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“Charter Schools: The Ultimate Handbook for Parents” by Karin Piper is not only helpful and informative, but fun and interesting to read. As a new charter school administrator and former charter school teacher and board member, I was eager to learn more about the perspective of charter school parents.
The book is clearly written and offers insight into many areas of the charter school experience, from what a charter school is to how to open a school yourself. Although I already have experience with charter schools as a professional educator, I found this book to be full of helpful information. Ms. Piper also offers a delightful sense of humor throughout the book, which I think most parents will appreciate.
The resources in this book are vast, and not only is this book helpful to parents, but I found “Charter Schools” invaluable as a leader of a charter school. My goal in the near future is to open a charter school of my own, and this book offered many helpful resources for my journey. Thank you, Ms. Piper, for your hard work in gathering so much information in one easy-to-read book.
“Charter Schools: The Ultimate Handbook for Parents” by Karin Piper is not only helpful and informative, but fun and interesting to read. As a new charter school administrator and former charter school teacher and board member, I was eager to learn more about the perspective of charter school parents.
The book is clearly written and offers insight into many areas of the charter school experience, from what a charter school is to how to open a school yourself. Although I already have experience with charter schools as a professional educator, I found this book to be full of helpful information. Ms. Piper also offers a delightful sense of humor throughout the book, which I think most parents will appreciate.
The resources in this book are vast, and not only is this book helpful to parents, but I found “Charter Schools” invaluable as a leader of a charter school. My goal in the near future is to open a charter school of my own, and this book offered many helpful resources for my journey. Thank you, Ms. Piper, for your hard work in gathering so much information in one easy-to-read book.
Reviewed by Christine Watson for Reader Views (12/09)
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“Reindeer with King Gustaf: What to Expect When Your Spouse Wins the Nobel Prize” is a humorous account of the Nobel experience of Robert Laughlin, told by his wife Anita. In 1998, Robert Laughlin won the Nobel Prize in Physics. This very prestigious award brings a whirlwind of publicity to the winner with several required appointments and visits in the company of important people. Topped off by the presentation of the award is a weeklong celebration of pomp and circumstance as well as much joviality in Stockholm, Sweden.
Robert Laughlin, a professor at Stanford, and his family were awakened in the middle of the night with news of his win. The next day began the crazy press formalities. Mrs. Laughlin did a great job reviewing in detail all of the events that unfolded from that nighttime phone call. Wishing she had a guide as to the particulars of what to expect in the upcoming months gave Mrs. Laughlin the idea for this book. I am sure that families of future Nobel Prize winners will make "Reindeer with King Gustaf" required reading. Mr. Laughlin even provided illustrations throughout.
As a woman, I can relate to the "What to wear?" question to events, but I could never imagine the grand scale of having to plan visits with the President of the U.S. and the King and Queen of Sweden. Her humorous account of falling pantyhose and slippery shoes had me chuckling. While I honestly never gave much thought to the Nobel Prize winning experience beyond noting the winners on occasion, I found the book entertaining and educational. Don't reject this book because you are not a super smart scientist who follows only academic journals. Even "People" magazine readers, like me, who never even took a Physics class, will enjoy "Reindeer with King Gustaf." Author Anita Laughlin has perfected the ability to attract readers even beyond the scientific crowd. Its personable tone is very enjoyable. I will definitely pay more attention when the next Nobel Prize winners are announced.
Robert Laughlin, a professor at Stanford, and his family were awakened in the middle of the night with news of his win. The next day began the crazy press formalities. Mrs. Laughlin did a great job reviewing in detail all of the events that unfolded from that nighttime phone call. Wishing she had a guide as to the particulars of what to expect in the upcoming months gave Mrs. Laughlin the idea for this book. I am sure that families of future Nobel Prize winners will make "Reindeer with King Gustaf" required reading. Mr. Laughlin even provided illustrations throughout.
As a woman, I can relate to the "What to wear?" question to events, but I could never imagine the grand scale of having to plan visits with the President of the U.S. and the King and Queen of Sweden. Her humorous account of falling pantyhose and slippery shoes had me chuckling. While I honestly never gave much thought to the Nobel Prize winning experience beyond noting the winners on occasion, I found the book entertaining and educational. Don't reject this book because you are not a super smart scientist who follows only academic journals. Even "People" magazine readers, like me, who never even took a Physics class, will enjoy "Reindeer with King Gustaf." Author Anita Laughlin has perfected the ability to attract readers even beyond the scientific crowd. Its personable tone is very enjoyable. I will definitely pay more attention when the next Nobel Prize winners are announced.
Reviewed by Marcy Blesy for Reader Views (01/10)
