November 2014

This book is one of the most honest and intriguing accounts of professional football I have ever read (and I have read a lot of them), as it tells Jackson’s story as a six-year NFL veteran who battled from practice squad to starting, only to endure an incredible amount of pain. Fascinating and gripping.

Irritable? Pick this up. If you don’t laugh, the problem is you – not everyone else.

I only caught one episode of the TV version of Tony Danza’s experiment as a teacher at Philadelphia’s Northeast High, but what touched me about the show and book was Danza’s recognition and admiration at the hard work teachers struggle with every day. If only the Secretary of Education would read this book (I promise not to give him a standardized test on it afterwards).

One way to intrigue students to read more is to offer them unorthodox books. This book encourages every student’s artistic genius, a creative capacity that is too-often ignored in today’s test-crazed schools. Great investment for any teacher.

Don’t let cartoons like Calvin and Hobbes fool you: the vocabulary and situations in this collection of comic strips is a great way to boost reluctant readers’ interest and ability in reading. Of course, the cartoons are hilarious, too.

Terrific coming of age story of a teenage Japanese-American boy during World War II. Wonderful for book discussions.

Grabbed this book because I liked the cover, and I was treated to a terrific story about an 11-year-old who meets a teenager who happens to be her estranged grandfather. One of the more clever takes on adults and kids switching places that I have ever read. Your middle school boys will delight in this book just as much as the girls.

Featuring beautiful watercolors of New York City, this nice read aloud makes for perfect reading this Thanksgiving season.

Simply a lovely story with the simple message that every child is unique. The perfect antidote to today’s cynicism. Tillman’s illustrations are fabulous.

Fun, how-to manual that makes for a great read aloud.