Amazing Grace : Lives of Children and the Conscience of a Nation, The

Rating:
Summary: A challenge with no suggested response.
Review: This book is shocking, enlightening, and frightening. As someone who cares deeply about children and their success in our world I found myself frustrated and appalled by the tragic, hopeless lives portrayed in these pages. Through the entire book Mr. Kozol throws down the challenge to feel, care, and understand these children, but no where does he offer hope!

No innovative thoughts about changing these 'throw away' lives. No positive actions that anyone could take to help change the communities that support this cycle of degradation and failure.

His words are powerful. They paint images in your mind that can keep you up at night and cause you to thank God for your little midwestern ranch style home in a quiet neighborhood.

These images can also continue to haunt your thoughts and leave you wondering how tomorrow can be improved for another generation of children living in these inner city neighborhoods. How can we ever hope to create a strong nation when we knowlingly let children fall through any existing support systems.

I'm more aware now, but I feel a new hopelessness about the future. I'm not sure that was his intended response, but if it was, it's a little like shock video and not very constructive.

Rating:
Summary: problems
Review: I was a 16-year-old self-described "liberal." Second in command at my school's Amnesty International chapter. I had spent some time volunteering in an inner-city neighborhood with children, but wasn't particularly passionate about it. A teacher recommended this book to me and I devoured it, staying up all night to finish it. It's an inspiring kick in the pants and I urge anyone, but ESPECIALLY young people, to READ THIS BOOK. It moved me to get more involved in social justice work, and that has truly shaped my life.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty good...but has some issues.
Review: Wake up people. Feel guilty and do something about it after reading this. Read it.