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Ordinary Ressurections
A work of guarded optimism that avoids polemic and the fevered ideologies of partisan debate, Ordinary Resurrections is a book about the little miracles of stubbornly persistent innocence in children who are still unsoiled by the world and still can view their place within it without cynicism or despair. Sometimes playful, sometimes jubilantly funny, and sometimes profoundly sad, they're sensitive children, by and large -- complex and morally insightful -- and their ethical vitality denounces and subverts the racially charged labels that the world of grown-up expertise too frequently assigns to them.
388 pages, Hardcover
First published April 25, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
December 14, 2025
Because Ordinary Resurrections focuses so closely on the daily lives of children, it has less intellectual heft than the other Kozol book I've read, Savage Inequalities. This is a more intimate and personal book, with Kozol himself one of the main characters and his interactions with the children the main story.
These children are some of the poorest in New York City. They're black and Hispanic and live in Mott Haven, a neighborhood in the south Bronx. We see them in school and at St. Ann's, the Episcopal church where they attend services and afterschool programs and which serves as a refuge and place to be fed for many in the neighborhood. The pastor of St. Ann's is "Mother Martha," Martha Overall, a Radcliffe graduate and former trial attorney who worked with Louis Nizer. Among other adults in the neighborhood such as teachers and the school principal, she's the glue that holds the community together.
So much is stacked against these children. Many of their fathers are in prison or jail; weekends are spent making treks to visit them. Many of them have asthma, caused or worsened by the nearby garbage treatment plants and trash incinerators. When children have asthma attacks in the middle of the night, they are too exhausted in the morning to go to school so they lose learning time. They witness shootings. Their siblings, cousins, uncles, aunts, parents, sometimes die young. The traumas they endure are seemingly unending. In a footnote Kozol quotes a South Bronx psychologist on "the depression, often chronic, among older women in the neighborhood who are...not only burdened with their own health problems, but are obliged to function 'like case managers for all the problems of their children and grandchildren.'"
But the book is also about hope and potential. Its most poignant aspect is Kozol's plea for society not to condemn these children to lowered expectations, not to see them (as nearly all the inner-city educational consultants do) as economic units who can possibly aspire, at best, to entry-level jobs like health aides and cosmetologists. The mothers of these children yearn for opportunity and advancement for them just as wealthy white mothers do for their children. Kozol reflects on his father, the son of an immigrant mother who could barely read a word of English, a doctor and psychiatrist who had started out studying law but was unhappy with it. His father was in the early stages of dementia at the time of this book and in their conversations snippets of Milton, Browning, and Donne would emerge, "brief, wonderful reminders of the fullness and diversity of inner life achieved by someone who was never trained to be a 'useful' or 'productive' number in America's economy but educated to inherit treasures." Kozol asks, "Why shouldn't Ariel and Pineapple [pseudonyms for two of his favorite children] inherit treasures too?"
July 19, 2020
This was the first book by Mr. Kozol that I have had the pleasure of reading. It will not be the last but while reading this book, I did feel like I arrived late in the middle of a conversation. I am thankful that Mr. Kozol has dedicated his life to educating people about education (and the American inequalities therein). His love and concern for children, educators, and volunteers is evident on every page. This book was written during the late 1990s and it would be interesting to know how (and if) education in New York’s South Bronx has changed in the last twenty years. Soon I hope to read Mr. Kozol’s earlier book “Amazing Grace” that chronicles his observant beginnings in the South Bronx. Even though I’m reading his works “out of order,” I highly recommend them for their insight, information, and heart.
December 15, 2015
Jonathan's humble, self-effacing prose covers much of the same territory of his previous books, but without obviously trying to make a point. He's more philosophical here, questioning what makes some children/schools/teachers succeed and even his own efforts and motives. We get more insights into his past, his family, and his own reservations, and this makes the book more valuable if less cohesive. What a gift this man is to the world.
November 24, 2025
“Childhood ought to have at least a few entitlements that aren't entangled with utilitarian considerations. One of them should be the right to a degree of unencumbered satisfaction in the sheer delight and goodness of existence in itself. Another ought to be the confidence of knowing that one's presence on this earth is taken as an unconditioned blessing. What I admire most about the programs and the atmosphere of daily life here at St. Ann's is that these goals are reconciled in relatively seamless ways that make it possible for children to regard the world, and life itself, as something which, though difficult and often filled with pain and tears, is also sometimes good, and sometimes bountiful in foolishness, and therefore beautiful.”
