The Bookshelf: May 26, 2016

Trib+Edu is joining with respected books authority Kirkus Reviews to bring you select reviews of books of note in the field of education. For more book reviews and recommendations, visit Kirkus.com.

THE BRIDGE TO BRILLIANCE: How One Principal in a Tough Community Is Inspiring the World

by Nadia Lopez, Rebecca Paley

Opening a new school in Brownsville, “one of the poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods in all of New York City,” may seem like a crazy idea to many, but Lopez knew that she could make a difference in the futures of the children who would attend her school. This book shows how she turned her dream into reality. The author readily admits the countless obstacles she faced during the first year...Despite the many challenges, however, Lopez continued to fight for her school and eventually received nationwide recognition for her efforts. Throughout the book, she walks readers through the steps she took, each fraught with stress and anxiety...The personal stories of many of the students show that it wasn’t always sunshine and roses, as Lopez describes some of the bleakest moments at the school. For anyone in education who thinks a student is beyond learning, Lopez’s story will prove them wrong. The narrative demonstrates a clear progression from a woman’s dream for a model school to that reality, which has made a huge impact in its neighborhood and across the country.

For the full review, visit kirkus.com.