Coming Soon: Perseverant Piper 

About the Book 

 Meet Piper, a rugged Pacific Northwest nature-loving 4th grader, who struggles in school. The numbers on her math quiz dance and prance all over the page until she feels like giving up. Though she is encouraged by her teacher to embody the word of the week “persevere,” it’s not until she’s on a backpacking adventure that she truly understands the work required to overcome a challenge. Join Piper as she trades her unlucky pencil for her beloved, muddy hiking boots, and heads out for an Olympic National Park coastal exploration. Usually, the woods is where she feels the most at peace, but this trip becomes more than towering Douglas Firs and chew chews of Northern Flickers when the unexpected sand wall she encounters forces her to grip a little tighter, and truly persevere.

A Note from the Author

Have you ever spent an entire day pursuing your passion only to lose focus within minutes on a seemingly mundane task? Why is it that we can commit hours perfecting a skill on the field, stage, or behind a computer screen but then so quickly hit walls of defeat in the classroom? As a Nationally Board Certified elementary educator, I witness this lack of grit daily. Our children are capable of such great success but haven’t yet learned to transfer their grit and work ethic into areas other than those of which they are incredibly passionate.
I hope Piper’s story will help children all over the world face their challenges head-on with confidence. By committing the same dedication and work ethic that we do in our favorite tasks, we can overcome our greatest fears. We grow into our best selves in these moments of discomfort. I’m so proud of you already for making an effort!


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​@bookstobravery

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T E S T I M O N I A L S

Hear what teachers are saying...

“Perseverant Piper” brings me right back to my fourth grade classroom.  I relate with Piper in that, even in my thirties, the words, “timed math test” make me cringe.  With a flushed face and a stomach ache, I spent the fourth grade dreading those tests to my core.  With each test came tears and a devastating decrease in self-worth.  Back then I never would have thought I’d grow up to be a math teacher.  If I could have read about Piper when I was younger, I would have found comfort in the way that others kids were feeling the same as me.  Piper shows us it is ok to be out of our element and “not good” at everything right away.  So many concepts we learn in school are transferable to our lives outside of the classroom walls.  Perseverant Piper is an inspiring story for us all, young and old, to remember that life is about having fun, trying our best and never giving up. ​

Elizabeth
High School Biology Teacher 

As a Kindergarten teacher, helping students learn about perseverance is a year long goal in my classroom.  Many times, student's come in with little experience at school pushing through a problem, or believing in themselves when something seems "too hard."  I strive every day to help build their stamina and teach them how to persevere; that "Yes, you can do it.  Don't give up.  You got this."  It is a process that takes time and a lot of energy, but a process that teaches a social emotional skill so important for even our youngest learners.  Rataezyk's book, Perserverant Piper, is skillfully written for elementary students and an amazing resource to use when teaching about perseverance.  The main character Piper is relatable across all grades with her honesty and raw feelings.  I am so excited to add this book to my classroom library and encourage my next class of learners to believe in the amazing things they can do when they persevere. ​

Annamarie
Kindergarten Teacher 

As a 5th grade teacher for 10 years, Perseverant Piper was an incredible story for my students and myself to hear. It has phenomenal cross curricular opportunities in both Science and ELA. We further researched the many Washington plant and wildlife terms found in the story. The story’s theme reaches deeply into the skills of determination and growth that every student, and even teacher, can relate to it! I read this to my students before we started state testing and they felt what it was like to, “make the courageous choice to ignore the convincing, defeated voice”
 
An incredible story of what it means to persevere both in and outside of the classroom! Rataezyk is a wonderful and moving writer. This should be in every teacher’s classroom library!

Elayna 
5th Grade Teacher 

This book spoke to my students on so many levels! They were able to relate to persevering through challenges, and feeling at home somewhere other than school. They adored the Pacific Northwest shout outs and learned new things about the area as well! This book works wonderfully as a read aloud, and could even function as a full unit of study! I can’t wait for more books from Rataezyk to share with my kids!

Katherine 
​4th Grade Teacher