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During today's reading of David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell, he considers the significance of the inverted-U curve. He shared how it can be broken down into four parts going from improvement, to a lesser intensity, to a lesser intensity, then falling, and reversing that improvement. It is an interesting concept he shared with regard to school class sizes and their ability to function.

During recent reading, Gladwell has been unpacking the question of size and effectiveness. He has done this through the amount of money and parenting and amount of students and classroom performance. It has been interesting to consider the points made and I was personally surprised by some of the reasoning for the U curved abilities for effectiveness in both areas.

Gladwell has done a very nice job with his interpretation and application of David and Goliath. His first chapter is focused on being extraordinary and working outside the box to accomplish tasks in innovative ways. He has illustrated the power of pushing the boundaries by unconventional means.

David and Goliath is one of the most exciting Bible stories to read and while I am only beginning, I look forward to seeing how Gladwell can relate in this book!

Corwin did a great job bringing this book to a close during my past reading. He had each chapter centered on its own character, which I personally enjoy, but finished with the final chapter and afterward focusing on each student. He was able to bring each of them and their stories together. Concluding with a checkup on their successes in college. The book was well written and showed these student's perseverance.

And Still We Rise has almost walked through the entire school year following the AP Literature seniors. With this most recent reading, the students all get to have their prom. This is event is attended by pretty much everyone which is surprising when considering the circumstances because of all of the gang action dividing the campus. Ms. Little is a chaperone but she arrives late still not over her unending feud.

Ms. Little finally returned to her class during my most recent reading. She left on an 'emotional leave' but the greatest emotions there were shared were for her students that were unable to get their full time in AP Lit. During her leave, the author, a reporter, would attempt to teach the class despite his lack of experience which showed his care for the students and that he was more than a fly on the wall.

Someone finally got through to Little. In And Still We Rise, the most prominent teacher has been taking a break from the classroom due to stress and the overwhelming drama. This has left her students struggling before the AP exam. This must be extremely difficult for them and for the administration.

During this week's section in And Still We Rise, the topic of athletics, education, and rights are prominent. During the 1968 Olympics, a couple of Team USA Sprinters decided to make a statement while they were on the global stage. It is interesting to me that they did this but also that it is still remembered with the next generation of students later and makes me wonder what that event will be for my generation.

In And Still We Rise, today's reading revolved around Olivia, a gifted student who got involved in crime and is now in a detention center. She has been locked up due to involvement in a money scandal which sadly I think was the best thing for her. Her counselor talked about her need to express emotions differently something that everyone could benefit from from time to time.

In And Still We Rise the author does a very nice job with switching between characters but still keeping the same story. In every chapter, he focuses on a different character - either a student or teacher of the Crenshaw gifted program. He is able to shine on their hardships but also their successes and show that inner-city students can be high achieving and pass difficult boundaries.

During today's reading in And Still We Rise, many of the students received their college acceptance letters. Many of the gifted students made it to many of the major UC universities with the hope of still hearing from schools like Stanford. It did not come to me as much of a surprise that these students in the Crenshaw gifted program were making it big but still a major triumph for them.

Today's reading came with a powerful message -- stand up for what you believe in and hold true to solid morals. This is discussed in the Crenshaw gifted program when they read 'The Elephant Man' and when they have a guest speaker come into their class. The book covers many of their sad hardships but it also covers many of the valuable lessons for people of any background.

During today's reading the long await court hearing happened. The main character, Olivia, got involved in a money scandal and is now having to pay the consequences by finishing high school not in the gifted program but at a rehab facility with all college-bound hope diminishing. It powerfully speaks to the consequences that come with all actions.

Just when it appeared the dispute between two teachers was dying down in And Still We Rise, the fire is flamed again. In its alternate plot, a Crenshaw student is struggling with her upcoming court trial. The trial continues to get pushed back and could prevent her from attending any college. How Corwin bounces between some of the characters and people of focus, is very well done.

And Still We Rise has a tense and rising side battle between two teachers in the gifted program. From today's reading, the chapter was centered on the Junior year English teacher who cares more about preparing students for life than anything else. Their contrasting styles in lectures are surprising as she has a much greater preacher presence engaging her class through her speaking.

And Still We Rise takes place in South Central, Las Angeles. It is just now that Corwin took some time out to explain how South Central became so poverty-stricken. It is interesting to hear how the inner city began and how it deteriorated from a thriving part of town.

I recently read a story from another student at Crenshaw and her rocky childhood. She had an unbearable homelife and struggled with having continued family support but was always a bright girl. She exercised incredible amounts of grit and pushed past her struggles to succeed in the gifted program.

Corwin has a very interesting writing style that makes And Still We Rise unique. He makes each chapter specifically focus on a single person or topic and works to recount the events he details in a present tense fashion. This keeps the book very interesting and engaging as it bounces between focus characters.

I just recently began "And Still We Rise" a novel about gifted students who grew up in the inner city. It shares their stories and struggles outside of the classroom and how they persevere in their rigorous schedule.

John Grisham's Bleachers is a book unlike any of his others. This one is much less of a mystery and carries a more traditional narrative plot. The main character is returning to his hometown and remembering his past time. He returns to a place he always wanted to forget but everyone still remembers him for who he was, their All-American.

This book by John Maxwell was recommended to me and has sparked my interest. I am just beginning his book on How Successful People Think and their thought process but the concepts he has begun to share sound very interesting. I look forward to seeing how my personal thought process shifts from this book!