Blog Archives
I KNOW WHAT I AM. BIBLICAL AND BIOLOGICAL
I Know What I Am: Biblical and Biological is a fast-moving mashup of faith talk, human origins, and Black history, with the author jumping from fossils like “Dragon Man” and questions about Cain’s DNA to genetics, melanin, and big-picture identity claims. It also swings through Ethiopian Jews and Zionism, Byzantine icon history, Italy’s war in Ethiopia, Black military service in the US, the Herero and Nama genocide in Namibia, and modern media topics like Hollywood stereotypes and The Matrix.
The book has real momentum. It feels like someone talking straight from the heart. Sometimes I nodded along. The voice can be intense and punchy, with lots of bold questions and sudden pivots from science to scripture to politics. That energy kept me turning pages. The structure leans toward info bursts and quick claims.
The book aims for a grand bridge between biology and the Bible, and it ties that bridge to race, power, and historical memory. That’s a huge swing. I respect the ambition. The book sometimes stacks controversial statements next to fact-sheet style passages. The section on the Herero and Nama genocide hits hard, and it lands with moral weight. The chapters that connect media narratives to public beliefs have bite as well, especially the parts on racist film tropes and how stories get shaped in plain sight. The writing can slide from careful summary into certainty, then back again.
I appreciated how wide the images range in this book. One page might drop in a modern celebrity, then the next swings to an old statue, then you’re staring at a historical photo or a piece of artwork. That mix kept me alert, like the book was nudging me to see connections across time instead of staying stuck in one lane. It also made the ideas feel more real and less abstract, since I could actually see the faces, the symbols, and the history the author was trying to pull into the conversation.
I think this book works best for readers who like big themes, sharp opinions, and a collage style that mixes history notes with personal fire. I’d recommend it to curious readers who enjoy challenging material, who can sit with messiness, and who don’t mind stopping to fact-check and reflect as they go.
Pages: 137 | ASIN : B0GFPZ74BY
Charli’s Dorsal Device: An Engineering Adventure
Charli’s Dorsal Device is about a girl named Charli who goes to Career Day and hears an engineer, Ms. Robin, talk about making mobile devices with GPS. Charli drifts into a big daydream where she is a grown engineer, teaming up with her friends Molly and Emma to design a tracking gadget called DUG that clips to a dolphin’s dorsal fin so Dr. Grace at the aquarium can follow the rescued dolphin after it is released back into the ocean. They brainstorm, design the case, write the code, test it on their dogs, fix mistakes, and finally help that dolphin swim free while its movements appear on a computer screen. Then Charli snaps back to the school assembly and realizes she might want to be an engineer for real.
I really loved how the writing makes engineering feel like play instead of homework. The scenes where Charli hides her shoe in the auditorium or chases the moving dots around the park felt fun and goofy and still showed how the tech works. The author keeps the language super clear. Words like GPS, CAD, and programming pop up, but the book explains them in such a simple way that I never felt lost. It felt like a friend saying, “Look, it is just a map, some satellites, and a little gadget that listens to them.” That mix of everyday stuff and science made me kind of giddy. I caught myself thinking, “Wait, kids could actually do things like this.”
The idea of helping a hurt animal heal and then using a tiny device to keep an eye on it after it swims will show readers that positive things can come from technology. The testing scenes at the dog park and the beach made me laugh, but they also showed that real projects mess up and need fixes. Water leaks in. Dots disappear. Dogs chase seagulls. The girls do not give up. They tweak the design, add waterproofing, try again, and celebrate when it finally works. It sends a powerful message that mistakes are normal and that girls belong in labs, offices, and workshops where big, world-changing ideas are born. The colorful art backs that up, with bright faces, messy splash pads, and that proud little moment when the seagull flies away, and everyone knows the device is ready.
The artwork throughout the book is clear and cute, with bright colors that pop off the page. The kids, the animals, even the little background details all have this fun, cartoonish energy that pulled me in. It reminds me of The Magic School Bus, with that same mix of science stuff and playful visuals.
I think this children’s book is a sweet and energizing pick for kids who like animals, gadgets, or just asking “How does that work?” It would be great for early elementary readers, classrooms doing STEM units, or any family that wants to nudge their kids, especially girls, toward science and engineering without it feeling like a lecture. If you want a story that mixes dolphins, friendship, problem-solving, and a big, hopeful line like “Anything is possible,” this one totally fits the bill.
