The Lost Manuscript

THE LOST MANUSCRIPT by Cathy Bonidan will be published in the United States in January and I encourage you to look for it. The award-winning author teaches school and lives in Vannes, France. Her main character, Anne-Lise Briard, vacations in Brittany where she finds a manuscript in her hotel room. After reading and being moved by the story, she returns it to an address that was inside the book. The author responds and Anne-Lise learns that the manuscript was lost 30 years ago and has since been finished by an unknown second author. That starts a wonderful journey to trace the book’s activity over the last few decades. The story is told in light, breezy, honest letters between Anne-Lise and Sylvestre Fahmer, the somewhat reclusive author.  Eventually, others join the correspondence and the reader learns of thwarted love affairs, estranged parents and children, and budding friendships. Along the way, the manuscript positively impacts its readers and I must say that I found reading the letters to be a delight. They are filled with hope, mystery and even romance, as Bonidan relays the power of books and of caring for each other. Publishers Weekly gave THE LOST MANUSCRIPT a starred review. Add it to your “to be read” pile for 2021 now.

In Case You Get Hit by a Bus

IN CASE YOU GET HIT BY A BUS by Abby Schneiderman, Adam Seifer, and Gene Newman provides “A Plan to Organize Your Life Now for When You're Not Around Later.”  It is actually a great idea, especially as the New Year approaches and with many of us looking for productive ways to spend time during the pandemic. The authors begin with a section on why planning for a sad, but inevitable event is so important. First, they cover “stuff” – those passwords, money and securities, and your home. Next, they focus on assembling the pieces (wills, trusts, power of attorney) and debt as well as medical insurance and checkups. The third section is much more fun – compiling memories or photos to be able to share the story of your life. The authors acknowledge from their own experiences that these tasks can be overwhelming and therefore provide helpful “plans of attack.” They stress that this work is not really about death; “it’s about life because getting everything organized lets you live to the fullest.”

The Wall Street Journal, of course, offers frequent articles about digital options for financial planning and often refers to Everplans, the company that Schneiderman and Seifer co-founded. For a bit of perspective, here is an older (2014) interview with co-author Abby Schneiderman:

 

On a related note for those who are interested, legal firms have begun offering pro bono estate services for teachers forced to return to the classroom.

Perestroika in Paris by Jane Smiley

PERESTROIKA IN PARIS by Jane Smiley is her 31^st book, but the first with talking animals.  Smiley explains that she has been thinking about this novel for close to a decade and hopes it offers “a distraction” to all the stress of 2020. A light and easy read, the story begins with a three-year-old filly named Perestroika (or Paras for short) having just won a race.  Ever curious, she manages to open her stall and ambles off to explore a nearby park.  There she meets a cast of animal characters (a pointer dog named Frida, a talkative raven and two mallards) who develop affection and concern for each other.  Helpful, generous humans provide food and eventually Paras is befriended by young Etienne, an eight-year-old orphan who cares for his grandmother in an old house in Paris. Frankly, there does not appear to be a great deal happening in the story; instead, the entertainment comes from wry observations, a growing sense of belonging, and the lingering worry of discovery. Described in various reviews as a wistful charmer, whimsical, heartwarming, and comforting, PERESTROIKA IN PARIS received starred reviews from Booklist and Library Journal.

Distracted by James Lang

DISTRACTED by James M. Lang (Small Teaching) is addressed primarily to teachers and explains “Why Students Can't Focus and What You Can Do About It.” Lang, professor of English at Assumption University, takes the provocative position that we need to “make a fundamental shift in our thinking: away from preventing distraction and toward cultivating attention.” That’s a tough call, especially in the COVID era, which he addresses in his updated preface. Throughout the text, Lang really stresses the importance of developing a community and actively encouraging mutual respect for other students. He also advocates adopting a more empathetic approach so as to "not jump so quickly to the assumption that a distracted student is a poor or inconsiderate one."  His research is impressive and well-documented with over 20 pages of notes.  However, the text itself feels fairly dense -- I would have preferred quick chapter summaries and more "tips and tricks" aimed at practitioners. 

