The Best Graduation Gifts

By Holly E. Newton

The end of the school year connotes graduation time, celebrating many different levels of school completions. Books, as always, are the perfect gift and help commemorate this important event in a young person¹s life. Here is a list of some outstanding picture books celebrating the graduate.

For the younger reader celebrating a change in schools, here is a simple tale about judgment.

Zen Shorts, by widely acclaimed author Jon J. Muth, is a story that involves three tales. Three children become friends with a giant panda. He imparts a clever story for each child. One of the tales expertly demonstrates how we need to forgive. A young monk criticizes an older monk for carrying an unappreciative traveler over rain puddles, as he says, "She didn't even thank you!" The wise older man replies, "I set the woman down hours ago." The older monk was able to forgive and forget, while the young monk was still learning this lesson of forgiveness.

Another perfect book for the younger child is This Little Light of Mine. This picture book is based on the familiar song of the same title and is illustrated beautifully by the acclaimed E. B. Lewis. The words of the song describe how the light from within will shine on and on. But, the pictures tell much, much more. A young boy sees another youngster sitting alone, appearing dejected as he is slumped with his head in his hands. As the song progresses throughout the book, the boy invites the sad fellow to join his friends and before long a smile shines through the sad face. This book will surely strike a chord with all ages!

Sometimes it's the wordless books that seem to have the greatest message. Home, by Jeannie Baker, shows the progress of life through an open window. Ms. Baker has small remnants of a girl's life on the windowsill, displaying her growth though the years. For instance, the book begins with congratulations for the birth of a baby girl. Through the window, you see the proud parents in their back yard holding this new baby. There are older looking vehicles on the street beyond the yard. Several pages later, there's the girl as a teen putting makeup on in a mirror that's sitting on the windowsill. Beyond the yard is a full garden and beyond that newer looking cars on the street. There's much to observe and reflect on one's own growth throughout the years.

Sometimes biographies are the perfect inspiration for graduates. Walt Whitman: Words for America, by Barbara Kerley, is a look into the life of one of America's best and most famous poets. His poetry reflected the feelings of our country during the tumultuous Civil War. I found it fascinating that when Walt was young, he loved words and loved to read. He was always writing down feelings and expressions in his little notebook. In the Author¹s Note located in the back of the book, he states that when he was eleven years old, he was given a library card. Later he added, it was ³...the signal event of my life up to that time." Brian Selznick beautifully illustrated the pictures throughout the book, and he studied many historical documents and locations to accurately reconstruct this amazing poet¹s life.

Here is a perfect companion to Walt Whitman¹s biography. When I Heard the Learn¹d Astronomer is a wonderfully illustrated book by Loren Long, based on Walt Whitman¹s famous poem. This poem celebrates the amazing imagination that is budding in all of us. The incredible pictures take you to a young boy's experience as he ponders life and the stars, ³In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time, look'd up in perfect silence at the stars.²

Mother Teresa, by award winning Demi, is an inspirational account of one humble woman serving those much less fortunate and extremely poor. This incredible woman gave all that she had throughout her life. Included here is wisdom that we can glean from her: ³Life Is An Opportunity --Avail It. Life Is Beautiful --Admire It. Life Is A Challenge --Meet It. Life Is Costly --Care For It. Life Is A Promise --Fulfill It. Life Is Sorrow --Overcome It. Life Is Too Precious --Do Not Destroy It.²

And lastly, here's a book celebrating and exploring the endless possibilities of life. Imagine a Day, by Sarah L. Thompson, and creatively illustrated by Rob Gonsalves, will spark your imagination --beyond imagination. ³Imagine a day Š when a book swings open on silent hinges, and a place you've never seen before welcomes you here.² Give a great gift to your graduate. Give a book to inspire, motivate and celebrate!

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1. Believe it: Notre Dame relevant once again - College football - MSNBC.com
... Golf College Basketball Tennis Soccer ... When the graduation rates of ... KEITH LANGLOIS ON COLLEGE FOOTBALL ... By last year, the players had read so ... Next > ¬¬¬Rate this story¬ ¬¬ ...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9360649/

2. CSRC Affiliated Graduate Students
... collegiate level and the graduation rate for basketball and football players; critical race theory ... ... Understanding the Chicana-o/Latina-o Community College Transfer Experience at Four-Year Institutions ...
http://www.chicano.ucla.edu/ppl/aff_grad.html

3. Guide to Farmville
... soccer and basketball in a Christian ... and Economics, and the College of Education and ... experience before graduation. Additionally ... students continue to rate their university as ...
http://www.farmvilleheral .../guidetofarmville.htm

4. http://www.moviegazer.com/Drama/
... in limbo after graduation. Living in a ... in the local college bicyle race ... Carter Visit | Rate | Error The true ... More than just basketball, Coach Carter ... each one of his players making these ...

