Baker Books

Every loving, committed Christian parent faces the same challenge virtually from the moment that newborn babe is first placed in their arms. They wonder how to raise this child, teaching him or her all they'll need to learn to become a godly and productive man or woman. Each day of development brings only more questions, more challenges that parents had better be prepared for. Parenting with Purpose, 12 Biblical Traits to Prepare Kids for Life, by Margaret Buchanan is a book that will help equip parents for this enormous task.

Peppered with personal and practical illustrations, the author offers real ideas for parents. Each chapter contains a section called "Ready, Aim" that takes the Scripture lesson of the focus verse and makes it relevant to everyday life. The Bible stories used are condensed into accurate recaps with the lessons and applications clearly pointed out.

The book focuses on the Scriptural qualifications for elders and deacons, suggesting parents use those as a guideline. The idea is to build these lessons into everyday life, teaching them to the children from the beginning thus laying a great foundation for raising godly children.

The end of each chapter contains a refreshing collection of questions to inspire discussion. Beyond the typical list of shallow queries often found in similar books, these are actually well thought out conversation starters.

Raising children in this world is a huge responsibility. Raising godly children in this ungodly age is beyond challenging. Parenting with Purpose provides practical teaching and application to assist in this challenge. In this fast food, drive-through age of instant gratification, so many people are looking for a quick fix. If that's what you're looking for, keep looking. This book will not offer a quick fix solution. But, instead it will provide real direction based on God's Word. Combining these principles with a life committed to Jesus will give our little ones a firm foundation on which to build a godly life.

This is a well-written book and makes scriptures applicable to our present day situations as parents. It doesn't hold back in stating that following the teachings we receive in the Bible are perfect as a guide for how to raise our children, guiding and directing them. We don't have to look any further than God's word. The chapters are organized so when you want to refer back to a certain area, it's easy to find and re-read. Scripture verses/locations are given so if you want to refer to your Bible, you can. The best message of this book is that the parents need to model behaviors for their children for their children to develop good character and morals.

Every loving, committed Christian parent faces the same challenge virtually from the moment that newborn babe is first placed in their arms. They wonder how to raise this child, teaching him or her all they'll need to learn to become a godly and productive man or woman. Each day of development brings only more questions, more challenges that parents had better be prepared for. Parenting with Purpose, 12 Biblical Traits to Prepare Kids for Life, by Margaret Buchanan is a book that will help equip parents for this enormous task.

Peppered with personal and practical illustrations, the author offers real ideas for parents. Each chapter contains a section called "Ready, Aim" that takes the Scripture lesson of the focus verse and makes it relevant to everyday life. The Bible stories used are condensed into accurate recaps with the lessons and applications clearly pointed out.

The book focuses on the Scriptural qualifications for elders and deacons, suggesting parents use those as a guideline. The idea is to build these lessons into everyday life, teaching them to the children from the beginning thus laying a great foundation for raising godly children.

The end of each chapter contains a refreshing collection of questions to inspire discussion. Beyond the typical list of shallow queries often found in similar books, these are actually well thought out conversation starters.

Raising children in this world is a huge responsibility. Raising godly children in this ungodly age is beyond challenging. Parenting with Purpose provides practical teaching and application to assist in this challenge. In this fast food, drive-through age of instant gratification, so many people are looking for a quick fix. If that's what you're looking for, keep looking. This book will not offer a quick fix solution. But, instead it will provide real direction based on God's Word. Combining these principles with a life committed to Jesus will give our little ones a firm foundation on which to build a godly life.

This book is current, solid, easily read, and could be very helpful. It is an important one for people to read.

Not required reading for perfect parents! But, if you're like the rest of us, you'll be very glad you investigated it and kept it as a reference. The title and cover picture appear determined and sombre. Surely not another joyless, rule-laden, guilt-inducing diatribe for parents and caregivers! Indeed, not! (Should have known the author of "Jerks in the Bible" wouldn't do that to us.)

