Education Books

If you want to understand how the world around you is functioning, you only need to read this book. It will provide you foundation/concepts which are universal i.e. apply to everything.

This is a wonderful book, essential in the complex world we live in. It explains how to apply insight from one of the newest branches of science, complexity, to every day problems. Very illuminating.

Nevertheless, its final part on ethnic violence, terrorism and global conflicts is nothing but disappointing. Bar-Yam fails to look at one of the world's most complex and urgent problems with the same cold intelligence he applies to engineering design. Maybe still under the 9/11 trauma, he seems to see it as a problem of Muslims against Christians and only suggests that maybe we should maintain frontiers between "them" and "us". The solution has to be transparency and replicating the best traits of every culture. For instance, community values from Islam, for instance, respect to human rights from Western culture. But, if in a "war against terrorism" we agree to forget about human rights, what is left?

"Making Things Work" provides a great background into the study of complex systems (something that I knew very little about beforehand) and then continues on to apply those concepts and models to real world examples. The examples are easy to follow and all make perfect sense. This book certainly provides many useful problem-solving lifestyle changes

In "Making Things Work" Yaneer provides the reader with an excellent, non-technical discussion of some of the more important concepts in Complexity science. Like other successful popularizers of science such as Carl Sagan, Yaneer has a gift for explaining difficult subjects in a way that everyone can understand. He then shows how these concepts can (and should) be used to address real-world problems such as the health-care crisis and education. It should be required reading for policy-makers and business leaders.
For a more technical treatment, I'd recommend Yaneer's earlier book or better yet, take a course at NECSI.

This book is bound to please anyone who wants to grapple with the complexity of today's world and organizations, and is interested in the truly big picture and issues.

Part I explains concepts central to complex systems, such as: parts, wholes and relationships; patterns; networks and collective memory; possibilities; and evolution. The second and major part of the book focuses on how we can apply complex systems ideas to help solve such major real-world challenges as: military warfare and conflict; health care (the system and errors); learning and the educational system; international development; enlightened evolutionary engineering; and global control, ethnic violence and terrorism. The first hurdle is to comprehend these problems using our knowledge of complex systems and then begin to address them using a complex systems framework.

The book is intellectually refreshing and bold. Its content is expansive, enlightening, and mind-stimulating.

This book helped me greatly in understanding AP Calculus BC in 12th grade. For example, once my calculus teacher taught a concept which I completely failed to understand. I read the corresponding section in this book the night before the quiz and scored a high A--the highest in the class.

I bought this book to study for the AP Calculus AB exam and possibly teach myself some of the BC topics. I think the book overall does a good job and is well intended, but it has various problems. First of all, it is strewn with errors. I am referring to the 3rd edition when I write about these. Some examples are:

- on page 22, there is a graph labelled as a ln graph (y=lnx), but it actually shows a square root graph (y=x^(1/2)0.

- on page 55 in Exmaple 17 it says coordinates are A (3, pi/2), B (-3pi/4,1), C (5pi/6, -2), flipping all the x- and y- coordinates with each other. (It should be A (pi/2, 3), B (1, -3pi/4) and C (-2, 5pi/6).

- on page 63 it says "AB [with arrow over it to indicate vecctor] = 7 i [i in bold] + 3j [j in bold] = 7 i [i in bold] + 3j [j in bold]". It should say "AB [with arrow over it to indicate vecctor] = <7,3> = 7 i [i in bold] + 3j [j in bold]".

- on page 83, it says "lim x -> -2 r(x) = lim x -> -2 (1/ (x-2)) = 1/ (-2 - 20) = -1/4". It should say "lim x -> -2 r(x) = lim x -> -2 (1/ (x-2)) = 1/ (-2 - 2) = -1/4"

- on page 137 we are trying to fine h'(e), but first you of course find the general formula for h'(x) and then plug in e. But whoever typed it must have thought they were all supposed to say "h'(x)". First, at the top of the page it reads "Example 14: Find h'(x) if h(x) = [equation]", and it should read "Example 14: Find h'(x) if h(x) = [equation]" since the problem ends up solving for h'(e). Then a few lines down it reads "Now find h'(e), and remember that lne=1. That will remove some of the grime. h'(x) = arc cot e [etc, rest of equation with es in it]". Again. clearly that is an equation for h'(e), not for h'(x).

- on the bottom of page 173 on example 9 of chapter 5, the tangent line equation should read "...=17.696(x-(pi/4)), but it makes some error where pi/4 is (I whited out the original and wrote that over it so I don't remember what the error originally was.)

- On page 237 on the Chapter 6 practice problem #8 the radius should be 36 feet, not whatever was written in.

And after chapter 6 it gets suddenly better. Maybe they hired a different typre for the rest of the book or something. Or maybe I just never got as far as the rest of the book/ =P

Anyway, the long and the short of all that is that if you are going to be confused by lots of typos. maybe this book isn't for you. For me, I had enough familiarity with the topics to begin with that I figured out what they meant (though it did waste a bit of my time.) However, if you don't have a good background prior to this book, things like this might confuse you (although you do have an enumeration of all the errors (well, through chapter 6 at least) right here, assuming this still coordinates with the edition of the book they're selling now. (Or maybe, of course, they've corrected these errors by now!))

