Rating: 
Summary: A Compelling Look at Contemporary High School
Review: Writer, Elinor Burkett, has done a remarkable job of documenting a year in the life of a fairly typical American High School. Her interest in what was going on in high schools today was triggered by the Columbine massacre. She sought to observe a school year from the front lines. Burkett researched schools that would be quite close to Columbine in student composition, socio-economic status, enrollment, and a number of other factors. Prior Lake High School officials in Minnesota bravely accepted Burkett's proposal that she be given complete access to students, faculty and administrators at the school for a full school year. Bravely, Burkett returned to high school after a number of years had passsed since she herself had graduated. Another Planet is a remarkably written history of Burkett's keen observations.She observes and participates (and records) the official events of the year, as well as the "unofficial". An amazing chronicle of what it's like to be a kid in an American high school in this new millenium. While I was somewhat uncomfortable with some of the things Burkett had to report as having happened, I came away from this reading believing that good education does go on at Prior Lake High School and at most high schools in America. At the same time, I am reminded how incredibly complex the adolescent journey is for most kids. While the traditions may change, and the latest fashion looks different from age to age over time, the challenges, struggles, and hurdles of adolescence indeed seem to be a universal and non-chaning set of crises. The misdirection, raging hormones, moments of true learning and ultimately, for many -- if not most kids -- hope and triumph on the march into adulthood seem to be timeless themes. I am not alarmed by Burkett's book. Ultimately, I believe it is a testament to the teaching profession and an excellent documentary on the painfulness of adolescence for just about every kid in America. Kudos to the leadership at Prior Lake High School who had the courage to allow a reporter to see the school year -- warts and all! They have done an enormous service in providing an accurate chronicle of the challenges educators, kids, parents face in those difficult 'hormone-filled' years. Outstanding! Daniel J. Maloney
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Rating:
Summary: A Compelling Look at Contemporary High School
Review: Writer, Elinor Burkett, has done a remarkable job of documenting a year in the life of a fairly typical American High School. Her interested in what was going on in high schools today was triggered by the Columbine massacre. She sought to observe a school year from the front lines. Burkett researched schools that would be quite close to Columbine in student composition, socio-economic status, enrollment, and a number of other factors. Prior Lake High School officials in Minnesota bravely accepted Burkett's proposal that she be given complete access to students, faculty and administrators at the school for a full school year. Bravely, Burkett returned to high school after a number of years had passed since she herself had graduated. Another Planet is a remarkable written history of Burkett's keen observations. She observes and participates (and records) the official events of the year, as well as the "unofficial". An amazing chronicle of what it's like to be a kid in an American high school in this new millennium. While I was somewhat uncomfortable with some of the things Burkett had to report as having happened, as a teacher, I come away from this reading believing that good education does go on at Prior Lake High School and at most high schools in America. At the same time, I am reminded how incredibly complex the adolescent journey is. While the traditions may change, and the latest fashion looks different from age to age over history, the challenges, struggles, and hurdles of adolescence indeed seem to be a universal maze; one which is fraught with misdirection, raging hormones, moments of true learning and ultimately, for many -- if not most kids -- hope and triumph on the march into adulthood. I am not alarmed by Burkett's book. Ultimately, I believe it is a testament to the teaching profession and an excellent documentary on the painfulness of adolescence for just about every kid in America. Kudos to the leadership at Prior Lake High School who had the courage to allow a reporter to see the school year warts and all! They have done an enormous service to better understanding of the challenges of educators, kids, parents and leaders throughout the country. This book should be required reading by legislators, school board members, parents, teachers and kids. It is a wonderful forum for an enlarged understanding of today's educational challenges, comedies and sadnesses. Outstanding! Daniel J. Maloney
Saint Paul, Minnesota
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