#2: from Mrs. Shults, Literacy Coach

Randy Pausch is the author of this unique auto-biography, The Last Lecture. Pausch is a professor at Carnegie-Mellon University who has terminal cancer. As a legacy to his young children, Pausch delivers his “last” lecture to his students. The lecture becomes a guide for living a full and contented life.

I strongly recommend this book. It did not make me cry. Pausch writes about how to live life in a way that will make your childhood dreams come true. His own life pays tribute to this philosophy. This is an inspiring story of a man who knows how to live.

#1: From Mrs. Andrews - IB 6

The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less, by Terry Ryan is the true story of her mother’s ability to overcome the challenges of raising ten children and managing life with an alcoholic husband by winning money from jingle writing contests.

This is my all time favorite summer read...having grown up with 5 brothers and 2 sisters, I could relate. Plus, the title is perfect for any LA teacher. This book had me laughing out loud at the beach and also sobbing (much to my children's horror and embarrassment!)