Kathy Greeley narrates her year-long journey with a group of "typical" eighth graders in Cambridge, MA. This group had a six-year span in reading levels (and presumably math, too, but her job was Engligh/history/language arts). Coming with the "social-emotional learning" focus and Coalition of Essential Schools tenents, she crafted a marvelous experience for these kids--one well worth reading.

She shows what a very bright, dedicated, and resourceful teacher can do.

She clearly is above-the-norm.

It appears that her classroom was pre-MCAS, which is the standardized testing that takes place throughout Massachusetts at the end of the eighth grade. Therefore, her evidence of growth is limited to her description, which is moving and compelling. The biggest gap in the social-emotional learning "camp," however, is the lack of documentation of superior growth on standardized measures. This reflects the fractious divide in American education, unfortunately, between the "conservative" back-to-basics and Let's-test-'em crowd and the more "liberal" multiple-intelligences and learn-better-when-you-work-well-together group. Could we not ask the conservatives and liberals to show multiple outcomes to the good work they both do? Greeley cannot be faulted for this problem, obviously, and her work deserves serious thought.

It appears from the back of the book that Ms. Greeley is still teaching. Good for her! Good luck!

Sooner or later, every teacher encounters the class from hell. This book is Ms. Greeley's account of the year it happened to her.

The story is told in a fast-paced and engaging style, and it is a great read as a tale of academic adventure. But it is also the story of a group of middle school students who learned deep and surprising lessons, and the reader learns along with them: the intangibles at the core of a really good education that no test will ever be able to measure, the difference between a "values education" that teaches *about* values, and one that provides a hands-on engagement with lived values learned in real time.

Above all, it provides a model, concrete and down to earth rather than airily utopian, of how the pious adult slogan of "no child left behind" can take on flesh and bone; how the determination to leave none of the others behind can become the real social cement that binds a classroom of students to each other, and to the enterprise of learning. This book flies in the face of the current conventional wisdoms that make education a matter of pouring a sufficient quantity of sufficiently standardized facts into the inert heads of students. But it is presented with such freshness and clarity, so free of educatorese or political cant, so focused on walking, talking, breathing children, that even the most ardent proponents of schools as efficient knowledge factories are likely to find themselves disarmed.

We follow an acorn from the time it was first shaken from the mother tree to its death. (Well, that sounds harsh but it is true.) Very charming little book. Each page has a little rhyming ditty where the acorn asks who helped him get along to the next stage of his life and then there is a reply. The sentences are on one page and the opposite page is a beautiful illustration of a forest scene depicting the tree's life stage. It is hard to describe, but one example is that the question is about who made him strong and the reply is the Earth and then the illustration is of a wide, strong oak tree with a horse standing next to it. Each illustration includes at least one type of wild animal close to the tree. The change of seasons is seen. The book ends with the tree having been old and rotting and then cut down to a stump, with the seeds scattered at its' roots and the seed promising to tell the acorn's story.

I love this book! I especially am interested in nature books. The life span of the tree is a topic rarely depicted in a picture book. I also love the change of seasons being shown and the various wildlife animals in the illustrations. Illustrations of the animals are life-like (not cartoon-ish).

Anne Reilly is beautiful, successful ... and terribly afraid. Demons from her past have come back to haunt her as her Chicago art gallery exhibits a notorious mad priest's paintings of obsession and horror. Suddenly Anne finds herself slipping into a hell she cannot escape, unable to free herself to the fulfilling love of the man she so desperately needs. Father Blackie Ryan and other "angels" of the faith now join in her struggle against the mystery that threatens her life and her sanity -- against the terror of things seen through a glass darkley, and feelings that lie closest to the heart ..." The Chicago Sun-Times called this book: "Devilishly good!" and the Richmond Times Dispatch called it: "The best this prolific author has produced." Clearly and excellent story!

Contains very well-illustrated anatomic descriptions of orthopedic approaches. An essential manual for any veterinarian interested in small animal orthopedic surgery.

Only Butterick and Creely could have demonstrated the significance that Charles Olson imparted upon the world of post-modern poetry. For those familiar and unfamiliar with the works of this poet, this collection, although only a mere smattering of the magnitude of Olson, provides an imposing insight to the depth and mastery of modern poetry.

Hjalmar Schacht has been reviled by many as the man who financed Hitler's plan for world war. In fact he was tried at Nuremberg for that very thing. But he was acquitted (by the skin of his teeth!). Here he presents his view of what he accomplished as President of the Reichsbank (at two different times) and as Minister of Finance -- and why he quit. Although autobiographies of those who knew Hitler and worked with him are generally self-serving to acquit themselves of blame, Schacht's is one of the most believable. For those of us who know nothing of the machinations of world economics, this book is a fascinating, and easy to read, presentation.

