Savage Inequalities Children in Americas Schools, Jonathan Kozol. (Paperback 0440848717)

Search - Savage Inequalities: Children in America's Schools

Savage Inequalities Children in America's Schools
Author: Jonathan Kozol

Examination of the inequalities suffered by children and teachers in innercity schools. National Book Award-winning author Jonathan Kozol presents his shocking account of the American educational system in this stunning New York Times bestseller, which has sold more than 250,000 hardcover copies. — Kirkus Reviews — Kozol again turns a floodlight o... more »n a dark corner of the nation's soul, the classrooms of the minority poor. Here, Kozol returns to the public schools where he began a career as spokesman for the powerless and conscience of the privileged 25 years ago (Death at an Early Age). Reports of schools in black and Hispanic communities from New York to California?where not only books, crayons, and lab equipment but also toilet paper are rationed?are painful to read. School buildings turn into swamps when it rains or must be closed (or, worse yet, are kept open) when sewage backs up into kitchens and cafeterias. A school in the South Bronx is set up in a windowless skating rink next to a mortuary, with class sizes up to 35, lunch in three shifts, a library of 700 books, and no playground. The school population is 90-percent black and Hispanic. Yet it is only a few minutes north to a more affluent part of the Bronx and a public school surrounded by flowering trees, two playing fields, and a playground, with a planetarium and an 8,000-book library. There, the population is overwhelmingly white and Asian. More horrifying stories follow?but it's Kozol's intention to horrify, in order to make the point that these vast disparities in quality of education are caused by racism. Nearly 40 years after Brown v. Board of Education, many US schools are still separate but no longer even remotely equal. Critics will argue that these sad case histories are isolated or rare and are situated in communities whose economies have collapsed. Partly true, but Kozol's point is that justice and decency call for sharing resources in times of trouble, not abandoning children (and their teachers) todegradation and ignorance. A powerful appeal to save children by redistributing the wealth. It will cause angry, but perhaps fruitful, debate.--

**From the inside of the book**

To the Reader:

A Clarification About Dates and Data in This Book

The events in this book take place for the most part between 1988 and 1990, although a few events somewhat precede this period. Most events, however, are narrated in the present tense. This is important to keep in mind because statistics, such as money spent in a particular school district, or a description of the staff or student body in a given school, apply to the year of which I'm speaking, which is indicated in the text or notes, and not necessarily to 1991.

The names of students in this book have sometimes been disguised at their request or that of school officials. The names of all adults are real, although in a few cases adults are not named at all at their request. Documentation for statistics and matters of record in this book is provided in the notes beginning on page 238.

ISBN-13: 9780440848714
ISBN-10: 0440848717
Publication Date: 1992
Pages: 262
Rating:

Currently 5/5 Stars.

5 stars, based on 1 rating

Publisher: Trumpet Club
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

Ji Young S. reviewed Savage Inequalities: Children in America's Schools on 9/2/2006 + 34 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 2

Savage Inequalities is an incredibly eye-opening expose on American education. It completely turned my view of the government on its head.

Share/Like this Review?

John O. (buzzby) - , reviewed Savage Inequalities: Children in America's Schools on 4/1/2007 + 6062 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 2

This is a textbook for some education classes. A basic tenet seems to be that children are more upset about seeing other children with better opportunities than they have, rather than lacking any of their own. I can't help but think the author thinks that if we just deprived ALL kids certain opportunities or materials, we'd all be happier.

Share/Like this Review?

Kaylyn P. (kaylyn) reviewed Savage Inequalities: Children in America's Schools on 10/8/2005 + 3 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

insightful, disturbing reflections from a deeply passionate man.

Share/Like this Review?

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

Taber B. reviewed Savage Inequalities: Children in America's Schools on 5/21/2006 + 12 more book reviews

A must read for anyone involved with the education and/or care of the children in our country. Others should read this as well to understand the inequalities in America that tend to be overlooked.

Share/Like this Review?

Megan M. reviewed Savage Inequalities: Children in America's Schools on 5/20/2006 + 129 more book reviews

Amazing book. Kozol does it again. :)

Share/Like this Review?

Joan T. (Spunky) reviewed Savage Inequalities: Children in America's Schools on 2/8/2006 + 43 more book reviews

Back Cover: "The forces of equity have now been joined by a powerful voice...Kozol has written a searing expose of the extremes of wealth and poverty in America's school system and the blighting effect on poor children, especially those in cities. In public schooling, he argues, social policy during the Reagan-Bush era has been turned back almost 100 yrs. ---Emily Mitchell, TIME

"This book digs so deeply into the tragedy of the American system of public education that it wrenches the readers psyche..."A must read for every parent, every educator, and every relevant policy maker." Alex Haley, author of Roots and The Autobiography of Malcolm X

"Startling and compelling.....Crucial to any serious debate on the current state of American education." Publishers Weekly, front page editorial

"I was unprepared for the horror and shame I felt.....Savage Inequalities is a savage indictment.....Everyone should read this important book." Robert Wilson, USA Today

Share/Like this Review?

Read All Book Reviews of "Savage Inequalities Children in Americas Schools"

Genres:

Search - Savage Inequalities: Children in America's Schools

Top Member Book Reviews

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

Loading...