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.