Reviews and Comments

An insightful compilation of research making the case for the importance of social relationships on learning, a cause that is much overlooked by would-be education reformers. I marked up every chapter of this book, nodding my head as I went along. This will be a great resource I plan to refer back to frequently.

As far as historical fiction for kids goes, this has a strong sense of historical accuracy, even starting each chapter in the manner that Colson Whitehead often does in [b:The Underground Railroad|30555488|The Underground Railroad|Colson Whitehead|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1493178362s/30555488.jpg|48287641], with a lost slave newspaper description. The characters themselves, especially the narrator's sister, aren't well developed, but the plot surprises and the historical picture painted is insightful. But given it's intended audience, this is well crafted.

This man certainly puts most of the rest of us petty mortals to shame. If I could live and die with even just an approximation of his rectitude, diligence, and openness, then I would consider it a triumph.

I enjoyed reading this, but there were a few times when I was frustrated by it. But somehow the plot always managed to keep me surprised just enough to keep with it. The characters are admittedly thin, but there's just enough depth layered into it to keep it good.

An interesting read on the complexity and intransigence of software development. I kept thinking about parallels to the enterprise of public education, a similarly complex endeavor in which it is easy to get caught up in the mire, however strong the organization's conviction and drive might be at the outset. Since this particular project, Chandler, that Rosenberg picked ended up coming to naught after he finished his book, you can see him struggling a bit at the end to fit a tidy cap onto the proceedings. But he nicely captures what the innards of a promising but doomed software project looks like, as well as explores a few interesting tangents and arguments within the coding community that still has some relevance a decade later.

This is essential reading on the impact of class and environment on a child's outcomes. It must have been hard to write this as clear-eyed as Vance did, pairing his own life alongside the research. He recognizes that he beat the odds and the great luck that it took for him to be able to do so, and presents a stark picture of what it takes for others to do the same. There's plenty of rich fodder for both conservatives and liberals to glean insights on poverty and welfare here.

Didn't agree with everything in here, but Cowen presents a lot that makes sense--especially on the negative effects of increasing segregation and matching and how it is resulting in a complacent and self-involved populace that is unwilling to take risks. Food for thought and a contrarian take from one of our foremost thinkers.

Really enjoyed this book. Presents new research that provides a fresh perspective on Manhattan and it's part in the American psyche and story. There are passages that are painted so vividly that it becomes a page turner. Shorto does a great job of bringing history alive by focusing on a few dynamic personalities, who spring out of the Dutch translations like fully formed characters in a Shakespearean play.

This is a compelling and fascinating piece of history that goes far beyond the story of James Tilly Matthews to explore the world in which such a man could have existed. If history texts were like this, I think social studies would suddenly become the most beloved class. I feel like a I gained insight into the era of the French Revolution in a way I never had before, in addition to the (more expected) insights on evolving treatment and understanding of "lunacy."

This is good reading. My sister sent this to me for Christmas, and I'm stoked she did. One of the best things I've read in the past year, this was surprising, consistently engaging, fun, thought provoking, each sentence focused and sharp. This book made me re-look at my own existence and life trajectory. Highly recommended.

There were points where I wasn't sold on the narrator's voice. Some of it felt gimmicky, some of it was beautifully written.

This book provides concrete strategies and models for literacy instruction, including close reading and vocabulary activities. Lemov et al. leans heavily on Beck’s earlier work for vocabulary but provides useful and insightful updates and expansions.

I made the mistake of purchasing this as an e-book, but the book really functions best as a reference and guide rather than a read-through, so I would advise getting in print so you can utilize it's guidance more effectively.