Recommended Summer Reading

I have read a few books recently that I would highly recommend . When he is included in history books at all, Nat Turner's is usually mentioned only as the leader of an unsuccessful slave uprising that led to a more militant proslavery stance. In contrast, 101Changemakers: Rebels and Radicals Who Changed U.S. History, presents Turner as a person with a life story and a legacy that "inspired those opposed to slavery". You will read about people you know any some you never hear of that have made a difference. The book, edited by Michelle Bollinger and Dao X. Tran, uses Turner and others to inspire a new generation of rebels and radical. This book is good for middle school and up.

The Night Dad Went to Jail, by Melissa Higgins, takes readers into the life of a young child whose father is arrested and sent to prison. Information is provided throughout for parents and teachers to use as discussion builders with your child or students. It offers crucial insights that every educator needs. Good for elementary and up.

Based on the same character that inspired the Trevor Project (a national organization support LGBTQ youth), Trevor by James Lencesne brings home the importance of embracing uniqueness and celebrating diversity. From humorous rants about class assignment to sobering account to attempted suicide, Trevor gives the reader a glimpse if what it's like to be an LGBT teen. For mature middle school youth, high school and up.

Almost half a century has passed since the civil right movement, but the hunger for equality, the courage in the face of brutality and the awful patience necessary to outwit the slow pace of social change live on in the poems complied in Words of Protest, Words of Freedom: Poetry of the American Civil Rights Movement and Era, edited by Jeffery Lamar Coleman. This collection of poems takes you straight to the heart of the civil rights movement. Middle and high school.

Hunted, by Cheryl Raindfield, imagines a world where "Paranormals" (psychics and telekinetics) are oppressed and enslaved by "Normals". This young-adult novel, which reminds readers of the need for action and advocacy on the behalf of people without a voice, is a great tool to for discussions about social-justice issues. Middle and high school.

No More Teasing, a Kate Woo book by Fran Manushkin, tells a kid-friendly story of why teasing hurts-and how to stop it. It's easy for kids to understand and I recommend it for elementary school.

Enjoy your summer reading, for more recommendations on youth and adult books you can find me at kidsbookstomakeadifferencea@blogspot.com  or www.debrastutoring.com and my Facebook page Debra's Tutoring.

Debra's Tutoring A introduction and information on how to... Put The Brakes On The Summer Slide

I am a retired teacher in Vacaville, California, with 31 years of classroom experience and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Bachelor of Arts in Multicultural Studies and Master in Education. My experience has bought me to the conclusion that the one-size-fits-all approach to education doesn't work. I highly value and encourage a child's natural curiosity, and I strongly believe learning can be exciting and fun for anyone when the effort is made to discover and develop one's unique strengths and style of learning.

With this in mind, I came out of retirement to dedicate myself to giving children the individualized attention they need to gain confidence in themselves and to reach their full potential no matter what their circumstances with expert tutoring in Vacaville, California. It is not just knowledge that I wish to instill in my students, but also the ability to think for themselves, and I structure tasks as a tutor in Vacaville so that even young children can analyze and reflect on what they are learning. Developing effective mental habits is of vital importance to the learning process and will greatly enrich all areas of life beyond just academics.

I also believe that every student deserves equal access to high-quality educational services, so I maintain the flexibility with tutoring near Sacramento to be able to work around each family's unique logistics and in budgeting and best times and locations to meet. I offer my services because I want to see children succeed, so don't hesitate to call to find out how I can work with you.

Put The Brakes On The Summer Slide

The school year is wrapping up and most students won't see the inside of a classroom for months. To kids, this means vacation, but to teachers it means lots of catch-up in the fall. According to a study by the John Hopkins' Center for Summer Learning, without summer educational programs, the average student falls two months behind in his/her math and reading skills. To"put the brakes on the summer slide", I offer affordable, summer programs. I will set up an individualized summer program designed to keep your student on pace, moving forward and preparing for the new school year. With no homework and fewer distractions, I've found summer to be a powerful learning time. Inquire at Debra's Tutoring on how to give your student a jump start.

707-628-8590
www.debrastutoring.com