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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
Mr. Lincoln is one of those principal's you would never forget. He's one of those unusually "cool" principals who makes every effort to be a part of the children's lives at his school. But there is one kid who he hasn't been able to get through to yet. "Mean Gene", your typical "bad" student and problem child who uses racial slurs, bullies other kids and puts in little academic effort. Through his love of birds, Mr. Lincoln decides to help the "troubled" Eugene Esterhause and find a way to understand him better. He learns that the reason Gene acts the way he does goes back to him and his dad's relationship and finds out that Gene used to live with his Grandpa who helped him discover a love for ornithology. The book ends on a positive note with Mr. Lincoln "finding a way" and will put a smile on your face.
I fell in love with this book's depiction of how one person can change a child's life. Mr. Lincoln never lectures but his lessons on bullying and acceptance are the perfect way to reach a child.
Beautiful story of a principal helping to bring out the humanity in an angry, acting-out child. The child, who is white, expresses racial prejudice toward the principal who is African American. The principal responds with compassion and helps him to find something he is truly excited about, so that he feels like a part of the school community.
One thing that was difficult for me in reading this to my kids is that at one point the child starts to call the principal the "n-word" - he stops before actually saying it, so the sentence cuts off with "n-". I think it's important to explain racial realities to my kids but this is one word I really don't want to introduce to them.
One thing that was difficult for me in reading this to my kids is that at one point the child starts to call the principal the "n-word" - he stops before actually saying it, so the sentence cuts off with "n-". I think it's important to explain racial realities to my kids but this is one word I really don't want to introduce to them.
Nice picture book with a message. Good for the classroom. I am also always a sucker for stories that explain inspiration for becoming a teacher.
A beautifully written and moving book about how much kids learn from adults, both positive and negative, and the impact we can have on others without truly realizing it. This would make a lovely read aloud for upper elementary grades and should spark some thoughtful conversations.
Classic Polacco. Love her illustrations and books.
This is a wonderful story that teaches in a very nice way the importance of respecting the differences between people. Mr. Lincoln, the "coolest principal in the whole world" finds a way to reach the school bully through his interest in birds. This story is based on a real school in Michigan with a courtyard where mallard ducks nest each year and are led through the halls of the school to the pond outside.