Tri-State Defender


FOCUS: YOUTH & LITERACY November 25 - December 1, 2010


HOW TO LIVE A WELL READ LIFE


Einstein and family as a model? Is that a question?


“Albert Einstein” By Arthur Beckhard c. 1959, Avon Books Ninth Printing, August, 1971 Pages, 126


Maia Ajanaku Locke


science of possibility. Cu- riosity is the first step.With the proper attitude and the skills to search for answers, there is no limit to what the human being can imagine, know and create. So what’s the matter with the Ameri- can system of education to- day? Among the educational


achievement in science and mathematics, is near the bottom. This is both shocking and un- acceptable. If only we could stimulate the American people to consider the idea of possi- bilities, perhaps, we would turn the tide of so- cial decline. America, what we need is a mod- el!


systems around the world, it has been reported that America, ranking 39th in


Physics is defined as the


You should read this book to discover the ingeniousness in the whole Einstein family, especially, Herman Einstein’s brother, “Uncle Jacob”, in helping Al- bert to cope with school and racial prejudice, not only from his peers but his teachers, as well.


asking questions, as long as you don’t do it just to tease or embarrass people or to make them feel foolish”. Albert: “I don’t do it like that; I do it because


story describing the evolution of a genius; one not born, but created out of the cultural milieu of love, hate and war. Einstein was born in Ulm. He spent his prepubescent years in the shadows ofWorldWar I and racial prejudice in the Germany of Hitler, der fuehrer, and Hegel the philosopher. Beckhard’s biography opens with the high-


ly curious, questioning ten-year old asking his father, “Why do I have to go to school, Papa?” Father, Herman Einstein, looking severe, re- sponds with a question – a conversational faux pas intended to jam the conversation: “Do you want to grow up to be an ignoramus, Albert?” Albert – looking baffled – repeats the ques-


tion gaffe: “What’s an ignoramus? Bubbling with laughter, Mrs. Einstein ex-


claims, “You’ll never beatAlbert at that game!” Father: “I’m sure I don’t know what you


author of several biographies of famous people, offered us his biography ofAlbert Einstein, the world’s greatest scientist. Beckhard attended The Ethical Culture School, Amherst College, and the Columbia School of Journalism. His work experiences are: free-lance feature writer, crime reporter, music and drama critic, and ed- itorial writer. The biography, “Albert Einstein,” a stirring


Fifty-one years ago, Arthur Beckhard, the


is it that you could ask why you must go to school? School is the place where questions should be answered.” Albert, angrily: “But they’re not! They don’t


geniousness in the whole Einstein family, espe- cially, Herman Einstein’s brother, “Uncle Ja- cob”, in helpingAlbert to cope with school and racial prejudice, not only from his peers but his teachers, as well. The practice of real German culture, underneath themilitarism, was a famil- iar sight in the Einstein home where friends gathered to read aloud and entertain each other with classical music, poetry and well-selected German authors, e.g., Goethe, Schiller and Heine. We can use this family model to reconstruct


failing aspects of our own society. But, first you must read the book, reset attitudes, per- spectives and habits and build a new cultural foundation. This could be our second Manhat- tan project, only, the science of social engi- neering.


(For more information, email writedrma- ia@yahoo.com or call 901-745-4903.)


BOOK REVIEW


‘With this charming little book, you may start a new tradition’


there are traditions your fami- ly likes to do. You might decorate your


Every year for the holidays,


tree at a certain time with or- naments that mean something special to you. Maybe you all get together to bake and deco- rate cookies. Perhaps you go to church, then open presents – or the other way around, de- pending on when Santa comes. At Dog’s big white house,


even let anybody ask questions and they never think of answering them. I hate school; it’s like being in prison; guards marching up and down between the rows of desk”. You should read this book to discover the in-


there is somuch I don’t know – somuch I want to know. I want to know all about everything – right away.” Father: “If you really mean that,Albert, how


TSD Youth Literacy Project


Word Up!