Pages: 91
Line ‘Em Up!
Line ’Em Up! by Oscar Avery is a heartfelt, motivating children’s book about a classroom many have already written off. After three teachers walk away, a weary group of students, often labeled as misfits, meets a new teacher, Mr. Murant. He refuses to define them by their past. He shares pieces of his own story. Trust forms slowly, then steadily. With small but meaningful lessons, down to something as simple as standing tall in a straight line, Mr. Murant helps his students recognize their worth. Confidence builds. Self-perception shifts. The change feels real, and it lasts.
The story carries a more serious tone than many children’s titles. Even so, it stays warm, hopeful, and deeply encouraging. Oscar Avery handles complex themes with care. Self-doubt appears on the page. So does perseverance. Growth follows, step by step. Young readers are invited to engage without being overwhelmed. The book also raises awareness of CTE and other disabilities, introducing new vocabulary and ideas in a respectful, age-appropriate way. It trusts children to learn and reflect. It does not flinch, and it does not preach. Adults reading alongside them may find themselves learning too, about invisible challenges, and about the lasting impact of a teacher who chooses patience over judgment.
Docker’s illustrations bring the classroom to life on nearly every page. Each character looks distinct. Each expression feels intentional. Frustration shows up clearly. Uncertainty lingers in posture and eyes. Then, gradually, confidence arrives. The artwork captures these emotional turns with warmth and clarity, strengthening the reader’s connection to the students’ journey. For children who lean on visuals to process feeling and change, the illustrations add real accessibility.
What makes this book linger is its quiet reminder that confidence often grows in tiny increments. Mr. Murant never sells instant transformation. He offers belief. He offers structure. He offers time. In doing so, he shows his students they are capable of far more than they have been told. Line ’Em Up! is an inspiring, meaningful read for slightly older children, one that encourages empathy, self-belief, and a deeper understanding of difference, while delivering a story that stays with you long after the final page.
Pages: 45 | ISBN : 978-1-7345743-0-2
Collaborative Leadership for the Classroom
Collaborative Leadership for the Classroom lays out a clear path for teachers who want to shift from command and control habits to a way of leading that feels more open, human, and shared. Author Don Broadwell walks through the history of leadership, offers stories from classrooms and his own life, and builds a case for collaboration as the approach that suits today’s students. He explains how needs shape behavior, how teachers can guide discussions without dominating them, and how shared problem-solving can change the feel of a classroom.
The writing carries a kind of calm confidence that made me feel like I was learning from someone who has lived every word. At times, I got caught up in the stories and forgot I was reading a book about leadership. I liked how Broadwell keeps things grounded. He does not dress ideas up in fancy language or make collaboration sound magical. He shows the bumps, the awkward moments, and the kids who surprise adults when given the chance to speak up. I felt a little jolt when he described students discovering each other’s needs because it reminded me how often adults skip that step in real life. The honesty here hit me in the gut, in a good way.
I also had mixed feelings in spots. The structure is solid, but some sections stretch out longer than I expected. The sections on anger and hidden needs pulled me in more than I anticipated. They felt real. I appreciated how the author frames collaboration as a teachable skill rather than a warm and fuzzy ideal. I caught myself smiling at the Crow ritual example because it made collaboration feel simple enough for anyone to grasp, yet deep enough to matter.
I think Collaborative Leadership for the Classroom works best for teachers who feel tired of carrying the whole load alone or who sense that students are ready for something more genuine than top-down instruction. It would also fit leaders outside education who want a plainspoken introduction to shared problem-solving. If you want a guide that feels like a conversation with a wise mentor and if you don’t mind a few slow steps along the way, this book is worth reading.
Pages: 126 | ASIN : B0F7C3WCFL
Line ‘Em Up!
Line ’Em Up!, by Oscar Avery, follows a class of kids who feel written off by everyone until a new teacher, Mr. Murant, walks in and completely changes their world. He teaches them pride and discipline and shows them how greatness starts inside. The class learns about science, math, football, and life, all while building confidence through something as simple as forming a straight line. Then the story shifts as the group discovers their beloved Mr. Murant has been struggling with CTE.