March 9, 2018
So happy I found this book. It filled a place in my heart that previously only was filled when working with children.
February 2, 2024
Made me tear up in a pret a manger
July 24, 2009
This is the first of Jonathan Kozol's books that I've read, and I got a lot of inspiration from it at a time when I've really been needing just that. I own and direct an early childhood center that's populated mostly by high-risk families, and I'd been feeling frustrated and hopeless lately by the minor crises and disappointments that come along with my job. I picked up this book in hopes that it would would give me some perspective and renewed purpose, and it did. The stories of the children in this book are at times heartbreaking and depressing, but they are also uplifting, hopeful, and most of all, real. By the end of the book, I felt like I knew Elio, Pineapple, and the rest of the children at St. Ann's personally. Kozol is a a gifted writer, and an incredible man. He has touched many lives in the Mott Haven community, simply with the gift of his time and attention. I admire his dedication and commitment to be a voice for a community that is so often without one..
February 18, 2010
Jonathon Kozol sings a pretty consistent tune over the course of his writing and political career: urban schools need money, segregation exists as strongly as ever in America, and it's overdue that we look at why our schools are failing.
All those ideas are present in this book, and while the voice is not as aggressive the sad truth is that the themes have not changed.
In this book Kozol is admittedly older, obviously a bit tired, and clearly wiser. Now instead of every anecdote carrying the weight of a political message he just allows a story to sit and be considered. Even he takes a step back often in the book and admits he told that story because just because he felt like it.
A nice book, but nothing groundbreaking. Kozol is still great, still working and still a voice to be heard (even if his tone has much subdued).
All those ideas are present in this book, and while the voice is not as aggressive the sad truth is that the themes have not changed.
In this book Kozol is admittedly older, obviously a bit tired, and clearly wiser. Now instead of every anecdote carrying the weight of a political message he just allows a story to sit and be considered. Even he takes a step back often in the book and admits he told that story because just because he felt like it.
A nice book, but nothing groundbreaking. Kozol is still great, still working and still a voice to be heard (even if his tone has much subdued).
June 3, 2009
"This is a book about a group of children whom I've come to know during their early years of life, not in the infant years but in the ones just after, when they start to go to school and poke around into the world and figure out what possibilities for hope and happiness it holds. Most of these children live within a section of the South Bronx called Mott Haven which, for much of the past decade, was the nation's epicenter for the plague of pediatric and maternal AIDS and remains one of the centers of an epidemic of adult and pediatric asthma that has swept across the inner-city populations of our nation in these years (p. 3).”
Jonathan Kozol, an aging education writer, life-long bachelor with no children, and former school teacher in an impoverished area himself, had spent many years researching and writing about some of the worst education experiences a child could have in the United States. With ailing parents, the loneliness of aging, and a realization that he had not taken the “opportunity to get to know the children (p. 6)” he had been writing about for many years, Mr. Kozol set out on a mission to get to experience these very special children whom society had virtually written off. In beginning this project, he apparently did not even know which direction he would take this knowledge gained; he simply wanted to be with the children who he had grown to enjoy.
Mr. Kozol further explain of his own book that, “this is a book about the children’s games and stories, and their silliness and sorrows, and the many intricate and sometimes elegant theologies they manage to create in order to invite into their lives the little mysteries that make them brave (p. 7).” These children must be brave. Mr. Kozol spends most of his time in a couple of public schools as well as a church called St. Ann’s in one of the worst, and most deprived areas of our country. Here, he simply talks with children about their lives, their hopes and desires, their fears, and even their faith. He documents with great detail how the children look, and act, and respond in different circumstances, not only with him, but with their teachers, their pastor, and even other children.
These interactions take him into the classrooms and living rooms of these children which also allows him to interact and discuss the lives of the people who are in the lives of the children. Mother’s, teachers, principals, pastors, and helpers all bring detail and context to the struggles and joys that these children experience on a day-to-day basis.
