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Free Books for Teachers
Any teacher of young adults may request a free copy of NEBADOR Book One: The Test for educational use. Normally, the author will send the Medium Print edition, best for most youth. If there is need, the Large Print edition, and the Dramatic Audiobook (MP3 CD), are also available. A copy of the Deep Learning Notes will be included.
This offer is made equally to community and home teachers, religious teachers, and school teachers. The NEBADOR series is most appropriate for bright kids 8-12, reluctant readers 12-18, and everyone in between.
Teachers who use the NEBADOR books in their classrooms can increase student involvement and motivation by telling them about the writing and art contests, the author's question and answer page, the Ask Kibi advice page, and the Youth Futures blog.
If you find the book useful for educational purposes, and provide the author with endorsements, he would be happy to provide you with more copies, and more books of the NEBADOR series.
At this time, messages may be sent to this address, which is changed from time to time to avoid spam.
Reviews and Comments by Teachers
Dawn Schlink, autism teacher
Mojave High School, Las Vegas, Nevada
May 2011: "I read the first book yesterday and loved it. The way you put a different base system and probability in the book really caught my attention because I love math. And then your in depth presentation of phonics was awesome. I have taught a variety of age groups, a variety of disabilities, and a variety of cultural backgrounds and it always amazed me when teachers did not know about voice on/off or what determines the sound -ed makes at the end of words. I realize you made Deep Learning Notes, which again were awesome, but have you considered creating more of a workbook type?"
Brigitte Morse, 9-12 Resource Room Teacher
Community High School, Fort Kent, Maine
April 2011: "J.Z. Colby's Nebador: Book 1 -- The Test is a teen science fiction novel that appeals to students from all walks of life by including teens with varied backgrounds as the main characters of the story.
When my students saw the book on my desk that first day, they were all picking it up, asking if we were going to be able to read it next and what was it about! How exciting to see teens getting excited about a book! Because it was also available as a Kindle book, I was able to help my students purchase it in that manner and expose them to a whole new way of reading! And the audio book version totally enhances the reading experience!
Reading the book myself, I enjoyed watching the students, though of different intelligences and strengths, bond together, using their strengths and supporting each other during times of weakness or struggle, working as one unit, one team. This is a concept that we try to constantly reinforce in our classroom. What I enjoyed the most, as a teacher looking to share this book with my students, was the authors descriptions of how Ilika taught his students math and reading! These are many of the same techniques that we use with the students in our classroom, making the book more real for my students because of what and how it is being taught.
This is the kind of book that when you get to the end, you can't wait to pick up the next volume to find out what happens next! Bravo!"
May 2011: "How exciting it is to see the kids eat up the book and want to learn more everyday! I have a student who has almost finished the first book on her own and has requested the second book. It has really lit a fire under my students, having some of them now putting money away to buy more books!"
July 2011: "Thank you for writing books that interested my students enough so they wanted to read the next book in the series! It is great to see them enjoy reading something and WANTING to read more on their own! I don't typically see that in special education -- particularly at the high school level!"
Debbie Smith, middle school teacher
October 2010: "... I am constantly reading books (an average of 2 to 3 books a week) aimed at the Young Adult market. I am especially focused on finding books for reluctant readers. When I recieved the news that I was awarded one of the available copies of "The Test" by J.Z. Colby through GoodReads, I was psyched because I hoped that my first impressions would be validated as I read it. Good Science Fiction that is also acceptable to put on my shelves at school is kind of hard to come by so I really hoped that this book would fit the parameters. I felt the book started well and hooked the reader quickly with the air of mystery that surrounds Ilika, the central character. As the story unfolded and he began learning about the society he was interacting with and then started to choose his students I was sold. This book combined so many wonderful elements that reluctant readers like such as action, adventure, a little mystery and likeable but sometimes troubled characters their own age. I also appreciated the educational tidbits that were entwined in the story and the life lessons that were taught subltly throughout the novel. After finishing this book I found I would really like to read the next books in the series to find out what happens to these characters. I would recommend this book to most young adult AND adult readers, even if they think they don't like science fiction, because after reading "The Test" they just might change their minds."
Link to the review on GoodReads.com
Debby Iverson, Media Specialist
Coweeman Middle School, Kelso, Washington
May 2011: "Thank you so much for a copy of The Test! Our students love science fiction & this one is a gem. I'm looking forward to picking up the series and showing off Mireille's work. I'm excited for her that she is being published."
