August 2022 Bookshelf
Books 10 August 2022
Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention — and How to Think Deeply Again
Johann Hari
As technology has advanced, our attention spans have shrunk, drastically. Social media plays a major part but is not the only factor. Through interviews, research, and personal experiments (for example, taking three months off the grid) Johann Hari explores this phenomenon — including its impact on our country’s youth — and what can be done about it. This book is for anyone looking to reclaim their time and get back to focusing on what matters most.
Finding the Magic in Middle School: Tapping Into the Power and Potential of the Middle School Years
Chris Balme
The middle school years are a unique time for young people — one of self-discovery and emotional development. In Finding the Magic in Middle School, co-founder of Millennium School and Director of Argonaut, Chris Balme, provides an empowering guide that helps readers explore questions like: How do we help middle schoolers discover who they are, enjoy friendships, and manage their growing emotions? What kinds of learning experiences will keep them curious and motivated? If you are seeking to better support a middle school learner in your life as a parent, educator, mentor, or family member, this is the book for you.
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City
Matthew Desmond
Over 11% of Americans are living in poverty. It can be hard to grasp, no matter our lived experiences, just how significant and society-wide the forces are that are working against them. In Evicted, sociologist Matthew Desmond follows eight families in Milwaukee as they each navigate paying rent, buying groceries, and providing for their families. Evicted highlights issues in our society that often go unnoticed or undiscussed and, as learner-centered leaders, gives us new perspectives from which we can better support the families and children in our communities.
The Stolen Year
Anya Kamenetz
In many areas of the United States, schools are more than just about their academic role in a child’s life — they often provide meals, heat, and other social and emotional support structures to children. The pandemic changed this, bringing many of these services to an abrupt halt. Such a fragile and inequitable system was not able to quickly adjust to the needs of the most vulnerable students. In The Stolen Year, NPR education reporter Anya Kamenetz follows several families in America as they face losses, hardships, and challenges but show their resilience throughout. Available on August 23, this book is for readers who wish to reassess what COVID taught us about the needs of our children and how the current education system impacts their lives.
Rolling Warrior: The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward, True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped Spark a Revolution
Judith Heumann and Kristen Joiner
After becoming paralyzed from contracting polio as a baby, Judith Heumann faced many challenges in life — from being deemed a “fire hazard” in kindergarten to being denied a teaching job after doctors said she was mentally unfit. In the wake of all life threw her way, Judith turned to activism, tirelessly working to make a difference and laying the groundwork for the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. This inspiring work showcases what’s possible when adversity is transformed into motivation.
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