Paddy Eger’s book, Educating America: 101 Strategies for Adult Assistants in K-8 Classrooms has received an Honorable Mention in the annual competition sponsored by the New England Book Festival.

The 2011 festival announced their winners on Dec. 29. Educating America placed in the top five of the How-To category.

 “It’s an honor to have the book receive recognition in yet another category,” Eger said. “I hope people who are interested in becoming volunteers will find dozens of helpful ideas to ease their stepping into the classroom.”

Educating America is composed of classroom-tested ideas intended to assist teachers, educational assistants, volunteers and future teachers.

It covers topics ranging from where to sit with a group to setting expectations to asking higher level questions.

Paddy Eger’s website, www.paddyeger.com, expands that support by providing weekly suggestions and educational resources.

“As adults are invited to step into classrooms to add their expertise, they also ease the increasing class sizes by their presence.

Extra hands and help means students receive assistance sooner than a solitary teacher can accomplish. Their presence also reinforces the notion that learning has importance beyond the teacher and classroom.”

The New England Book Festival’s criteria includes searching for general excellence, the author’s passion and the potential of the work to reach a wider audience.

This year’s awards will be presented on Jan. 14 in Boston at the Omni Parker Hotel.

For a complete list of winners visit www.newenglandbookfestival.com/winners2011.

Educating America:101 Strategies for Adult Assistants in K-8 Classrooms garnered a  first place award in Education for the USA Book News “Best Books” and a preferred product review from Creative Child magazine this past November.

The book is available through local bookstores, Barnes and Noble, online bookstores and through the author.