Using archery as her metaphor, Margaret Buchanan speaks clearly, realistically, with compassion and perceptiveness, of nurturing our children in the faith. Her rueful humour and honesty tell us, "She's been there!"

Biblically-based and worldly-wise, her intelligent, well- supported, meaty teachings are laid out in bite-size pieces, enhanced by topical and, sometimes surprising, current information summaries. This is an "interactive" book, inducing on-going personal reflection. Twelve chapter-end sets of questions invite discussion.

Apart from one "date" suggestion concerning the part to be played by the parent of the opposite sex in the process of encouraging chastity, I believe "Parenting with Purpose" is a wholesome, readable, "do-able" plan of action for hitting the mark.
Parents, grandparents, caregivers and congregational leaders, whether parents or not, ordained or lay, can benefit from reading or studying this book. The Church's children, from infant to senior citizen, and God's wider world, will also benefit, as a result.

A very comprehensive analysis of conflict. A great resource for understanding biblical resolution processes. I would recommend this text.

Rev. Dr. Alfred Poirier has written a biblical and practical book that is sure to help all pastors, church leaders, and church members to understand and faithfully live out the gospel of Jesus Christ in both their personal and corporate lives.

This book is actually a storehouse of information! From a systematically biblical approach to conflict resolution (Pastor Poirier is the Chairman of the Board of Peacemaker Ministries and has extensive experience in Christian conciliation), to the important legal risk management issues associated with redemptive and loving church discipline, this book has it all.

If you are looking for an extensive case study on how to handle a repentant sex offender in your community, read this book!

For detailed information on what it looks like for an entire church to be a part of the restorative aspects of church accountability and discipline, this book contains example after example.

If you are wondering if it is even possible for Christians to have authentic, intimate, REAL friendships and relationships that persevere over time ... read this book and be encouraged and helped.

As an attorney, a Certified Christian Conciliator with the Institute for Christian Conciliation, an author ("Peacemaking Women: Biblical Hope for Resolving Conflict", Baker 2005), and a frequent speaker at women's retreats and conferences, I have the privilege of observing "Body Life" (The Bride! The Church!) in contexts across the nation and even around the world. And I can tell you that, beyond a doubt, this book is going to have a profound impact on the ministry of the gospel.

Read it and be blessed!
And thank you, Pastor Poirier, for your labor of both scholarship and love.

Your grateful sheep,
Tara Barthel

Many of the Christian books I purchase I donate or re-sell after reading them. This one however, will take its place among the few titles on my bookshelves. Having been a pastor for 25 years, I have seen many conflicts erupt again and again in congregations. Usually they are not handled in a Biblical manner, simply because most church leaders and pastors do not know how to do so. Poirier here gives solid, Biblically-based insight on how to be a peacemaking pastor in a society increasingly obsessed with personal rights and public litigation. This book is not an easy read, but worth the time and effort required to absorb its contents.

If we all lived in Mayberry, with the only church struggles being the constant gossip of Clara or the grating voice of Barney in the choir, then this book would be unnecessary. The struggles in our churches today however, are far more complex and volatile. The author's example of whether or not a registered child molester should be allowed membership in a church is one striking example of situations in which strong, passionate arguments can be made for both sides of an issue.

This book is a great investment for any pastor or church leader today who is willing to take the time and energy to read it. I also plan to use it as a reference volume, one to which I can refer again and again as I face the knotty issues of ministry.

This book addresses the need for true peace within in the church - and how to achieve that peace. Currently, the church often looks more like the world than the church. Repentance and forgiveness have been replaced by modern psychology. True love has been replaced by a counterfeit. This resource takes us back to the roots of Christianity - Jesus came to die, and through his blood we are reconciled to God so that we might have life everlasting.
Even though the book targets pastors, it is also a very helpful resource for all, as we are all called to be peacemakers in the body of Christ. It builds beautifully on The Peacemaker, by Ken Sande, and gives additional guidance in a new, refreshing way.