5. HoustonChronicle.com - Justice: Getting rid of Huggins smart move
... to ask Huggins about a graduation rate that at one time was ... defenders, 11 of his last 17 players got their degrees. Yet last ... Bilas, a thoughtful ESPN college basketball analyst, defended ...
http://www.chron.com/cs/C ...ports/justice/3324331

6. BizzyBlog.com » 2005 » August
... ZimpherÄôs graduation rate for students and ... data in the graduation rates section of ... is for players who began their college careers ... would be for basketball players only. The ...
http://www.bizzyblog.com/?m=200508

7. Greg Oden - Oden to face top-ranked junior in gold-medal game
... But Wouldn't Rate Any School A ... Of High School Players Across The ... google College Basketball Recruiting ... College Hill's Chance To ... One Starter To Graduation.... LeBron ...
http://www.gregoden.com/links.htm

8. PNWA Blog
... hear the thoughts of multiple players in a scene, to capture the ... Darcy remained silent.î At this rate, the reader is not going to ... Think of it like the electoral college: technically, you are not ...
http://www.pnwa.org/blog/index.php

9. EWU | EWU Site Map
... Student Guide Graduation International ... Math & Technology College of Social & ... Contract & Rate Info Dining Info ... 2004-2005 Men's Basketball Statistics ... s Tennis - EWU players make three ...
http://www.ewu.edu/x367.xml

10. Sou'wester 2000 Spring
... play on the varsity basketball team. He did make ... two years before graduation is puzzling. Lack ... at Knapp Business College. In later years he ... ordered a new, lower rate on rail transport of ...
http://www.pacificcohistory.org/sw2000_3.htm

11. Red Zone Media
... rates or a yearly rate for schools ... Newberry College www ... football and basketball games, tying ... Parents of players can stay in ... find jobs after graduation. The ...
http://www.redzonemedia.com/streaming.asp

12. Belen Gift and Basket - Link Exchange - Category
... Easter Get Well Graduation Housewarming ... classic soccer players, scores. (Added: 24 ... Rating: 0 Votes: 0 ) Rate It Online wagering ... Bet on football, basketball, college basketball ...
http://www.belengiftandba .../links/Miscellaneous/

13. EADA 1996 Section IV - Supplemental Information
... been honored every year since 1984 by the College Football Association for its graduation rate involving scholarship football players. The men's basketball team has advanced to postseason play (NCAA ...
http://athletic.virginia. ...va/EADA1996/SectionIV

14. In the Huddle
... has fans thinking basketball early once again ... poll 9/1 Preseason College Poll Top 16 1 ... is one of the special players returning this fall ... The Sooners hope the graduation of Jason White does ...
http://www.draftinsiders.com/huddle.html

15. General Retailers Of Holiday And Special Occasion Gifts
... For The Newbie [Reviews][Rate] graduation and other holidays ... Area. Classes, like soccer, basketball, cheer leading taught by ex-professional players, high school and college coaches who ...
http://www.holidaygiftsus ...ecial_Occasion_Gifts/

16. Consumer Electronics in Bilteks Directory
... CB's, 2-Way Radios, CD Players, MP3's & Radios, CD's ... Children's Birthday/Graduation/Plates, Cups, & ... Cups, Auto Racing/College/NFL Flags & Banners ... Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Bicycle Supplies ...
http://www.kirpa.com/363/

17. Quick Facts about Duke
http://www.dukenews.duke. ...urces/quickfacts.html

18. SI.com - 2003 Men's NCAA Tourney - Basketball players lag in graduation rate...
... of its basketball players and all of its black players over a ... Oklahoma had a zero graduation rate, although the school ... for transfers or junior college players who may get their ...
http://www.basketballdraf .../03/25/grad_rates_ap/

19. UW-Green Bay, News Archive
... schedules fall courses for educators Heritage Players present portrayal of Wisconsin's Civil War UW ... ... new work Discussion to focus on fate of pre-college programs Student from Sri Lanka organizes ...
http://www.uwgb.edu/univcomm/news/page/archive.htm

20. USA Basketball Women's World University Games Team
... Fame in 1999. Boston College head coach Inglese's ... opportunity with USA Basketball," Inglese said. "I ... with some of the best players. When I was an ... boasts a perfect graduation rate among student ...
http://www.usabasketball. .../05_wwug_coaches.html

21. Minority Donor Awareness - Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA)
... and their donation rate in Kentucky is ... Kansas Community College. Junie came back ... approached graduation from high ... Derek Anderson Basketball Camp. He is ... tennis players. David is ranked ...
http://www.kyorgandonor.org/minority.html

22. Uga Basketball Tickets - basketball Center
... in Athens. Concerned that a sluggish graduation rate has exacerbated ......(Continue Reading ... ... of a basketball court top junior college basketball players indiana university basketball photos ...
http://www.ecclesiacathol ...sketball-tickets.html

