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Summary: Book Description and Reviewers' Comments
Review: "An utterly fascinating critique of American education, as well as a joyous celebration of the creative potential in every child." --Anthony Manousos, Friends BulletinA gracefully written and engaging tale about how the author and his wife took to heart the lesson that to educate a child well is to enable her to find her own destiny. "And the Skylark Sings with Me" chronicles a compelling learning partnership between parents and children, making use of community resources to further their children's knowledge quests. Filled with practical wisdom on a wide range of subjects (especially strong on science and nature education and music), "And the Skylark Sings with Me" will reassure families going forth on their own homeschooling adventures, and provide substantial aid to parents seeking ways to supplement their children's school experiences. "In this clear and often magical account of how David and Ellen helped their kids find ways to take charge of their own education, a universal lesson is written: real learning is much richer and more mysterious than any school can emcompass. Albert's intense thoughtfulness about every aspect of waking up to full humanity is a treat you should not miss." --John Taylor Gatto, Former New York State Teacher of the Year and Author, "Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling" "David Albert's "And the Skylark Sings with Me" is a beautifully told story about how he and his wife are raising their daughters outside of conventional schooling, and the amazing results they are seeing unfolding before them. Albert's careful descriptions of what he and his wife do to nurture, support, and direct their children's learning will give heart to parents worried that before they can help their children about wolves, astronomy, biology, nature, math, and music--to name a few of the subjects covered--they must become certified teachers. A joyous and memorable book!" --Pat Farenga, President, Holt Associates, and Publisher, "Growing Without Schooling" "This invigorating adventure story is about more than homeschooling and community-based education. It is about honoring our appetite for what is real. It is about drawing out the innate creativity and brilliance of a child. And that's good news for the child within each of us." --Joanna Macy, Author, "Coming Back to Life: Practices to Reconnect Our Lives, Our World" "We are tempted to say that "And the Skylark Sings with Me" is of the greatest value to all homeschoolers. That would be a mistake. This articulate and moving description of care and love in education is of the greatest value to all parents and educators. May the inspiration in this book enter our hearts and minds as we honor children and life." --Sambhava and Josette Luvmour, EnCompass-The Center for Natural Learning Rhythms
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Summary: And the Skylark Sings with Ali
Review: A lot of people think this is a very good book, and it does have some useful things to say about the process of homeschooling. However, we (a parent and 13-year-old) were not enthralled with it and write this review for others out there like us. The adult reader was not able to finish this book. The teenage reader finished it but had similar objections: 1) It is very politically correct. 2) It is imbued with the romantic notion that children are born perfect and remain that way unless we corrupt them with our preconceptions and negative influences. We generally avoid books like this, and if there are other curmudgeons out there like us, be forewarned. 3) We can bear only so many anecdotes about any given child's precocious words and deeds, or lists of things she has done and learned about that we apparently have not. 4) The skylark does not seem to sing nearly so much with the younger daughter, and we hope she is going to get her own book someday. 5) We disagree strongly with some of the author's views, for example, the blanket criticism of early reading. The teen reviewer was a self-motivated and passionate early reader, and has never regretted it. 6) The adult reviewer is not happy to have paid this much for a book that has not been adequately edited or proofread.
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Summary: A wonderful book... destined to be the classic in the field
Review: As a home-schooling parent myself I can affirm that this book and its empowering story is 'right-on'... We all have much to learn from the experiences of parents like David and Ellen. This is a liberating experience of the highest order... one that shows that anything is possible if we have faith, love and energy for our children and focus on these as the touch-stones of our children's (and our own) education and lives... BUY THIS BOOK! AND GIVE IT TO YOUR FRIENDS!
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Summary: Disappointed
Review: As a new homeschooler, I was looking forward to this much vaunted book. I was disappointed to find that it had little to offer me in terms of either inspiration or practical advice. As a beautiful tribute from a father to an extraordinary daughter, perhaps it has merit. But the "definitive work on homeschooling" (as claimed on the back) it is not.
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Summary: An excellent overview of good homeschooling philosophy.
Review: David Albert has given us a great in-depth look at a strong homeschooling philosophy and the practical applications of that philosophy. He has clarified many issues that are challenging in the homeschooling process, and most especially, he has demonstrated that it's a great idea to trust your kids. "And the Skylark Sings..." is a celebration of children and the joys of discovery, and the great value that can be found in living on your own terms. I recommend this book highly.
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Summary: Incredible and inspiring
Review: I asked my wife what book she'd recommend if I only read one homeschooling book this year. This is the book. It's incredible! I'm so much more excited about learning with my kids now! Albert's perspective is extremely life affirming. I HIGHLY recommend this book, even if you're not thinking of homeschooling.
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Summary: Extraordinarily Helpful, Inspiring, And Friendly!
Review: I bought this book after hearing the author give a talk to a homeschooling group. His talk was one of the most inspiring I have ever heard in my years of homeschooling, and I've heard many! But I've often been disappointed by books of authors I've heard speak. Not this time! The voice of this book -- friendly, insightful, occasionally self-deprecating, commonsensical, thoughtful, and downright helpful -- is the same voice I heard at the talk. I couldn't put it down, and read it in one sitting. I own many homeschooling books. Usually, I read them once and then they sit on my shelf. Not this one though. I'll go back to this one for ideas and inspiration, though if I start loaning it to friends, I might never get it back. David also has a wonderful column in Home Education Magazine. If your group is planning a gathering any time soon, invite him as a speaker. You will come away changed, and your family (and homeschooling group) will come away with new ideas and new perspectives that will re-energize you and re-ignite your passion in the homeschooling adventure.
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Summary: Very disappointing
Review: I found And the Skylark Sings with Me to be very disappointing. Several fellow homeschoolers, as well as rave reviews in homeschooling magazines, encouraged me to read this book. First of all, I do not care for Albert's style of writing. It is incredibly self-congratulatory. Second, the near absence of a voice to the children's mother is very surprising. Also, I find it interesting that most of the book is about his daughter doing precocious things, and then the book ends when she is about 12. He continues to homeschool, but perhaps because playing a violin at age 12 doesn't seem that remarkable, he felt it was a good time to write a book. The best thing that I could glean from this book was to not be shy in using resources in the community to help your children. Since most homeschoolers I know already do this, this book is not worth that measly bit of advice. A far better book is Family Matter: Why Homeschooling Makes Sense by David Guterson.
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Summary: No big deal!
Review: I had awaited reading this book with great anticipation, but, although it certainly had its moments I ultimately found it somewhat tedious and disappointing. I got a little tired of reading about the author's overachieving daughters (which I wouldn't at all mind if their accomplishments weren't constantly accompanied by comments about how young they were when they did such-and-such a thing, how amazed everyone was by them, how fantastically high the test scores were, etc.) Not very inspiring for those of who have less-than-prodigy children. The tips on using community resources were certainly nothing new, although I'm sure they'd be helpful to a new homeschooler. I much prefer the books "Child's Work" by Nancy Wallace or "I Learn Better By Teaching Myself" by Agnes Leistico as personal tomes on interest-initiated home-schooling for gifted (or not) children.
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Summary: Great present for parents on your Christmas list
Review: I highly recommend reading "And the skylark sings with me" to learn how children can be prepared by their parents to be successful participants in the rapidly developing Information Society. Every thinking person's greatest joys are learning something new and having an interesting conversation with someone you just met. Readers will enjoy learning with David's family as they expand their capabilities in a self-chosen community of knowledgeable skillful adults. The book clearly shows parents how to provide rich learning environments for their self-directed unschooled children.
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