On the other hand, I think it provides pretty good review in general. In the start in Chapter 2 which is Calculus Prerequiaiates (relations, functions, trig) it gives lists of all the things to memorize, in only a few places, so you have them all there to study. In addition, there is aformula page in the start of the book with the basic formulas, besides these ones which are like the pre-calc ones (trig identities, sum and diff formulas, etc).

Also, the writer attempts to write with humor and flair, to avoid the typical math-book type book. I'm not sure if this is a plus or a minus, though. His jokes are really lame, but I suppose they still do lighten up the math of it.

There are hands-on activities that attempt to get the student to figure out for themselve (sorry, him or herself) math rules by going through steps of mini-questions and then it asks you what is the relation between such-and-such or the general formula for such-and-such. I think some of these are pretty good.

And in general I think things are explained well.

Overall, I think this is a pretty good book, but there are a ton of errors. I bought it based upon the previous reviews that said it was THE calc book to buy to review for the AP exams. (BTW, I took calc, AB; I don't know how this book is for BC, though I think it would be ok, but I have heard BC is a ton harder, so I don't know. It has each section separate and the ones that are for BC only are labelled "BC Only", that's how it organizes that.) If it is true that this book is really so much better than all the otherrs, I'd say buy it in spite of the typos unless you think that would really throw you off. However, I haven't heard anything bad about the other books from people I know.... I've heard that Barron's sucks in general and Princeton Review is good, but I have no idea really. I can't imagine anything being so much better about this book than others, unless the others really suck, but I don't know. Anyway, if this book is really better I'd say go for it but otherwise it has lots of annoying errors. I give it a 3 out of 5 assuming it really is a better book in general, a 2 out of 5 if not.

Information on the book:

It has 11 chapters in 2 parts, the first being pre-calc and differentiation, the second being integration. the third part of the book is practice exams, one in AB and one in BC. I honestly never got that far and haven't looked at the practice exams; I just practiced with old exams from the collegeboard website.

Part 1
- Ch. 1: Intro to the AP Calc test, etc
- Ch 2: "Calculus Prerequiaiates" - functions, trig stuff
- Ch 3: "Limits and Continuity"
- Ch 4: "Differnetiation"
- Ch 5: "Advanced Topics in Differentiation"
- Ch 6: "Applications of the Derivative"
- Ch 7: "Integration"
- Ch 8: "Advanced Methods of Integration" (u substitution, and then mostly BC stuff, like integration by parts, improper fractions, uv substitution)
- Ch 9: "Applications of Differentiation"
- Ch 10: "Differential Equations"
- Ch 11: "Sequences and Series (BC Topic only)"

This book is now available under a different title, "Peterson's AP Calculus AB and BC." The content is almost exactly the same--I think the "Master" series from ARCO was discontinued.

I have been teaching AP Calculus for more years than I am willing to admit. Whenever I have a student who says, "I need more practice problems" or "I'm just not getting this" or "Is there ANYthing you can do to help me?" I ALWAYS recommend this book.

Some of my students just use it at the end of the year to review, but others use it during the year as a supplemental text.

Yes, even the best of teachers sometimes can't deliver the message in a way that EVERY student understands. That's why Mike Kelley's book is so helpful.

Buy it. Your brain will thank you.

I wasn't the best at Calc BC in my class, but I got this book and studied like crazy. I read this entire book from cover to cover and took notes. However, I didn't do any of the tests in the back because my teacher had his own for me to do. I tried most of the problems and such. I earned a 5 on the BC test for all my efforts though I was close to a C+ average in the class.

The author provides some challanging and some easy problems. Best of all, this guy has a sense of humor which makes dry math seem much better. This is the best book to own.

Keep in mind I did have a good teacher, this book just gave me another way of looking at everything. In most cases this book is what got me to see how to do things. It also taught me some things my teacher didn't that saved me time and got me the right answer. Taken alongside what you learn in class, this is sure to help anyone (though it still didn't get series straight for me, but it did help me feel comfortable with series problems).

This book does have a few inaccuracies, but you're sure to spot them. Or you could just read the review posted by the other guy on this site for a list of them all and corrections.

I encourage you to get this book if you are looking for the best guide (though slightly out of date).

I would like to thank the author for the wonderful book " MBA Admissions
Strategy " I'm accepted by University of Chicago the last round and
invited by Said Business School of Oxford for an interview. I only
applied 3 schools and all the 3rd round.

I learned the most from the book and formed a strategy and plan. The
book is insightful and well written.