23. Epsilon Omega Thetas - News
... January 01 College Basketball Roundup: Illinois ... of U.S. college hockey players - Wednesday, February ... Tuesday, February 22 College Player Hits 90-Foot ... up/down: Meth use, graduation rate, college drinking ...
http://www.epsilonomegathetas.net/en/na/

24. joannejacobs.com: Losers
... the number of basketball players makes it easy ... if it's a regular college student. And I think ... whole "problem" of graduation rates is not such a ... counts against the rate, as do those players ...
http://www.joannejacobs.com/mtarchives/013895.html

25. Rachel Garlin - Journal
... Taylor, working with`a first-rate soung guy, Klondike, who mixed ... flat-pickin' guitar players (in all directions). I've had ... a thrill to see friends from college and their mothers. I love my ...
http://www.rachelgarlin.com/journal.php

26. Cafe Hayek: March 2005
... into the 1960s, NBA basketball courts were not all ... to the NBA is, the players have gotten too large ... and after I went to college I might have been ... the U.S. unemployment rate. Without dismissing ...
http://cafehayek.typepad. ...ek/2005/03/index.html

27. Basketball Index 45
... players roller skating labron james basketball shoes spanish professional basketball players graduation rate college basketball players american mini basketball hoops boys addidas t-mac 5 ...
http://www.basketballresources.com/45/index.html

28. Steve Lappas Basketball Camp
A new era in Minuteman basketball was ushered in March 26, 2001 ... a four-year stint at Manhattan College. ìYou look for a proven ... who has a high graduation rate among players, and wins against ...
http://www.stevelappasbas ...amp.com/coachbio.html

29. college Article Set
... athlete graduation rate college athlete ... college athletics graduation rates college ... college baseball players college baseball ... series tickets college basketball college ...
http://college.ultimateinsult.net/college-3.html

30. US Facts and Figures about Twins
... the two enroll in college to study nursing ... shy of their graduation. For more ... the Triplet birth rate has risen 11 ... Sedin - hockey players - Sweden Lori & ... Heather Burge - Basketball Players Kelly ...
http://www.twinsworld.com/stats.html

31. Welcome To The Touchdown Club of Houston's Website!
... the graduation rate is extremely low ... are phenomenal. Graduation rates at the ... have gone on to college. This truly is a ... UT brought six players to the event ... at the NCAA Basketball Final Fours ...
http://touchdownclub.avatartech.com/events.asp

32. greenpass
... the real world (college, graduation, moving across ... the Curse lived, and basketball and hockey weren't ... and proportion of players on the roster. It ... to explain the low rate of women getting ...
http://vanderwolk.typepad.com/

33. Pop Downloads - Download Pop Music - Download Pop MP3s
... Hord and the established Los Angeles session players Larry Knechtel on keyboards, Joe Osborne on ... ... out of touch with older teenagers and college students' sympathies. They were magnificent ...
http://www.mp3.com/pop/genre/400/subgenre.html

34. http://peterthink.blogspot.com/
... who started out to college in a VW Bug bought a VW Golf after graduation, drove a couple of ... ... clubs to spray paint cans. One of the latest players is Whirlpool's Gladiator line of garage ...

35. The College Hill Independent
... in Sport, while 57 percent of male college basketball players are black, 58 out of 330 Division I ... ... Milwaukee and Minnesota have a black graduation rate of zero. A proposed referendum to require ...
http://www.brown.edu/Stud ...y_student-athlete.htm

36. Elective Application
... And we need an investment in youth sport for Native Americans so they might obtain more college scholarships in athletics. [Yes, it's because we don't have enough white hippies degrading Indian ...
http://electiveapplication.blogspot.com/

37. The Seattle Times: Sports: Graduation, then gridiron for UW football class of '02
... for a 67 percent graduation rate for that class ... High School Home Results Football Basketball - girls ...
http://seattletimes.nwsou ...003049557_uwfb09.html

38. BWBA Seniors form
... All-star basketball camps can be ... to be. Most college head coaches are ... The transfer rate of disenchanted ... Therefore, all players that have still ... until after graduation, and some work ...
http://www.branchwest.com/seniors.html

39. Ralph Willard: Holy Cross Basketball
... greatest college basketball players of all-time. Retail price for 100 Greatest Basketball Programs ... ... All-Time Win-Loss Percentage, Graduation Rate, NCAA Infractions, First Round Draft Picks ...
http://www.coachralphwillard.com/inside.html

40. Welcome to The Employment Line
... s top division (I-A) 48 had graduation rates under 30% for men's ... 19 had the same low rate for football players. SAME YEAR: 1989 ... In fact, big-time [college football and basketball] programs have ...
http://www.theemploymentline.com/2min.htm

