gary Paulsen. The main character is Tony or formally known as Anthony Henson. The whole story has been written from his perspective and through his voice.

Tony is your typical elementary age boy who likes a girl and has a good buddy. He is average in school and enjoys reading. He lives with his mother who is raising him all on her own (no help from the state or local agencies). Tony's mother works several nights a week but always makes him breakfast in the morning, puts him on the bus to school, is home when he gets home, helps him with his homework, and eats dinner with him before she goes off to work.

One day a teacher of his, an art teacher, has a discussion about artists. The teacher mentioned that many artists sharpened their skills by drawing the bodies of people, specifically women. Tony decided he was going to practice drawing so he could become a talented artist. With his mom's permission as well as all of her coworkers permission, Tony went to work with his mom and stayed in the rehearsal room. Ms. Henson worked at the Kity Kat Club and was an exotic dancer. With the club's permission, Tony sat in the rehearsal room and began drawing. The pencil drawings were simple yet told a story. He visited a few more times and completed approximately 10 drawings.

The drawings were given to his art teacher, the drawings were fantastic and submitted in an art show. Someone noticed the age of the artist and made a formal complaint to the child protective services agency. The agency over stepped their authority, things went bazerk in the court room, and through the settlement the Henson's life had changed a little bit. Ms. Henson no longer was an exotic dancer, she reentered the doctorate program, started to date Mr. Miller, and Tony is still a kid who likes to draw.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH
Gary Paulsen has to be one of my favorite all time authors. I can pick up one of his books and find myself easily lost within the setting and life's of his characters. He has a way of transporting you from your world into the created world of his words. Mr. Paulsen has a way with words that pull young male readers in. From my limited perspective, Gary Paulsen's main audience is the young male (ages 9-18) who not only struggle to read but don't like to read. He has a way with identifying with this audience and pulls them along.

The Glass Cafe was written in a different style of writing. Due to my lack of knowledge and/or writing exposure, I don't know the technical name for this style of writing. It was written as if it was an autobiography but it is not an autobiography. I guess I would classify this as a fictional autobiography.

The one piece that intrigued me in this book was the concept of The Glass Cafe. In the last chapter (chapter 6) when we were in the courtroom scene, Ms. Henson used The Glass Cafe concept in her defense. Although I know little about this concept or line of thought, I do know that the Glass Cafe was a place in Beirut, Lebanon where they served coffee and people came to listen to professional story tellers. These storytellers were highly skilled. As they would tell their story, they gathered information about audience and matched their story-telling to the needs and wants of the audience. They knew when to hesitate and hold their audiences at bay until the people would place money in their cups so the story would continue or come to an end. The Glass Cafe concept sounds more like the art of reading your audience and responding to their inner needs and/or unannounced desires. The art of the Glass Cafe is something many of us can use when working with an audience of any age.

Murphy's Trail

Murphy's Trail was written by Gary Paulsen and Brian Burks. Murphy's Trail is one book in a series of books about a sheriff named Al Murphy. As of the writing of this blog, I believe there are seven books in the Murphy series. The first book in the Murphy series is simply titled, Murphy (1987). Murphy's Trail was written in 1996. I am not sure what number this book is within the series. The Murphy books have been written for those of us who like to old West, Gary Paulsen's humor, and his detailed story telling.

Murphy's Trail must be somewhere in the middle of the series of books. Although the book is a stand-alone book, one can tell that Al Murphy has had some tough experiences in the past and that there where more in the future.

This story begins in a small town named San Patricio. A friend from the past, Risa, pleads for his help to find her husband and two boys. A rich and powerful man has begun to muscle his way into the lives of the people in many of the small towns within territory. Ben King is his name. He has many people working for him both on the surface and under the surface. In other words, there are those who openly work for him and those whom get paid by him under the table. Ben King has been buying up businesses in the surrounding area. Not just in one town but in many of the small towns surrounding the area. Typically when his men come into town, the town's people shy away and let the men do their thing (i.e. drink, get rowdy, bully).

