ASB Book of the Week

Daniel Pink, the bestselling author of A Whole New MInd, has written an exceptional career guide with award winning manga artist, Rob Ten Pas.  This guide can be read in one sitting and gives the reader six points to remember in surviving in today’s career world.  The main character, Johnny Bunko, manages to learn a great deal from the chopstick warding guru Dianna.  Bunko–which actually gets defined as “a mistake from which the benefits of what you’ve learned exceed the costs of the screw up,” may be the ultimate lesson to be learned from this book, but there are others.  Some sample lessons are ”there is no plan” or “it’s not about you.”  There are three more lessons to learn from this book, so I’ll leave it to you to find out.  The theme of this manga comic holds the answers to professional career success as we move forward in today’s changing world.

This is an absolutely beautiful book!  The graphics, photos, and display of text make a memorable impression on the reader.  The content is also valuable: this book is a tribute to seven individuals who helped to shape Carnatic music.  Carnatic music refers to music of the linguistic southern region of India found between the Eastern Ghats and the Coromandel coast.  The Carnatic region is now a part of the Madras state.  For those interested in the history and vastness of India’s music, this is a must read for understanding a special form of music. 

For graduating seniors, college is just around the corner.  As exciting as this is, some anxiety–whether admitted or not–is about to be experienced by either or both parents and students.  In I’ll Miss You Too, the authors offer a guide for what will change, what will not, and how to stay connected with those left behind. This book is filled with helpful tips and suggestions to help prepare for the exciting and at times difficult feelings ahead.  Here’s an anonymous quote found in the book: “Mom’s homemade chicken soup isn’t just a meal; it is the culinary equivalent of a hug.”

In this story a street girl discovers her true identity.  Through a series of extraordinary adventures and events, Azura learns to know she is actually a legendary hero!  Accompanying this novel are crafted black and white drawings also made by the author.  This exciting story is written in short chapters filled with dialogue.  The author, Shaiyra Devi, is currently in 9th grade at the American School of Bombay.  She wrote this book at 14 years of age while living and studying in Hong Kong.