June 2011: "The books are amazing reads and I have really enjoyed Mireille's artwork. I am looking forward to sharing more about Nebador and your web site with our students."
Lisa, teacher of at-risk youth, USA
June 2010: "I'm a teacher so I must be very careful, and cannot share my picture or real name. I work with at-risk young adults, and have long been impressed by programs like Outward Bound and NOLS that challenge young people to take responsibility for themselves in environments that give them immediate feedback (which usually means wilderness). These books have that theme strongly, and I will be recommending them to some of my students, and to concerned adults. Please consider me a supporter."
Ellisa Lugo, Language Arts teacher
South Dade Middle School, Homestead, Florida
May 2011: "... I read a few paragraphs to my kids before the state writing test because of the amount of detail that was used. Fourth grader are still very new to this process of describiton, but they said "they could almost paint a picture" of that particular scene. I very much enjoyed your book, and would like to continue the series."
September 2011: "... excited to receive the second book! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the journey the teacher and students are on. I love how you use teachable moments. I have just lent my first book to a colleague and am anxiously waiting her first report. Please keep the journey going ... this story for me, is much more enjoyable than the Harry Potter series. Keep on with the journey and thank you!"
KD
homeschool teacher, Michigan
November 2011: "I just wanted to say your book is wonderful."
Schools where the NEBADOR stories are used:
This is only about half the schools, as many teachers do not feel at liberty to reveal their teaching locations, and we respect that situation.
Arkansas
Benton School District, Benton
California
Montgomery High School, Santa Rosa
South Hills High School, West Covina
KIPP Bayview Academy, San Fransisco
Lathrop Technology Magnet School, Santa Ana
Colorado
Fort Lupton Middle School, Fort Lupton
Florida
Gold Coast Community School, West Palm Beach
South Dade Middle School, Homestead
Jackson County Adult Education, Marianna
Lake Alfred Elementary School, Lake Alfred
Osteen Elementary, Osteen
Moon Lake Elementary, New Port Richey
Georgia
Southeast Bulloch High School, Brooklet
Illinois
North Lawndale, Chicago
St. Hyacinth School, Chicago
Moulton Middle School, Shelbyville
Kansas
Eudora Elementary School, Eudora
Kentucky
Henderson County Even Start, Henderson
North Bullitt High School, Shepherdsville
Maine
Community High School, Fort Kent
Valley Rivers Middle School, Fort Kent
Missouri
Northview Elementery School, Kansas City
Nevada
Mojave High School, Las Vegas
New Jersey
Adventure Learning Community Center, Atlantic City
Broadway Elementary School, Newark
New York
Casey Park Elementary School, Auburn
Sharing and Caring Program, Long Beach
North Carolina
Davis Drive Elementary, Cary
Dillard Drive Elementary, Raleigh
Chamberlain Academy, Durham
Pollocksville Elementary, Pollocksville
NE Guilford High School, McLeansville
Greene County Middle School, Snow Hill
Academy of Eternal Life, Roanoke Rapids
Ohio
Pickerington Elementary, Pickerington
Millennium Community School, Columbus
Oklahoma
Kerr Middle School, Del City
Okmulgee Middle School, Okmulgee
Oregon
Oregon Episcopal School, Portland
Westridge Elementary, Lake Oswego
Pennsylvania
The Open Door Academy, Philadelphia
Rhode Island
North Smithfield High School, North Smithfield
South Carolina
Madison Preparatory School, Sumter
Greer Middle School, Greer
Texas
Pegasus Charter School, Dallas
Robinson Intermediate, Robinson
Virginia
Dinwiddle County Public Schools, Dinwiddle
Washington
Coweeman Middle School, Kelso
Harbor High School, Aberdeen
Wisconsin
Horizon School, Warren
Previews
Book One:
The Test
Spring 2010
Book Two:
Journey
Summer 2010
Book Three:
Selection
Fall 2010
Book Four:
Flight Training
Spring 2011
Book Five:
Back to the Stars
Fall 2011
Book Six:
Star Station
Summer 2012
Book Seven:
The Local Universe
2013
Book Eight:
Witness
2014
Copyright © 2009-2012
by J. Z. Colby
unless otherwise attributed