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Letters to a Young Teacher Audiobook
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(3.01) - 1,026 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In these affectionate letters to Francesca, a first grade teacher at an inner-city school in Boston, Jonathan Kozol vividly describes his repeated visits to her classroom while, under Francesca's likably irreverent questioning, also revealing his own most personal stories of the years that he has spent in public schools.
Letters to a Young Teacher reignites a number of the controversial issues that Kozol has powerfully addressed in recent years: the mania of high-stakes testing that turns many classrooms into test-prep factories where spontaneity and critical intelligence are no longer valued, the invasion of our public schools by predatory private corporations, and the inequalities of urban schools that are once again almost as segregated as they were a century ago.
But most of all, these letters are rich with the happiness of teaching children, the curiosity and jubilant excitement children bring into the classroom at an early age, and their ability to overcome their insecurities when they are in the hands of an adoring and hard-working teacher.
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"I am currently reading this book for my freshmen sem. class for college. It has opened my eyes to so many things wrong with our school system today and how the people who this is effecting have no idea how to fight back aganist the goverment who is doing it to them. It has made me realize how lucky I am to have attended school where I did. It has also made me wonder if I am prepared for this next step in my life"
— Kimberly (5 out of 5 stars)
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Encouraging…forceful…convincingly argued
— Publishers Weekly Starred Review -
“Kozol’s love for his students is as joyful and genuine as his critiques of the system are severe. He doesn’t pull punches.”
— Washington Post -
“[Charts] the positive tension between his lifelong indignation and the renewable joy of being in the classroom, something essential to all good teaching.”
— Los Angeles Times -
“Overall, the book will delight and encourage first-year (or for that matter, fortieth-year) teachers who need Kozol’s reminders of the ways that their beautiful profession can bring joy and beauty, mystery and mischievous delight into the hearts of little people in their years of greatest curiosity. But his encouraging words rarely lapse into treacle. In fact, he offers tough observations on American education addressed to a larger audience. His forceful opinions are convincingly argued.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“His letters offer a revealing, heartfelt look at the state of education and his own joy and agony in reporting on it. The letters provoke recollections of his early days as a teacher and, as a reporter, the humbling experience of visiting classes and maintaining relationships with the people on the frontlines of teaching, while he observes and writes. Kozol offers encouragement, advice, reflection, and admiration for all the teachers like Francesca, who pour their souls into their jobs. The letters explore the challenges of teaching in the inner cities: bureaucracies and standardized tests that take the creativity out of teaching; distrustful, defiant children who take away time and attention from those who want to learn; the heartbreaking irony of teaching diversity in schools that are clearly racially segregated. A beautiful book that offers an intimate look at the challenges and joys of teaching and one that will inspire and inform teachers and all those interested in public education.”
— Booklist -
“In lovingly supportive letters to a young woman on her first job as a first grade teacher, Kozol brings us heartwarming stories of the magic of kids who delight in words like ‘wiggly’ and ‘wobbly,’ ‘bamboozle’ and ‘persnickety’–and who could resist a child called Pineapple? This remarkable book is a testament to teachers who not only respect and advocate for children on a daily basis but who are the necessary guardians of the spirit. Every citizen who cares about the future of our children ought to read this.”
— Eric Carle, author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Letters to a Young Teacher Listener Reviews
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" Had more of a political agenda than good sound advice to those considering the field of education. "
— Jeffrey, 2/15/2014 -
" I might feel more inspired if I weren't already a teacher and familiar with the many obstacles we must deal with. Reading the book makes me feel so overwhelmed at times. Where's the book of solutions? "
— Aileen, 2/11/2014 -
" Some good stuff is presented in the book. I was hoping for some more solutions and less preachiness. Will Francesca still be the enthusiastic teacher in 20 years, will she become burned out and fall victim to mediocre teaching or will she leave her elementary classroom and try to impart her knowledge on other teachers like she knows what they are going through even though her own elementary teaching days were short-lived. "
— Kari, 1/31/2014 -
" this was ok, it would be hard to recommend to someone mostly for it's preaching to the choir aim, and probably won't impress anyone who's not already a fan. i am a kozol fan, but this was really just ok. lots of subordinate clauses, i mean many, just like all over. "
— Gerard, 1/25/2014 -
" I listened to this in the car driving to Albuquerque. What an inspiring take on education and how we need to do things differently to better serve our kids. I need to read everything he's written. "
— Rachel, 1/19/2014 -
" This book is a collection of letters Jonathan Kozol sent to a first year teacher. The teacher worked in a public school in inner-city Boston. The subjects of the letters deal with subjects such as diversity, uninvolved parents, difficult administrations, voucher programs, and so on. It is an interesting read for those in the education field or those interested in it. Kozol is a very educated, inspiring, passionate man. "