Mr. Kozol goes to great lengths to describe the challenges facing these children such as fathers in jail, drugs, violence, AIDS, asthma from pollution, low income at home, welfare cutbacks, low income for the schools (especially compared to other areas - $5200 – p.45), segregation (99.8% - p.31), crowded classrooms, bad teachers, uncertified teachers, malnourished music and art programs, lack of libraries, run down schools, low standardized test scores, inability to get into good schools, extraordinarily high drop-out rates (65 out of 2000 graduate at Morris High School – p. 28), etc. He is not shy in expressing his frustration over politicians and bureaucrats and big business that are sure to be behind these dilemmas; however, he rarely names names: It seems to me that he only mentions, “the mayor” and President Clinton” once throughout the book. At the same time he describes the social ills present in these young one’s lives, he shows how these children are not rejects as some may suppose. He explains with loving words their interactions, their insights, their mannerisms, their funny sayings like get some church or the bread tastes good!, or “whole-fly water”, their tragedies, and I think, somehow he describes their potential, even though I don’t know that he actually says this much until the end of the book. His observances of how the children comfort one another in their individual pains and struggles are amazing. It seems almost incredible that children of such a young age would comfort one another as they do. I think back to my own childhood and although the memory is cloudy at best, I just don’t remember showing this much compassion to others in pain. Others in pain gave us something to laugh at and pick on. I suppose this book goes a long way in showing that the capacity for these children to love is actually increased because of their capacity to experience, and withstand pain. Of course, empathy grows out of pain – these children truly understand one another’s pain.
Mr. Kozol’s book seems almost more of a diary in structure and form. He writes of conversations and happenings as if he is narrating an episode of a television documentary (I keep thinking of the old TV show Wonder Years, only set in the Bronx – a terrible analogy I know). He gives the minutest detail of certain things which at times are interesting, but at times take on the quality of deep minutia. Although not the critique portion of this writing, it is prudent to mention here because it shapes the way the book was written overall. He interacts with the children, gives his thoughts on the interaction, and then at times discusses the problems and joys behind the situation he is addressing.
As the book begins to wrap up, Mr. Kozol reflects on his own life and his own “treasures (p.292)” that he received growing up in relation to these children of Mott Haven. He asks, “Why shouldn’t Ariel and Pineapple inherit treasure too? (p. 292)” He acknowledges that just as his parents wanted the best for him, these poor parents (mothers) want the best for their children as well; however, he realizes that this is most likely not the reality that these children will make it to the best colleges and careers. And even though he knows this to be the most likely reality, he still questions why it must be so. He prays these children will be able to break free from the fetters of their existence.
Biblical and Ministerial Strengths
The Biblical and Ministerial strengths are many; however, initially, I had a hard time seeing them. I think perhaps the greatest strength was reading how the women at St. Ann’s, and especially Mother Martha cared for and loved not only the children but the people of the community. Mr. Kozol documents in multiple places how these women would stay and feed people that came to their door even if they were leaving. It is so clear, that these women sacrificed everything (including law careers and finances) to do this work. It is a wonderful reminder of how ministering to the least of these is so necessary, and how much of a blessing it is to give of oneself as they do. These women showed so much faith that God would provide the resources and the safety needed to do this work.
As documented in the book, many families began coming to the church because of the afterschool program at St. Ann’s. This is a great reminder that we must often take care of immediate needs people have before we can share the good news of the Gospel with people.
Although not a Christian, Mr. Kozol speaks warmly and positively about many of the religious things he observes in his research. He also is open to show the simple faith of the children that rely on this faith to help them through the constant battles of tough times in their young lives.
Lastly, he often makes reference to Biblical passages and at times citing where they are found. This is extremely positive.
Biblical and Ministerial Weaknesses
From a Christian perspective, Mr. Kozol does not believe in that which offers so much hope and blessing to the workers and the recipients in Mott Haven. This is confusing to me. All throughout the book I was expecting him to say that these experiences, especially at St. Ann’s, had actually help his faith grow, but of course, we never hear him say this directly. He does seem to ramble at times about God and prayer in passing, but he doesn’t seem committed to the concept at all. In fact, at one place he says something to the effect that he wishes he believed in God like the children, but doesn’t. I actually think this distracts from the book to a religious person, but probably to secular society, I would assume he said too much as far as they are concerned.
Jonathan Kozol, an aging education writer, life-long bachelor with no children, and former school teacher in an impoverished area himself, had spent many years researching and writing about some of the worst education experiences a child could have in the United States. With ailing parents, the loneliness of aging, and a realization that he had not taken the “opportunity to get to know the children (p. 6)” he had been writing about for many years, Mr. Kozol set out on a mission to get to experience these very special children whom society had virtually written off. In beginning this project, he apparently did not even know which direction he would take this knowledge gained; he simply wanted to be with the children who he had grown to enjoy.
