December 2013

More than a study in leadership and strengthening one’s organization, this book resonates because of Slap’s passion for incorporating and acknowledging one’s values in the workplace. I breezed through this book and highlighted dozens of passages. One of the most useful business books I’ve read in years.

My lifelong friend Adam LeVrier was the first person to introduce Kurt Vonnegut’s demented dark humor to me, and I have devoured anything Vonnegut ever wrote ever since. This quick read represents Vonnegut’s first and last works and shows off his ability to deal with touchy subjects in a way that makes us all laugh at ourselves – uncomfortably!

I can tell I am getting older when I can relate to childhood memoirs that take place in the 70s. Peppe is funny and engaging, and the book does what any good memoir does: it reminds us of simpler times and pleasures. A great gift.

I am always on the lookout for books that engage teens with positive messages. King’s book is funny and easy to read, and it provides very useful strategies anyone can use to maintain a proper and product positive perspective (how’s that for alliteration?).

There are plenty of books about bullying, but rarely do books address the power of friendship in overcoming the nastiness of others. Karen Bessey Pease has done all middle school and high school teachers a service in how to address the bullying of teenage girls in an informative and inspiring manner. I am so grateful for this book.

Ben has always believed that someday he would sprout wings and fly, and as he grows older he tests this theory from greater heights, much to the chagrin of his disbelieving brother. I love books with short chapters because they encourage page-turning and rapid reading, and I have witnessed some of the most reluctant teenage boy readers devour this book in only a couple of sittings.

Middle schoolers will appreciate the story of a 12-year-old African-American girl growing up in segregated Alabama. Terrific surprise ending makes for great classroom discussions.

An introduction to “The Time-Tripping Faradays” series, this book follows the adventures of a family of 25th-century time travelers. This edition takes our protagonists to 17th century Prague and does an excellent job of hooking upper elementary school students on the joys of science fiction.

Among the many controversies that surround America’s most beloved sport, concussions are a part of the gamethat have finally attracted significant scrutiny in recent years. Killough McClafferty is one of my favorite authors because she manages to educate in an engaging and thought-provoking way, and her subjects always lend themselves to terrific classroom discussions.

There are very few counting books that will prompt little ones to anxiously turn the pages. Barnett, however, has created a counting book that even made me curious on every page – and laughing out loud at the end. A wonderful book for parents to read aloud to their preschoolers.