In Denver, Robin (a.ka. Bird) is in with the cool clique. They wear the same clothes, talk the same way, and pick on the same girls. But when her Mom hears about a cruel prank against a less popular girl, she isn't going to tolerate the Queen Bee behavior. Within 24 hours, she pulls up stakes and moves them both to Prairie Dog, Oklahoma. Bird is positively furious, and she's going get revenge on her hippy artist mother. In fact, revenge is the only thing keeping her going in the remote town. How she's going to get it, though, she's not sure yet. When she goes to register at the local middle school, she's mistaken for the interim school principal. Who is Bird to correct the mistake when a prank like this will really get payback on her mom? Though she won't be able to pull this off forever, Bird's determined to make her mark on the middle school before she's found out. But life in the principal's chair is going to give her quite an unexpected change in perspective.

During the school day, fifth-grader Allie West is an outsider. Everyone knows the principal's kid might tattle to her mom! But after school, Allie is an insider. She's friendly with the janitor, knows the shortest routes around the building, and hangs out with the Afters, a group of misfits whose parents are teachers at their school. Although Allie secretly loves her insider life, she's sick of being an outsider—so she vows to join the Pentagon, the popular math team led by her ex–best friend. But can Allie change her status without betraying where she really belongs?

A college grad has specific questions when trying to land the first job after school. How are just a few candidates chosen from a stack of hundreds of resumes? What exactly do recruiters want to hear in an interview? What are the common job-hunting mistakes students make time and time again? Confessions of a Recruiting Director gives the inside scoop on the entire hiring process- from a top recruiting director who's seen and heard it all-and delivers a specific, step-by-step approach to beating the odds. Step 1: Resumes-how to pass the 15 Second Test Step 2: Networking-how to use connections to get a job Step 3: Cover Letters-why nine out of ten never get read Step 4: Ace the Interview- the shocking truth about what recruiters want Step 5: Thank-You Notes- making a lasting impression Step 6: Follow Up-the fine line between persistence and stalking Plus: Real-life before-and-after resumes, cover letters, thank-you notes and the answers to ten necessary interview questions.

Confessions of a Public School Teacher: A 35-Year Veteran's Assessment on How Public Education Can Make the Grade By: Michael Marra A veteran teacher of 35 years, Michael Marra believes deeply in education’s power to change lives. His enthusiasm for helping children realize their full potential lies at the core of his lessons. His efforts to make history and economics classes relevant to students’ lives, both inside and outside the classroom, permeate his lively teaching style. Marra’s philosophy on how best to improve our public schools does not sit well with teacher unions. He believes strongly that tenure, seniority and near-endless due process protect poor performing teachers and need swift, meaningful revision. On this, Marra is unwavering, and he presents refreshing suggestions for unlocking what he believes have become the greatest shackles on American schools. Readers will be well informed to make their own assessment on these critical issues. Part memoir, part argument and part how-to guide for aspiring educators, Confessions of a Public School Teacher is a must-read for anyone who believes true learning and development to be worthwhile pursuits. Marra’s quest to leave the classroom a bit better than he found it is both his greatest support of those we cherish dearly—our children—and an invitation for the reader to join the conversation.