Dale Stahl has been a pedagogical gypsy. For the past few years he has bounced around from one school district to another in search of a permanent teaching position. He is father to a couple very cute little kids (Now, isn't "very cute little kids" a bit of a redundancy?). He's also a basketball coach, but I almost hate to mention it because of all the stereotypes associated with high school coaches who are also social studies teachers. Dale probably doesn't fit your stereotypes. His writing and thoughts below ought to dispel most of them. Besides that, I'd add my observations that I've seen him approach teaching thoughtfully and energetically. You know, I'm really impressed by Dale as a teacher and a good guy even though he's an Ole. (If that joke doesn't make sense to you, you'll have to learn that Carleton and St. Olaf Colleges share the environment of Northfield, Minnesota.) Two small colleges in one small town and one athletic conference make for natural rivalries, even if it weren't for other differences between the institutions. If you want to know more, follow the links above to their web sites, check them out in one of the numerous college guides, or write the admissions offices and see what they say about themselves. In spite of being married to a St. Olaf PR flack, and in spite of being a bit estranged from the misguided behaviors of my alma mater, I still identify myself as a Carl. Dale is an Ole. We get along well anyway. He wrote recently to earn his asterisk.
"Here is a submission to Reading. One of my New Year's resolutions is to write more, (actually, to write something other than assignments and essay questions,) and I thought that this would be a great place to start.
"Upon returning to school after our recent winter break, the first activity I asked the students to participate in was a 'Year in Review' of 1996. For the first time in my life, I had a ready answer to one of the categories in this look back over the past year. I usually draw a complete blank when asked to name the most significant news events, movies, or books of the year. In this case, however, I have two clear choices for the best fiction and non-fiction books I read in 1996.
"Snow Falling On Cedars, by David Guterson, is the best work of fiction I read in 1996. The book centers around the mysterious death of a fisherman off San Piedro Island, north of the Puget Sound, in 1954. The ensuing trial of a Japanese-American fisherman, and gradual unveiling of the events and other characters involved are both beautifully written and well crafted. In addition, the story involves the relationship between Japanese-Americans and World War II veterans in the decade following the war. This would be an excellent work to incorporate into an American Studies course, as Guterson gives a detailed and moving description of the internment camps in which Japanese-Americans were forced to relocate.
"Aside from its academic value, this is simply a good mystery that combines intriguing characters, compelling clues, and a unique setting which immediately captured my imagination. Despite never having read a book set in the Puget Sound, Guterson's prose transported me to this amazing part of the country. The islands in this area provide harbors for fishing boats, majestic old growth forests, and lush strawberry fields. In fact, the description in the book is so good that I found myself craving strawberries as I read, even as I stayed up late in the night to find out whether or not the jury returned with a verdict of guilty!
Info about the book and the author. from the Glendale Community College web site
Here's the review from BookPage
And here is David Guterson's "Thank You" to Harper Lee
"My other choice for book of the year also involves a courtroom and a jury's verdict, although Woburn, Massachusetts, is definitely not as lovely as San Piedro Island. In A Civil Action, Jonathan Harr describes the true story of a lawsuit involving several Massachusetts families who tragically lose children to leukemia. They have the misfortune of living in a city where the ground water is polluted by a local tannery and a chemical company. This book is a fascinating account of all of the money and legal maneuvering surrounding a civil suit. Harr has access to the attorneys for the plaintiffs, and walks us through the strategy sessions and trial preparation of the lawyers. He also reveals the effects of going to trial on the personal lives of the families and their attorneys, as well as the cost of taking on two of the country's largest corporations.
"The most interesting and infuriating thing about A Civil Action is the irrelevance of the facts to the legal process. If I had seen these events in a made for television movie, I would have scoffed at the writers for their ridiculous plot twists and unrealistic portrayal of the judge in this case. I would not believe that rational people would ignore common sense facts as the corporate attorneys and judge did in the Woburn case. Given the national debate over tort reform that was raised in the last election, I offer A Civil Action as a rebuttal to those who are concerned that corporate America is in jeopardy as a result of frivolous lawsuits. The families of the Woburns of the world need all the help they can get."
See a concurring review of A Civil Action by Rick Hunter
(By the way, while reviewing the paragraphs at the top of the page, my spell checker kept asking me if I meant to type "Loaf" each time I'd written "Olaf." Carleton wasn't recognized either. The spell checker offered "Charlatan" as an alternative.)