Risa takes some time to explain to Mr. Murphy what happened prior to her husband and son's disappearance. Murphy agrees to help investigate. Murphy soon discovers that Ben King has a silver mine operation and has enslaved many Mexicans and Apaches to work the mines. Ben King catches wind that Murphy is on his trail so Mr. King sets him up. In a very short period of time Murphy becomes a wanted killer, a fugitive, and horse thief. With the help of an unexpected foe and a group of town's people, Murphy shuts down Ben Kings operation and frees the people of his tyrannical rein.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. In fact, I liked it so much that I went on-line and bought four more Murphy books. Gary Paulsen is a talented writer. He is able to bring his readers "into" the story with his tremendous talent character development and attention to detail. If you enjoy Western type books about the old west (1800's) that are filled with action and a sense of realism, the Murphy series is highly recommended.

Launching, Floating High, And Landing -

In 1979, Gary Paulsen wrote the words to the non-fiction book entitled Launching, Floating High, And Landing: If Your Pilot Light Doesn't Go Out. This book was written for children who are interested in ballooning but know little to nothing about it. Gary Paulsen's humor oozes from the pages, thus it is a delight to read.

The story line of the book is simple: the balloon starts on the ground, you heat the air, the balloon goes up, you float, then as the air in the balloon cools you come down.

The pictures in this book where taken by Heinz Kluetmeier and they definitely date the book. The hair styles and clothes let you know the book was written in the late 60's to mid 70's.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH
Ever since I read the book Hatchet by Gary Paulsen I was hooked. I think I have read every book he has published; however, there are those rare times when I come across a book of his I have not read. Thus, Launching, Floating High, And Landing: If Your Pilot Light Doesn't Go Out. I discovered this book one day when I was walking through our school library in the P section. Thrilled and ecstatic, I checked out the book and went straight to my office. Much to my chagrin, I zipped through the book in less than 4 minutes.

If you or a child you know has become interested in ballooning or would like to learn some basic information about ballooning, this is a fun book to begin your journey.

The Essential 55

The Essential 55 was written in 2003 by Ron Clark. Mr. Ron Clark is an educator who teaches elementary school students on the East coast. He has taught since 1995 and along this journey he developed, implemented, and enforced fifty-five essential rules for his students (and himself) to follow. These 55 rules have enriched the lives of his students, colleagues, and educators throughout the United States. A few years into his journey of educating children, Mr. Clark became the recipient of the 2001 Disney's American Teacher Award.
This is an excellent common sense book for the beginning as well as the seasoned teacher. Ron Clark does not claim to have all the answers nor all of the "right" rules to make life in the classroom perfect. However, Mr. Clark offers these 55 rules that have been tried, tested, and proven to bring out the successful student in every child.

The book has been written in a basic format. Each rule is numbered. The rule is stated, then a brief story and/or an explanation. The structure and purpose of this book is similar to Mr. Swanson's leadership booklet entitled, "Swanson’s Unwritten Rules of Management". The only difference has to do with the audience. Both books provide insight on leadership and how to become more efficient and effective in the job.

The fifty-five rules range from communication (to fellow students, teachers, other adults) to personal responsibility (honesty, hygiene, organization).

When you look at the rules and begin to analyze them, character building comes to mind. Each of his rules molds and builds productive character traits in all of his students. It has become evident through the stories Mr. Clark has shared in his book, that these rules have helped an enormous number of his students experience academic and social success beyond his classroom.

I highly recommend this book for anyone new to the profession of education. Additionally, I think those of us who have been teaching or working with children for a huge number of years could also benefit from this book. Although the fifty-five rules may seem tedious, at times silly, and overwhelming to consistently enforce, children need to have guidelines. These rules serve as a foundation to build upon and/or a stepping stone to the essential rules/guidelines you will establish in your classroom. Students will perform at the level of the teacher's expectations. If the teacher's expectations are low, then the students performance both inside and outside of the classroom will be low. However, if the teacher's expectations are high, then the students performance both inside and outside of the classroom will be high. Children can and will rise the level you have set the bar. Set the bar at a height that will provide them with the best opportunity of being successful inside as well as outside of the classroom.

This book should be on the professional book shelf of every new and seasoned teacher in the education field.

