I am not sure what my schedule is like for the rest of the afternoon, so I will post earlier than I normally do. I read quite a bit yesterday and one of the books I finished was by a friend, Deb E. Berg and is called Ja-Mya and the Journey. I taught two members of the Berg family and Deb was a founding member of our small school. Much of the underlying philosophy that led to this group of parents approaching educators with their idea of a different way of imagining a school and children’s learning is reflected in this book.
The book weaves story-telling reminiscent of classics such as The Chronicles of Narnia, Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz, and many others. The two main characters, Teagen and Andrew, search for life’s meaning as two adolescents who embark on their summer vacation with their uncle. They search for their Heart’s Desire, explore deep and timeless questions adolescents ask, and enter a fourth dimension where time is not as we understand it. They witness two opposing worldviews: one of abundance and stewardship; the other of scarcity and depletion. They learn their greatest strengths are often their greatest weaknesses. The reader embarks on a journey with Teagen and Andrew as they learn about nature, connect to a new world through their imagination, and find wisdom. In a single afternoon, Andrew “fought a war, rode a dragon, wrote and performed a song while learning about my Heart’s desire.”
This book is about finding and integrating the contemporary with the traditional. It is about a real need to see legacy not through the eyes of adults, but through the eyes of children. What world do we choose to leave for them? What is our gift to them?
I leave you with the song Andrew wrote and performed at the end of the book:
Life begins, life ends,
Struggles come and go
What the Journey holds for each
Is something we cannot know.
Friends along the way,
Providing what we need
In companionship and wisdom
With varied type of deed.
One’s Heart’s Desire can only be found
When walking the road of life
No matter what we find it is
The awareness will bring less strife.
Emotion also finds its place
Along the Journey’s way
With welcoming and firm embrace
Wisdom will guide today.
Value, meaning, the hope of life
Shows in the time we take
To listen to a kinder voice
Love’s words to never forsake.
Life begins, life ends,
Struggles come and go
What the Journey holds for each
Is something we cannot know.
I would love to use this book in the form of a novel study or a reading project with junior high students.
ivonprefontaine
Teacher as Transformer 
It sounds like a modern-day “Pilgrim’s Progress”.
That sounds like a good comparison.
The book sounds great. I’ll add it to my list. I love the poem!
I think you will enjoy it Amber.
From what you wrote, I believe I will
Would be a fine project to spark young imaginations.
I agree Alex.
That sound like a terrific book for kids. Thank you for the suggestion and for sharing the poem.
Russ
It is a great book. I think adults would enjoy it. I did.
Brilliant as always..can I use this as a useful resource for my website- with due credit of course..? Thanks a lot..
By all means Swati; it is a great book.
Beautiful words of the song. And the book sounds really interesting, another one for my wish list. Bless you, Ivon.
You will enjoy it. Bless you Lizzie.
Beautiful poem. Words runs in an excellent manner Inspiring too. Quite interesting.
Thank you.
It was a great book to read and the poem was a nice conclusion.
Loved the poem….will have to get the book! Thanks!
I enjoyed the whole book and this was a nice way of capping it off.
I nominated you for the Shine-on Award. Come read about my adventures accepting it: http://greenwalledtower.wordpress.com/2013/03/27/a-w-a-r-d-s/
Thank you David. This is much appreciated.
The Versatile Blogger Award
Please accept this award
http://prayingforoneday.wordpress.com/2013/04/13/the-versatile-blogger-award/
And be sure to pass it to 15 people
Thanks, Shaun
Thank you Shaun. The award is greatly appreciated.
My pleasure mate..
Shaun