Business coach and Director of the MBA Admissions Studio (www.mbastudio.net) A.V. Gordon presents MBA Admissions Strategy: From Profile Building To Essay Writing, a step-by-step guide to creating a successful MBA application with particular emphasis on essay writing. Chapters cover how to present one's personal profile in an optimum light, what MBA admissions personnel are looking for in applicants, principles of better writing and much more. "Expect your readers to constantly be asking the pointed question, 'So what?' If you give them a fact, a story, an observation or any other piece of information, they will want to know: Why is this relevant? Why am I reading this about you? What understanding about you do I get form it? What am I learning about your growth, transition, development, experience or insight? Why does this advance your candidacy? It is your job to answer these 'so what's' by showing how each piece of your essay connects to you and your argument for an admissions ticket, and framing this, at least in part, in human resources and organizational behaviour terms." Highly recommended.

Avi's book distills the admissions process in a clear and concise fashion. The book got me on track to think about whom I was and what I had to offer. Avi does a great job of helping you connect the dots among your dreams, achievements, and personality.

Book has given me a good framework to piece the puzzle together from the personal front to the school that will fit my needs. It has empowered me to make it happen.

This is not my first try at knocking on the doors of the top MBA programs. Fortunately I found this wonderful book before I started my campaign this year. The book helped me to identify several mistakes that I've made in my previous application, and of course much more things that I can improve, especially in the essay writing part. Amazingly, the insights to the application process that the author shared in this books matches perfectly with the feedback that I got from the schools that I applied before. On top of that, the book also gives out hands-on instructions to address each aspect with a lot of details. Also it teaches so many smart techniques on how to positioning and marketing yourself. To me, it is an extremely practical guide to help me through the process.

MUST HAVE BOOK. By far the best book on the subject.

Even if you have already purchased Richard Montauk book or any other MBA consulting book, I still advise that you buy and read this book.

If you have not purchased any book yet, I strongly recommend you to start with this book.

If you are targeting top 15 MBA programs, reading this book will be the best thing you could do to improve your chances.

Pros -
1) Very structured approach. It begins with helping you profile yourself.
2) No nonsense material. Very brief, succinct and to the point.
3) It leaves the obvious clutter out. Author does not repeat himself. I think this is the biggest plus of this book. There are many top sellers (no names), which are too thick at the expense of being repetitive.
3) Comprehensive.
4) Refined. Polished.

Cons -
1) Addition of some sample essays would be a very useful.
2) Schools specific research and advise will be useful too. I notice that most of the MBA admissions book in the market lack this type of material.
3) Part time program specific advise.

The med schl survival guide, its the BEST THING ever!! I got it from a friend like 3 yrs ago. Even my friend in med schl read it several times when he was starting. I've read and REREAD IT like 6x, and i keep going back, its even on my bed right now! I even find myself implementing some stuff there, she says whenever ur going thru any big issue, realize "This too shall pass" I quote" In med schl, as in life, little things can become big" She uses example of breaking up with 1st love, and how it might have seemed like a disaster to u at 1st but it soon passed. She even applies it to 3rd yr, dealing with senior resident from hell, and how guess what next yr u might not even remember his name, so take it in stride!!
Focus on the big picture!!

I carry this book around, its usually in my book bag, and has been past 3yrs, I start med schl in a few days and I go back to it more so now more than ever!!!
She talks about everything from motivation, to dealing with classmates, patients, relationships, gossip, missing classes, dealin with death, to not expecting others to understand, to realizing you made this choice...everything!

I received this book before starting my first year of med school, and I have turned to it again and again. It has helped me to maintain a positive outlook and to face new challenges. I highly recommend "The Med School Survival Guide" for all medical students!

This book is a good collection of primarily reminders: stuff you should already know but may forget in the rush to study. It's very lightweight in size and content, broken up into 101 "lessons" that are usually just a couple paragraphs.

So if you need something to read in the bathroom, I would definitely recommend this book while you struggle through Med School.

I am currently a first-year medical student in Texas. Before I started my medical school this August, I was searching for some "survival books." The reason I did that was before I went to college, I got a bunch of books with similar titles such as "The Survival Book for College", "College Freshman Pocket Guide." They proved to be very helpful, so I just wanted to find such a book for medical school.

It turned out that there aren't many options. That's why I bought this one, sadly. My first reaction after I started reading it was: Disappointed. It wasn't what I was looking for. I was looking for something like "this is how you take notes," "this is how you ace the anatomy class," or "this is how to make yourself not afraid of cadavers." This book is COMPLETELY not about this.

But, surprisingly enough, I LIKE this book. Make that "I LOVE it." What's "weirder" is that the more I read the book, the more I love it. I'm not exaggerating. The author didn't pay me so I don't need to lie. This is truly a book of wisdom. I really appreicate the author's wisdom, not in medicine, but in being a decent person and a decent doctor.

This book doesn't give you any specific instructions or tips to shine in medical school. It gives you the "directions." It shows you "how to think" instead of "what to think." You must read it to find out.

At last, I highly highly recommend this book for pre-med students. Why? Because I think it will help a lot for writing your personal statement! I must tell you that I was sick of the personal statement, and by the end of my AMCAS process I virtually depleted all my mental resources. This book would have filled my brain up, but I didn't know it existed at that time.