NO AR

Swanson's Unwritten Rules of Management

William H. Swanson is the author of Swanson’s Unwritten Rules of Management. He wrote this thirty-three unwritten rule management booklet in 2004. Mr. Swanson joined the Raytheon Company in 1972 as an engineer on the shop floor. As of the writing of this management booklet, he has become the chairman and CEO of Raytheon Company. Throughout his journey, he has jotted down his thoughts and bits of wisdom on how to perform more effectively. This booklet is a product of his journal writing as well as effective practices.

Mr. William Swanson has compiled thirty-three rules he operates by on a regular basis. Each rule begins with the rule and then a brief story justifying the purpose of the rule. These justifications and/or insights are filled with humor, wisdom, and raw, yet practical experience.

Of the thirty-three unwritten rules, I have a few favorites. Rule number 4 has to do with looking for what is missing. This makes a lot of sense to me, especially in a meeting. Typically, presenters provide the audience with needed information or information they have a deep understanding of. Often times the most important message are the things unsaid and/or avoided. Rule #8 encourages you to put forth your best efforts, especially when new to the organization, on all assignments. A good supervisor and/or individuals in influential positions are always watching up-and-coming team members. They observe as well as remember how you handled those menial as well as those difficult tasks. Often times, it is those menial and trivial assignments that define as well as spell out an employee’s working character. Lastly, rule #28 states that “you remember 1/3 of what you read, ½ of what people tell you, but 100% of what you feel.” This rule makes a lot of sense to me. I try to read plenty but I find it difficult to remember the things I read. Thus, I write these brief reviews on the books that have been exposed to my eyes. Throughout the day, many people talk to me. Remembering what they say has become an arduous task. Thus, I carry a little 3X5 note pad in my left shirt pocket and write down the things I need to remember. I started this practice when I first became a vice-principal and had to remember all the “promises” I would make. To this day, I write down messages, phone numbers, birthdays, work orders, and special announcements in this little notebook. Lastly, we all have feelings. I work with teachers, students, parents, and family members. They all have feelings. When I interact with any one of these individuals, it is important that they will remember 1/3 of what they read, ½ of what they hear, but 100% of what they feel. If I come across angry, upset, happy, joyous, dull, boring, uninterested, or energetic, that is what they will remember. It is vital to always be cognizant of how I present myself to others so that their feelings will match what they read and/or heard from me.

For a seasoned leader or an up-and-coming leader, this is a worth while leadership booklet. All thirty-three unwritten rules by Mr. Swanson are practical and easy to put into practice. I have read this booklet a number of times and have discovered something new each time. After this recent read, I found many of the thirty-three unwritten rules to align themselves with the book entitled, The Leadership Challenge. The Leadership Challenge is an excellent text on leadership. With two plus decades of research supporting their position on leadership, The Leadership Challenge is a book worth exploring.

Controlling Cholesterol for Dummies

Controlling Cholesterol for Dummies was written by Carol Ann Rinzler and the practicing physician Martin W. Graf, MD. Carol Ann Rinzler use up-to-date health information with a twist of humor to inform her audience about cholesterol and how to control it.

The "...for Dummies" books have been designed to be informative and practical. Controlling Cholesterol for Dummies follows this practical, yet informative format. The book has been divided up into five parts and each part (or section) consists of 3-4 chapters.

Getting Up Close and Personal with Cholesterol is the title of part one. This section deals with the basics. It covers the basic biology of the heart, the good and the bad of cholesterol, and provides a quick self-rating assessment in terms of your cholesterol risk.

Eating Your Way to Lower Cholesterol is the title of part two. The three chapters in this section explains how all of America falls into one of three risk groups for heart attacks, how to build a cholesterol-lowering diet, and how the cholesterol-lowering diet has impacted brand-name diets.
Part three takes the reader through a journey of how to live a cholesterol-lowering lifestyle. These four chapters enlighten the reader a on a short but informative journey on how your cholesterol levels (mostly the bad cholesterol) has a correlation with your weight, exercise, smoking, and drinking.

Cutting Cholesterol with Nutrients and Medicine is the title of part four. The three chapters in this section deal with natural remedies (i.e. vitamins, minerals and other natural items) and prescribed cholesterol medication to reduce one's cholesterol levels. The last chapter in this section also covers the negative effects dangerous drugs can have on your body and cholesterol levels.