Reading this children’s book honestly resonated with me more than I expected. I went in thinking it would be a light little school story, and instead found myself caught up in the way Mr. Murant pushes his students to believe in themselves. The writing feels warm and punchy and a little chaotic in a fun way. It mirrors a real classroom where jokes fly, and kids interrupt, and learning happens sideways. I kept smiling at the little back-and-forth moments, especially when Savannah had something sharp to say. The pacing jumps fast from day to day, and that gives the whole thing a breathless energy that makes you want to keep reading.
The author doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff, and I really appreciated that. I felt the kids’ confusion and frustration, and that slow sinking feeling when they wonder whether they were truly cared for. The story handles disability and illness in a way that feels simple but sincere. It made me think about how much one adult can change a child’s whole view of themselves. The illustrations have such a warm, authentic classroom vibe that really draws you in. I love the soft, painterly texture. It gives each scene a gentle feel. Mr. Murant’s expressions are clear, and small details add a fun touch to the scenes.
I’d recommend Line ‘Em Up! to kids who enjoy stories about school life and friendship and to adults who love picture books with heart and a message that sticks. It’s great for classrooms, families, and anyone who wants a story that lifts you up while lovingly addressing coping with loss.
Weeds To Wishes: Blossoming into the Leader You Are Meant to Be
Weeds to Wishes follows Sheryl Brown’s journey as a teacher and principal who learns to lead through listening, healing, encouraging others, and growing through hardship. The book moves through eight “keys” to leadership that blend personal stories, school memories, emotional turning points, and practical activities that teams can use to connect and communicate. The mix of stories and reflections creates a guide that shows how leadership rises from real life and not from titles or rules.
While reading this book, I felt pulled in by the author’s warmth and honesty. The stories hit hard because they feel like moments pulled straight from a life lived fully in service to others. I kept thinking about the scene with the bomb threat evacuation and how she steadied herself in chaos. I could almost feel the cold air and the fear and the fierce need to protect people. Her writing style is simple and easy to fall into. There were times I stopped and thought, wow, she really went through that, yet she still chooses hope. I liked that. Her voice feels like someone sitting with you at a table, talking softly, telling you the truth. It got to me more than I expected.
The ideas in the book made me think about leadership in a more human way. She focuses on trust, grace, listening, and being present. Those are not flashy things. They are small habits that change everything over time. I caught myself reflecting on my own tendencies to jump to solutions instead of hearing what people are really saying. Her chapter on “Whispering” resonated with me because it showed how leadership grows in quiet rooms, on long car rides, and in moments when your heart is breaking but you still choose to show up. I loved the activities she built into each chapter. They felt practical and playful, which made the leadership lessons feel less heavy and more doable.
I would recommend Weeds to Wishes to new leaders, veteran educators, and anyone who wants to lead with more heart and less noise. The book is especially good for people who are burned out or doubting their path. It feels like a gentle hand on your shoulder, reminding you that you are allowed to grow, stumble, try again, and still make a difference.
Pages: 203 | ASIN : B0G1CSM2GG
Breaking Barriers: A Bold Vision for Pakistan’s Future
Breaking Barriers: A Bold Vision for Pakistan’s Future is part memoir, part diagnosis, part blueprint. Harris Kamal starts in Karachi and uses his own story as a doorway into Pakistan’s wider journey. He traces the rise from early “Asian Tiger” optimism to a present filled with corruption, broken institutions, and deep inequality. He then moves through the big systems that shape daily life: bureaucracy, police, courts, politics, education, gender relations, and the economy. Finally, he lays out a future agenda that leans on youth, better governance, and social inclusion, with long chapters on schools, women’s empowerment, and structural reforms in everything from taxation to resource use.
I enjoyed the way he mixes hard facts with personal feeling. The Karachi passages have texture and warmth, and the opening section on Pakistan’s “promise and peril” feels tight and focused. The writing is clear and direct. At times, it sounds like a long op-ed. At other time,s it sounds like a friend talking late at night about home. I liked the concrete cases he uses when he talks about law, such as famous murder trials, the Panama Papers, and the battles around Justice Qazi Faez Isa, and his comparison with Kenya’s judicial reforms gives the book a more global feel. The message stays strong, yet I felt that some sections could have been leaner, with fewer long lists of problems and more storytelling on how change actually happens on the ground.
