Keep This Spark Alive In Them | Ryan Holiday

The book tells the story of Chloe, who ignores and excludes a new student, Maya, due to her appearance and clothing. When Maya eventually moves away, Chloe reflects on her actions and the lesson her teacher, Ms. Albert, teaches about the ripple effect of kindness. The story emphasizes the power of kindness and the consequences of unkindness, leaving readers to ponder their own actions and the importance of treating others with kindness.

This book tells the dramatic story of Wilbur and Orville Wright, two bicycle mechanics from Dayton, Ohio, who changed history by inventing the first powered, heavier-than-air aircraft. David McCullough paints a rich picture of the brothers’ intelligence, determination, and strong familial bonds. Despite lacking formal engineering education, they persevered through relentless experimentation and sharp business instincts. The narrative highlights their exceptional courage, intellectual curiosity, and mechanical ingenuity, as well as the broader historical and societal context in which they worked. McCullough also reflects on the darker implications of their invention and its impact on the world.

In 'Reading for Our Lives,' Maya Payne Smart challenges the conventional approach to literacy by arguing that reading aloud is not enough to ensure school readiness. The book provides a clear roadmap for parents to nurture language and literacy development from infancy through early elementary years. It combines personal stories, historical accounts, scholarly research, and practical tips to help parents create a literacy-rich environment. Smart highlights the urgency of literacy, addresses inequities in reading achievement, and offers actionable steps to integrate literacy-rich habits into daily family life without special tools or materials.

The Road is set in a world that has been devastated by an unspecified cataclysmic event, resulting in the extinction of nearly all life on Earth. The story follows an unnamed father and his young son as they travel south along the road, carrying their meager possessions and a pistol with only two bullets. The father, suffering from a worsening respiratory condition, is determined to protect his son from the dangers of their new world, including cannibalistic marauders. Along their journey, they encounter various survivors, some of whom are cruel and others who show kindness. The novel explores themes of love, survival, and the preservation of humanity in a world devoid of hope. Ultimately, the father's health fails, and he dies, but not before ensuring his son's safety with a new family who may offer a chance for a better future.