Lastly, part five consists of six chapters that expose the reader to important cholesterol web sites, nutritional web sites, deals with the top 10 myths about cholesterol, cholesterol landmarks throughout history, the top ten foods to AVOID, and lastly the top ten current foods to help lower one's cholesterol.

TWO CENTS WORTH:
I want to thank Brenda for being so patient with me. She spent a great deal of her precious time trying to help me understand lipoproteins, what is good cholesterol, what is bad cholesterol, how you should have a high "good" cholesterol count and a "low" bad cholesterol count. I'm sure I drove her to drink that night. Her patience and genuine concern drove me to purchase the one book I knew would explain this cholesterol stuff in a manner I could understand. Although Brenda is not the Nathaniel Bowditch of the cholesterol world, she certainly knows how to steer the boat and put wind in your sails. Without your patience, humor, and willingness to teach the common layman, I would still be adrift out in the sea of high cholesterol and those yummy McDonald's french fries.


This is an excellent book for those individuals who know little about cholesterol and what you can do about it. The book was an easy read. It is a nonfiction book that would meet the intellectual needs of the beginner as well as the "just above" novist(sp). Carol Ann Rinzler provides the readers with multiple resources to build upon the foundation she has set with her book.

How has this book influenced my everyday actions? I now know how to look at the printout the doctor gives me after my annual physical. I actually have a basic understanding of my cholesterol levels (both the good, bad, and total). Now I try to avoid eating at fast food restaurants and those six "small" donuts Saturday and Sunday morning. Also, I have become more aware of the foods I put into my mouth. The bottom line is quite simple, I want to live a long healthy life so I can experience growing old with my precious wife, enjoy my children, and some day grandchildren. On a selfish level, I am pretty confident that having a heart attack would be painful and possibly fatal.

This is a book I will keep on my book shelf and refer to for years to come.

NO AR: :(

Stop, Drop and Roll

Stop, Drop and Roll was written by Margery Cuyler and illustrated by Arthur Howard. This Scholastic book was published in 2001.

Stop, Drop and Roll is a precious story about a young elementary age girl who worried about everything. Her name was Jessica. Jessica worried about homework, spelling tests, and her new steps in ballet class. Fire Prevention month is the month of October. We journey with her as she learns about fire prevention and what to do when faced with a fire. Her teacher asks Jessica to model how to "Stop, Drop and Roll" if your clothes catch on fire. Although she worried herself silly about, little miss Jessica was able to model the correct actions in front of the whole school.

MY TWO CENTS:
I really enjoyed this book for two simple reasons. First of all it takes us through the mind and actions of an elementary school child. As an adult, a fire drill or even a disaster drill is nothing more than practice. As a adults we have experienced many of these type of drills as well as an occasional "real" thing. However, fire drills and/or disaster drills are new and unfamiliar situations for elementary school students. This book written by Margery Cuyler exposes young students to these common drills and lets them know they done for their safety. Lastly, I enjoyed this book because it outlines the actions that should be taken by all in the event of a fire. Our character, Jessica, takes this new information and begins to apply it to her life at home. She begins to ask her father questions regarding fire safety and she takes her little brother along to inspect the house for fire hazards. Jessica models for our young students what they should do both at school and at home.

This is a book I would recommend as a quick read-a-loud followed up with a conversation and/or a lesson on fire prevention. It is an easy, quick, fun, and action provoking read.

NO AR: :(

Why Grace Changes Everything

Why Grace Changes Everything written by Chuck Smith. This book was published 1994 by Harvest House Publishers.



In a nutshell, this book is about God's grace. It has fourteen life changing chapters that talk about God's grace and how it will transform your live into "something rich and beautiful."