Short, humorous stories make this an excellent read for adults and children. It gives insight into African culture from a young American couple.

My son spent 2 years in West Africa as a missionary so I purchased the book for his grandparents.
They enjoyed it so much they want to buy it for some of their friends. It gives insight into the life
of missionaries.

This a wonderful book about the joys and challenges of life as a missionary in West Africa. Having traveled to Togo and Benin, the author's stories were true to my experience and served as a nice reminder of our cultural differences. I especially appreciate the accessability of the book, the fine missionary prayer points and the invitation to engage the reader in God's mission in their life. I have been recommending this book to everyone I meet that may be interested in missionary life and West African culture.
Thank you Suzanne for a book that is sure to bless many people.

Great collections of adventures of a missionary family in Africa. Full of inspiring thoughts and humor and insights into the life of a missionary family.

I've been reading through this text over the past several weeks.

I have been reading chapters of interest only (I do want to complete the book someday, right now, I'm chapter surfing)!

Pastor Wiersbe gives suggestions on how to bring messages alive.
It does take a little more effort; however, I believe it's worth the extra work.

As the title of the book states, it is focused on bringing our messages alive.
Alive in Sunday morning Devotion.
Alive in the Sunday School lesson.
Alive in the preached message in the pulpit.

The text will help those who "Preach" as well as "Teach".

I used some of his techniques last week at HOOPS4KIDZ in Milwaukee.
I had to speak for two sessions, 30 minutes each to boys and girls ranging from ages five to seventeen. I believe the content and presentation (delivery) was well received. Glory To God!



Appendix A: Teaches us how to transform messages from a sermon outline, into a message of hope. Pastor Wiersbe says, "Find one of your old sermons, and do these steps summarized in "Appendix A" and see a change!"

Too often we find ourselves spoon-feeding our hearers with "Information"
and not feeding them "the living Word". This surely is not intentional. We have biblical content, biblical text, biblical interpretation and the leading of the Holy Ghost. We are not trying to entertain anybody; we are attempting to convey life and hope.

The main premise of the book is
"to make our hearers, see the message with their eyes!"

Allow me say this:
Preachers & Teachers:
This is neither a criticism nor an attempt to suggest you need improvement. Pastor Wiersbe is purely sharing his enthusiasm.

God has surely anointed you to preach the Gospel.

I highly recommend this book.

I highly recommend this book to those who are willing to go that extra mile, to draw others into God's Kingdom!!!

Peace
Fellow Laborer In Christ Jesus

Michael
(Youth Minister Volunteer)

I am raving about Dr. Wiersbe's book. It is the best piece of literature I have ever seen on preaching with your imagination. I thought I had no imagination. Now my imagination is stirred. In his book, Wiersbe has put into practice what he has encouraged us to do. Others have already complimented me on my last two sermons. (I am a female teaching Deacon who usually substitute for my pastor when he is away). I have already purchased a copy for my pastor, and have also recommended it to several potential Bible teachers. This book is a God-send. When you begin to read it, you don't want to put it down. There is so much fabulous information that you could read it all day long without getting weary. The insights I have harvested are are valuable indeed. If you need sparkle in preparing/preaching a great sermon or Sunday School lessons, this is one of the most valuable resources you should have on hand.

I cannot tell you how much this book changed my approach to preaching/teaching ministry. Weirsbe begins by explaining the necessity of appealing to the imagination of our listeners to help them to "see" the Gospel. The use of metaphor in preaching and teaching the Bible is a must and Weisbe explains it so well. He uses copious amounts of Scripture to show just how much metaphor is used in the Scripture and makes a clear point that if it is to be communicated you must appreciate the imagery they can produce in the human mind. Amazing book!