This book is a very quick read, but the information it has to offer spans everything from learning how to succeed on the wards to taking care of oneself, physically, spiritually and emotionally. It contains 101 survival tips, backed up with vivid and entertaining personal examples. Jennifer Danek helps assuage the fears that medical students may have upon entering their chosen careers. Her carpe diem attitidue and incredible humanism permeate the book and help future and current physicians learn how to approach their careers and lives with optimism in the face of death, empathy in the face of despair, and courage in the face of challenge.

Richard Lavoie's book and DVD by the same name would best be used as a professional development piece for any school's faculty when studying how best to develop lessons with students' interest in mind.

My big issue with The Motivation Breakthrough is that its subtitle, "6 Secrets to Turning On the Tuned-Out Child," makes it appear as if this book is for: (1) parents of kids with learning issues, or (2) education professionals. This book is a must read for ALL parents!

The majority of the book discusses six ways (they're all "P" words) that kids can be motivated. Want a list of ways to organize a good Project? What are characteristics of a good teacher/student (People) relationship? What are the pitfalls of Praise and how can it be given effectively? Why are most Prize systems destined to fail but how can they become a help rather than a hindrance to learning? How can you cultivate leadership skills in a child motivated by Prestige or Power?

...and those are just the high-level points. What might teachers learn from sports coaches? How can you better say "I'm proud of you?" Why is Pokemon so fascinating to children? Why should an allowance be unrelated to doing chores? What are unique ways to show affection? I could go on and on. This book provides an astonishing amount of insight and real-life tips for any parent or teacher.

Lavoie writes clearly and his points are well-organized. This is not just a book to read, but to buy; you'll want to flag, highlight, take notes in it, and refer to it often.

There is always a child whose behaviour/reactions are the cause for extra concern;not only from the educator's viewpoint but also from parent's and even that child's own. This book helps us to understand why things might be going wrong in a child's life and proposes solutions that really work.It has enabled a child I work with to gain a grip on his behaviour through facilitating a greater understanding of the way his mind ticks amongst the adults involved in his life.It could help you crack that case that is making you feel like you just don't know enough...seeing the tremendous change in this particular child's life has done it for me!

Commandment #1 of any civilized society is this: Let people be different. Motivation is the key to learning. Children need positive motivation from a caring teacher and loving parents. It is a discouraging fact that many young and old black kids are shuffled out the door each morning to spend their days, their time and energies on the playground or asphalt jungle playing basketball aggressively with neighborhood bullies. As a result, a lot of these unfortunate little people are physically abused and emotionally stunted. There is no praise or any prestige (what's that) to motivate those who life this way; no book-learning, music, at or supervision. They are on their own, growing up in the streets. There is no a dult around to encourage these children to strive to reach their potential.

Six C's of a motivating classroom: Creativity, Community, Clarity, Conferencing, and Control. Eight motivators: Gregariousness: the need to belong; Autonomy: need for independence; Status: need to be important; Inquisitiveness: need to know; Aggression: need to assert; Power: need for control; Recognition: need for acknowledge; and Affiliation: need to associate and belong. Those with learning disabilities need special training and extra time and patience to overcome their self-imposed segregation, like the autistic students who need love and understanding as much as book knowledge.

Written by an experienced educator who knows of what he says. His expertise is needed in every crack and cranny of this continent, not just Boston.

My son (now 15) has what we believe to be is a variation of nonverbal learning disability and I've read countless books over the years. After reading Rick's first book, I attended a workshop that he provided in our area and found him to be an exceptional speaker as well as writer. I also just read this latest book and it's one of the best I've read to date from any clinician, educator, etc. In my opinion, everyone should read this. It applies not only to children with "issues" but to everyone out there. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or manager/employer, it provides tremendous insight into how to truly reach people and also debunks the myth of laziness/lack of motivation. Rick Lavoie is a gift, especially to parents and teachers.

I brought this book for my 4 year old granddaughter, and she loves it. The pictures that appear in the maze make it easy to teach the concept of mazes. For example, the first maze has a hedge bordering all sections of the maze. My granddaughter understood following a path when I told her "you can't jump over or go through the hedge". She had so much fun that she just about finished the book in one sitting.

Purchased for my niece and she loves these mazes. Each page is double sided with an easy maze on the front and a harder maze on the back. She finds the harder maze a little difficult so I place numbered clues throughout the maze for her to follow.

She prefers working with the the pages out of the book, which you can do if you work on it a little. Instead of cutting, you can pull the front cover all the way back until the seam is exposed, and remove the pages one by one without ripping any pages.

My son loves these mazes. I've had great luck with all of the Kumon books. This one is really great for teaching pencil skills. It holds my son's interest and the book is structured to give a high success rate - staring with simpler mazes and progressing. I'm a teacher and I'm very impresed with this and all of the other Kumon books I've tried.

