Focusing on the transformative power of the creative arts process, Christopher Worthman offers readers a new way of thinking about literacy development and, specifically, the teaching of writing and out-of-school literacies. Rich with theoretical and practical insights, this groundbreaking ethnography describes and analyzes the writing development of a group of teenagers involved in a unique community-based teen theater project. Includes detailed descriptions of improvisational activities that can be adapted for use by other classes or ensembles.

Learn the secrets of great communicators, professional speakers, and C-level executives “Gina is a maestro of public speaking! She coached me for my TED talk, and I am forever grateful to her for giving me the technical and emotional training I needed to take the stage.” —Susan Cain, bestselling author of Quiet “Gina is an incredible coach who’ll increase your impact when presenting in an executive setting—or any professional interaction. But she can’t be everywhere, so this book is the next best thing! A must-read.” —Greg Behar, CEO of Nestle Science and Health Every body tells a story. From the moment an actor steps on stage, an audience collectively feels whether his or her performance is authentic, forced, or over the top. Business professionals are also performers—and the workplace is their stage. In Play the Part, executive communication consultant Gina Barnett brings the same techniques actors use to bear on all types of presentation and communication situations, from the board room to the conference stage. She reveals how the body affects our communication and thought patterns and how to align these consistently for maximum success. Featuring practical exercises, she shows you how to develop presence and become more intuitive, so you can navigate challenging communication situations with optimal results. You worked hard to earn your title. Now it’s time to play the part.

"One of the funniest voices in the inspirational genre."--Booklist Lucetta Plum is an actress on the rise in New York City, but is forced to abandon her starring role when a fan's interest turns threatening. Lucetta's widowed friend, Abigail Hart, is delighted at the opportunity to meddle in Lucetta's life and promptly whisks her away to her grandson's estate to hide out. Bram Haverstein may appear to simply be a somewhat eccentric gentleman of means, but a mysterious career and a secret fascination with a certain actress mean there's much more to him than society knows. Lucetta, who has no interest in Abigail's matchmaking machinations, has the best intentions of remaining cordial but coolly distant to Bram. But when she can't ignore the strange and mysterious things going on in his house, it'll take more than good intentions to keep her from trying to discover who Bram is behind the part he plays.

The author, a computer science professor diagnosed with terminal cancer, explores his life, the lessons that he has learned, how he has worked to achieve his childhood dreams, and the effect of his diagnosis on him and his family.

The first young adult novel translated from Russian, a brave coming-out, coming-of-age story. In June 2013, the Russian government passed laws prohibiting "gay propaganda," threatening jail time and fines to offenders. That same month, in spite of these harsh laws, a Russian publisher released PLAYING A PART, a young adult novel with openly gay characters. It was a brave, bold act, and now this groundbreaking story has been translated for American readers.In PLAYING A PART, Grisha adores everything about the Moscow puppet theater where his parents work, and spends as much time there as he can. But life outside the theater is not so wonderful. The boys in Grisha's class bully him mercilessly, and his own grandfather says hateful things about how he's not "masculine" enough. Life goes from bad to worse when Grisha learns that Sam, his favorite actor and mentor, is moving: He's leaving the country to escape the extreme homophobia he faces in Russia. How Grisha overcomes these trials and writes himself a new role in his own story is heartfelt, courageous, and hopeful.

'I'm the bestest winner in the world!' It's Carnival Night, and Lucille has already won a box of fluffy cupcakes with sprinkles on them. But when Junie B. wins the Cake Walk, she chooses the bestest cake of all - the one wrapped in sparkly aluminum foil. How was she to know it was a lethal weapon? ABOUT THE SERIES Meet Junie B. Jones, the lovable, mischievous kindergartner and star of this hysterical series by Barbara Park. Follow Junie B. from her first day of kindergarten to her last as she gets into one scrape after another. Readers will laugh along with Junie B. and her friends in Room Nine, as she attempts to escape 'punishment' from her teacher, and drives her parents to distraction!

Despite a new Maitre'd, the manager wars continue unabated at Citronelle, a nationally acclaimed Fine Dining restaurant located in Santa Barbara. After an excellent 10-year relationship with Chef Felicien, Corporate forces him out and brings in another chef, whose execution is fatally flawed. A new owner takes over with the intent of moving Citronelle downstairs despite her third story location overlooking the ocean. Despite the bleakness of the situation, the Floor Staff show their love for the restaurant by valiantly fighting for her survival against all odds. Embracing Change the third book of the Citronelle trilogy, chronicles the drama and humor associated with the fall of this popular restaurant. The author has worked as a waiter for over thirty years. He has written many other books, including 2 more restaurant novels Butter on Table 7 and The Divine Breakdown.

The national bestselling author of A Natural History of the Senses tackles the realm of creativity, by exploring one of the most essential aspects of our characters: the ability to play. "Deep play" is that more intensified form of play that puts us in a rapturous mood and awakens the most creative, sentient, and joyful aspects of our inner selves. As Diane Ackerman ranges over a panoply of artistic, spiritual, and athletic activities, from spiritual rapture through extreme sports, we gain a greater sense of what it means to be "in the moment" and totally, transcendentally human. Keenly perceived and written with poetic exuberance, Deep Play enlightens us by revealing the manifold ways we can enhance our lives.