Do you avoid using illustrations/stories in preaching for the sake of getting to the point, focusing exclusively on sound doctrine? This book will show you that far from hindering your goal to report the eternal truths of God to His people, metaphorical communication will advance it . The One who gave us the ultimate standard on theology chose to frequently use concrete language = Christ's teaching was 75% illustrative!
If learning God's Word is supposed to be dull and painful, we might as well take the alchohol out of the Lord's Supper as well..too late!! ; )- Just look at how He meets our needs in life in other areas ... Psalm 104, Acts 14, Song of Solomon.. why should 'feed My sheep' be any different? As He adorns the lilies of the field and feeds the sparrows, so we should take great care to provide good spiritual food for the soul's of His people ...not mere abstractions, but luscious illustrative sermons.. Enjoyed!! : )

[i'm not a pastor yet, but am attending seminary]

I read this book for a sermon prep class, and am now thinking of buying it as a book to look at for future use.

I know of no other resource which juxtaposes the greatest reformed confessions. Pastors, officers, and laypeople would greatly benefit from this tool. Every reformed Christian should have this on shelves. It is a bit difficult to use if you're trying to study only one of these confessions alone; but if you're trying to compare them, this is the best tool you could get.

The Scottish Presbyterian leader Sinclair Ferguson and Joel Beeke, an American seminary Professor, have both edited and compiled a wonderful and resourceful reference book for the Reformed Christian. This book offers a well-organized presentation of the major Reformed catechisms or confessional creeds side-by-side with the creeds reorganized to cover the various doctrines. The book cover doctrines such as: theology (the doctrine of God); anthropology (the doctrine of man); christology (the doctrine of Christ); soteriology (the doctrine of salvation); ecclesiology (the doctrine of the church); and eschatology (the doctrine of last things.) It features seven confessional creeds: the Belgic Confession of Faith (1561); the Heidelberg Catechism (1563); Second Helvetic Confession (1566); Canons of Dort (1618-19); and the various Westminster confessions (1647-48). The doctrines are annotated with footnotes and an extremely helpful bibliography of theology resources is included.

This is an well organized harmony of the (according to the authors) most important Reformed Confessions. The best feature in my opinion, however, is the wonderful annotated bibliography which accompanies it. Each theme of the confessions is aligned with the best Reformed books on each topic. Standard Reformation era and Puritan works are recommended along with the latest contributions to each field, with suggestions for begining and advanced study. A major resource that I'd love to see expanded and put into a book by itself. Note: Since I originally wrote this review, the Bibliography HAS been reissued under another seperate cover. It is not, However, expanded. Hopefully another edition will do that.

Thanks Joel Beeke & Sinclair Ferguson for giving us such a wonderful tool. With the growing interest in reformed theology, there could not be a more helpful tool then this harmony of the great reformational creeds and bibliography by doctrine of great reformed books.

In the harmony section the reformed creeds/confessions used are the Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, Second Helvetic Confession, Canons of Dort, Westminster Confession, Westminster Shorter Catechism, and Westminster Larger Catechism. Doctrine by doctrine each of these creed/confessions is laid out side-by-side so the reader can eaily compare how each of these documents handled the great doctrines of the Bible. Instead of having 5-7 different books in front of you, now you can all these reformed statements of faith before you.

The bibliography section also goes doctrine by doctrine. Beeke and Ferguson give a list of important reformed authors covering the doctrines found in the creeds/confessions. They at times will make brief comments as to the strenght or weakness of the books listed.

This is a great tool for anyone teaching doctrine or wanting to learn it. Makes a great gift for your pastor, seminary student, or anyone who likes to really dig deep into the historic creed faith of Christianity. You won't be dissappointed!

This book is great news as the author A. Tozer is not afraid to expose the Apostate church and those who sit in its pews. The book does not entirely focus on the subject of Apostasy, but it does just about every chance he gets. This book will open your eyes and will help you not to be deceived by false prophets. I am the owner of James Russell Publishing.com who does not publish Tozers book, but I highly recommend it to our readers.

This book rivals Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Hightest" in clarity and depth of spiritual thought. Tozer's full theological understanding and personal experience are represented in personal daily devotions. His concern is for the individual believer's walk, scriptural understanding and the mental and spiritual health of the church. Definitely worth having in a devotional library!