41. UTNAA DC Chapter -- dcvols.com
... florists concur. At any rate, PMSO21 from the ... the half-time of a basketball game. In 1984, a ... temperamental to be a college mascot; he was ... one of the band's tuba players. Smokey VIII now ...
http://www.dcvols.com/brag.htm

42. Clark University - Public Affairs
... attributed the high rate of marijuana use to ìthe large population of college students and to ... ... artists. The June 6 T&G covered the graduation of 30 UPCS students, which took place June 5 ...
http://www.clarku.edu/offices/publicaffairs/news/

43. Toledo Rocket Fans - Your Home For Toledo Rockets Sports
... play: Iowa, Bowling Green, Auburn, and Boston College. The three non-conference games were blowouts ... ... early in September the Cardinals suspended 16 players (nine starters) for misuse of a textbook loan ...
http://www.toledorocketfans.com/opponents.cfm

44. Over Time The Novel
... the summer he graduated from college. More likely, Dan's feelings ... action photographs of great players of the last twenty-five years ... was difficult to keep up that rate of growth. It entailed making ...
http://www.overtimethenovel.com/25pages.html

45. Geneseo Scene Cover Story
... Geneseo: ìSince graduation from Geneseo ... and basketball players who were my ... s (soccer and basketball) teams, too ... at Geneseo: the Collegeís academic ... both a first-rate education and a ...
http://scene.geneseo.edu/cstory.html

46. Sport in Society celebrates sports greats at annual gala
... community minded players in Major League ... High School's basketball team that was ... faculty and first-rate academic and ... experience upon graduation. The majority ... was named a top college in the 2006 ...
http://www.nupr.neu.edu/10-05/gala.shtml

47. RutherfordFamily.NET: September 2004 Archives
... myself both cheered for our Fantasy Football players to generate some good stats. However, this ... ... miss the Bush who lands in town squares, basketball arenas and school gyms in search of votes ...
http://www.rutherfordfamily.net/2004/09/

48. Russ Potts
... rather than emphasize college-track education under ... time jobs. After graduation, Potts returned ... bringing National Basketball Association ... during years when players have gone on strike ...
http://www.russpotts.com/ ...enKey=cmpNews&s=potts

49. ESPN.com: NCB - Richardson responds to zero-percent grad rate
... his zero-percent graduation rate since the NCAA ... ESPN: Why didn't your players graduate? Richardson ... kid who comes to college, the No. 1 thing in ... had (professional) basketball. Or even here, in ...
http://www.espn.go.com/nc ...002/0228/1342915.html

50. Westminster College: Athletics: Titan Tradition
... years. The tall players on that team ... at a considerable rate, particularly in ... ever Eastern College Athletic ... was a long-time basketball coach (1937-56 ... student-athlete graduation rate in 2001 ...
http://www.westminster.ed ...ics/hof/tradition.cfm

51. University of Memphis :: Tiger Pride
... months after graduation, the ... 2000-01. Tiger basketball has produced ... a decade, the pass rate on the bar exam ... The Tennessee College Public Relations ... ranked singles players in the last two ...
http://www.memphis.edu/tigerpride.htm

52. Pennsylvania state funded college
... state funded college Players, Iugglers, Iesters ... best college basketball programs coast ... college and university college of cape breton ... pain zapper graduation rate for nursing at ...
http://pennsylvania-state ...college.tu.wielun.pl/

53. Athletics - Men's Basketball
... of the Hawks. Throughout his tenure at Shorter College, the Hawks have had success on and off the basketball court. The graduation rate for players under Coach Williams is just above 90%. On the ...
http://www.shorter.edu/at ...s/ath_news_mbball.asp

54. Playing College Sport-Questions.NAIA-NCAA Athletic Scholarships.
... basketball players will play NCAA sponsored basketball. Don't be ... are suited to you? Does the college have a solid tutoring program? What is the graduation rate for student athletes and ...
http://www.collegesportsscholarships.com/faqs.htm

55. Hoopville - Bill "CigarBoy" Kintner
... the top ten coaches in college basketball today in terms of ... kids, that he doesn't graduate players... I think they're jealous ... at Memphis they had the graduation rate at about 10 percent. When ...
http://www.hoopville.com/ ...ner.asp?EntryID=13098

56. Bishop Burton
... the HSBC tankard on graduation. ÄúWe assess them ... talented, committed players.Äù Sports ... in Football, Equine, Basketball, Watersports, and ... The college achieved a 100 percent pass rate in ...
http://www.bishopburton.a ...avId=4&module=content

57. Bucknell beats Kansas - A guide to Bucknell University Basketball!"
... players and a 100% graduation rate defeated pre-season #1 Kansas, a team with 13 scholarship players and a 60% graduation rate (don't laugh, that's pretty good for college basketball..). Copyright 2004
http://www.dailybull.com/bucknell.html