| Leslie Baldacci, Inside Mrs. B.’s Classroom: Courage, Hope and Learning on Chicago’s South Side. After 25 years of journalism at the Sun-Times (often about education), Baldacci decided to become a teacher. This book is a journal of her struggles and accomplishments in an inner city high school classroom. |
| Po Bronson, What Should I Do with my Life: The True Story of People Who Answered the Ultimate Question. 50 true profiles of people searching for their “true calling” in life. Covers people from all over the U.S. and all levels of the socio-economic spectrum. Provides guidance for self-discovery for the reader. |
| Jimmy Carter, An Hour Before Daylight. Memoir of the former president growing up on a farm in pre-Civil Rights Georgia, the book discusses the people who would serve as the greatest influences on his life. |
| Jean Illsley Clark, How Much is Enough? Everything You Need to Know to Steer Clear of Overindulgence and Raise Likeable, Responsible and Respectful Children – From Toddlers to Teens. Title pretty much says it all. |
| Tracy Kidder, Mountains Beyond Mountains: Healing the World: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer. About an incredibly altruistic and brilliant doctor who has devoted his life to reducing human suffering, particularly in the Central Plateau of Haiti where he has created clinics that provide effective healthcare to thousands of people. |
| Mike Koehler, Coaching Character at Home. Teacher/counselor/coach Koehler describes 7 principles for building character in children: connectedness, control, commitment, consistency, cooperation, conscience, and competition. |
| Dorothy Law Nolte, Teenagers Learn What They Live.. Practical parenting advice for raising adolescents, based on the maxim that children learn from their parents’ examples. |
| Mark Salzman, True Notebooks. Famous author volunteered to teach writing at Los Angeles’ Central Juvenile Hall to youngsters who had been convicted of very serious offenses. He found that he could help boys find their better self through their writing. |
| Jane Stern, Ambulance Girl: How I Saved Myself by Becoming an EMT. 52 year old famous food author went into deep depression and decided to take an EMT training course. She learned that in helping others she was also able to help herself. Written with wry humor and warmth. |