Having read primarily Andrew M. Greeley's novels since 1982, I discovered through his Web Page a host of non-fiction titles which I began checking some out from ABQ's Library Branch. I was intrigued by the title. Knowing his choice of titles is usually his way of "playing" with his readers, I wondered just how open his memoir would be. Also, having read almost every novel as well as his column over the years, I was curious about how much these novels reflected the author. I was amazed how Greeley trusts his readers, creating an intimacy which I would dearly appreciate from a parish priest. What a model of integrity for any priest! Greeley is a master story teller in his novels but he demonstrates a superior skill in creating a memoir that is honest, insightful and critical while maintaining a delicate balance between personal history and motives as well as creating a special bond with the individual bond. Reading this book, I felt as though Greeley was having an intimate chat with only me, in much the same relationship as Blackie Ryan and one of his Irish Tribe! I appreciate Greeley's ability to write with phenomenal intelligence yet never patronizing the reader. Reading his memoirs has brought me insights into my own life and history so that Greeley is not just a priest and author but also a teacher and counselor. I also think that he is too hard on himself. In any event, I have to OWN this book as I own all his novels. I just purchased Furthermore: memoirs of a parish priest and this one to have handy as my "reference for living!" I recommend Confessions of a Parish Priest for all readers of intelligence for so many reasons. Regardless of religion, any discerning reader would be entertained, educated and satisfied "chatting" with this very special author and parish priest. I even read this aloud to my civil engineer husband! He was amazed. I learned so much about myself in the process. I tell everyone about it and think there should be a re-printing of this book...it is timely even today. Do yourself a favor and read Confessions of a Parish Priest. I wish this was required reading for every priest and minister and rabbi. All married couples and soon-to-marry folks would be relieved to read this book. He validates the laity, honors marital love and celebrates young people. His only "flaw" is that he believes in the goodness of people, the wisdom of married couples and trust in our youth. Reading this book was for me better than a vacation; I will revisit it frequently to refresh my mind, to uplift my spirit and restore my soul!

This was the first Greeley novel I read and it is still one of my top three favorites. Sometimes it is still on the shelf at major bookstores, and it's definitely worth the pleasure of trip to a used book shop. The characters are unforgettable!

I think Fr. Greeley is courageous to share even one prayer journal with another soul. Yet, he's done this three times before! I confess to having read all of those he's published. In this volume, I see a man very much in love with God and life and people. I, also, see a man journeying through life's seasons--very human and realizing he doesn't have as many "Summers" left in his life as before. The deaths of Cardinal Bernardin, Archbishop Thomas Murphy of Seattle, and those of his former seminary classmates brought this painful awareness to light. Greeley, then, suffers a health crisis when a ruptured diverticulum assails his usually good health.

However, Greeley paints himself as a "Child of Summer" and a "Child of Christmas." He admits on November 18, 1995, "Five weeks to Christmas and I've already put up the tree and arrayed my vast number of crib scenes. I have Christmas music playing on the stereo and I'm bringing Christmas disks down to the car this afternoon! ."

Through the illustrated "seasons" of this part of Greeley's life covered in this journal we peek at just a few of the multi facets which make this man's life so unique and endearing. We learn that Cardinal Martini reads Greeley's novels "...in part, for the humor in them."

One of my own favorite fantasies is to go home and do nothing! (In real life, it never happens!) However, I found a kindred sentiment in Greeley's comment, "I wish only that I could go to Grand Beach now and do nothing."

The reader tiptoes behind the scenes to learn of novels in progress and share in their completion. I've also found it interesting to see what books and movies Fr. Greeley has read and seen. Usually, I find if he's enjoyed them I will, too! However, lest you think I'm a "Dittohead" of Greeley, we have radically different political points of view. However, I'm willing to allow that we needn't become clones of one another to appreciate the fine and wonderful things each person o! ffers.

It was a privilege for me to "tag along" for this ! part of the journey. I thank Fr. Greeley for so generously sharing and giving me such hope, inspiration, and the unmistakable belief that God intimately loves us in a powerful, personal way!

This book is written by a world class planetary geologist. In it, he has done an excellent job of bringing together the diverse threads of the planetary geology. The book is written on an introductory level, and so the language is not so technical that a novice cannot follow it. However, it might be helpful for the reader who has no background to read another introductory text first (this would then act as an 'upper level' introductory text). The book is strewn with quarter to full page photographs from the various space missions to the planets--and indeed, it is the best illustrated introductory text available. The author does provide a good overview of all the geological processes and imaging technology in his initial chapters, which is then followed by his descriptions of the planets. Overall, this text gets a very good recommendation, and readers will find themselves engrossed in the spectacular photography for hours on end