One in Five by Micki Boas

ONE IN FIVE by Micki Boas, an educational rights activist and mother of students with dyslexia, is an in-depth, personal look at “How We're Fighting for Our Dyslexic Kids in a System That's Failing Them.” The publisher says, ONE IN FIVE “shares the secrets the ‘professionals’ won’t tell you but that make all the difference” which is such a very apt description of the experience of navigating public schools with a child who has dyslexia. Boas herself was motivated by the legal battles involving her son’s education and feels strongly that school take a “don’t ask, don’t tell” position because they frequently lack funding to provide needed resources. I was honestly shocked to learn that The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity (where Sally Shaywitz who wrote Overcoming Dyslexia is based) found that dyslexia affects “up to 20 percent of our population and up to 90 percent of all those with learning disabilities.” Boas argues that parents either are forced to pay out of pocket for private testing or mistakenly trust the schools’ view that students will “grow out of it.” I particularly liked Boas’ comment that "true educational equality doesn't exist for those who learn differently” as it seems especially true in these COVID times. Sadly, “children who experience reading difficulties by third grade are four times more likely to leave school” and The Literacy Project “reports that three out of five people in US prisons can’t read, and 85 percent of juvenile offenders have trouble reading.” These statistics, accompanied by data on funding shortfalls, delayed intervention, and outdated or limited training, are a call to action. Boas has written a power book full of practical advice (e.g., figure out who is writing your child’s IEP goals) for parents like her, but she also invites us all to “join the dyslexia fight club,” helping to speak for parents and students who may “lack emotional support, knowledge, or resources” to successfully meet this challenge. We all need to do more to make education equitable.

Organization and Motivation ... part 3

These two titles deal with emotions: anger and fear and how those can often stand in the way of  accomplishment and better organization.

ZERO TO 60 by Michael A. Tompkins is subtitled “A Teen’s Guide to Manage Frustration, Anger, and Everyday Irritations.” Its primary focus is on dealing with anger and explaining cognitive and behavioral strategies to promote better communication and the de-escalation of situations where aggressive behavior can get out of control. Unfortunately, there was no table of contents in the eBook preview, but the author does make an effort to speak directly to troubled teens; “zero to sixty” is just the first of many analogies to driving a car. Tompkins, a licensed psychologist and Assistant Clinical Professor at UC Berkeley, emphasizes reducing speed to regain control, pulling over, and leaving anger by the side of the road. ZERO TO 60 received positive reviews from Booklist (“a must for social-emotional learning collections”) and Kirkus (“a welcome workbook for teens wishing to get a handle on their anger issues”). Each chapter contains worksheets to help with anger management skills as well as a summary of key points; near the end there are several pages with lists of helpful resources (books, web sites, etc.) for teens, families, and educators. (APA/Magination Press) ordered – 4 stars

STOP AVOIDING STUFF by Matthew S. Boone, Jennifer Gregg and Lisa W. Coyne reviews “25 Microskills to Face Your Fears and Do It Anyway.” The authors’ credentials, a social worker, professor of Psychology at San Jose State, and a practicing clinical psychologist, are impressive. They bring much needed insight to overcoming fears with practical suggestions in sections designed to build awareness, feel your feelings, free yourself of fearful thoughts, shift your view, and take small steps. Noting that avoidance is about control, the authors use each of the 25 short chapters (e.g., take perspective or practice gratitude) to describe a microskill by using stories and scientific background. This means there are many words, but, unfortunately, few images or diagrams appear to be interspersed. (New Harbinger)  3 stars  

Organization and Motivation ... part 2

These two texts are designed for high school students and older, offering suggestions about career choice, networking and juggling school and work projects. 

