1.  American Association of School Administrators (AASA)
      http://www.aasa.org/publications/bulletinarticle.cfm?ItemNumber=5728

On the AASA Bookshelf

What Every Rookie Superintendent Should Know: Surviving Year One
by Robert Reeves, published by Rowman & Littlefield Education

At the end of the first year for a rookie superintendent, three questions are asked, “Did I survive? How do I know? Am I starting to build a legacy?” What Every Rookie Superintendent Should Know: Surviving Year One? by Robert Reeves lays the foundation for a new school superintendent to approach the first year with a systematic mindset, a strategic-thinking approach and skill sets that help the rookie survive and be able to positively answer the questions. The book uses a conversational approach creating a give-and-take between the rookie superintendent and a mentor. In a fictional school with fictional characters experiencing real-life problems, the mentor provides a systems approach upon which the rookie can build a strong first year foundation.

Robert Reeves retired after 48 years in public education, of which 26 years were spent as superintendent in the Poway Unified School District in the San Diego area. He now heads the Reeves Consulting Group and is a 30-year member of AASA.

If you are an AASA member and have authored a book in the recent past, drop us a note and we'll mention it here. Send your information to magazine@aasa.org.  

2. Center for Strategic Management – Systems Thinking Press™

The Center for Strategic Management showcases the book on their web site on-line book store at www.systemsthinkingpress.com/

"Often times, there is a lack of preparation provided for the new superintendent by universities and professional associations. Meanwhile, new school superintendents are so focused on campaigning that little time is spent on what it takes to succeed in the position. In What Every Rookie Superintendent Should Know the author lays the foundation with a systematic mindset, a strategic thinking approach, and skills sets, which not only helps the rookie survive, but decreases the learning curve time.

This book features a conversational approach between the rookie superintendent and the sage mentor. It highlights real-life situations and offers survival strategies. The scene is of a fictional school and characters with many problems that are based on events that have occurred over time in school situations. The mentor provides a systems approach to establish some time-tested building blocks upon which the rookie can build a strong first year foundation. The mission is to improve learning for all students by pulling an organization out of chaos into a well functioning learning organization.