Inspired Readings

James and the Giant Peach. Where the Sidewalk Ends. The Little House . As I watch my kids start to tackle books on their own, I vividly remember these gems from the beginning of my life as a reader.

My wife, who’s a high school English teacher, rattles off titles she’s seen captivate her students over the years—The Great Gatsby, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Outsiders. It was reading To Kill a Mockingbird in high school, in fact, that made her want to be a teacher.

To help you recapture that same spark, we asked your colleagues to recommend books to help hone your craft, to inspire, and to share; you’ll see their picks on page 24, and more at www.neatoday.org. It’s a way to end the school year on a note that, we hope, will stoke your own imaginations this summer—and throughout the year to come.

Thanks to all of you who’ve taken the time to inspire us with stories of your own during this school year. In all of your shared experiences, it’s your dedication, your hard work, and your optimism that shine through. Please keep them coming, and here’s hoping your school year has a storybook ending—we’ll be back in September.

In the meantime contact us.

Editor Mark Toner