This is the story of how one woman worked to create a middle school that truly served its scholars in one of the toughest neighborhoods in New York City. It is an amazing story that speaks to those of us who have entered the field of education for the best reasons – to benefit kids. I found it inspiring. ( )

One principal, one teacher, one parent, one student, it has to start somewhere. The somewhere in this book is Mott Hall Bridges Academy. It is a unique public school for sixth graders located in a high crime area in Brownsville, New York. The principal is author Nadia Lopez. This book is really about the power of choice, tough love, and result. Lopez describes the successes and failure principals and teachers face when developing a new school filled with at-risk students. Poverty, abuse, and other issues associated with being a minority in a low income high crime is not an excuse for failure. Instead, Lopez proposes that is makes it extremely important to recognize students as individuals, take an interest in their success, and provide a safe place to learn. The lessons may divert from the academic to the social skills through discussion like ‘friends versus peers’ or a tea party that teaches student how to correctly use eating utensils. She lightly touches on the challenges of Department of Education rules, Common Core Standards, and No Student Left Behind impediments by not concentrating on what to call it but getting down to doing the academic work that help student succeed. The common sense approach will appeal to educators and parents. ( )