This book is pegged for children ages 3 - 5, and that seems about right. My three year old son had a blast working these delightful (and sometimes challenging) mazes. There are 80 mazes in the book, and there is a certificate of achievement at the back of the book.

Highly recommended.

My 3-year old grand daughter loves doing these mazes. It's geared for 3 - 5 year olds and she wants to try all of them. She can do about half but never gets bored.

My son just turned 5 and starts kindergarten in a few months. He loves this book and asks to read it over and over. It's a little long for us to get throught the whole book some nights before bedtime, but it's broken out into 1-2 page chapters and he doesn't seem to mind stopping mid-way. The chapters are educational and fun. I bought a few other kindergarten books with good reviews on Amazon and this has been his favorite. Would be good for both girls and boys.

Emily, Roger and their classmates are having a fine kindergarten year: Miss Cribbage always has fun activities for them to do, and learning adventures they can take home to their families. The kindergarten experience comes alive for the entire family and readers receive a host of fun animal learners in the warm My Kindergarten by Rosemary Wells

This is an excellent book that takes a charming cast of characters and their creative, enthusiastic teacher through their first school year. Along the way they engage in a wide variety of stimulating activities, experience the change of seasons, and learn more about their local community--in this case, Cranberry Island, Maine. (Which does exist--we looked it up online.)

The students learn about some basic ideas like numbers and letters. But they also apply geography to mapping their school and neighborhood, study their environment by collecting seeds and dividing items into animal, vegetable or mineral categories. They even learn about civics by observing a local referendum on whether a chain restaurant should open on the island. As mentioned, they also take an active role in their community through volunteer work and projects.

The overriding message is that the potential for learning and teaching young children is present in many different circumstances given their innate curiosity. It is also pointed out in several situations that not all children will enjoy or master every activity, and in each case this challenge is accomodated with kindness.

The writing style is lovely, full of good cheer and wry observations about different personalities and people. The pictures are charming. My daughter enjoyed this book at six and my son loves it just as much at four. For me it is a reminder of how amazing the world can be through the eyes of a child absorbing and experiencing it for the first time. It also encourages parents to be patient with their children through the examples it portrays.

I love almost everything Rosemary Wells has ever written, and this book is no exception! It follows Emily (a bunny) and her classmates through kindergarten, both in school and outside. While they learn, your child can learn, but not in a forced, worksheet type way---rather, just by observing what the talented Ms. Cribbage teaches her students. I love it that the kids are not all eager learners, and in fact one boy mainly likes cars and little else---that's reality! The page with the food ABCs alone is both the price of admission!

If your child have enjoyed Emily's First 100 Days of School, they will be happy to find the same characters here, but might be a bit confused, as I was, that although both books seem to cover a kindergarten year in the same bunny's life, they are not really the same story----in The First 100 Days, Diane Duck moves mid-year, and here she doesn't. This one is set on an island in Maine, which delighted me, as the map shows it to be just off the peninsula I grew up on! However, First 100 is set a totally different place, someplace that seemed to me on reading it like an affluent suburb near a city. Other subtle difference occur, but I can't say this really took away from my enjoyment of the book at all---it was just a curiousity, someone for the adults reading both to think about! An island in Maine really makes more sense, as it explains the extra small class size---that is just all the kids that age the island has to offer.

All in all, a WONDERFUL book!

This is a long book, to be enjoyed over serval days. It captures the exuberance, curiosity, and sensitive feelings of young children. This delightful book follows a kindergarten class of animals from the first day of school to the end of the year, as they collect weeds and seeds, play instruments, learn about maps, and do lots of other fun activities. It compassionately conveys the feelings of a little bunny who temporarily becomes overwhelmed and forgets every single number because there are too many, and another who would rather draw a picture of "blue greass" than dance to it. I adore the teacher, Miss Cribbage, a fluffy guinea pig, who tells her students, "If anybody's feet are wet, or they didn't sleep well, or they are in a bad mood, music will make it all better." These are words to live by!

Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD
author of 'What About Me? Twelve Ways to Get Your Parents' Attention Without Hitting Your Sister'

No Talking by Andrew Clements is a great book set in fifth grade where the students have challenged each other to a contest...boys versus girls. The rules of the contest are simple but can be very hard to follow. Students may talk at school only when an adult asks them a question, but then they can only answer using three words at a time. Students can not speak at home, on the playground, or in the lunchroom. The students keep track of their words and use the honor system to report them. When the principal demands that the contest must end, the students join together to silently face a new opponent in the competition. Clements does an excellent job of showing the voice of these students through their dialogues with one another. Their personalities shine through the pages.

Teachers will love the ideas and discussions that stem from this book. The book sparks conversations about peaceful ways to settle arguments like Mahatma Gandhi did in India. The teachers in the book complete many activities that allow students to follow the contest rules and still learn. One my favorites includes creating a story as a whole class where all students add to the story using only three words at a time. Students will love completing lessons that follow these from the book. It may even inspire a contest.

