"We Beat the Streets"

There is a message that I one day hope to get across to my students and a message that I personally need to learn myself, at times. That message is - no excuses. "We Beat the Streets" is a compelling, eye-opening autobiography written by three Doctors: Dr. Sampson Davis, Dr. George Jenkins, and Dr. Rameck Hunt. As three young, black men from the rougher side of Newark, NJ, the odds are almost completely against them to ever get off the streets. Raised in broken homes, in shattered environments, in dangerous neighborhoods, these three young men beat all the odds to become successful, Medical Doctors.

What I love most about this book so far, is that it is a true story. As fiction, this book would be heartwarming; But, as nonfiction, this book brings me to a new level of inspiration and encouragement. I feel that as I read through each page of their hardships that I am constantly being reminded that there are no excuses. Call it luck, call it whatever you want but the only thing that got these boys off the streets was their determination to do so.

Though I am not far into this book yet, I am already encouraged by the lesson I feel this book holds. As cliche as it may sound, this is a true example of how anything is possible if you work hard enough and want it badly enough.

"Wonder" Final Post

This will be my last post on the book "Wonder" as I have just finished reading it and let me say, this book was packed FULL of emotions from beginning to end. The voices I heard inside these pages gripped me from the beginning. I grew to truly love and appreciate August as a kid brother or a student. He never ceases to amaze me. As I read, I watched a young, shy boy grow into an inspiration that learned a few tough lessons along the way. My appreciation for life and the little things can not be understated since reading this book.

The author approaches this book in such a unique way through the use of perspective outside of the main character. It is as though the main character changes from time to time and you get to read the story through his or her own eyes. This is also a huge teaching moment for me to incorporate point of view and perspective in reading.

I cannot fail to mention that I believe this book, through it's literary approach, is vital is teaching kids valuable life lessons. If I were to use this book in a classroom someday, I feel that I could make use of writing letters to the characters as they each tell their story. My hope would be that my students will begin to think critically about what is taking place, problems and solutions, cause and effect, point of view, etc. I would incorporate reading and writing skills but my underlying lesson would be also be to always choose kind. I want my classroom to have an atmosphere where everybody is equal and we are all friends despite differences. I want them to make relationships with the characters in stories. "Wonder" gives such clarity to that opportunity. A lesson of courage, growth, acceptance, equality, friendship, and kindness cannot be underestimated in days like today. I love this book!