Guest Author - Chris Clark

By Christine Clark

September is just around the corner and parents everywhere are breathing a sigh of relief! But as the new school year begins, so do the worries about your son's grades, study habits, homework and more. Whether your boy is just starting Kindergarten, or ready to graduate from High School, your role in his education is extremely important.

Below is a list of books that will help students of all ages!

Back To School For Rotten Ralph by Jack Gantos

Ralph experiences the ugly but familiar feelings of jealousy and selfishness when he fears he may have to share Sarah with new school friends. Gantos's skillful examination of the child's world is once again evident as the author probes a common negative emotion and suggests, but never preaches, a positive outcome.

First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg

Every child who has moved to a new school or is simply reluctant to start the school year can identify with this wittily drawn and suspensefully told story.

Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come! by Nancy L. Carlson

Henry, a mouse, is rip-roaring ready to attend school; his mother has to restrain him from racing out the door before he has washed and brushed, had breakfast, and loaded his backpack. As he and his mother walk to school, Henry bubbles over with questions and guesses about the day's activities.

Research Reports: A Guide for Middle and High School Students by Helen Sullivan, Linda Sernoff, Thomas Mann

A breezy, yet thorough book on writing reports. Sullivan and Sernoff take students step by step through the process, from selecting a topic to researching, note-taking, interviewing, writing and editing, using graphics, and compiling a bibliography.

If High School Is a Game, Here's How to Break the Rules: A Cutting Edge Guide to Becoming Yourself by Cherie Carter-Scott, Kimberly Kirberger

Beginning with "Truth #1: Your body will change" and ending with "Truth #10: Adolescence is the tunnel to your future," the author espouses 10 touchstones to help teens grin and bear it.

Flip Quiz (2nd-4th Grades)

Challenge yourself or a partner to a game of wits and knowledge with this exciting self-standing Flip Quiz. This spiral-bound flip chart can be used flat or will stand on a flat surface and has more than 1500 questions covering fifteen subjects with three levels of difficulty.

If You're Not Here, Please Raise Your Hand: Poems About School by Kalli Dakos

Ms Dakos takes everyday elementary school situations and problems, and -- through her poetry-- manages to pinpoint the goings on in every classroom in America using humor and sensitivity.

Tomas and the Library Lady by Pat Mora

Tomás and the Library Lady is the wonderfully illustrated tale of Tomás Rivera and the kind librarian who helped him learn to love books. Tomás started his life as a migrant worker and, when he died, was a university chancellor.

The Teenagers' Guide to School Outside the Box by Rebecca Greene


Greene encourages readers to think about what they are interested in and choose an opportunity to learn about it outside the classroom. Chapters explore a variety of traditional and nontraditional environments for volunteering, mentoring, alternative classes and more.

101 Ways to Get Straight A's by Robin Dellabough

This valuable guide is packed with tips, techniques, and helpful hints from the people who know best: A+ students and teachers. You'll also find charts, checklists, handy reference information, study guides, and all kinds of ways to make your homework, reports, and test results shine.

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