21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari
"In twenty-one accessible chapters that are both provocative and profound, Harari builds on the ideas explored in his previous books, untangling political, technological, social, and existential issues and offering advice on how to prepare for a very different future from the world we now live in: How can we retain freedom of choice when Big Data is watching us? What will the future workforce look like, and how should we ready ourselves for it? How should we deal with the threat of terrorism? Why is liberal democracy in crisis?"
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Head of Science, Mr. James Ravensbergen, teaches Chemistry, coaches the Alpine team and sponsors Encounter. His hobbies include: playing bass guitar and motorcycling.
Mr. Ravensbergen's favourite genre is suspense/thriller. Of this selection, he says: "I found the ideas interesting and am interested in digging into this ideas with a group of other people." |
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson
"What is the nature of space and time? How do we fit within the universe? How does the universe fit within us? There’s no better guide through these mind-expanding questions than acclaimed astrophysicist and best-selling author Neil deGrasse Tyson.
But today, few of us have time to contemplate the cosmos. So Tyson brings the universe down to Earth succinctly and clearly, with sparkling wit, in tasty chapters consumable anytime and anywhere in your busy day." |
Ms. Calindy Ramsden teaches Science 8, Earth Science 11, and Chemistry 11 and coaches the Alpine and Mountain Bike Teams. Her hobbies include: skiing, biking, and nature!
Ms. Ramsden's favourite genres are Historical Fiction, Non Fiction and Biographies. So why did she pick this book? "Who doesn't love Space!? Or have so many questions about Space! I got really interested in this area of science when I started teaching Earth Science 11 and wanted to learn more about Space to help my students." So why recommend this? "Do you wonder about the world up there? Do you have questions about time travel? Space travel? How the universe began? All these questions and more are discussed in this book!" |
Chop Wood Carry Water by Joshua Medcalf
""Guided by “Akira-sensei,” John comes to realize the greatest adversity on his journey will be the challenge of defeating the man in the mirror.
This powerful story of one boy’s journey to achieve his life long goal of becoming a samurai warrior, brings the Train to be CLUTCH curriculum to life in a powerful and memorable way." |
House Commander, Mr. Joel Ditson, teaches Social Studies and coaches Basketball.
Math teacher, Mr. Stephan Hautz, coaches Jr Boys Basketball. In his free time, he changes changes poopy diapers. His preferred reading genre is nerdy sports fiction and non-fiction. Of his selection, he explains: "I've just recently read it and felt it would be a great read for a young person who wants to work on their mental toughness and perseverance. There are lots of applications for athletes in their process of becoming great, or anyone looking to focus on the process rather than the end result. It's short, an easy read, but still has a ton of takeaways that you can apply to your personal and professional life."
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The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle
"An essential book that unlocks the secrets of highly successful groups and provides readers with a toolkit for building a cohesive, innovative culture, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Talent Code."
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Head of Math, Mr. Andy Wong, coaches Senior Boys basketball and Tennis.
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Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
"In April, 1992, a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. His name was Christopher Johnson McCandless. He had given $25,000 in savings to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burned all the cash in his wallet, and invented a new life for himself. Four months later, a party of moose hunters found his decomposed body. How McCandless came to die is the unforgettable story of Into the Wild."
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Mr. Clayton Fox teaches Science 10, Science 10 Enriched, and Biology 11 and 12, and he sponsors the Bouldering Club.
Mr. Fox calls his selection: "A captivating and thought provoking true story about a young man's adventures across America in search of adventure and the development of his own life philosophy. Also a fantastic movie with a great soundtrack." |
Legacy by James Kerr
"In Legacy, best-selling author James Kerr goes deep into the heart of the world’s most successful sporting team, the legendary All Blacks of New Zealand, to reveal 15 powerful and practical lessons for leadership and business.
Legacy is a unique, inspiring handbook for leaders in all fields, and asks: What are the secrets of success – sustained success? How do you achieve world-class standards, day after day, week after week, year after year? How do you handle pressure? How do you train to win at the highest level? What do you leave behind you after you’re gone?" |
Head of Physical Education, Mr. Tom Larisch, coaches the Senior Rugby team.
Explore and Leadership 11 teacher, Mr. Andrew Field, coaches the Mountain Biking team. Of this selection, he says: "It has a neat connection with Rugby and is a quick and simple read that is engaging and reminds me of the times when I played rugby a long time ago."
Mr. Neil Yeates teaches Physical Education and coaches rugby.
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Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Emil Frankl
"Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl's memoir has riveted generations of readers with its descriptions of life in Nazi death camps and its lessons for spiritual survival. Based on his own experience and the stories of his patients, Frankl argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward with renewed purpose. At the heart of his theory, known as logotherapy, is a conviction that the primary human drive is not pleasure but the pursuit of what we find meaningful. Man's Search for Meaning has become one of the most influential books in America; it continues to inspire us all to find significance in the very act of living."
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Science teacher, Mr. Evan Hall, coaches Rugby. Most of his spare time is taken up by his toddler, but he likes being out on the water, fishing and enjoys all kinds of sports and exercise.
