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The Essential 55: An Award-Winning Educator's Rules For Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child Paperback – July 21, 2004

by Ron Clark (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 1,475 ratings
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Now in paperback, Ron Clark's New York Times bestseller that's changing America one child at a time!

The runaway bestseller that's a must-have for every parent and teacher. How many authors would travel coast to coast on a bus to get their book into as many hands as possible? Not many. But that's just what Ron Clark, author of The Essential 55, did to keep his book and message in the public eye. And it worked. After his Oprah appearance, sales skyrocketed: we've sold more than 850,000 copies in six months! The book sat tenaciously on the New York Times bestseller list for 11 weeks. Ron Clark was featured on the Today show, and in the Chicago Tribune, Good Housekeeping, and the New York Daily News -- not to mention the calls we've received from teachers and parents who want to get their hands on Ron's guidelines for teaching children.

Now in paperback, The Essential 55 will be the perfect book for parents and teachers to slip into their own backpacks, to read on the train or at lunch, and to highlight the sections that resonate for them. And with an author who is truly a partner in getting his message to the masses, we just can't lose.

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  1. Reading age
    3 - 11 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    224 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    8 and up
  5. Dimensions
    5 x 7.5 inches
  6. Publisher
    Hyperion
  7. Publication date
    July 21, 2004
  8. ISBN-10
    0786888164
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0786888160
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The Essential 55: An Award-Winning Educator's Rules For Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child
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The Essential 55 Workbook: Revised and Updated
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The Excellent 11: An Award-Winning Teacher's Guide to Motivate, Inspire, and Educate Kids
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ron Clark is the New York Times bestselling author of The Essential 55, which has sold more than one million copies in the U.S. and has been published in twenty-five different languages. He has been named "American Teacher of the Year" by Disney and was Oprah Winfrey's pick as her "Phenomenal Man." He founded The Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, which more than 50,000 educators from around the world have visited to learn about the extraordinary ways that teachers and parents of RCA have helped children achieve great success.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hyperion; Reprint edition (July 21, 2004)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0786888164
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0786888160
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 11 years, from customers
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 8 and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 7.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 1,475 ratings

About the author

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Ron Clark

Ron Clark

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Ron Clark has been a teacher since 1995. Originally from North Carolina, he has taught in some of the most difficult schools in the country, most recently in Harlem, New York. Since winning the 2001 Disney Teacher of the Year Award, Clark has spoken to teachers, PTAs, and school boards across the country. He lives in Atlanta.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
1,475 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book to be an excellent education framework that is well-written and serves as a must-read for educators. Moreover, they appreciate that the rules are easy to implement, with one customer highlighting the Golden Rule in 55 easy steps. Additionally, the book receives positive feedback for its humor. However, the story quality receives mixed reactions, with some customers finding it unrealistic.

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139 customers mention "Information quality"137 positive2 negative

Customers find the book's information quality excellent, describing it as an award-winning educational framework that provides great advice for teaching children and serves as a reference book for teachers of all grades.

"...Mr. Clark handled his students with constructive and consistent discipline. I know that my sister-in-law will benefit from this book...." Read more

"...It holds many wonderful ideas that are necessary to make a strong academic environment while not losing the humanity of the social aspect of..." Read more

"The book is cute and inspirational." Read more

"...The rules are reachable , reasonable, and teachable! Thank you so much! I would love to meet the author and observe teachers at his school." Read more

112 customers mention "Readability"107 positive5 negative

Customers find the book well written and enjoyable to read, particularly noting it as a must-read for educators.

"...Hat's off to Mr. Clark for an excellent read!" Read more

"This is better than Wong's First Day of School! It is written for elementary school, but is easily applicable to secondary school as well...." Read more

"...Good read and the youtube videos of Ron Clark are even more entertaining...." Read more

"...trips or taking my kids to the theater, but there is plenty of "good stuff" in here to warrant its reading...." Read more

22 customers mention "Ease of implementation"19 positive3 negative

Customers find the book's content easy to understand and implement, with one customer noting how the Golden Rule is presented in 55 simple steps.

