"This is a delightful visit to a
small island in the Bering Sea without having to travel.
The landscapes and seascapes are beautifully painted by
an outsider, a non-Eskimo teacher, who learns to cherish
and respect the culture of his students and the small village
in which they live. It is a heart-wrenching story of a
group of seemingly uneducable students who, with the coaching
of their teacher, not only learn to love learning, but
end up champions in a national competition." |
-- Jean M. Auel, author of The Clan of the Cave Bear
|
| "Straightforwardly, The
Kids from Nowhere is a heart-lifting
epic about the educational triumph of a group of Yupik
Eskimo students from tiny, isolated St. Lawrence Island,
Alaska. But the story unfolds on several levels at once
and is equally revealing about the stunning dedication
of their gifted teacher and guide, George Guthridge." |
--Barry Lopez, award-winning author of Arctic Dreams
|
| "The Kids from Nowhere
is proof that people everywhere can accomplish amazing
feats when given educational tools and instruction that
fit their way of life and thinking. George Guthridge's
poignant book is about hope rekindled in the icy north,
and how a teacher learned to move from "teaching" students
to "reaching" them. Read this book and discover
how young people truly can learn commitment to a cause
that, they come to realize, is much, much bigger than they
ever initially imagined" |
--Greg Mortenson, builder of schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan
and coauthor of New York Times bestseller Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s
Mission to Fight Terrorism and Build Nations. . . One School at a Time
|
| "No kids are more neglected than
the kids of our Native Nations. This book is a welcome
remedy to that lack of attention. It's inspiring
as well as being well-written, the kind of tale that every
teacher and every coach should respond to. I can't
recommend it highly enough." |
--Joseph Bruchac, Abenaki writer and storyteller,
author of Jim Thorpe: Original All-American
|
| "Beautifully written, The
Kids from Nowhere is a victorious
account of one teacher's journey with his Eskimo
students from the edge of nowhere to the brink of endless
promise" |
--Janet Berliner, coauthor of Artifact
|
| "Struggle is not
unusual in the Arctic, but the struggle for intellectual
accomplishment and personal integrity takes a new twist
in this compelling and engaging narrative. . . . Guthridge's
writing is immaculate and heartfelt as he skillfully explores
village life, educational practice, and the desire to succeed." |
--James Ruppert Ph.D., coeditor of Our Voices:
Native Stories of Alaska and the Yukon
|
| "We often talk about
problems facing education. Guthridge offers solid solutions." |
--Profs. John Creed and Susan Andrews, editors of
Authentic Alaska: Voices of its Native Authors
|
| "What a remarkable accomplishment!" |
--Grace Corrigan (mother of Christa McAuliffe) |
