THE ADVENTURES OF JEFF AND REED

These stories capture the anxieties, disappointments, and hard-earned triumphs that punctuate the tween years and give young readers valuable lessons about perseverance, self-respect, courage, and friendship.

Downloadable Activities

Use all three of these Downloadable Activity Guides to help students practice empathy, recognize bullying, identify emotional triggers, practice sincere apologies, and learn to make new friendships.

MEET THE AUTHORS

Wendy Falk is defined by passion for building strong, healthy relationships and teaching skills to support resilience in her students. Born in Oshkosh, WI, Falk has always "had a flair for writing", as one teacher commented, and an active imagination to match. Today she uses her voice as a tool to advocate for the needs of her students.

A veteran educator, Falk has taught every grade between kindergarten and graduate level college courses. She has served as a secondary level English and Journalism teacher and a school counselor at each level of education. Falk has served as a university adjunct instructor for more than a decade, and volunteers her time in activities with Special Olympics of Wisconsin. Today Falk continues to serve students as a Counselor Lead for K-12 School Counselors in her current school district in Wisconsin, as well as carrying a caseload of students in her own building. Falk and her husband, Chris, have been married for 26 years, and have three grown children--Jarod, Maria and Natalie--currently pursuing college educations. Falk enjoys reading, writing, singing and dancing to fabulous music, trying new recipes and watching cheesy movies. She stays active training and walking the family's teddy bear dogs, Wilson and Finnegan.

Nebraska native Jennie Kennedy is all about straight talking, problem solving and getting things finished. Beginning her career in criminal justice, Kennedy eventually made her way to academia as a K-12 School Social Worker. With a Masters of Social Work from the University of Illinois, Kennedy's wide array of career experiences built as her family moved across the midwest, finally settling in Wisconsin. In recent years, Kennedy's career has broadened her experience to include efforts in special education and initial program development for social work in a burgeoning district. Regardless of what level she is assisting, Kennedy maintains an office in an elementary school so she can always remain a "hands on" active member of her district team.

Kennedy is proud of "The Adventures of Jeff & Reed" because these stories are reflective of the real-life work she completes daily in schools. Kennedy has embraced a leadership role in the classroom by joining Lakeland University as an adjunct instructor in the Masters of Counseling program.

Kennedy and her husband, Chris, have been married for 27 years and are the proud parents of two grown children, Jake and Kellyn. The Kennedy's are loud and proud supporters of collegiate sports (Go Huskers!) and active members in their community. Two dogs rescued several years ago--Hawkeye and Rammie--keep Kennedy on her toes.

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