"...These skills seem very simple: saying please and thank you, "ma'am" and "sir," looking people in the eye, smiling, returning a question for a..." Read more

"...It's similar in some ways to _Teach Like a Champion_ but much easier to implement easily and without the practice and extensive extra effort..." Read more

"Lots of great information and procedures! I loved how specific he was and actual scenarios for each tip...." Read more

"The way the rules are explained helps tremendously. Especially the no Doritos rule" Read more

11 customers mention "Humor"8 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the humor in the book.

"...and was also written with quite a bit of humor. Each idea carries you to the next idea.... It was a very enjoyable, and informative book." Read more

"...I read the original, it was great to refresh my memory and enjoy Ron’s humorous stories!" Read more

"I got some great strategies from this book, but it sometimes seemed pretty braggy, especially with the name-dropping...." Read more

"...I found this book to be inspiring and funny. I may be "sick and twisted", but it's always fun to learn about someone else's classroom horror stories...." Read more

6 customers mention "Memory retention"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate how the book helps with memory retention, with one mentioning it brings back fond memories and another noting it serves as a good reminder.

"As a former student of Mr. Clark, this book brought back so many fond memories and harsh realizations that I may need to polish my manners and..." Read more

"...in school, this book was a breath of fresh air and provides hope for future generations...." Read more

"...Although I read the original, it was great to refresh my memory and enjoy Ron’s humorous stories!" Read more

"Has good information for first time teachers and a reminder for us old timers! Great gift for new teachers and those who substitute." Read more

9 customers mention "Story quality"5 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the story quality of the book, with some finding it unrealistic.

"...Well, as it turns out--plenty! In an engaging story-telling style, Mr. Clark draws you into his own classroom and shows you his real problems and..." Read more

"...teacher in an urban school district, and this is probably the most unrealistic book I have ever read about teaching...." Read more

"...This book, hands down, has some great stories to back Mr. Clark's teaching style and philosophy's. This is a definite must read!" Read more

"Ok got a little boring around rule 35. The concepts are great but not realistic if you have a family of your own." Read more

An absolute masterpiece!
5 out of 5 stars
An absolute masterpiece!
Ron Clark has become such an inspiration to me not just as an author but on my path to becoming an educator. Every rule is spot on not just in the academic world but in life overall towards becoming a better student as well as a better person in general. Mr. Clark is a master at storytelling with great detail and that’s one of many things that struck me. I would love to have an educator like Ron, we need more people like him. Highly recommended!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Mrs. Miller
    5.0 out of 5 stars Hats off to Mr. Clark!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2003
    Verified Purchase
    I purchased this book as a gift for my sister-in-law, a 7th grade science teacher and swim coach. Mr. Clark was impressive on the Oprah show and I knew that my sister-in-law could benenfit from his teaching philosophy based on some of the horror stories she's told me. Curiosity got the best of me and I had to read the book myself...in one sitting! I found myself becoming embarrassed at some of the things I was guilty of doing myself as a student. I came to realize that I did these things in boredom and because my teachers/professors rarely won my trust and respect. Regardless of the situation, Mr. Clark handled his students with constructive and consistent discipline. I know that my sister-in-law will benefit from this book. I realize that a child's behavioral problems often stem from the home environment. In fact, I'm surprised that more teachers haven't put this on the school supply list...for the parents to read!
    As an engineer by trade, I realized that this book is not just for the teacher, it's for everyone. Professionals in my organization haven't learned some of the basic etiquette rules from "The Essential 55." Personally, I have already benefitted from the rules, as I become more aware of my interactions with others. These are life's basic rules that we take for granted as a result of selfishness, and I hope that I can pass this wisdom on to my children.
    Hat's off to Mr. Clark for an excellent read!
    20 people found this helpful
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  • C. Williams
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Buy for all Teachers
    Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2007
    Verified Purchase
    This is better than Wong's First Day of School! It is written for elementary school, but is easily applicable to secondary school as well. It holds many wonderful ideas that are necessary to make a strong academic environment while not losing the humanity of the social aspect of school.

    Some of the rules may seem a bit rudimentary, but, as a high school teacher, I see too many students that lack social graces and display anti-social behavior on a daily basis. That being said, I have incorporated many of the rules this year and can testify that they do work. Something as simple as a student saying "Yes, sir/ma'am" goes a long way. I work primarily with upper classmen and I have seen a real change since the beginning of the semester in January (review written in March). I have also encouraged many of my fellow teachers to use this in their classrooms of Freshmen and they have told me that the rules also work in their classrooms.

