Wellesley High School English teacher David McCullough, Jr., he of the “You’re Not Special” commencement speech, is popping up on the speaking circuit in town at least 3 times next month to coincide with the arrival of his first book. McCullough will also take his show on the road across New England.
The book is called “You Are Not Special and Other Encouragements,” and goes on sale April 22. In the book, McCullough takes issue with the culture of exceptionalism and success that is keeping teenagers from the most important lessons in life – taking chances, learning from mistakes, connecting with a wider world, and doing something purposeful with the advantages given them.
McCullough is slated to speak to Wellesley Middle School parents on Wednesday, April 9 at the school auditorium at 7pm. Going back-to-back, he’ll appear Thursday, April 10 at Unitarian Universalist Society of Wellesley Hills (309 Washington St.) at 7:30pm, and the event is free and open to the public. McCullough will also partake in a free event at Wellesley Free Library on April 29 from 7-9pm.
McCullough packed the Wakelin Room at Wellesley Free Library in December when he previewed his book (see “Hey Speech Guy!” David McCullough Jr., makes very special return to the podium).
If you’d like to be a groupie, here’s a look at the rest of his upcoming book tour:
7:00 PM
BARNES & NOBLE/Upper West Side
2289 Broadway @ 82nd St New York, NY 10024
7:00 PM
BARNES AND NOBLE
4801 Bethesda AVE Bethesda, MD 20814
7:00 PM
PORTER SQUARE BOOKS
25 White St Porter SQ Shopping Center Cambridge, MA 02140
7:00 PM
NORTHSHIRE BOOKSTORE
4869 Main ST Manchester Center, VT 05255
3:00 PM
CONCORD BOOKSHOP
65 Main ST Concord, MA 01742
7:00 PM
ODYSSEY BOOKSHOP
9 College ST South Hadley, MA 01075
7:00 PM
BROOKLINE BOOKSMITH
279 Harvard ST Brookline, MA 02446
7:00 PM
RIVER RUN BOOKSTORE
142 Fleet ST Portsmouth, NH 03801
7:00 PM
RJ JULIA BOOKSELLERS
768 Boston Post Rd Madison, CT 06443
7:00 PM
BUTTONWOOD BOOKS & TOYS
Derby Academy 56 Burditt AVE Hingham, MA 02043
I’ve read in the area of 500 books the past ten year’. I would rank this book if not at the top close to the top of all I have read. Having spent my entire adult life in public education this book hits home. YOU ARE NOT SPECIAL should be required reading for every educator, every parent, most kids and certainly those politicians in Boston and Washington who know little to nothing about education yet make the regulations educators have to live by. Great book, truthful, down to earth, realistic and not conerned with PC It’s like it is.