About the Book This book is dedicated to my students who over the years inspired me and instilled in me a greater love of this profession. –Joseph Rue About the Author Joseph Rue (Joe) was born and grew up in Brooklyn. This is where his story began. As a youth, his family moved from New York to Madrid, Spain. A love of traveling and a wanderlust were an integral part of his life. He experienced different cultures having lived in Spain for ten years and having spent time in Ireland and China. Furthermore, he visited countless other countries. This book consists of a compilation of stories which he experienced over the course of his lifetime. Hopefully, you will find these to be interesting, fun, and in some cases, funny. His first love was teaching which he cultivated for close to 40 years and which plays a major role in these stories. Joe had the privilege of teaching one year at St. John's Prep, one year at Fordham Prep, and 37 years at Rye Country Day School. He received great pleasure teaching Biology and Forensic Science, and thoroughly enjoyed working with his talented and enthusiastic students. Along with being a science teacher, Joe has been a fencing coach since 1987 when he started the fencing program at Rye Country Day School. Joe is currently retired and lives in Hartsdale, NY. He is married to his wife who he met in Tokyo, Japan. Joe continues his travels and still visits his family in Madrid usually twice a year.

The science and technology of producing and using plants for food, fiber, fuel and land reclamation is called agronomy. It integrates the principles of soil science, plant genetics, plant physiology and meteorology. Plant breeding is an important tool of agronomy. The selective breeding of plants has resulted in the production of crops with enhanced yields and nutritional value. This has been observed in major crops such as wheat, corn and soybeans. There has also been a significant use of biotechnology to extend and expedite the development of crop varieties with desired traits. Modern agronomy also focuses on soil analysis to determine the soil that is most conducive to plant growth. These analyses aid in balancing soil nutrients for optimum results. The ever growing need of advanced agricultural technology is the reason that has fueled the research in the field of agronomy in recent times. This book is a compilation of chapters that discuss the most vital concepts and emerging trends in agronomy. Coherent flow of topics, student-friendly language and extensive use of examples make it an invaluable source of knowledge.

Dear Black Girls is a letter to all Black girls. Every day poet and educator Shanice Nicole is reminded of how special Black girls are and of how lucky she is to be one. Illustrations by Kezna Dalz support the book's message that no two Black girls are the same but they are all special--that to be a Black girl is a true gift. In this celebratory poem, Kezna and Shanice remind young readers that despite differences, they all deserve to be loved just the way they are.