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. Schurz High School
... of the next school year or graduation may be delayed. Any ... drills are an essential part of high school life. Each student is ... on the inside of the bag. SCHOOL DRESS CODE In accordance with ...
http://www.schurzhs.org/student_handbook.jsp

2. Illinois » Genealogy Blog
... West Salem High School 1909 Graduation - West Salem High School Commencement Exercises, April thirteenth nineteen hundred and nine, Tuesday evening at eight oclock, Salem, Illinois. 7th Annual Old ...
http://www.genealogyblog. ...es-research/illinois/

3. Ludlow High School
... Final Exams Grading System Graduation Requirements Honor Roll ... Students Disruption of the School Day Drugs/Controlled ... and Regulations for LHS Dances Dress Code Student ID's Suspensions ...
http://www.ludlowhighschool.com/html/handbook.htm

4. Welcome to Greer High School
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http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/greerhs/

5. Eleanor Roosevelt High School : Morning Announcements
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6. Booker T. Washington Magnet High School
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http://www.btwmhs.mps.k12.al.us/

7. High School Graduation - Topic Powered by Groupee Community
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8. Oakland High School PTSA, WELCOME!
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10. http://www.dsaokc.org/Content/Academics/hb3.asp
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12. Faculty Regalia Sources Available by Facultyregalia.net
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13. Northwest Yeshiva High School - Students
... and Grounds Citizenship Grading Dress And Appearance Gender ... Policy Grading Policy Graduation Requirements Summer Reading ... 10:50 PM © Northwest Yeshiva High School 2005 - All rights Reserved
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14. Graduation Gift Ideas - Shopping Guides - Compare Prices - Shop at mySimon.com
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15. Mount Carmel High School - Betty Harnedy Administrative Center
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16. Forest Park High School Class of 1974
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http://www.psychiatry.uc.edu/Wade/fphs.htm

17. Welcome to Napier Girls High School
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18. CyberPlainsman - Laramie High School - Front Page
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19. October 15, 1998 - Anguilla Local News
... to Anguilla: Comfort: 80F day and night. Casual dress. No ties. No swimsuits in town. Airco not ... ... Thanks to Herb Lewis for this news tip. High School graduation was Wednesday, October 14th at ...
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20. Don't Marker the Cat! - Homeschoolblogger.com
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21. CHOICE 2000 ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL
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22. D.H. Conley High School Graduation Infomation
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http://www.dhconley.com/graduation.html

23. Fairfield High School Reunion Scrapbook
... Senior Prom dress up nice, After graduation throw the rice ... the stores, Added to olí school with more chores. To "twenty ... 50 Year Reunion" Fairfield High School [ Home] [ Reunion ...
http://www.fairfield-mt.com/scrapbook.htm

24. Columbine High School massacre - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Columbine High School massacre From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Jump to: navigation, search Staff and Students evacuate Columbine High School shortly after the shooting The Columbine High ...
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25. Berkmar High School
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26. Xavier High School Online
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27. Watertown High School - Activities -> Clubs
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28. Ohio high school graduation requirements
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29. Central Catholic High School
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30. Elyria Catholic High School
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31. 4-h Experiences for a Lifetime - Young Farmers - Manitoba Agriculture, Food ...
... A nine-year member in the Somerset Combined Club, she participated in crafts, sewing and home design projects, even sewing her high school graduation dress as her final 4-H project. When asked about ...
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32. Newport News Public Schools - High School
... the mid-point of each marking period. View high school grading scale. STANDARDS OF LEARNING (SOL) ASSESSMENTS GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS GUIDANCE SERVICES DRESS CODES FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION INCLEMENT ...
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33. Inglewood High School
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35. Junipero Serra High School
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36. Hibriten High School
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37. White Station High School Memphis, TN
... year. Additional support is available for high-school students with outstanding academic ... ... SCHOOLS Memphis City School Board MCS Dress Rules Calendars and Graduation Schedules WEATHER ...
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38. The San Pedro High School, Ambergris Caye, Belize
... 9 in its first graduation. Today the ... List from the High School after Hurricane Keith ... students at San Pedro High. On the first Friday ... three-legged race, dress your baby, wrap your ...
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39. Pegasus High School - Information
... to assist students in the goal of high school graduation, that is the driving force of Pegasus ... ... successful with his or her school work/home work. Behavior and dress code policies are accepted as ...
http://pegasus.esuhsd.org/html/info/

40. Phillis Wheatley High School: School Information
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41. Sevier County High School - Students
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42.
... CSF Department webpages Dress Code Education ... GATE) Grad Nite 2005 Graduation FAQ Inquire Course ... list maintenance School Accountability Report ... Nov 1-2: California High School Exit Exam (for ...
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43. Carmel High School - Site Index
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44. Policy (HTML) - Central High School
... toward the formal spring graduation ceremony. School Policies ... them to notify the Central High School office prior to the absence ... a Friday make-up session. Dress Code Students will be asked to ...
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46. Manchester High School Parent Student Handbook
... GRADUATION STANDARDS / REQUIREMENTS TOP Besides earning the proper number of credits, Manchester High School students also have to demonstrate that they have successfully mastered the skills required ...
http://mhsweb.townofmanchester.com/mhshandbook.htm

47. Bishop Brady High School - FAQ's
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48. Los Gatos High School
... AP/Honors Courses " Graduation Requirements ... History of LGHS " School Motto " Fight Song ... Clearing Absences " Dress Code " Discipline Plan ... Copyright © Los Gatos High School | (408) 354 ...
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49. High School @ Home
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50. Darrell Thomas Textiles
... After many years of not touching a sewing machine, my daughter challenged me back into sewing by asking me to make her high school graduation dress. To make matters worse, she had a particular dress ...
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51. Paul Robeson High School
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52. Alumni Class Notes 1999-2000
... I wore my old high school graduation dress and a new white sweater. I borrowed a ring from someone at work that had a blue stone in it. So I had the new, old, borrowed, and blue. A woman I work with ...
http://honors.udel.edu/alumni/2000classnotes.html

53. LISD High School Handbook
... 27 Staff Workday LUFKIN HIGH SCHOOL 2004-2005 BELL ... Attendance Mid-Year Graduation Texas Attendance ... Crime Stoppers School Facilities Discipline ... Taken into Custody Dress & Grooming Sexual ...
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54. A High School Graduation Present: Israel and Egypt - Travelogue
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