Mr. Hall reads a lot of non-fiction but also likes a good murder mystery. So why this selection? "It's a really powerful book - anyone who has studied WWII and learned about the concentration camps in Germany will understand what a horrifying experience that was. The author somehow was able to survive and come out of it with some amazing life lessons." |
The Musician's Way by Gerald Klickstein
"In The Musician's Way, veteran performer and educator Gerald Klickstein combines the latest research with his 30 years of professional experience to provide aspiring musicians with a roadmap to artistic excellence. Part I, Artful Practice, describes strategies to interpret and memorize compositions, fuel motivation, collaborate, and more. Part II, Fearless Performance, lifts the lid on the hidden causes of nervousness and shows how musicians can become confident performers. Part III, Lifelong Creativity, surveys tactics to prevent music-related injuries and equips musicians to tap their own innate creativity. Written in a conversational style, The Musician's Way presents an inclusive system for all instrumentalists and vocalists to advance their musical abilities and succeed as performing artists."
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Choir teacher, Mr. David Buchan, teaches sponsors a variety of Grades 8-12 Choirs. In his free time, he enjoys Hiking, swimming, and biking.
Mr. Buchan's favourite genre is sci-fi. So why pick this book? "It's highly recommended for performers and it translates well to schools." |
Natural Born Heroes by Christopher McDougall
"After running an ultramarathon through the Copper Canyons of Mexico, Christopher McDougall finds his next great adventure on the razor-sharp mountains of Crete, where a band of Resistance fighters in World War II plotted the daring abduction of a German general from the heart of the Nazi occupation. How did a penniless artist, a young shepherd, and a playboy poet believe they could carry out such a remarkable feat of strength and endurance, smuggling the general past thousands of Nazi pursuers, with little more than their own wits and courage to guide them? McDougall makes his way to the island to find the answer.
More than a mystery of remarkable people and cunning schemes, Natural Born Heroes is a fascinating investigation into the lost art of the hero, taking us from the streets of London at midnight to the beaches of Brazil at dawn, from the mountains of Colorado to McDougall’s own backyard in Pennsylvania, all places where modern-day athletes are honing ancient skills so they’re ready for anything." |
Head of Explore, Mr. Eric Waters, enjoys everything outdoors plus reading, travel, exercise, and parenting. He loves non-fiction adventure travel and leadership books; he enjoy new perspectives on intriguing subjects.
On why he selected this book, he says: "It's an entertaining read that combines Greek mythology, WW II history, and physical fitness science and will be both inspirational and enlightening. If you're into fitness, parkour, history, greek mythology, or global travel, this is the book for you!" |
Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
"In Sapiens, Dr Yuval Noah Harari spans the whole of human history, from the very first humans to walk the earth to the radical – and sometimes devastating – breakthroughs of the Cognitive, Agricultural and Scientific Revolutions. Drawing on insights from biology, anthropology, paleontology and economics, he explores how the currents of history have shaped our human societies, the animals and plants around us, and even our personalities. Have we become happier as history has unfolded? Can we ever free our behaviour from the heritage of our ancestors? And what, if anything, can we do to influence the course of the centuries to come?"
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Ms. Walentyna Karcz teaches Geography 12 and AP Economics and sponsors the Econ Club. In her free time, she plays sports, skis/snowboards, goes to movies, and sees friends.
Ms. Karcz prefers non-fiction; hence, she chose this book because: "It is a book about us, humans. It's an easy read that touches so many topics. It creates curiosity to learn more." 
Ms. Shaina Gleicher teaches Design and Technology and Robotics and sponsors the Robotics club. In her spare time, she enjoys rock climbing.
Ms. Gleicher's favourite genre is historical fiction. So why chose this book? She was inspired by a student: "It was given to me as a Christmas gift from a student." |
The Third Chimpanzee by Jared Diamond
"We human beings share 98 percent of our genes with chimpanzees. Yet humans are the dominant species on the planet -- having founded civilizations and religions, developed intricate and diverse forms of communication, learned science, built cities, and created breathtaking works of art -- while chimps remain animals concerned primarily with the basic necessities of survival. What is it about that two percent difference in DNA that has created such a divergence between evolutionary cousins? In this fascinating, provocative, passionate, funny, endlessly entertaining work, renowned Pulitzer Prize–winning author and scientist Jared Diamond explores how the extraordinary human animal, in a remarkably short time, developed the capacity to rule the world . . . and the means to irrevocably destroy it."
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Head of Performing Arts, Mr. Michael Schaldemose, teaches Drama and Stage Craft.
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Zen Golf: Mastering the Mental Game by Joseph Parent
"The best players know that golf is a game of confidence, and most important, concentration–the ability to focus and block out distraction. The goal of achieving clear thought is also at the heart of Buddhist teachings. In his highly original and groundbreaking book, noted PGA coach and Buddhist instructor, Dr. Joseph Parent, draws on this natural connection and teaches golfers how to clear their minds, achieve ultimate focus, and play in the moment for each shot.
Zen Golf presents a simple system for building “mental game mastery.” Dr Parent’s unique PAR Approach (focusing on Preparation, Action, and Response to Results) guides golfers with specific techniques for each aspect of their games. By combining classic insights and stories from Zen tradition, Zen Golf helps eliminate the mental distractions that routinely cause poor shots and loss of concentration, allowing golfers to feel in “the zone” that professionals have learned to master." |
Head of Fine Arts, Mr. Jake Francis, teaches Photography, Design and Filmmaking, sponsors Film Club and coaches the Golf Team. His hobbies include: golf, illustration, watching the Canucks, playing video games and watching movies.
His favourite genres are Horror, Supernatural, and Self-Improvement. So why select this book? "It's the best time of the year, with good weather and lots of time, to work on your golf game and to reset mentally for playing your best golf. For anyone who golfs, whether they are just starting or have been playing for years, this book will help athletes to focus and train the mental part of their game. Definitely this is for golfers but it could also apply to other sports as many of the principles apply to other fields." |