Tozer was a man out of time. This devotional, a culling of his writings, is profound in its prophetic vision, providing a far more serious challenge to the life of committed believers than most of the pap that passes for devotionals today.

More than anything, the profound depth of Tozer's wisdom and his love for the people of God come sparkling through. If the purpose of a devotional is to get one thinking and meditating on the Bible, Renewed Day by Day more than accomplishes this task.

A must have for those looking to grow in grace and knowledge of Christ.

This book rivals Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Hightest" in clarity and depth of spiritual thought. Tozer's full theological understanding and personal experience are represented in personal daily devotions. His concern is for the individual believer's walk, scriptural understanding and the mental and spiritual health of the church. Definitely worth having in a devotional library!

This Bible Commentary is so easy to read,it's great.
I am a pastor but it will be appreaciated by lay people also.
It's specific in context but not dry.
Illustrations are supplied for some of the text.
I can not think that anyone would be disappointed in this set.

Dr Boice was a Reformed preacher in the Calvinist vein, given to sound and faith-stirring exposition of God's holy Word. The Christian Charter is presented thru Romans, and Dr Boice invested many years in laying before his flock the moral truths of God's law and the outworking of faith in Christ's atoning death as the satisfaction of God's righteous requirements. Theologians also refer to Romans as the foundational book in Paul's theology.

In Volume 2, pg 927, Jim Boice introduces us to the Reformed concept of our great 'God's Effectual Call'. This is in every way beautifully explained and correctly related to the reader, invoking one to give God all the glory! Thanksgiving from a sinner, one undeserving of such grace!

'And those He predestined, He also called..' Romans 8:30

Dr Boice headlines the section: 'Calling: External And Internal'. He then fully explains how the external, audible call goes out to all, resulting in the universal call. It is in itself ineffective for salvation and may be resisted. 'Today that same call flows from every Christian pulpit and from all who bear witness to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in every land.' pg 928

BUT THEN...

'...in the New Testament the terms for calling, when used with reference to salvation, are almost uniformly applied, not to the universal call of the Gospel, but to the call that ushers men into a state of salvation and is therefore effectual. There is scarcely an instance in the Bible where the terms are used to designate the indiscriminate overture of grace in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.' pg 929, John Murray, as quoted from Redemption: Accomplished and Applied, pg 88.

Boice then goes on to explain how the inner call, the internal witness of the Holy Spirit, is effective in bringing conversion - a sinner to belief in Christ Jesus thru regeneration. This understanding also infuses the utter conviction that it is grace irresistible, for whom God has predestined, He also then calls.

More scriptural than that one cannot be.

Reading James Montgomery Boice's Romans commentary changed my faith and my life. Read it!

James Mongomery Boice is one of the best Bible Study writers I have come across, for the layman. He makes difficult topics simple and easy to understand. I have read this set of Romans, My husband did an indepth study over 2006. I purchaced a copy for my 20 year old grandson, at his request, who is attending a Christian University. It meets the needs of all ages in learning more about God's Word. Boice was an excellent writer. I have several of his commentaries and would highly recommend all of his works.

This book has been major part of the process of spiritual growth in my life. I was blessed to take part in "the exercises of Ignatius Loyola" while the book was in process -- before the book was actually published. The author facilitated a group using the exercises when I was a very young Christian. It was life-changing! And, I've actually been part of groups doing the exercises several times over many years. It never ceases to be new and challenging.

I would recommend this book to almost anyone, since it has the potential to provide growth on many levels, dictated by the spiritual level of any reader.

On a personal level, just a few weeks ago, my son (an Army tank commander) was killed in Iraq by a suicide bomber. The foundation of "Sacred Listening" has provided me with tools to deal with the grief, and interact with God is a way not experienced before.

Anyone who is even considering buying this book should buy it!!!! You won't be sorry. Actually,I have no hesitation in saying that you'll be blessed beyond anything you can imagine!

