Mr. Lincoln is an elementary principal who everyone loves, except the school bully "Mean Gene." Ever positive, Mr. Lincoln refuses to give up on Eugene and tries to find common ground. Mr. Lincoln notices Gene's interest in birds and forges an alliance with him to work in the school atrium to attract birds. I know we can all think of a student we've had or been to school with who was a bully. I'm going to bet nine times out of ten, that they were unhappy with themselves and choose to pick on others to feel a sense of accomplishment.
I had a student who was like this for the first quarter of school. Once he figured out that I wasn't going to put up with it and that I cared about him, he became one of the sweetest boys in the class--he was just putting up a front so others wouldn't know how lonely he was. Especially now, with more and more working families and different kinds of families, students are dealing with all sorts of situations that they might not know how to handle. Going on the defensive and being "feared" sometimes seems better than the alternative of being rejected.
This is a refreshing look at how administration can have a big impact on students' lives when the proper time is taken. Too often principals are only seen by "problem" students and there is a negative connotation. Breaking this barrier is important, because teachers can't do it all--we need support from other caring adults.
Polacco's themes of trust, loneliness, and new life are explored in a reflective way with timeless illustrations that help create a homey atmosphere and sense of caring. Polacco has a unique way of telling stories in believable ways and accompanying them with fabulous illustrations. I like the fact that this book is based on a school in Michigan where mallard ducks roost annually. This book is yet another reason why Polacco is one of the most beloved children's authors.
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