Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
Christine Zajac teaches fifth grade in a racially mixed school in a poor district of Holyoke, Mass. About half of her students are Hispanic; many come from broken homes. Through Kidder's calmly detailed re-creation of Zajac's daily round, we come to know her students' fears and inmost strivings; we also share this teacher's frustrations, loneliness and the rush of satisfaction that comes with helping students learn. It's a tough job: in one social studies class, half the pupils can't name the country they live in. Kidder ( House ; The Soul of a New Machine ) writes with sensitivity of Zajac's Irish-Catholic roots, of the need for educational reform and of the Holyoke Puerto Ricans' struggles for equality and success. We see Kelly School as a compelling microcosm of what is wrong--and right--with our educational system. Author tour. (Sept.)
Library Journal
Many readers have come to expect that anything authored by Kidder ( House, LJ 8/85; Soul of a New Machine, LJ 8/81) will be of high merit. This latest nonfiction work is no exception. It tells in detail the story of a young teacher's daily life and work in the Kelly School, a part of the Holyoke, Massachusetts school system. From September to June, Chris Zajac, a caring, dedicated teacher struggles with the nearly superhuman task of teaching inner-city children, many from impoverished and broken homes. Her pupils are often ill-fed, victims of severe neglect, or worse. Readers will become engrossed in her daily battle to teach these youngsters. (Over half stay up until 12:30 a.m. to watch TV). She agonizes over her pupils, one Clarence in particular. Kidder allows the reader to savor the small daily victories and taste the angst of failure. A warm, honest, refreshingly positive look inside a classroom. Essential for most libraries.-- Annette V. Janes, Hamilton P.L., Mass.
Booknews
Another good Kidder book. This dealing with the day-to-day activity of teaching (and maintaining a climate in which learning is feasible). Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
From the Publisher
"Kidder's close observations tie us into the emotional networks that make up classroom life. . . . A wonderful, compassionate book about teaching." — Chicago Tribune
“Among School Children is more than a book about needy children and a valiant teacher; it is full of the author’s genuine love, delight and celebration of the human condition. He has never used his talent so well.” — New York Times Book Review
"Kidder brilliantly illuminates the reasons for hope and the reasons for despair that sit side by side, or share a desk, in schoolrooms across the nation." — Newsday
"Splendid. . . smooth, informal, extraordinarily readable. . . . A book as exciting as it is eye-opening." — Chicago Sun-Times
"Erupts with passionate life." — USA Today
New York Times Book Review
Among School Children is more than a book about needy children and a valiant teacher; it is full of the author’s genuine love, delight and celebration of the human condition. He has never used his talent so well.
Newsday
"Kidder brilliantly illuminates the reasons for hope and the reasons for despair that sit side by side, or share a desk, in schoolrooms across the nation."
Chicago Sun-Times
"Splendid. . . smooth, informal, extraordinarily readable. . . . A book as exciting as it is eye-opening."
USA Today
"Erupts with passionate life."
Chicago Tribune
"Kidder's close observations tie us into the emotional networks that make up classroom life. . . . A wonderful, compassionate book about teaching."
Chicago Tribune
"Kidder's close observations tie us into the emotional networks that make up classroom life. . . . A wonderful, compassionate book about teaching."
USA Today
"Erupts with passionate life."
Chicago Sun-Times
"Splendid. . . smooth, informal, extraordinarily readable. . . . A book as exciting as it is eye-opening."