WHAT COLOR IS YOUR PARACHUTE 2021 by Richard N. Bolles and Katharine Brooks is “fully revised and expanded for 2021,” the fiftieth anniversary edition (we reviewed earlier versions in 2015 and 2018). Subtitled “Your Guide to a Lifetime of Meaningful Work and Career Success,” this text explains that the process begins with you – not with the job market. Here, too, the authors point out the value of building confidence, taking actions, setting goals, and getting help when needed (a significant skill our students need to practice more often). In addition, Bolles and Brooks provide a self-inventory (Flower Exercise) and offer tips on creating resumes (transforming skills to action verbs) and conversing at job interviews. A valuable resource for any age, WHAT COLOR IS YOUR PARACHUTE 2021 may be of particular interest to the many students who are contemplating a gap year after high school. (Ten Speed Press)  4 stars

HOW TO DO IT NOW BECAUSE IT'S NOT GOING AWAY by Leslie Josel is described as “An Expert Guide to Getting Stuff Done.” School Library Journal referred to this text as a “solid purchase.” I would be curious to see student reactions, but I do like the discussion of technology and frequent practical suggestions (turn off autoplay; close unnecessary windows; limit notifications) for its use.  There is a chapter on each of these topics: Time Management; Homework; Study Skills; Planning; Routines & Ritual; Organizing; Distraction; and Motivation. Josel, a human resources professional and entrepreneurial life coach, employs a conversational, inspiring tone ("to get the most out of this book, go through it at your own pace, on your own time and in your own way"). She acknowledges that students procrastinate for different reasons than adults. I thought Josel's suggestions for building habits and routines were very helpful, especially the ten questions she includes near the end (e.g., What are my priorities today? What could get in my way today? What is the smallest thing I am willing to do? How am I going to remember to remember?) And, like many Lerner publications, this one makes liberal use of diagrams, charts and images, further engaging students. Josel also offers several time management tips for students in this blog post and I was especially surprised to learn that her company’s award winning Academic Planner: A Tool for Time Management is completely sold out. Our school chose not to offer planners for sale this year and I am not sure why as they do seem to be a helpful tool for many.  (Lerner (Zest))  4 stars 

Organization and Motivation ... part 1

We have all seen the news in the past few months about the difficulty that students are having with motivation and managing their workload in a remote learning environment. Of course, we see some of these issues every year with teenagers since learning how to learn is one of the most important skills we teach and reinforce. Therefore, I am posting reviews of a number of new books from different publishers (several small ones, included) which offer tips, tricks, and advice for setting goals (a common theme) and avoiding procrastination. Some are directed at students themselves and others to the concerned adults in their lives.  

EAT THAT FROG! FOR STUDENTS by Brian Tracy with Anna Leinberger has a truly attention-grabbing title, doesn’t it? The authors (a motivational speaker and a former high school teacher) build on previous works written for a business setting in order to outline “22 Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Excel in School.” For example, they concentrate on actionable steps and begin with three key pillars: self-esteem, personal responsibility, and setting goals. Subsequent sections review structuring time, establishing a study pattern, and handling the pressure to achieve.  There is a separate section on stress which advocates planning ahead, preparation and the intentional use of technology.  All good ideas, of course. I especially like the emphasis on tackling your major task first; however, I do wish there were more diagrams and images so as to create a more engaging space for potential teen readers.  (Berrett-Koehler)  3 stars

6 SUPER SKILLS FOR EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING by Lara Honos-Webb is one of my favorites in this group of posts and is right on target for executive functioning skills as it aims to provide “Tools to Help Teens Improve Focus, Stay Organized, and Reach Their Goals.” The six super skills discussed in the text are finding gifts, setting goals, chunking, boosting motivation, managing moods, and finding focus; all are key as we try to help students navigate remote learning.  Honos-Webb, a clinical psychologist who has written several books about ADHD, notes that “research shows that self-discipline predicts your grades twice as much as IQ [does]”and she also points out how difficult it is to learn when one is especially anxious. Most schools are seeing an increase in failing (or near failing grades) and I think using some of the mini-exercises here (during advisery or homeroom time?) could really have a positive impact by increasing self-awareness and helping to reduce anxiety. Honos-Webb defines executive functioning and describes the importance of attention, planning, flexible thinking, emotional regulation, and impulse control. If nothing else, this text could build a vocabulary and mental checklist that will really benefit readers and students as they transition to lifelong learners.  (New Harbinger) 4.5 stars  ordered