No comments about Abundant Life: Benjamin Ide Wheeler.

5 comments about Teaching Mustafa and Other Young Terrorists: (A True Story).

1. The main problem with self publishing is that, to make a profit, you have to say outrageous things to catch the reader's attention. The real facts of the matter tend to be distorted in the process.
   
   The back material, for instance, declares that Arabic culture believes "Israel should cease to exist." This is a bizarre statement. Culture is supposed to be intrinsic and deeply rooted- why would Arab "culture" have an opinion about a state less than a century old? If she means to suggest Arabs are anti-Semitic, this is simply false: Arabic "culture" has a long-standing tradition of regarding Jews as Dhimmi, people of the book, whose right to worship is accepted. It is Europeans, not Arabs, who have deep anti-Semitic roots in their culture, as evidenced by continued persecutions from the Crusades to Black Death hysteria to the Holocaust. In any case, Qatar, the country where Mrs. Sukraw's story unfolds, is one of few Arab countries to recognize the state of Israel, and even hosts an Israeli consulate.
   
   I'm sure that Mrs. Sukraw's class was awfully behaved, and probably said things like "Mustafa wants to be a terrorist" to get a rise out of her. Her class was probably trying to push her buttons, since by her own admission she was fearful of Middle Eastern terrorism even before disembarking on Qatari soil. But it is irresponsible for Mrs. Sukraw to generalize about Middle Easterners as a whole based on this ill-behaved group of 8 kids. The country that employed her and her husband deserved better.
   
   I'm sure that the sort of people who buy a book like this do so in order to have previous prejudices confirmed, and there is little that my review can do about that. I do want prospective readers to know that I myself have lived in Qatar for 4 years now and have found the Qataris to be a gracious and welcoming people, if a little reckless on the roadways. Qatar is a key regional US ally, committed to educational reform, and committed to being a productive member of the international community, as evidenced by their bid to host the Olympics in 2016. Great disparities exist in wealth, and some people are religiously conservative, but that depiction fits Mrs. Sukraw's American Pacific Northwest home as well.
   
   If you want to read about a fairly atypical classroom experience by a woman predisposed against Arabs and their "culture", by all means read this book. Otherwise don't do her the favor of purchasing something so self-serving and irresponsible.



2. This book is simply a great read because it uses simple classroom illustrations to open up a dialog on very serious issues. The school could be any place - anywhere, student's names are fake. The author causes me to begin asking questions Americans should have been asking, such as 1) why isn't Israel included on Arab maps, 2) what have Arab leaders done to resolve the Palestinian problem, 3) where are the billions of dollars given to the Palestinian people, 4) why haven't Palestinians assimilated into neighboring countries, 5) why are Arab nations always pointing their finger to western nations to solve their problems, 6) why is the middle east in such a mess??? Is it because old tribal customs still practiced today or their own teachings of hatred and revenge are causing them to implode? Let's begin asking real questions about real issues prevalent in this book. I'd be seriously interested in interviewing this author!



3. In the past ten years, I have witnessed much change. I do not agree with this author's opinion on everything, but it helps me see Qatar through a western point of view. I agree that we need to encourage and allow more differences, limit or stop honor killings, marriage to close relatives, prejudice toward people with disabilities or those with less fortunate abilities than ourselves. I agree that the teaching of revenge interferes with the rule of law, and no one should be teaching hatred, especially a teacher. I don't agree that we have done the least to help the Palestinians. It is a difficult problem but not recognizing Israel does not help us either. I laughed most hard about the students - what funny descriptions - but I noticed how respectful they were of the teacher and they shared their opinions with each other. As for being terrorists on the roads, we are and I would much rather drive in London! Change has been good for us and I also believe that Qatar will be a leader for the Middle East and all the problems. Education will give us a more positive future. Thanks also to my son for helping me write a better book review.



4. This author has perfectly described the school I taught at in Kuwait for seven years. It is a very difficult go for a woman teacher, as a woman (including mother) can not tell a male child of 12 what to do. What is not said in the book is how teachers were required to remove or tear out pages from the history book that had to do with Israel. There are now excellent books out written by Ph.D.'s in Islamic History that fully support what this author is stating. Islam teaches destruction of Jews, and acceptable forms of Jihad include deception. Many schools throughout the gulf area have as required reading Hitler's book about ridding the world of Jews and ANYONE who has spent any length of time in the Middle East knows this. "People of the book" who live in Muslim lands can not testify in court against a Muslim, may not work in a position of power over a Muslim, must pay a heavy tax, remove themselves from the sidewalk a Muslim walks on, etc. I left Kuwait recently because a principal was detained at the airport because she disciplined a Kuwaiti youth. All this information is on the web site warning international teachers away from the Middle East. Check international schools review. Also, check authors with Ph.D.s in Islamic History and you will find this book is RIGHT ON THE MONEY!!!!!



5. This is not a book about a school, it is a book about an Arab culture that does not allow freedom of speech, freedom of religion, or the freedom of personal expression, including sexual preference. Betrayal is supporting suicide bombing, lawlessness, honor killings, child rape, forced marriage in adolescence. Betrayal is supporting the destruction of Israel. Betrayal is staying silent in the face of terrorism and lawlessness, teaching the right to avenge yourself by destroying lives and property. For any American who values the Bill of Rights this is a priority read. You will identify with the "characters," but stay focused on the real issues this book addresses. In its simplicity, it allows you to grasp the seriousness of the Middle East and why problems there may be insurmountable. As a publisher I rated it 4 because of its readability and the need for the average American to wake up to the critical nature of the Middle East crisis. I seriously doubt Qatar will pull the "rabbit out of the hat" with education, but it is a badly needed start.

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1 comments about Perry and The Professor: A Prairie Dog Story.

1. This story could only happen to a dedicated lover of all creatures. A biology teacher with a passion for his work comes across a baby Prairy Dog. The mother was dead, so he takes it home and gives it the care necessary to keep it alive. When the baby was strong enough he took it to school and shared the experiences with his students. This tale is so fascinating that I was happy that it was a short story, because I couldnt put it down until I read the entire story. What a life this Prairie Dog led. Great story I recommend it to everyone, regardless of their age.

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No comments about Candle By Night: The Story Of The Life And Times Of Kezia Payne De Pelchin, Texas Pioneer Teacher, Social Worker And Nurse.

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