Dove by
Robin Lee Graham
In
The Teenage Liberation Handbook, Robin Lee Graham’s book Dove
is mentioned because of how it chronicles his decision to leave the public
education system to become the youngest person to sail around the world alone.
Robin’s journey is pretty interesting to read about, but the personal
stories, like meeting his future wife Patti, were the highlights for me.
He’s a likeable character with many very liberal views and beliefs,
but I noticed some comments he made about Patti (wanting her to cook and clean
for him, and about her weight) that ended up spurring some interesting
conversations around my house one night about sexism and activism.
Overall, Dove is an easy read about a unique trip and person.
Guerrilla
Learning: How to Give Your Kids A Real Education With or Without School
by Grace Llewellyn and Amy Silver
Guerrilla
Learning is definitely geared towards parents with school-aged
children, but I found a lot of the information to be useful, too.
This book explains the importance of “real education,” and then
goes on to explain how to go about providing this for your kids.
Guerrilla Learning offers many, many simple ideas, plans,
and resources geared towards starting and maintaining a learning household
and environment that can be used either as a “school” or simply as a
supplement to a traditional school setting.
Dispersed throughout are personal stories and exercises for both
parents and children to do in order to evaluate how they stand in
reference to the topics covered in each chapter.
It’s wonderful to see another tool available for those interested
in self-education and exploration. The
main points I took away from Guerrilla
Learning were the realization
that the majority of skills I have I learned of my own will, and that true
education is based in every day life.
The Night is
Dark and I am Far from Home
by Jonathan Kozol
In an
interview by Basil Elias with radical teacher Lindsay (Clamor Sept/Oct 2001),
she mentions several books that are important to her and The Night is Dark
and I am Far from Home is one of them.
This book is not light reading in any way, but it is definitely worth
attention. Jonathan Kozol looks
at many of the problems in our society and how they relate to and are fostered
by our public education system. He
is particularly concerned with issues of class and the deepening separation
between financially limited people and those who are teaching them.
He points out that the main purpose of school is to create good
citizens who will continue to obey our government and elect officials who will
sustain the current system. I
also enjoyed his views on how history is being taught as something that
happens around us and to other, greater men, but that we are not worthy of
being part of.
The Teenage Liberation Handbook by Grace Llewellyn
First published in 1991, The Handbook was most recently updated in 1998
with current websites and mailing addresses.
This book is a must-have resource for anyone considering “unschooling,”
homeschooling, or any other alternative to the public education system.
It explores reasons why forced public education doesn’t work, and
provides countless ways to lead a successful happy life outside the system. Even if you aren’t a student, this book is still worth
reading because it discusses ongoing education and issues dealing with
recovering your ability to learn naturally.
The Handbook is filled with personal stories, suggestions, and
experiences that make these options seem very possible and attainable for
everyone.
In
The Teenage Liberation Handbook, Robin Lee Graham’s book Dove
is mentioned because of how it chronicles his decision to leave the public
education system to become the youngest person to sail around the world alone.
Robin’s journey is pretty interesting to read about, but the personal
stories, like meeting his future wife Patti, were the highlights for me.
He’s a likeable character with many very liberal views and beliefs,
but I noticed some comments he made about Patti (wanting her to cook and clean
for him, and about her weight) that ended up spurring some interesting
conversations around my house one night about sexism and activism.
Overall, Dove is an easy read about a unique trip and person.