Bonnie Julian

I purchased this book to learn to listen to God and meditate on the Scriptures. It has helped me immensely. It does require a time commitment and some self discipline, But it is worth it.

Over 10 years ago I had my first opportunity to go through a trial of the spiritual exercises as Dr. Wakefield was adapting them for followers of Christ who wanted to know more intimacy with Him. I knew the Bible, I taught the Bible, but I was keenly aware there was much, much more that Christ was calling me to in knowing Him.

The exercises transformed my life as I was actually put into the scenes where Jesus walked and taught. I learned to hear his voice speaking the words of scripture personally to me. I learned to see His face looking into mine with meaningful expression. I learned to see myself more clearly with strengths and weaknesses and yet know his unconditional love even when I needed correction.

I have since repeated the exercises twice, this last time with a "listener" and again found them to be enriching.

For anyone who is hungry for more of Christ, I eagerly recommend you invest yourself in the spiritual exercises reworked here for all to enjoy.

Blessings & peace as you pursue Him, Vicki Barram

James Wakefield has made the Exercises accessible to evangelical Christians, or anyone seeking to deepen their prayer life with Christ through this historical method of Scripture meditations. The Ignatian Exercises were an important step in my personal journey into greater intimacy with the Triune God, and has provided the context for break-thrus in listening to God for those whose Exercises I have been the listener for. The Exercises have already become a standard follow-up resource for Imago Christi's Spiritual Formation Discovery event, and is a valuable tool for spiritual direction. Make sure you have a listener to support you in this discipline. More information about the Ignatian Exercises and Ignatian coaching is available on the Imago Christi website.

This book has more biographical information than any other book except "Meet the Stars of Buffy the Vampire Slayer." This book also has a great collection of photographs. If you are looking for the most complete biography as well as bios on other stars of the show, then you should buy "Meet the Stars of Buffy the Vampire Slayer." However, if you want the best mixture of photographs and biography, and you are only concerned with Sarah Michelle Gellar, then you should buy this book.

This is a great book. it tells you all about Sarah Michelle Gellar. I like that it shows you her biographys and the things she likes. In this book it tells you all the appearances SMG had been in. If you are a HUGE fan on SMG you should defantly buy this product.

This book provided an insightful and concise look into the life of one of television's most popular new actresses. The pictures were beautiful and the writing was clear.

I thought that this book was really nice. It had great picturesand lots of info on her past, present, and future plans. It is worthbuying if you're a really big fan of her.

Allington and Cunningham provide excellent insight as to what all schools need to ensure quality instruction to students. This book is a must for all educators, especially administrators. I am a Special Education teacher and a graduate student. I refer to this text often.

