It is one of the most insidious, most damaging, and yet most ubiquitous of corporate activities. We all hate it. And yet nobody does anything about it. Until now... Straight-talking Sam Culbert, management guru and UCLA professor, minces no words as he puts managers on notice that -- with the performance review as their weapon of choice -- they have built a corporate culture based on intimidation and fear. Teaming up with Wall Street Journal Senior Editor Lawrence Rout, he shows us why performance reviews are bogus and how they undermine both creativity and productivity. And he puts a good deal of the blame squarely on human resources professionals, who perpetuate the very practice that they should be trying to eliminate. But Culbert does more than merely tear down. He also offers a substitute -- the performance preview -- that will actually accomplish the tasks that performance reviews were supposed to, but never will: holding people accountable for their actions and their results, and giving managers and their employees the kind of feedback they need for improving their skills and to give the company more of what it needs. With passion, humor, and a rare insight into what motivates all of us to do our best, Culbert offers all of us a chance to be better managers, better employees and, indeed, better people. Culbert has long said his goal is to make the world of work fit for human consumption. "Get Rid of the Performance Review!" shows us how to do just that.

    Keeping Earth a happy healthy place to live is important for everyone big and small. In this Earth science book for beginners, kids learn what makes our planet so uniquely special and how people can work together to keep it a healthy home. I Am Earth is a great way to start children at an early age to care for the environment by understanding why the environment is so important and what they can do to help keep nature in balance, like recycle, reuse and conserve. For all living creatures that call planet Earth home, every day is Earth Day! Bright, vivid illustrations will capture kids’ attention and keep learning fun. “Keep Earth a happy, healthy place to live!”

    Thriving with ADHD is a workbook specially designed to helps kids with ADHD develop essential skills for managing their ADHD symptoms, while also providing a powerful message of hope and encouragement for their future.In Thriving with ADHD family therapist Kelli Miller draws upon both her professional expertise, as well as her experience as the mother of two ADHD children, to help kids reframe the way they think about ADHD and discover that they have special talents that are unique to them. With fun activities that engage their busy minds, Thriving with ADHD offers kids a better understanding of themselves, their ADHD, and the simple things they can do to feel more confident and in control.Thriving with ADHD includes: An overview of ADHD that includes common symptoms, ADHD types, how ADHD can be an asset, and areas where kids could use additional support. Exercises that build helpful skills for dealing with anger, staying focused, controlling impulses, and making mindful decisions. Action-oriented lessons for daily life that teach practical tools such as creating a morning routine, making a homework chart, and expressing themselves when they’re upset. Techniques for self-regulation and organization that help kids handle any emotion or obstacle, so they can spend their energy having fun and just being kids! Though ADHD is very common, its symptoms can make life challenging for kids. Through the knowledgeable guidance and support in Thriving with ADHD kids will see that ADHD isn’t in charge of their lives—they are.

    A glory-seeking thief. Will he discover his destiny on a quest for treasure? Fifteen-year-old elf Grey Cloak loathes his dark draconic master. So the young rogue persuades his human blood brother to set out in pursuit of fame and fortune. Ignoring their close shaves with gnolls, orcs, and halflings, the hard-headed youth won’t rest until he has his hands on his enemy’s gold.Lured by the promise of riches and powerful charms, the bold elf and his companion join an untrustworthy band of thieves and plunge headlong into danger. But with mysterious forces charging them to slay a dragon, one misstep could land the duo back in the clutches of their former fire-breathing tyrant.Will the fearless pair uncover their true purpose before evil returns them to slavery?Blood Brothers is the first book in the thrilling Dragon Wars epic fantasy series. If you like swords and sorcery, magical creatures, and page-turning suspense, then you’ll love Craig Halloran’s latest captivating saga.Buy Blood Brothers to begin a mystical journey today!

    Hilarious!" -- Dav Pilkey, creator of Captain Underpants and Dog ManThey may look like Bad Guys, but these wannabe heroes are doing good deeds...whether you like it or not! This New York Times bestselling illustrated series is perfect for fans of Dog Man and Captain Underpants.Get ready to laugh up your lunch with the baddest bunch of do-gooders in town! Watch the fur fly in the first five hilarious installments in this bestselling series, now in one bad-to-the-bone boxed set: The Bad Guys,The Bad Guys in Mission Unpluckable, The Bad Guys in the Furball Strikes Back, The Bad Guys in Attack of the Zittens, and The Bad Guys in Interstellar Gas.

    To answer them, psychiatrist, researcher, and critically acclaimed author Jeffrey Satinover first explores the latest discoveries in neuroscience, modern physics, and radically new kinds of computing, then shows how, together, they suggest the brain embodies and amplifies the mysterious laws of quantum physics. By its doing so, Satinover argues we are elevated above the mere learning machines modern science assumes us to be. Satinover also makes two provocative predictions: We will soon construct artificial devices as free and aware as we are; as well as begin a startling re-evaluation of just who and what we are, of our place in the universe, and perhaps even of God.