The book moved me more than I expected. The anger at feudal politics, bloated bureaucracy, and daily injustice is clear, but it is grounded in love for the country rather than simple ranting. I found the chapters on women, education, and the digital divide especially powerful, because they show how big structures hit real people in homes, schools, and workplaces. His call for coeducation, broader career paths for girls, and real financial independence for women feels both practical and values-driven. I also liked his focus on tax justice and agricultural income, which many authors avoid. The vision is bold and hopeful, but I sometimes wanted more nuance.
The book does not hide how deep the problems go, yet it refuses to give up on the idea of a fair, modern, confident Pakistan. I would recommend Breaking Barriers to readers in the Pakistani diaspora, to students in Pakistan who are trying to make sense of their own country, and to policy folks or diplomats who want an insider’s passionate brief on what is broken and what could be rebuilt. It reads more like a long, heartfelt briefing from someone who has seen both Karachi’s flooded streets and America’s functioning institutions and still believes Pakistan can rise if enough people decide to push in the same direction.
Pages: 702 | ISBN: 9783127323207
Faith in Faith
Miracles Beyond the Crowd is a heartfelt call to push past spiritual passivity and step into a faith that moves, reaches, climbs, and refuses to settle. What is a common misconception you feel people have about living their faith?
Faith is not a theory or an empty ritual. A common misconception is that faith just exists without investigation and exploration. The truth is, everyone must wrestle with what they believe and practice how to hold fast to that conviction. It is personal, and it is relational. It is a firm conviction so powerful that it can turn a hopeless situation into a hope-filled pursuit.
There is a saying that says: We do what we believe, and we don’t do what we think is futile. Many people have faith in faith, but when challenged, they find it hard to pinpoint what their faith is ultimately built on. Faith must have a foundation, a source, or a place where believing can stand. This kind of faith is dynamic and alive, not static. It grows, shifts, matures, and deepens as we live it out.
Now, how we live by faith is different and looks different for everyone. It is easy to believe what you can trust. I believe in God, His promises, His nature and character, His history, and His word. I trust His integrity and His capacity to do what He says. That makes it easy for me to live by faith.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Heaven has not run out of miracles. For those willing to press through fear, doubt, and societal pressure, a deeper encounter with God awaits. My hope and passion for every reader of this book is that by reading what I have written, it will awaken a relentless, persistent, and resilient faith in the person, promises, and goodness of God. To those who pursue Jesus wholeheartedly, miracles are not accidents. My heart is that people will be inspired to look beyond the obvious distractions, troubles, and obstacles of everyday life and see that pushing deeper into God is where miracles can be found.
I also hope every reader will see they are not disqualified, unworthy, or broken beyond God’s ability to renew, restore, and bless their life. It is scandalous what grace can do when a life is surrendered to God! I pray the love of God bacons all to hear their life is valuable and important.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from Miracles Beyond the Crowd?
I hope they take away hope! Big, crazy, and impossible hope. Hope is the beginning of faith. If hope lives, then faith is not far behind.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Step into a 10-week journey of powerful persevering faith and transformation. Based on the popular book Miracles Beyond the Crowd, this 50-day interactive devotional helps you move from watching miracles to living them. It is an invitation into faith that moves — not just in Sunday moments, but in the ordinary walk of life.
Across 10 weeks, you’ll explore what it means to:
• Press past the noise and hear God’s voice
• Reach beyond barriers and touch Jesus
• Walk in obedience before you see the path
• Finish strong when the crowd has left
Inside you’ll find Scripture, original excerpts from Miracles Beyond the Crowd, daily reflection questions, faith-in-action exercises, and a full 100-question application questionnaire to help you embed what you discover and carry it forward.
Ideal for personal study, small groups and corporate settings. This devotional workbook will guide you beyond survival into possession, beyond visitation into habitation, and beyond promise into fulfilment.
This is not a book for spectators—it’s a roadmap for those who dare to move beyond the crowd.
– FOR BEST EXPERIENCE it is recommended (not necessary) that this devotional workbook is used with the original book ‘Miracles Beyond The Crowd- The Power of Persevering Faith ‘ by Nico Smit. Whether used individually or in a group, this workbook is a tool, a challenge and a commission—to rise in faith, move forward with purpose, and passionately pursue the presence of God, no matter the cost.