The message of grace is simple, yet man has made every effort to make it difficult, complex, and unattainable. Through these fourteen chapters, Pastor Chuck Smith has taken this convoluted concept of grace and explains it in a clear and forthright manner. Utilizing scripture from the new and old testaments, Chuck Smith explains that through God's grace we are forgiven through the simple act of believing in what Jesus said and did. He takes the time to share with the reader that one's salvation is not based on works but rests on the acts of Jesus Christ and God's grace toward man. Jesus completed the required tasks and fulfilled all of God's requirements. Man can not nor will he ever be able to complete or fulfill all of God's requirements through his own efforts. Works will not open the door to heaven, only God's grace toward men/women who by faith trust in Christ. In the last chapter of his book, Chuck Smith states it best, "The message of the New Testament is simple, direct, and unmistakable. We are saved by God's grace through faith alone, not on the basis of any good works we have done. The sole responsibility of a Christian is to believe in the love and grace which God freely offers."

TWO CENTS WORTH:

I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book. I was hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the concept of grace as well as its relationship with God, Jesus, and the believer. All of my life I have believed that work was the key to get through those pearly gates. I had to work and tip the scales in my favor so that all of my sins would be over looked when compared to my good deeds. The bible reveals to the reader that our works can not and will not get us into heaven. Yet, through the simple act of believing in Jesus we given the keys to heaven and forgiven of all we've done in the past. Jesus has done all the work required of me in order to be in God's presence. Now all I have to do is believe and accept the grace God freely offers.

This is an excellent book on the subject of God's grace. Why Grace Changes Everything is a book that will meet the needs of the serious scholar as well as the novist (sp). It was an easy read. Chuck Smith used scripture throughout the text as well as real-life experiences. The text was easy to understand, confirm with scripture, and apply to one's personal walk. This is a book I recommend to read.

10 Best Teaching Practices

10 Best Teaching Practices: How Brain Research, Learning Styles, and STandards Define Teaching Competencies is written by Donna Walker Tileston. She has written this book for the teacher who has been seeking out teaching methods that have a proven track record and have been supported by research. Donna Walker Tileston has skillfully incorporated brain research and learning styles information into a book for quick reference. The ten best practices covered in this book are not new. We have all seen them, heard about them, read about them, and even practiced them in our own classroom.

Donna Walker Tileston has provided her readers with the latest in brain research, learning styles, and standards based instruction. She builds a solid case on why educators (i.e. teachers, principals, and district administrators) need to put into action these 10 teaching practices.

This book has been divided up into eleven chapters. The first ten chapters cover the ten best practices Donna Walker Tileston champions and the last chapter discusses how to put it all together.

The importance of creating an emotionally supportive and enriching environment was covered in chapter 1. Chapter 2 supports the notion that a wide repertoire of teaching techniques must be utilized throughout the lesson. Connecting new concepts or new learning across disciplines with concepts and learning that has taken place previously was discussed in chapter 3. Chapter 4 takes some time to review the research that supports teaching for long-term memory. As educators, it has been our responsibility to integrate higher-level thinking skills into the daily learning of our students. This practice was covered in some detail in chapter 5. Chapter 6 reviews the research on positive impact collaboration has both inside the classroom with the students as well as outside of the classroom with the teachers. Collaboration can and will improve how students learn, what students learn, how teachers work together, how teachers teach, and what teachers teach. Bridging the gender gap, the race gap, and the socioeconomic status gap is covered in chapter 7. This chapter discusses the importance and ever growing need to ensure that "all learners" have an opportunity to be academically successful in our educational system. Chapter 8 addresses authentic assessment and the need to move away from using assessment to test our student's short-term memory but to use authentic assessment for assessing their long-term memory. Chapter 9 identifies the importance of relevance as it applies to learning in the classroom. Technology and its place in today's society has been explored in chapter 10. The last chapter is two pages (my kind of chapter) and sums up what was said.

MY TWO CENTS:

If you are familiar with the latest research of "best practices" then this book is nothing more than a review or a synopsis of the teaching practices that make a difference. I would recommend this book for new teachers as well as principals. Why? This book is an easy read and in a short period of time, the reader will be exposed to the top ten teaching practices that are research supported as well as have enough information to begin a deeper study in one or more of the practices. I'll admit some of those books on brain research are thick with tier 3 words and dwell in the clouds. When reading books like that, I tend to trudge through them (three steps forward and two steps back) and get lost in their language. Donna Walker Tileston has successfully taken years of research and experience and placed it in an easy to read, yet highly informative book.