With over fifty combined years of experience between them, educational researcher/ consultants Richard Allington and Patricia Cunningham have many ideas to offer in their new book, Schools That Work: Where All Children Read and Write. The book is a natural follow-up to their first collaborative effort, Classrooms That Work: They Can All Read and Write. It is lengthy, but highly engaging, and offers practical, research based ideas for those who envision and want to work toward moving their school or school system toward being one where all children become literate. Because American society has changed, and is changing, at such a rapid pace, Allington and Cunningham contend that the current organizational structure of schools, while being well intentioned, is outdated. Existing structures do not effectively meet the needs of all children, especially those who are at the highest risk of school failure. Therefore, they believe that educational interventions that offer "more of the same" will not work to fix the inadequacies in today's schools. Because many schools are stuck, looking toward traditional solutions, huge amounts of federal and state money are being poured into educational programs such as developmental kindergarten, transitional K-1 classes, retention, and remedial, resource and bilingual programs that aren't effective in helping all at risk learners learn to read and write. Throughout the twelve chapters of the book, examples of effective large and small-scale school restructuring efforts in real schools are described. These descriptions are very helpful in illustrating the authors' key points. Models such as the Coalition of Essential Schools, Success For All, the Accelerated Schools Model, Reading Recovery, School Power and Schools for the 21st Century are included. Chapters of the book are organized around central themes of school organizational plans such as instruction, professional roles, allocation of time, parent involvement, assessment and curriculum materials. I will briefly summarize these chapters to give an overview of their content. In the chapter on curriculum, Cunningham and Allington offer many ideas for getting real reading material into the hands of children. Popular methods of literacy instruction are also described, but it is clear that the authors do not believe there is one best way to teach reading and writing. Instead, they advocate for quality instruction delivered in a multifaceted approach. This position is similar to that taken in Best Practices in Literacy Instruction, edited by Gambrel, Morrow, Neuman and Pressley, a resource text for teachers of literacy. Allington and Cunningham then go on to describe essential components of quality literacy instruction. One of the important points of the book is that "good schools are a collection of good classrooms" and that the job of everyone who works at a school is to support and enhance classroom instruction. An important point is made that while most instruction for at risk students slows down the pace of instruction, what is most effective is accelerating their learning through more and better instruction so that they are able to catch up with their peers. Concerning the issue of how instructional time is used; a chapter is devoted to describing effective classroom management practices that maximize the amount of time available for actual reading and writing. Innovative ways of creating more instructional time such as allowing teachers to work on flexible schedules opens up the possibility of students receiving extended amounts of instruction before and after school, in Saturday School and summer school. In the chapter on assessment, strategies for evaluating literacy programs and progress are given. Ideas for utilizing authentic assessments such as observational records, writing samples, narrative comments, interviews, self-evaluations, portfolios and anonymous student testing are presented.

Because schools can change only as fast as the instructional practices of teachers change, Allington and Cunningham devote a chapter to advice for supporting the professional development of teachers. The authors believe that systems need to allocate greater amounts of their resources toward professional development, as well as offer administrative and collegial support in order for teachers to remain life long learners who continually develop new areas of expertise. As our changing society affects schools, it affects families too. Most children now come from single parent families or families where both parents work. Because the authors believe that schools cannot be fully effective without parent support and involvement, ideas for improving parent outreach programs are described. Innovative ways to improve communication between schools and families, involve parents in school decision making processes, and create family literacy programs and interagency family support services that help break cycles of illiteracy and poverty are provided. A chapter is set aside for offering additional ideas for developing the literacy skills of special populations of children, such as those with learning disabilities and those who speak English as a second language. In another chapter, a tour is given through a hypothetical school that reflects some of the basic themes in the book. Readers are then prompted to take a tour through their own school and look for examples of effective practices they would like to see more of, as well as ineffective practices they would like to see decreased. The final chapter of the book offers some relief to the reader, who may at this point be overwhelmed with the scope and scale of school restructuring that needs to be done. Allington and Cunningham caution, though, that there are no quick fixes in education, and that successful reform efforts are done gradually with the long view in mind. Restructuring often begins with a small group of people, or even with one person at a school. Is that person you? Do you believe that all children can learn to read and write, and would you like to help them do so? If you think so, this book could be an invaluable resource that gets you thinking about large-scale changes by starting small. Read it and pass it along to someone in your school, as someone in my school passed it along to me. Who knows what might happen next?

Because their other book, "Classrooms That Work," is such a hit with my preservice students, I ordered this one. Receiving it just today, and after browsing through and discovering on the final page reference to the the critical words, "common sense initiatives," I have a feeling we may have another winner with this book, as well.

With over ten years as a primary, intermediate, and junior high teacher, I have read lots of education books. This may end up being the book that helps me the most in helping improve myself as an educator, and in helping the school improve itself. This book was jam-packed with great ideas of what truly makes a good school. "Schools That Work" is geared for both principals, teachers, and anyone else in the education field. After reading this it makes for a great reference book. The book is well organized into the different components that make a good school. Also, it has great book, magazine, and web resources throughout the entire book. In short, buy this book without hesitation--it is that good!