"No Talking" is a realistic and entertaining book that describes a competition between the boys and girls at Laketon Elementary. Each team tries to go untill the end of the week without talking. Commotion occurs as a result of the silence. The teachers and the principle are getting annoyed by the constant silence to they decide to take action on the nonsense. Does the teachers stop the competition or do the children pull them into the fun? Read to find out!

Working in a public school, I am around children every day. Here are two facts that I feel I can state from experience:

1. Kids like to talk

2. There is nothing that gets the youngsters going like boys vs. girls competition

In No Talking, Andrew Clements manages to merge both of these eternal truisms.

At Laketon Elementary, the 5th grade class has a reputation for embracing the spoken word - so much so that they earned the nickname "The Unshushables" from teachers. On top of all this noisiness, the boys can't stand the girls and the girls aren't all that keen on the boys.

One day Dave Packer attempts something that surely has never been done by anyone in his fifth grade class - to make it through the school day without saying a word. He fails, but his experiment leads to a challenge between the boys and the girls: Two days of school. Whichever group talks the least wins.

This book has all kinds of classroom implications, and the rivalry between boys and girls will immediately draw kids in. No Talking is an entertaining story and a quality fiction selection

No Talking is a good book about girls versus boys war with no talking. The war started when a boy did his report on India and he heard about this man who tried not talking to clear his head. This book has a good moral and teaches kids a good lesson. I would say third - 5th grade should read this.

This book, "No Talking", was pretty good, though when you read the breif explanation of the plot on the back of the book, it sounds better than it really is. It is also a short book, and I finished it in about 30 minutes despite its catagory: "chapter book". I thought it had a fairly nice plot, and it did teach a lot, but it also wasn't as funny or as great as it sounded. As I said, it was short with an alright plot.

I loved the humor it did have, though, and I thought the ending was interesting and heart-warming. You also had to love some parts with the only three-word answers the kids gave the teachers' answers. However, I thought the beginning was written in a confusing way. Also, there were so many characters, I woke up the morning after I finished the book and couldn't even remember half the names.

FOR PARENTS: (Scale from 1 to 10, 10 being the highest/worse)
bad language - 0 there was no bad language
sexual content - 1
1. one example of sexual content was that a girl kissed a guy on the cheek
violence - 0 there was no violence
adult content - 2
1. one example of adult content was that the main character, Dave is yelled at by the principal and he yells back, which shows rebellion.
2. another example of adult content was that the book is based on what Dave read in a book on India about the well-known Muslim, Gandhi, and Dave seems to think Gandhi is very wise in not talking, which may come off offensive or confusing.

Overall this was an okay book.

With this book, Marquardt has created the most exciting and practical model for executive development I have ever seen. Warren Bennis recently asked, poignantly, "Is there a future for leadership?" Marquardt is leading all management educators into the future of leadership. As director of an executive Master's program at American University, I am astonished at how powerful Marquardt's model is for developing "leaderly learners," in the magical phrase coined by Peter Vaill. Action learning is perfect for leaders who want to learn and learners who want to lead. Marquardt's chapter on the role of "action learning coach" is, by itself, worth a shelf of books of leadership. My executive participants are raving about how action learning has transformed their individual mindsets, allowing them to surface take-for-granted assumptions, as well as helped them begin to transform the culture or collective mindsets of their organizations.

Optimizing The Power Of Action Learning: Solving Problems And Building Leaders In Real Time by educator and consultant Michael J. Marquardt (Professor of HRD and Program Director of Overseas Programs, The George Washington University), is a "user friendly" guidebook to an effective learning technique for facing increasingly intimidating and complex organizational challenges, especially with regard to global business concerns. Impressing the power of "action learning" to respond to the need to create new products, improve service quality, and transform organizational cultures, Optimizing The Power Of Action Learning is a confidently recommended success guide complete with a well-thought-out process for introducing and sustaining action learning among groups to the reader's particular and maximum advantage.

Michael J. Marquardt has developed a problem-solving tool. His process, which can be adapted by organizations of any size not only provides solutions but also builds leaders and teams.

Marquardt, a professor of HRD and Program Direction of Overseas Programs at The George Washington University, is an expert in action learning. His process has six components.

1. A problem - It must be significant and urgent.
2. A group - The ideal group has between 4 and 8 diverse members.
3. Questions - Initially, team members are restricted to questions. This reflective inquiry period develops a thorough understanding of the problem.
4. Action - The group is authorized to implement their solution.
5. Learning - A commitment to the process is as important as the solution.
6. A coach - Someone is needed to keep the group focused.

A key step is "action." Learning is meaningful only if some type of action is taken. Action generally involves four steps:

1. Understand and Redefine the Problem. This is often the most important step.
2. Articulate a Goal.
3. Develop and Test Strategies.
4. Take Action and Reflect on the Results.

