Big dreams and brave journeys at a high school for immigrant teens

This was a well written and interesting look at undocumented teens trying to get an education in America. ( )

This was a well written and interesting look at undocumented teens trying to get an education in America. ( )

Listened to from Aug 15, 2012 to Aug 26, 2012

Audio Review - First...the audio was a little tricky to follow at first because there are so many names, but it's still a really fascinating look at one year at the International High School @ Prospect Heights. I believe Hauser followed students and teachers from 2008-2009 and since then, several classes have left the IHS. I'd love to find out what happened to the students since. Where's Yasmeen? Is she still in school? Is Jessica still trying to just be friends with Harold? Did Mohammed graduate and go to college? How's Anne Perry's baby? Is her former student now her nanny? So many questions, but still this is a great book full of insight into the lives of immigrant teens. ( )

In the tradition of Freedman's SMALL VICTORIES and Kidder's AMONG SCHOOLCHILDREN, this is a compelling true story of a small high school, International High School in Brooklyn, where teachers go the extra mile to validate, support, cajole, motivate, and teach students who have come to New York City with little or no ability to speak or read English. From a wealthy Chinese girl who arrives in New York only to discover that her stepmother won't let her live with them to the boy who mysteriously travels from Sierra Leone to Connecticut (then disappears during lunch at Macy's) to the social worker who does everything from host prom dress giveaways to gossip over lunch, this is a compelling tale of what it means to teach with heart ... and with results. Take a break from the hard-hammering headlines of ineffective teachers and standardized test scores and be reminded of the nobility of dedicated teaching -- and learning. Highly recommended. (162) ( )