The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education

Rating:
Summary: Well...
Review: One thing I can say for this book is that it definitely reaches its intended audience - that is, children and teenagers who are unhappy in school and want an alternative. It is inflammatory in its wordings and its ideals, and sometimes that's exactly what a teenager needs to shift them into gear.

However, at fifteen, a year and a half after becoming an 'autodidact', I can definitely appreciate the pros and cons of both homeschooling and public schooling, something the author seems completely unable to do. In my case, there are several things that I miss from public school that, while not impossible, are hard to do in my particular homeschooling situation. Sports and Music being the most prominent examples. And while I can't imagine giving up my academic freedom at this point, especially since I'm beginning college next year, there are details that Llewellyn either glosses over or doesn't mention entirely while describing unschooling, and many of them are important.

Homeschooling, especially teaching yourself, takes a lot of dedication and hard work. This is not an easy ride. The nice thing about public school is that information is generally laid out in a orderly, understandable manner. You don't have this when you're searching through your library trying to figure out how to give yourself a comprehensive education on your own. And the internet, while a brilliant resource, is even more confusing.

Llewellyn talks about how you can go from homeschooling to college just as easy or easier than if you went to public school. This is only true if you study. I don't care how much someone thinks that playing video games all day will help them when they're a game designer, if you don't have basic math and english enough to write an essay without dropping into webspeak, then you're essentially screwed when it comes to college.

While I'd recommend this to any truly desperate-to-get-out-of-school teenager, especially if there is no chance of them graduating on time or even at all, I'd also recommend that they read more than just this one book and have a good idea of what they're getting into before they make a commitment. And the more help you can get from learned adults, the better!

Rating:
Summary: Well...
Review: One thing I can say for this book is that it definitely reaches its intended audience - that is, children and teenagers who are unhappy in school and want an alternative. It is inflammatory in its wordings and its ideals, and sometimes that's exactly what a teenager needs to shift them into gear.

However, at fifteen, a year and a half after becoming an 'autodidact', I can definitely appreciate the pros and cons of both homeschooling and public schooling, something the author seems completely unable to do. In my case, there are several things that I miss from public school that, while not impossible, are hard to do in my particular homeschooling situation. Sports and Music being the most prominent examples. And while I can't imagine giving up my academic freedom at this point, especially since I'm beginning college next year, there are details that Llewellyn either glosses over or doesn't mention entirely while describing unschooling, and many of them are important.

Homeschooling, especially teaching yourself, takes a lot of dedication and hard work. This is not an easy ride. The nice thing about public school is that information is generally laid out in a orderly, understandable manner. You don't have this when you're searching through your library trying to figure out how to give yourself a comprehensive education on your own. And the internet, while a brilliant resource, is even more confusing.

Llewellyn talks about how you can go from homeschooling to college just as easy or easier than if you went to public school. This is only true if you study. I don't care how much someone thinks that playing video games all day will help them when they're a game designer, if you don't have basic math and english enough to write an essay without dropping into webspeak, then you're essentially screwed when it comes to college.

While I'd recommend this to any truly desperate-to-get-out-of-school teenager, especially if there is no chance of them graduating on time or even at all, I'd also recommend that they read more than just this one book and have a good idea of what they're getting into before they make a commitment. And the more help you can get from learned adults, the better!

Rating:
Summary: The Teenage Liberation Handbook (TLH)
Review: This book changed my life.

When I was thirteen, bored with school, I was given this book. It took me one long hard summer to convince my parents to let me unschool, but I did. I haven't looked back since.

When I read this book, my immediate thought is: "I am the luckiest teenager in the world to be given this book." I loved myself, my life, and I was so happy I was leaving. It also made me angry that I hadn't left school earlier, that I'd been tricked by everyone.

I know, I know. You're all wondering about social concerns, right? Well I go to school and have lunch with my friends once a week. I also occasionally stay after school with friends and watch football games or sports. I am involved in the school's after school activities and am considering joining our high school's choir. Just because you're leaving school doesn't mean you leave all of it's benefits! You recieve the best parts of both worlds!

However, unschooling is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. I love it. I've learned so much more than school ever taught me, as much about life as about academics. If I don't do my "work," I don't just get a bad grade and forget about it. It still needs to be done, and I've learned to just do it.

In response to what another viewer said (It's harder to look in the library for something to give yourself in education--in school everything is laid out) I agree with that. It's true. I've learned how to look through a library and find that. I've learned to ask the librarians, my parents, and former teaches for suggestions. I've learned how to find things on my own. Also, someone mentioned that Grace "glossed over" things, and I'd like to say that I believe the reason she did that was because each state/country is different about how it deals with unschoolers.

I've been unschooling for a year now, and I love it. I've never been happier, and my only regret is that many of my friends go to school and we can't do much together during the day.

Unschooling is hard, but it's the best thing that has ever happened to me. TLH should be required reading.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful unschooling manual
Review: This book is excellent. I sometimes wish it had a different name because a lot of people can benefit from it other than teenagers. I am a homeschooling mom of young children but I still got a lot out of it. Her philosophy is basically that you don't need a curriculum to learn. I agree with this. I liked her idea that you can still spend 4 hours a day doing "school work" but you do what YOU want to do instead of what someone assigns you. You do self directed learning. I have found that a solid math and grammar program is all you really need. In the end the SAT and GRE only tests you on your verbal/math skills anyway. Why waste time learning all kinds of subjects in the order some adult tells you to? The only subjects worth studying in a regimented manner in my opinion are math and grammar. Aside from that you should follow your interests. Now the author is a bit extreme in her views so I find you have to temper it with your own good judgement.

The warning is that she actually endorses experimenting with drugs. Pretty scary but she does. I find this very irresponsible of her. Fortunately I was able to work around that and read the rest of the book. You just have to realize she's a bit of an extremist so you have to just take what you learn from it and let the rest go.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: This is a great book for kids yound and old alike! I am currently in 7th grade and last year I started reading about homeschooling. I liked the idea of learning what you like and I strongly agree that traditional schooling isn't schooling at all. This year I have been trying to get my mom to homeschool, with little success becasue of the usual reasons: I'm not a teacher, I couldn't teach high school, I'm a single parent and I work, I can't leeave you home alone, how would you make friends, etc. Well, I read this book to her and starting December I'm homeschooling. At first she thought, Oh great, it's one of those books that teaches kids to rebel. But the stuff in there is great. It has a great section on persuading your parents and teaching yourself, as well as getting jobs and going to college. It also explains about why school isn't schooling and legal issues. All in all, the best book on homeschooling/unschooling I've ever read, plus I love it becasue it's the only book around aimed at kids!