OFF THE TRACK by Betsy S. Lee, an character education tool

Character education involves teaching children about basic human values including honesty, kindness, generosity, courage, freedom, equality and respect.

The goal is to raise children to become morally responsible, self-disciplined citizens. Problem solving, decision-making, and conflict resolution are important parts of developing moral character. Through role- playing and discussions, students can see that their decisions affect other people and things.       

Source:  From The Language of Learning: A Guide to Education Terms, by J. L. McBrian & R. S. Brandt,

 

THE MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW 

                                     MBR Bookwatch

Volume 7, Number 2

February 2008

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Off the Track
Betsy S. Lee
Infinity Publishing

ISBN 0741438178   $13.95

Miss Libby Lee was a very successful Greyhound racing dog, but though a winner in most of her races, the sleek canine lived a tough boring life. She travels in a small cage from track to track every day. However, when her career tanks as she gets older and loses speed, she is exiled to the frightening off track where none of your pals and rivals ever hears from you again.

Libby is fortunate as Betsy and Kal, known as mommy and daddy, adopt her and take her to their home in Florida where she meets Grandma and the older much smaller Italian Greyhound Faun, affectionately known as Mr. Nut. Libby becomes a special canine when she becomes a therapy dog. Life is good except for Mr. Nut's mouth odor and in house accidents. When mommy and daddy bring home an ailing Greyhound they call Precious Princess, Libby and Nut are unhappy. However, over time they become friends as PP heals.

Using personification, Libby tells much of this insightful entertaining tale from her first person account although there are third person escapades in which the three dogs share thoughts and history. From the moment Libby fails to get the mirror dog to play with her until PP becomes a therapy dog, elementary school children will be hooked while subtly looking at social issues and positive personality traits without dumbing down. Few autobiographical fictions especially targeting preadolescents are as much fun as this anthropomorphic tale of Libby Lee told in her words.

Harriet  Klausner

Senior Reviewer

 

... children could not wait to hear more ... the potential is endless in a classroom…

Shelly Long, School Advisory Council Chairperson, Fourth-Grade Teacher …

 … Children loved the story and were captivated by the dogs’ adventures. my class was truly intrigued … wanted to know more ... I view this story as an asset to my classroom …

Brian Mc Elhone, Teacher

 

… OFF THE TRACK exemplifies characteristics which we try to instill in our children … addresses more sensitive therapeutic issues of loss, rejection, and abandonment … your use of anthropomorphic characteristics in relation to “the girls” was brilliant!

Susan Zitsman, M.S., L.M.H.C., Clinical Director St. Augustine Youth Services

 

… fictional approach to real- life situations … impacted both boys and girls … they readily identified to the events in the story … they were anxious to hear further adventures of the Nut, Libby and Precious Princess

 Beverly Sanders, Florida School For The Deaf And The Blind          

    

   

St. Johns County Public Library System

                                          Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library                                                                                        101 Library Boulevard

                                                         Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082

                                                              Phone: (904) 827-6950 

                                                                                   Fax:     (904) 827-6955

5/24/07

Dear Mrs. Betsy Lee,

I would like to thank you and your husband along with your other family members for providing the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library patrons and staff with such a fulfilling and enjoyable library program.  Patrons left the program with nothing but compliments, and a child snatched up your book to check out right when she came out of the program! So, not only did your program entertain, but it also helped spark the “reading bug” in our patrons!

Thanks, again, for providing our library patrons all over the county with a quality afternoon program. Best luck to you in the future!

Sincerely,

Amy Ring, Manager

Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library

                                      Betsy S. Lee is available for school and library programs.