Marquardt includes a 12 step plan to introduce action learning to your organization. Properly implemented, it will accomplish three goals for your organization:

1. It will provide solutions to problems.
2. Develop leaders.
3. Build a problem-solving culture.

People with an intense interest in knowing all the details of action learning will find the answer to their prayers in this book. Author Michael J. Marquardt writes with the zeal of a revival tent preacher, filled with the sincere belief that action learning can help solve any problem, meet any challenge or achieve any aspiration. As he clearly explains, action learning is intended to build both knowledge and leadership. He sets out the steps your organization should pursue to implement action learning, and to use it well. He includes questions, checklists and extensive examples. All he omits are any caveats or cautions about this approach. He's a booster and an expert, just so you know where he's coming from. We recommend his manual to human resource professionals.

It is desirable but not imperative to have read Michael Marquardt's earlier work, Action Learning in Action, before reading this one. He defines action learning as "both a process and a powerful program that involves a small group of people solving real problems while at the same time focusing on what they are learning and how their learning can benefit each group member and the organization as a whole." The benefits of action learning include shared learning through all levels and areas of an organization, greater self-awareness and self-confidence for all involved because of their new insights and feedback interaction, improvement of their ability to ask better questions and to be more reflective, and improved communication and collaboration enterprise-wide.

How do task forces and quality circles differ from action learning groups? First, [they] tend to focus on the specific problem of task to be addressed rather than on identifying the organization wide, environmental, systemic elements in which the problem resides, and which also be affected if lasting change is to take place...Second, [task forces and quality circles] generally do not have the power or the expectation of taking action...Third [they] are charged with addressing a problem or improving a product or procedure; any learning that occurs is incidental." Marquardt suggests that action learning programs are built around six interactive components: a problem, the group, the questioning and reflection process, the commitment to taking action, the commitment to learning, and the facilitator. It is important to add, a "commitment to action" includes both identifying a given problem's causes and correcting it, and, then ensuring that the problem does occur again.

In this volume, Marquardt develops in much greater depth many of the core concepts introduced in his earlier book, Action Learning in Action, but focuses much greater attention on how to solve problems and build leaders in real time with next-generation tools and techniques to make action learning successful each and every time, in any organization. Those who have not read his earlier book will appreciate his review of the six critical components: the problem; group diversity (e.g. cross-functional teams); action strategies; individual, team, and organizational learning; the all-important involvement of a well-trained action learning coach; and step-by-step procedures for introducing, implementing, and sustaining action learning. In turn, many of those who have read the earlier book will also appreciate his review of the six critical components, both as a reminder and as a framework within which Marquardt refines his core concepts as well as introducing entirely new material such as the 20 best-practice examples of action learning in action. He also inserts a number of reader-friendly devices such as eight Tables and dozens of checklists which summarize key points in each of the eight chapters. These devices facilitate and accelerate review later, whenever needed to clarify the nature and extent of a reader's own specific problem or opportunity.

Of greatest interest to me is what Marquardt has to say about how to prepare for and then introduce, implement, and then sustain an effective action learning program. He suggests and then carefully explains each of twelve steps (which are listed in Table 7 on page 162) which comprise a cohesive, comprehensive, and cost-effective process which - with appropriate modifications, of course - can guide and inform initiatives undertaken by almost any organization, whatever its size or nature may be. Marquardt's extensive real-world experience with all manner of organizations probably explains why his approach is so pragmatic. He well realizes the barriers to be overcome, hence the importance of the various checklists he provides such as those for top management support, what should be addressed during a preparations assessment workshop, the selection of action learning projects, and measuring the impact of action learning initiatives in the given organization.

Those who share my high regard for this brilliant book are urged to check out Marquardt's subsequent work, Leading with Questions, in which he explains in even greater depth how leaders find the right solutions by knowing which questions to ask. He insists, and I wholly agree, that effective leadership of action learning programs must be provided at all levels and in all areas of operation but that such programs cannot succeed without the full support and sustained commitment of senior-management.

I love this book. It is in my top ten. Top five even.
I won't summarize because everyone already has.
But let me say this:

Emil's voice and personality ring very true about his situation.
His behavior, his language, his habits, his experiences are on the nose for how I think teens feel today. He has a humor and a honesty it's hard to convey through books. But Corrigan does it.
I'm a girl and I have to say this book really opened me up to a male main characters POV. I'd never really enjoyed a book with a boy POV except a few.
Sometimes books seem unrealistic, and with a key to every door in the school, it would appear Ordinary Ghosts can be lumped into that description. But it's surprising how realistic Emil handles his key duties. At the same time though, this book is one of a kind- with unique situations and characters.

My only complaint is the lack of closure at the end with Ethan. Hopefully this is a hint Corrigan is working on another novel to wrap up Ordinary Ghosts but I don't actually know if she is. xD

Other than that, I love this book.

Eireann Corrigan's ORDINARY GHOSTS tells of a boy facing a vanished brother, a dead mother and a father who leaves him alone. He has nobody to talk to - and discovers a new world when he finds the key which opens every door in the elite prep school he's been forced to attend. Suddenly Emil finds himself prowling the school for answers - and falling for a girl who also sneaks into his new world. An excellent story of changes evolves.