— Kerry, 1/18/2014 -
" Nice overview of the issues currently facing American public schools. It samples greatly from Kozol's other work. Though creative, I didn't love the one-sided letter format of the book. I also think he glazed over the emotion and difficulties faced by a first-year teacher and resorted to the often-rehashed notion that if you are motivated enough and care about your students enough, then you should see clear gains abounding. I did like that "Francesca," the recipient of his letters clarifies this in the book's conclusion. "
— Meghan, 1/9/2014 -
" I agree that Kozel's tone is self-congratulatory throughout. He also simply laments upon situations and does not propose any concrete solutions. His prose is laced with contempt for any person who may deign to disagree with him. On the surface he argues against indoctrination for students, yet used phrases akin to molding them into "agents of change." I agree, but present all viewpoints and allow them to choose that change. Choice does not seem like it has a place in this version of education. I would be terrified to have him 'educate' my students. His politics are far too heavy handed. "
— Mallory, 1/8/2014 -
" SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO inspiring. Made me rethink my life plans and goals all over again: teaching here I come.... "
— Emily, 1/2/2014 -
" I started this and had to put it down because I got too depressed that I'm not as good a teacher as Francesca or Kozol are/were. My sister told me it gets better and more realistic, so I guess I'll finish it and edit my review. "
— Siobhan, 11/26/2013 -
" If you know a new teacher, this book will make a wonderful gift for him/her. "
— S, 11/20/2013 -
" A nice account of some of the issues new teachers face. Lots of pertinent info about schools and the public education system, especially focusing on inner city schools in the Northeast. "
— Brian, 11/6/2013 -
" Excellent for anyone who's thinking ab/ becoming a teacher. Paints an idealistic picture, but does so with inspiration. "
— Melissa, 11/1/2013 -
" I read this book for my Teaching Profession class. Kozol offers very sound and intelligent advice for young, future or new teachers. He also continues to hit upon the sad reality of segregation in the United States education system. "
— Gregory, 9/24/2013 -
" This book gave me hope that even though I have not taken any teaching classes yet (I want to bad) that I can still be a good teacher. I of course don't know how his techniques work in an actual classroom, but I enjoyed the book. "
— Ashley, 6/30/2013 -
" must read for new teachers "
— Nina, 6/29/2013 -
" Formatted as letters to a young teacher, Kozol introduces many of the issues facing public schools today. "
— Emily, 11/17/2012 -
" One of the best books about being a teacher. "
— The, 7/20/2012 -
" Book number two for FOED 7060 class - more meat to this one than ZEN - had some agreeable ideas but a little harsh on the conservative Americans - lots of good food for thought "
— Marsha, 5/18/2012 -
" I love reading Jonathan Kozol's books. He has some fanatical ideas about education but writes beautifully about some of the very true inequalities that education faces today. Another fantastic book by him! "
— Sasha, 5/16/2012 -
" Anyone who works with youth needs to read this book - honest and inspiring - I loved every word! "
— Rachael, 2/29/2012 -
" I actually gave it one star, but I couldn't even finish the book, so really I shouldn't rate it. It was just too difficult to keep reading. Not enough interest for me. "
— Carrie, 7/1/2011 -
" Must read for first year teachers. "
— Sarah, 2/26/2011 -
" You can tell he has been in the teaching business for some time. I like the candid comments he has on the politics now entering the schools, in particular the inner-city. A quick easy read. "
— Bernando, 1/16/2011 -
" So far it is interesting for me as I consider making a move into classroom teaching in the future. Lots of real life stories!!! "
— Diana, 12/27/2010 -
" Just read The Shame of the Nation, the content from this book comes from there, and Shame is more comprehensive. "
— Ashley, 8/18/2010 -
" Kozol has excellent ideas on repairing segregated inner city schools... interesting topics to explore for us folks in the education world. "
— Sarah, 8/16/2010 -
" What I thought would be a reflection on being a young teacher turned out to be an angry, unfounded rant.<br/><br/>Savage inequalities was much better "
— Andrew, 7/22/2010 -
" If you're a teacher, or support public education, and are exhausted with the testing-frenzied atmosphere that seems to be killing the spirit of learning, I highly recommend this book. I just finished it today, and feel as though I have an ally in high places. "
— Nicole, 6/15/2010 -
" Bid too "educational" for a quick read but enlightening nonetheless. "
— Joelle, 6/12/2010 -
" Excellent for anyone who's thinking ab/ becoming a teacher. Paints an idealistic picture, but does so with inspiration. "
— Melissa, 2/8/2010
About Jonathan Kozol
Jonathan Kozol is the author of Death at an Early Age, winner of the National Book Award, as well as the New York Times bestsellers Savage Inequalities, Amazing Grace, and other award-winning books about young children and their public schools. He travels and lectures about educational inequality and racial injustice.
About David Drummond
David Drummond has made his living as an actor for over twenty-five years, appearing on stages large and small throughout the country and in Seattle, Washington, his hometown. He has narrated over thirty audiobooks, in genres ranging from current political commentary to historical nonfiction, fantasy, military, thrillers, and humor. He received an AudioFile Earphones Award for his first audiobook, Love ’Em or Lose ’Em: Getting Good People to Stay. When not narrating, he keeps busy writing plays and stories for children.