surrender |səˈrendər| verb [ intrans. ]


cease resistance to an enemy or op- ponent and submit to their authority : over 140 rebels surrendered to the authorities. • [ trans. ] give up or hand over (a person, right, or possession), typical- ly on compulsion or demand : in 1815 Denmark surrendered Norway to Sweden | they refused to surrender their weapons. See note at relinquish . • [ trans. ] (in a sports contest) lose (a point, game, or advantage) : she surrendered only twenty games in her five qualifying matches. • ( surrender to) abandon oneself en- tirely to (a powerful emotion or influ- ence); give in to : he was surprised that Miriam should surrender to this sort of jealousy | he surrendered himself to the mood of the hills. • [ trans. ] (of an insured person) cancel (a life insurance policy) and receive back a proportion of the pre- miums paid. noun the action of surrendering. • the action of surrendering a life in-


they throw parties every Christmas and this year, he’s invited his friends from around the world. In “First Dog’s White House Christ- mas” by J. Patrick Lewis and Beth Zappitello, illustrated by Tim Bowers, you’re invited to the party, too. Things are very Christmas-


surance policy. ORIGIN lateMiddle English (chiefly in legal use): fromAnglo-Norman French (see sur- 1 , render ).


Thesaurus


surrender verb 1 the army surrendered capitulate, give in, give (oneself) up, give way, yield, concede (defeat), submit, climb down, back down, cave in, re- lent, crumble; lay down one’s arms, raise the white flag, throw in the towel. antonym resist. 2 they surrendered power to the workers give up, relinquish, re- nounce, forgo, forswear; cede, abdi- cate, waive, forfeit, sacrifice; hand over, turn over, yield, resign, trans- fer, grant. See note at relinquish . antonym seize. 3 don’t surrender all hope of chang- ing things abandon, give up, cast aside. noun the ordeal ended with their peaceful surrender capitulation, submission, yielding, succumbing, acquiescence; fall, defeat, resignation.


in pretending. I heard you and your brother de- ciding that the only way to keep Albert from asking so many questions was to answer him by asking him a question. But you see – it did- n’t work. He can always out last you!” Albert: “Is it wrong to ask questions?” Mother, fondly: “There’s nothing wrong in


mean”. Mother, sweetly: “Oh Herman, there’s no use


•Wash and iron his own clothes • Shine shoes • Call a taxi / take a cab ride alone • Properly use an encyclopedia • Read


Page 3B


with a Bûche de Noël, the Australian Dingo told Dog about Christmas picnics, the Chihuahua brought a piñata from Mexico, the Kangal Dog from Turkey explained where


land explained everything about mummering, and he brought some fruitcake for Dog to sample. The French Poodle arrived


Dog about the first Christmas cards sent in London over 160 years ago. The Canadian Newfound-


Dog took his place in the re- ception line and greeted all his guests. He asked them to tell everyone about the Christmas traditions in their home coun- try as they came through the line. The English Bulldog told


ed about is the party that’s coming up. Dog saw the invi- tation one day when he woke from his nap, and he decided to invite all his friends, too. On the evening of the party,


y at the White House. The Christmas trees are decorated and garlands are hung. There’s a big Nativity display, and everything smells wonderful. The Master Chef has even made a big gingerbreadWhite House with a candy garden, chocolate furniture and a marzipan Dog out front. But what Dog is most excit-


“First Dog’sWhite House Christmas” by J. Patrick Lewis and Beth Zappitello Illustrated by Tim Bowers c. 2010, Sleeping Bear Press $15.95 / $17.95 Canada 32 pages


Using Bo the ObamaDog as inspiration, authors J. Patrick Lewis and Beth Zappitello explain to kids what Christmas is like around the world; the traditions, the weather, and the special things that families do to celebrate.


St. Nicholas was born, and the Affenpinscher from Germany brought Dog a glass pickle for his tree. Soon, the White House was filled with dogs from all over the world! All of Dog’s four-footed


you could use them all with this irresistible book. Using Bo the ObamaDog as


inspiration, authors J. Patrick Lewis and Beth Zappitello ex- plain to kidswhat Christmas is like around the world; the tra- ditions, the weather, and the special things that families do to celebrate. You and your child may be amazed to learn the roots of some of the tradi- tions your family holds dear. My favorite parts of this


friends had a wonderful time at theWhite House. Hours lat- er, Dog was tired and he went to sleep. But when he woke, there was another surprise waiting for him… How many synonyms are there for “cute”? For sure,


Christmas read-aloud this year, don’t be surprised if “First Dog’s White House Christmas” is the first one that’s grabbed. With this charming little book, you may start a new tradition.


book, though – and I suspect they’ll be your child’s fa- vorites, too – are the adorable, colorful drawings. Illustrator Tim Bowers gives each ani- mal such an expressive face and fun demeanor that the pic- tures might just influence a kid’s request from Santa. When your child wants a


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