    

    Ages 7-10.Book Details: Format: Paperback Publication Date: 10/1/1995 Pages: 480 Reading Level: Age 7 and Up

    The hairs prickle on her neck as she drags her focus back to the chestnut hair fanned out in the shallow water at her feet. To the grains of sand decorating the beautiful girl’s white cheeks like freckles.Private Detective Charlie Winters never thought she’d find herself back on Salem Island, but she’s forced home re-opening the wound that never healed: her sister was abducted from the small town when they were teenagers.For Charlie, her sister’s voice in her head—pushing her to risk everything to seek justice for the innocent—is a painful and constant reminder of what she lost. And never has that voice been louder than when a family friend comes to Charlie begging for help to find her missing daughter, Kara.Searching Kara’s messy, poster-covered bedroom, Charlie finds more questions than answers. Did Kara run away, or was she snatched? She’s clearly been keeping secrets from her family—but don’t all teenagers?A little black matchbook hidden in a jewelry box is Charlie’s only lead, but the seedy nightclub it comes from proves to be nothing but a dangerous dead end. Until Charlie is approached by a second distraught mother whose daughter has also vanished.Forced at every turn to relive the trauma she ran away from, Charlie’s blood runs cold when a girl’s body is discovered in the exact spot on the water’s edge where the last trace of her sister was found. It’s clear someone is taunting Charlie, but with other innocent girls’ lives at risk, she has no choice but to take the bait…

    . . take a bath. But she absolutely, positively doesn’t want to! Young readers will be cracking up at the antics that ensue, and at the lively line art of frantic, bad Bad Kitty as she desperately, at times crazily, tries NOT to take a bath.  In Happy Birthday, Bad Kitty, Bad Kitty is back again and badder than ever. But it’s party time now, and a new cast of kitties is coming over to celebrate in her second illustrated novel for young readers.  And lastly, in Bad Kitty vs Uncle Murray, Bad Kitty’s antics continue as she prepares for a battle royale when Uncle Murray steps into the role of petsitter. But wait, there’s more! Included in the boxed set is a full size poster featuring the cover of Bad Kitty for President. So put your paws up and vote!

    Imagine being certain that you are highly valued by your boss and coworkers. Imagine feeling secure and in control because, even if jobs are being eliminated, you're too valuable to let go. In other words, imagine being indispensable. Sound too good to be true? Not according to Mark Samuel, who has helped thousands of people around the world get on the path to personal achievement and fulfillment. He shows why the key to becoming indispensable is to embrace accountability rather than run from it, in everything you do at work and in your personal life.You'll see how Samuel's Personal Accountability Model really worked for people such as:- Lynn, who transformed herself from the worst teacher at her school to one of the most respected.- Dan, an office assistant of ten years who finally figured out how to jumpstart his career.- Mary, a super visor who had continually been skipped over for promotion, until she finally decided to stop "playing it small."- Jerry, a plant manager who got stuck in a "victim loop" when his division began to underperform. Only when he stopped blaming others could he find the energy and ideas to help his plant overcome its challenges.Becoming indispensable doesn't require a fancy degree, a senior management title, or a huge income. It's a mind-set available to anyone, as you'll learn from these and other inspiring true stories. You'll also discover Samuel's proven strategies for letting go of victimhood, figuring out what's really holding you back, and taking smart actions to achieve your highest goals.

    There is only one way he can take up the title of cultivator – to Awaken before he comes of age. Time is already running out.When a grand tournament for the magicking arts is announced, bringing old foes to Albion’s shores - rumours of betrayal and war send Falken on a journey in the unknown. There he unearths the mysteries of an ancient, long-forgotten sect – whose secrets offer hope – and the chance for Falken to develop powers that none have seen in an age.But Falken’s newfound powers may not be enough, for nightmare creatures, dark assassins and even the undead stalk the lands of Netherdei.And this is only the beginning…Fans of Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher and Avatar: The Last Airbender will enjoy this vivid, masterful tale of magicking, cultivation and fantasy adventure, inspired by the worlds of Xianxia and Wuxia.

    A battle royale. A chance of a lifetime. I’ve always been different. Awkward. Horrible at magic. A square peg shoved into a round hole. But when I arrive in Faerie, I have a chance to start over, to help people who have it worse than me, and to finally get to know my father—the King of Lyonesse.In Faerie I have friends and a fae guard who fancies me. Crazily enough, for once in my life my bloody magic is cooperating.There’s one hitch. To get what I want most, I have to fight—gladiator style—and I must win.The others are infinitely more powerful than me and a thousand times more charming. Cunning and competitive to boot. And they all want to be tops too. But when I really want something, I’ve never been one to give up. And I won’t start now.

    

    If you’ve ever questioned how to make math stations work, you’ll find this photo-filled, idea-packed resource invaluable. This book extends Debbie Diller’s best-selling work on literacy work stations and classroom design to the field of mathematics, detailing how to set up, manage, and keep math stations going throughout the year. There’s even a chapter devoted solely to organizing and using math manipulatives. Each chapter includes:Key concepts based on NCTM and state math standardsMath vocabulary resources and literature linksSuggested materials to include at each station for the corresponding math content strandIdeas for modeling, troubleshooting, differentiating, and assessmentReflection questions for professional development Throughout the book, Diller has included hundreds of colored photos showing math work stations in action from a variety of classrooms in which she has worked. Charts, reproducible forms, and math work stations icons are included to provide everything you’ll need to get started with stations in your classroom right away.