Emil is having a bad year. He reflects, "I try to pinpoint the moment my world tilted. It stopped turning for a second when Mom died. And then stalled out when Ethan left a postcard on the kitchen table with just the word Later written across it."



Without his mother and brother, it's just him and his father. They hardly communicate, and his dad is always busy with work. The only friend in Emil's life is the line-crossing Soma, who changed his name from Frances to the name of the drug in BRAVE NEW WORLD. Soma's favorite word is mayhem.



When Emil finds the key to Caramoor Academy in his brother's room, he doesn't tell a soul, not even Soma. This is a secret only for him. The key is a thing of legend. It is passed down from year to year, and nobody is supposed to know who has it. But now that Emil is in possession of it, what will he do with it? How will he leave his mark?



Emil starts by exploring the school at night and setting up a makeshift bunk in the attic. While roaming the school, he is surprised to find a girl named Jade in the art studio. Of course he develops an instant crush on her. How often do girls appear at an all-boys' school in the middle of the night?



When Emil's father announces he will be away for four whole days and nights on a business trip, Emil knows what he wants to do. He plans to stay at the school every night and uncover all its mysteries.



As Emil and Jade form a relationship, Emil finds himself changing from a liar with a fictional past to someone who can open up and be honest about his feelings. He also learns the truth about why his brother left and what happened when his mother died.



ORDINARY GHOSTS is a touching story that deals with the tragedy of death and abandonment in a realistic manner. While the topics are not the most light-of-heart, Emil is an endearing character with dry wit and humor who will make readers laugh. Author Eireann Corrigan skillfully weaves this tale of emotional pain with friendship, discovery and an element of mystery that makes this book a page turner that is sure to satisfy.



--- Reviewed by Kristi Olson

'Fun' and 'entertaining' are not usually words you would find describing a book about the aftermath of a parent's death and a brother's unexpected departure, but that is the brilliance of Eireann Corrigan's books. She takes on the real tragedies that affect our lives, but handles them in such a way that we find ourselves laughing along with her characters far more often than we cry. The result is a completely human experience in all of its aspects, and a feeling that we have really lived the story in all of its pain and pleasure.

In Ordinary Ghosts, she achieves this effect largely through the narrative voice of the main character, Emil. Emil brings the reader into his own world, speaking to us in his own creatively casual language. He is a real high school student, not an adult voice projecting itself onto a stock character. Immediately we are rooting for him as he tries to find common ground with his dad, understand his brother's selfish departure, navigate daily life at a school where he feels largely misunderstood, and (of course) get the girl.

The greatest strength of the book is, ultimately, its believability. There are never any simple solutions. There are no unqualified heroes or irredeemable villains. It is real life with all of its complexity, its occasional ugliness, its potential for beauty, and just the right measure of hope. I very highly recommend this book.

Emil's life has been turned upside down in the last year. His mother has died of cancer and his brother, who he has always looked up to, has disappeared without a trace. Emil and his father don't communicate about anything important and rarely see each other due to his father's work schedule. The only friend he has is Soma, a rule-bending, line-crossing boy who is in the same grade as Emil.

Nothing exciting happens to Emil. He is average in every way. His brother, Ethan, was the bright, shining star with all the friends, good grades, and a way with the ladies. Emil just lives in Ethan's shadow. He attends Caramoor Academy, a private school with a hefty tuition. Since everything has happened in his family, Emil's grades have started to slip and his father is riding him harder than ever to make the grade; especially since he is paying so much for him to go to school at Caramoor.

Emil does have the key though -- the key to notoriety, the key to exploration, the key to discovery. One day before Ethan left home, Emil was digging around in his bedroom and found an actual key. When he asked Ethan what the key unlocked he received a surprising answer: the key was a master key to the entire Caramoor Academy campus. Every door in every building was available to the person who held the key. Emil asked if he could have it and unbelievably, Ethan said yes. Normally the key was passed from one student to another each year. No one except the key holder was supposed to know who had it. The goal of the year was to pull off a monumental prank.

Emil's chance at greatness comes when his father has to go out of town for a long business trip and he has four days and nights home alone. He decides to use his time exploring Caramoor Academy. He sets up a makeshift bed in the attic of the main building and proceeds to unlock every door he can find. One evening during his exploration, Emil sees the art studio lit up and hears music blaring from the room. He finds a girl inside spinning a clay pot. He is shocked and doesn't give her his real name because he doesn't want to get caught, but he also wants to find out what she is doing there. After some conversation, he realizes she is the daughter of the art teacher at the Academy.

Over the next several days Emil and Jade, the girl in the art studio, form a relationship that leads them to many discoveries about themselves, about the death of Emil's mother and Ethan's role in it, and the importance of friendship. Eireann Corrigan has written a complex novel with true-to-life young adult characters that grow throughout the course of the story. Definitely for older teens, this novel covers topics such as grief, loss, family, and discovery with compassion and humor.

Reviewed by: Karin Perry