Gretchen

Gretchen marked as to-read:

A Rage To Kill
by Ann Rule

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Gretchen rated a book 3 of 5 stars

Create Your Own Religion by Daniele Bolelli

Create Your Own Religion: A How-To Book Without Instructions
by Daniele Bolelli

read in May, 2013

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I really enjoyed the first half of this book in which the author discusses religion (hence the title of the book). The last half; however, was grueling. I didn't pick up this book to be lectured about the benefits of exercise, humor, or being involve...more

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Artificial Happiness by Ronald W. Dworkin

Artificial Happiness: The Dark Side of the New Happy Class
by Ronald W. Dworkin

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Gretchen rated a book 3 of 5 stars

Faitheist: How An Atheist Found Common Ground With The Religious
by Chris Stedman (Goodreads Author)

read in April, 2013

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Abba's Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging
by Brennan Manning

read in May, 2013

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Gretchen made a comment on her review of The Road Out: A Teacher's Odyssey in Poor America

"Good questions. I happened upon it while browsing my library's non-fiction e-book selection. I suppose I'm a sucker for these kind of books in which a...more "

Gretchen rated a book 4 of 5 stars

The Road Out: A Teacher's Odyssey in Poor America
by Deborah Hicks (Goodreads Author)

read in April, 2013

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This was a fascinating glimpse into the lives of a group of pre-teenage girls and the idealistic young teacher who sees a love of reading and writing among the girls and turns that love into a years-long relationship with books, writing and discovery...more This was a fascinating glimpse into the lives of a group of pre-teenage girls and the idealistic young teacher who sees a love of reading and writing among the girls and turns that love into a years-long relationship with books, writing and discovery.

The girls all live in an impoverished area of Cincinnati where their childhood is marked by violence, drugs, and abandonment. Like a lot of young girls, they like to read, talk about their lives and explore friendships with others like themselves. Deborah Hicks befriends a small group of girls based on their mutual love of literature. The group becomes a safe haven of sorts for the girls who must struggle everyday just to survive. The stories are heartbreaking. One girl's mother is in and out of the house, back and forth to rehab. There is no way she can parent her many children. Another girl lives with relatives because her biological parents, who abused her, abandoned her as a toddler. Some live less chaotic lives, but the main point here is that the environment in which these girls live is not conducive to getting an education and/or bettering yourself. Many older female role models find themselves pregnant and single. Older males seem to be controlling and abusive and therefore, not to be trusted.

Sadly, this book points out that the public education system is quite different for the lower-class than it is for the middle or upper class. Expectations are lowered and many of the students at the girls' school can't even pass basic testing. Ms. Hicks voices her opinions about the state of public education, the No Child Left Behind act and I agree with her assessments. On a personal note, my own children attended a Title 1 school for a short time and I have personally witnessed the kinds of stresses many of the children who live in poverty face each day. It is my personal belief that more testing does nothing to enhance the educational lives of such students or the teachers who are trying to instill a love of learning.

I read on to find out what the girls' lives were like now, 8 years after the start of the reading group. Very interesting reading and a sad social commentary on life in much of America.(less)

Gretchen rated a book 4 of 5 stars

The Girl Who Fell from the Sky
by Heidi W. Durrow (Goodreads Author)

read in April, 2013

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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Gretchen marked as to-read: A Rage To Kill by Ann Rule	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
May 16, 2013 05:41pm
Gretchen rated a book 3 of 5 stars Create Your Own Religion: A How-To Book Without Instructions by Daniele Bolelli read in May, 2013	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed the first half of this book in which the author discusses religion (hence the title of the book). The last half; however, was grueling. I didn't pick up this book to be lectured about the benefits of exercise, humor, or being involve...more
May 14, 2013 05:38pm · see review
Gretchen added: Artificial Happiness: The Dark Side of the New Happy Class by Ronald W. Dworkin	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
May 11, 2013 06:28pm
Gretchen rated a book 3 of 5 stars Faitheist: How An Atheist Found Common Ground With The Religious by Chris Stedman (Goodreads Author) read in April, 2013	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
May 11, 2013 04:44am
Gretchen added: Abba's Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging by Brennan Manning read in May, 2013	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
May 11, 2013 04:44am
Gretchen made a comment on her review of The Road Out: A Teacher's Odyssey in Poor America "Good questions. I happened upon it while browsing my library's non-fiction e-book selection. I suppose I'm a sucker for these kind of books in which a...more "
Apr 28, 2013 01:11pm · see review
Gretchen rated a book 4 of 5 stars The Road Out: A Teacher's Odyssey in Poor America by Deborah Hicks (Goodreads Author) read in April, 2013	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This was a fascinating glimpse into the lives of a group of pre-teenage girls and the idealistic young teacher who sees a love of reading and writing among the girls and turns that love into a years-long relationship with books, writing and discovery...more
Apr 28, 2013 12:48pm · see review
Gretchen rated a book 4 of 5 stars The Girl Who Fell from the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow (Goodreads Author) read in April, 2013	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Apr 24, 2013 03:51pm · see review

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