Book information

[Ms. K]

Has anyone read You Are Special by Max Lucado? My mom was telling me about this book and it sounds really good.

My concern is that it is obviously written with a very religious message. Can the story stand on its own without mention of religion? I'm in a public school in California and my principal is an athiest. Anything "religious" is severly frowned upon. However, the message seems like such a good one (If you believe in yourself others can't control you) that I would love to share it with my class.

 

[SC]

I wouldn't

I have not read this particular book, but I've read others by Max Lucado. He frequently makes religious references, and I would assume the same is for this book. In fact, his books usually have scripture quotes, discussions about God, etc. Since you work in public school with an atheist principal, I would not read this book to the class. I'm sure you can find another book with the same message without the religious part.

 

[Brooke S.]

Read it

I have read 6 or 7 of his books to my class this year. I always thought all of his books were religious so I never read them before and then another teacher told me she reads them to her class. So I looked at several of them and they never mention God or anything religious. Now, if you were teaching in a Christian school or with your own children you could make the connection, but my children at school never even realized that it was religious based. Others to look at are: You are Special, The Green Nose, and there are a few more but I can't remember the names. They all talk about values basically. I say go for it!

 

[JB]

I have read it

I have read it to my class for the past few years and I teach in a public school. I know his other books seem very religious, but You Are Special is okay to read. We read and it discussed the message that you should believe in yourself. Then we wrote paragraphs on things that made us special. I recommend reading it. It's a wonderful, moving story!

 

[bamateach]

Great book

I love Max Lucado's books. In the book You Are Special there is a carver that makes wimmicks. Eli is certainly meant to be symbolic of God, but the book never says that. I use these books in my classroom. This book would be great for talking about self-concept. Read the book. It is awesome.

 

[Ms. K]

Thank you to all for the recommendations. My principal is actually hardly ever on campus this year. She has decided to "work from home" most of the time so I won't worry about her. I will make my way to Barnes and Noble or Borders and take a look at the book. It just sounds like it has such a great message.

 

[fiona1]

max lucado

Hi- I have read some of his books and they have a definite Christian themes, though not overtly as previous writers have responded. Your Principal's atheism is also a form of dogma and should not overrule others beliefs any more than a Christian, Muslim or Jew. It is interesting to learn that her beliefs are so widley known- I only know of colleagues religious affiliations or beliefs if they are at my church or directly discuss their church activities they may have participated in over the weekend. How does atheism come up in the teachers lounge? To me the separation of church and state is more akin to agnosticism than atheism.Spearation of church and state does not say that God does not exist. The messages found in Lucado's books are positive and written to the level of young children, they are important to share if you feel strongly about them. As with any book that may be "contoversial", be ready to defend you position with a firm grasp of your intent and how it fits with your curriculum, and you should weather any storm. Best wishes.