Hey Jason, thank you for recommending this book. It brought me up to speed and has provided me with some of the research needed to support and/or correct the actions taking place in the classroom.

Math Fables

Math Fables was written by Reg Tang. In an effort to inspire the young to view math as fun and interesting, Reg Tang has written a number of books around the topic of math. Math Fables is a fable with animals and insects as characters. As in many math books for younger students, as you read the pages you discover that you and your child are counting to ten. This book is unique in the sense as you are counting to ten through the pages, the author provides the readers with multiple combinations of the numbers. For example, when the author writes about the 5 raccoons, he also writes about the 2 raccoons who "quickly grabbed" the trash can while "the other 3 all cried." Reg Tang infuses these types number combinations throughout this math book.

MY TWO CENTS:

Charming math book for young children. It is a quick read and provides a fun atmosphere reading about numbers. I particularly liked how Reg Tang incorporated different combinations of numbers to highlight the actual number he was focusing on. This opens the door to addition as well as how several different combinations of numbers can equal the same number (i.e. 2+3=5, 3+2=5, 4+1=5, 1+4=5).

AR QUIZ: 100%

The Books for June and July, 2007

The books I plan to start, complete, and/or purchase in the months of June and July have been listed below. The books that I am in the process of reading, wanting to start, and plan to purchase for future reading have been rightly notated on the list below with corresponding italicized words. Additionally, I typically have four books in the hopper (in the process of reading). These four books always fall in one of the following five categories: children's literature, personal (self-helpish type books), religious, professional development, and Miss Alainius. Although this journey may be a bit tiresome, I enjoy the adventure of learning.

June and July books are:

* The Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner (completed several times but just need to post) - PD.
* The Book of John (in progress) - R.
* A Day's Journey by Jon Courson (in progress-1 year) - R.
* How Full is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D. (completed but just need to post) - SH.
* Why Grace Changes Everything by Chuck Smith (in progress) -R.
* Joy in the Journey by Guy Doud (would like to start) - R.
* Murphy's Trail by Gary Paulsen and Brain Burks (in progress) - CL.
* Teach with Your Heart by Erin Gruwell (would like to start) - MA.
* What's Worth Fighting for in Your School? by Michael Fullan and Andy Hargreaves(would like to start) - PD.
* Leadership and the One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard (would like to start) -
*The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard (would like to start) - PD.
* 25 Ways to Win with People by John C. Maxwell (would like to start) - PD.
* Secrets f the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker (would like to start) - SH.
*Bridge to Terabitha by Katherine Paterson (would like to start) - CL.
*The Big Book of How to Say It Best by Jack Griffin and Robbie Miller-Kaplan (would like to start) - PD.
* 10 Best Teaching Practices by Donna Walker Tileston (in progress) - PD.
* Group Dynamics by Donelson R. Forsyth - (would like to start) PD.
* Coping with Chemotherapy by Bruning (would like to start) - SH.
*Gulliver's Travels - CL.
* Controlling Cholesterol for Dummies by Carol Ann Rinzler (would like to start) - SH.
*Games Alcoholics Play by Claude M. Steiner, PhD (would like to start) - PD.

Books, intellectual conversations, and casual conversations all have an influence one one's thinking, actions, discussions. I look forward to the journey that lays ahead. Here's to the journey!

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham was the Newbery Medal award winner in 1956. The book is a biography about the man who uncovered and made available the secrets of sea navigation to the common man. Without Mr. Bowditch's efforts and determination, the mysteries of navigation would have remained mysterious and elusive to the common man. Knowledge is power and strength. Thanks to Mr. Bowditch many sailors were given practical knowledge about navigation (and mathematics) and with that knowledge they attained power and strength to become what they dreamed....Captain's of their future.

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch is a detailed biography of the life of Nathaniel Bowditch (a.k.a. Nat). The authors takes you through his childhood well into his adulthood. At an early age, Nat's family realized he would not follow the footsteps of his father and grandfather. A sailor needed to be big, strong, and healthy. Nat was none of those. He was good with numbers but his parents could not afford to have him go to school. His family was poor and struggled to put food on the table and cloth the family members. At the age of twelve, Nathaniel was indentured to two men with a shop in town. He was to be their book keeper as well as work the store for a total of nine years.