    I would highly recommend this book for any teacher just starting out or a 20+ year veteran. This book reminds us of why we became teachers. It is written in such a way that is not condescending. It is very well organized and has a smooth delivery that draws the reader in.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • MG
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good Buy
    Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The book is cute and inspirational.
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  • Danielle Traverse
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you Ron Clark !
    Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I have been an ESL teacher for elementary, high school and university students for 11 years in Costa Rica. English classes are considered ¨specials¨ like art and music so the amount of time we get to spend with our students is very limited compared to the grade teacher. The grade teacher forms his or her own classroom rules and the ESL teacher has to struggle all year trying to get the students to behave and perform as they should. I have been researching for years for information or a guide book that will help me get through to my students. Most books I have read don't give clear examples or the ideas are very time consuming. I am a hardworking person who loves her job but adding more things to do to my already long list just doesn't work.
    I just bought the kindle book today and I have read up to rule 15 and I am already LOVIN'IT and planning my moves for the 2012 term that starts in a few weeks. I have already shed some tears while reading the book; it is exactly what I needed. The rules are reachable , reasonable, and teachable! Thank you so much! I would love to meet the author and observe teachers at his school.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Stephen Armstrong
    4.0 out of 5 stars Applied social-emotional learning...
    Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2004
    Verified Purchase
    This book is Ron Clark's story about how he "identified" the 55 essential skills to get along in life...with the students he was teaching. He then formulates these "rules" into his 55 Essential Rules, which he nails to the door of his classrom.

    Some of the rules make perfect sense (e.g., speaking respectfully) and some even Clark acknowledges are ludicrous (e.g., no "orange" snack foods in class--which he is willing to remove and throw ostentatiously into the garbage basket). He seems not to group his skills and rules in any particular fashion, so "respect" does not preceed "caring," for instance.

    These skills seem very simple: saying please and thank you, "ma'am" and "sir," looking people in the eye, smiling, returning a question for a question, not saying "hunh?", and so forth. Clark's accompanying workbook gives parents and teachers some specific methods for teaching these essential 55 skills.

    The book requires no more than 1 hour reading. Curriculum implementation, however, is quite a challenge, and Clark underestimates the difficulty and complexity of the challenge. It is possible to stir up quite a hornet's nest with poor implementation. If the kids are not ready or prepared, they will experience a lot of what Clark does as a real challenge, and they will either resent the teacher or fight back. The Workbook (also sold on Amazon) may be helpful. Clark's book on the 11 essential qualities of a teacher is less helpful than this book.
    14 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • L. Reeves
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great advice and funny stories
    Reviewed in Canada on April 26, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Got all his other books after this one. A must read for all teachers and especially parents.
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  • Ralph Schwamm
    5.0 out of 5 stars Dieses Buch ist jedem Lehrer zu empfehlen!
    Reviewed in Germany on August 16, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Ron Clark liefert klare und nachvollziehbare Regeln für den Unterricht und Erziehung. Dabei merkt man, dass sie von einer guten Erziehung und eigenen Erfahrung kommen, die er hier weitergibt.

    Vor allem bereiten die Regeln die SuS auf respektvollen Umgang und Disziplin vor, die sie später im Berufsleben brauchen werden. Ich habe selbst den Großteil der Regeln jetzt vor im Unterricht zu testen...
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  • Aayushi
    2.0 out of 5 stars Not happy with the condition the book came in
    Reviewed in India on February 20, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The media could not be loaded.

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  • Marcelo Guimaraes Vaz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ótimo Livro
    Reviewed in Brazil on January 31, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    As regras de Ron Clark abordam vários temas no cotidiano dos professores que valem muito serem lidas e aplicar no contexto educacional principalmente se você trabalhar na educação infantil, mas também serve para qualquer idade e o aprendizado é bastante enriquecedor. Recomendo a compra deste livro.
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  • hiro
    5.0 out of 5 stars 読んでみるべき
    Reviewed in Japan on August 28, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    普段の授業がこれで良いのかと感じた人は読んでみるべき。
    Report