Green Eggs and Abraham: What’s on my bookshelf

It’s no secret that I am passionate about education – specifically increasing third-grade reading proficiency.  This is a key education milestone. Children not reading proficiently by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school, undermining their ability to develop skills needed in our competitive, global economy.

In honor of National Literacy Month (US) and International Literacy Day (September 8), I’d like to share a few of my personal favorite books inspired by my appreciation of history, science and great stories.

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

I often cite this as one of my favorite children’s books. I love the innovation and curiosity it took for Theodor Geisel to write it. Geisel’s publisher bet him that he could not complete a book without exceeding 50 words. Not only did Geisel win the bet, he created a compelling journey of two characters that for decades has been used to teach simple vocabulary to early readers. This book was instrumental in helping me teach my own children and grandchildren to read.

Origin by Dan Brown

Simply put, this novel speaks my language. It’s a science fiction thriller that infuses technology, curiosity and visualization. More specifically, it highlights the power of artificial intelligence (albeit far more advanced than present day reality). Brown has said that his curiosity leads him through the topics he chooses and hopes that it piques curiosity of his readers as well. Curiosity is paramount to innovation, whether in crafting a fiction novel or new technology. 

Artemis by Andy Weir

As a software developer in the Apollo program, I was a part of a generation that learned how math, science and technology can transform the world. Maybe that’s why I enjoyed this science fiction novel so much; it gave a very realistic picture of life on the moon.  And, while I’m on the topic of outer space, I also really enjoyed Weir’s earlier book, The Martian, and the movie that followed.

The Johnstown Flood by David McCullough

I’m not just a science fiction reader. I also gravitate toward non-fiction recounts of historical moments. Written about the Great Flood of 1889 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, it depicts one of the most devastating disasters in American history. There are many lessons to be learned through the telling of this story, all of which are still applicable in life and business today.

The Wright Brothers by David McCullough

I liked this one so much I actually read it more than once. This book recounts the pivotal moment in world history when two bike mechanics taught the world to fly. McCullough captures the Wright brothers’ doggedness; their steady and continued belief in what they were doing in the face of repeated failure. They were engineers and innovators who continued to persist. And, it happened right here in my home state of North Carolina.

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Similar to historical non-fiction, I really enjoy biographies. Goodwin’s biography about Lincoln is one of my favorites because it portrayed his innovative approach to strategy and leadership during the Civil War. For example, he used the telegraph office as a means to do more than just gain intel; it allowed him to better direct his generals and exercise leadership directly to the front lines in a way that other leaders were unable to do.

Bridging gaps in literacy (and data literacy)

At first glance, it may appear that I’m mainly drawn to non-fiction or science-based fiction. But, that’s not the only trend in this list. All of these books inspire curiosity, innovation and ingenuity. From Green Eggs and Ham to Abraham Lincoln, all genres can teach and inspire. This is why early childhood literacy is so important – because once a child learns to read, they can read to learn.

Earlier, I referenced the correlation of early childhood literacy to high school dropout rates.  Children who have mastered reading proficiency by third grade are also more likely to gain access to and excel at STEM-based curriculum and have more highly technical opportunities after graduation.

This brings me to another growing literacy gap crucial to our competitive, global economy: data literacy. Data literacy is a critical competency to help us consume, analyze and understand the deluge of information we receive.

Data literacy is not just for computer scientists – it benefits students across all subjects. Students today are expected to be creative problem-solvers and use critical thinking and evidence to support answers. We must challenge them to explore solutions to the world’s problems, tapping into their passion and energy, while also instilling in them a deeper understanding of data.

You’ll be hearing more about this topic in future posts. By combining our commitment to early childhood literacy with our Data for Good efforts and our support of the UN Global Goals, SAS is committed to creating a more data literate population.

Please share some of your favorite books and why they’re important to you. Also, what are your thoughts on data literacy and how can we help young people better understand and use data?