During his time as an indentured servant, Nat learned how to use his talent with numbers. His love to learn and discover was the fuel that taught him to read, learn Latin, learn French, learn astronomy, and learn everything there was to learn about ships at sea.

Soon the shop was sold and with it his indenturedship. The new owner kept him through the end of his term. When his service was served, Nat was becalmed. He didn't know what to do. As time passed, he found himself on a ship as the ship's navigator. Soon Mr. Bowditch learned to take lunar readings on the sea. As problems with taking lunar readings presented themselves, he began to resort to the logic's and consistencies math provides. He discovered a new way to take a lunar without occulting the moon. This new discovery continued to fuel the fire of learning new ways to keep sea-traveling men safe.

As Nathaniel travels on the ships, he utilizes the sextant to take readings but during the remaining hours he would study the "Moore" charts as well as teach the deck hands how to take readings. Nat was consumed with numbers and verifying that the charts were accurate. During his voyages he discovered many errors and these discovers bothered him to the core. When Nat was not studying the charts or taking a reading, he was graciously spending his time with those deckhands who "wanted" to learn how to take readings. These men took to learning as a thirsty traveler takes to water. They were thirsty for practical knowledge.

Eventually, Mr. Bowditch gained enough experience to command his own ship. He traveled to ports on the other side of the world to buy and sell cargo. His knowledge of sea routes, navigation, mathematics, French, astronomy, Latin, and deep understanding of human behavior were valuable assets in his travels.

Mr. Bowditch traveled around the Cape and into the eye of a hurricane at sea. He navigated his ship up stream with head winds. He even traveled home in fog thicker than pea soup through areas that have been littered with ships at the bottom of the sea. These feats were all done because of his extreme faith, his extreme belief in the benefit of math. He was a man who saw the power of mathematics. It is consistent, dependable, and reliable. One does not need to see if he/she knows his math. One can simply get from point A to point B if he/she simply follows the mathematical path and does not resort to his/her vision or feelings. Mathematics and the love of learning filled the sails of Nathaniel Bowditch.

TWO CENTS WORTH:

It's no secret, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This was a biography of a man who faced a wide variety of obstacles, yet he overcame them humbly and purposefully. Here was a man who could have gave up early in life and many would have justified his actions. At an early age it was already determined he would not follow in the family footsteps of becoming a sailor. His mother passed away and he was indentured at the young age of 12. Nat's talent with numbers was noticed by many influential people but he was never able to attend a prestigious school (i.e. Harvard). His first love married another man, his first wife passed away, his brother's died at sea, and many of the sailors did not like him. All of these things he overcame, he kept pushing forward.

Mr. Bowditch was a master teacher. He took difficult concepts and made them simple and easy to understand. The common sailors, whom were viewed as unable to learn, were his students. many of them learned to navigate and soon became valuable members of other ships. He was a man who knew if he could teach these sailors to understand navigation, he could teach anyone. Soon he wrote down what he taught so that anyone could navigate a ship utilizing the reliability of math. The book is still used today and can be found in many captain's personal as well as professional libraries. The American Practical Navigator or the Sailor's Bible is the name of the book Mr. Nathaniel Bowditch wrote.

This is a book that can be used in the classroom of any math teacher as well as any teacher trying to communicate to their students (especially those who are faced with multiple economic and social barriers) that with dedication, determination, tenacity, and a love of learning will have a positive impact on your personal, professional, and social life.

I highly recommend this book. It is a journey well worth the time and effort to take. May the wind always come from behind and fill your sails. However, if the wind stops and the fog sets in, the laws of mathematics may be your path to safety.

P.S. There were a ton of tier 2 and tier 3 words. As I read through this book, I kept a dictionary close to my side. The tier 2 words were easy to identify and the context in which they were embedded assisted me with their definition. However, the context that surrounded the tier 3 words did not help much. Although the dictionary was opened frequently with some of the tier 3 words, I still had to consult a few sea-worthy individuals to bring those words to life.

AR QUIZ: 100%