Wolfpack

Juvenile nonfiction 

     "I loved being part of something bigger than myself.

     I loved the shared joy, suffering, failure, and success...

     I loved how my teammates and I cared for each other, and respected each other no matter what."

     Abby Wambach, Olympic soccer gold medalist, found her identity as a team member, as part of a wolf pack.  In Wolfpack she brings younger readers a message that delightfully contradicts America's overvaluing of sink or swim individualism.  She urges them to find their pack.

     "Whether you're a soccer player, math whiz, poet, ballet dancer, debater--whatever you are--you need a brave and honest crew to support you.  You need them to hold you accountable to your greatness, remind you of who you are, and join you to change the world."

     YESSSSS!!!

     And that's not the only Conventional wisdom Wambach shatters.  In each chapter of her book she succinctly turns an outdated adage on its head.

     Readers are to create a path rather than stay on one.

     Readers are supposed to turn failure into fuel for success.

     Rather than always competing with one another, readers are to champion each other.

     And there's so much more.  Wolfpack is full of insightful and helpful words to live by.  That's why it's a great acquisition for school and public libraries.

On a purrrsonal note, the biggest event of my week was my return to working dining.  Since Wells had been shut down I'm in Hilltop.  I really feel at home there.  I get along great with the non student workers.  Managers give me respect that I know what I'm doing and agency.  Like Friday was first year move in day.  I was allowed to take the time to talk to new students and assure the parents, as a Black Bear parent, that they're leaving their kids in a good place.  And you wouldn't believe how many of the students who had dined at Wells were quite relieved to learn they hadn't lost me when it shut down. (Jules)

Well of course they were relieved not to lose her. (Tobago)

A great big shout out goes out to our new first year students and the parents who are entrusting these precious people to us.

Tobago and Jules Hathaway 

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