Mr. Kozol further explain of his own book that, “this is a book about the children’s games and stories, and their silliness and sorrows, and the many intricate and sometimes elegant theologies they manage to create in order to invite into their lives the little mysteries that make them brave (p. 7).” These children must be brave. Mr. Kozol spends most of his time in a couple of public schools as well as a church called St. Ann’s in one of the worst, and most deprived areas of our country. Here, he simply talks with children about their lives, their hopes and desires, their fears, and even their faith. He documents with great detail how the children look, and act, and respond in different circumstances, not only with him, but with their teachers, their pastor, and even other children.
These interactions take him into the classrooms and living rooms of these children which also allows him to interact and discuss the lives of the people who are in the lives of the children. Mother’s, teachers, principals, pastors, and helpers all bring detail and context to the struggles and joys that these children experience on a day-to-day basis.
Mr. Kozol goes to great lengths to describe the challenges facing these children such as fathers in jail, drugs, violence, AIDS, asthma from pollution, low income at home, welfare cutbacks, low income for the schools (especially compared to other areas - $5200 – p.45), segregation (99.8% - p.31), crowded classrooms, bad teachers, uncertified teachers, malnourished music and art programs, lack of libraries, run down schools, low standardized test scores, inability to get into good schools, extraordinarily high drop-out rates (65 out of 2000 graduate at Morris High School – p. 28), etc. He is not shy in expressing his frustration over politicians and bureaucrats and big business that are sure to be behind these dilemmas; however, he rarely names names: It seems to me that he only mentions, “the mayor” and President Clinton” once throughout the book. At the same time he describes the social ills present in these young one’s lives, he shows how these children are not rejects as some may suppose. He explains with loving words their interactions, their insights, their mannerisms, their funny sayings like get some church or the bread tastes good!, or “whole-fly water”, their tragedies, and I think, somehow he describes their potential, even though I don’t know that he actually says this much until the end of the book. His observances of how the children comfort one another in their individual pains and struggles are amazing. It seems almost incredible that children of such a young age would comfort one another as they do. I think back to my own childhood and although the memory is cloudy at best, I just don’t remember showing this much compassion to others in pain. Others in pain gave us something to laugh at and pick on. I suppose this book goes a long way in showing that the capacity for these children to love is actually increased because of their capacity to experience, and withstand pain. Of course, empathy grows out of pain – these children truly understand one another’s pain.
Mr. Kozol’s book seems almost more of a diary in structure and form. He writes of conversations and happenings as if he is narrating an episode of a television documentary (I keep thinking of the old TV show Wonder Years, only set in the Bronx – a terrible analogy I know). He gives the minutest detail of certain things which at times are interesting, but at times take on the quality of deep minutia. Although not the critique portion of this writing, it is prudent to mention here because it shapes the way the book was written overall. He interacts with the children, gives his thoughts on the interaction, and then at times discusses the problems and joys behind the situation he is addressing.
As the book begins to wrap up, Mr. Kozol reflects on his own life and his own “treasures (p.292)” that he received growing up in relation to these children of Mott Haven. He asks, “Why shouldn’t Ariel and Pineapple inherit treasure too? (p. 292)” He acknowledges that just as his parents wanted the best for him, these poor parents (mothers) want the best for their children as well; however, he realizes that this is most likely not the reality that these children will make it to the best colleges and careers. And even though he knows this to be the most likely reality, he still questions why it must be so. He prays these children will be able to break free from the fetters of their existence.
Biblical and Ministerial Strengths
The Biblical and Ministerial strengths are many; however, initially, I had a hard time seeing them. I think perhaps the greatest strength was reading how the women at St. Ann’s, and especially Mother Martha cared for and loved not only the children but the people of the community. Mr. Kozol documents in multiple places how these women would stay and feed people that came to their door even if they were leaving. It is so clear, that these women sacrificed everything (including law careers and finances) to do this work. It is a wonderful reminder of how ministering to the least of these is so necessary, and how much of a blessing it is to give of oneself as they do. These women showed so much faith that God would provide the resources and the safety needed to do this work.
As documented in the book, many families began coming to the church because of the afterschool program at St. Ann’s. This is a great reminder that we must often take care of immediate needs people have before we can share the good news of the Gospel with people.
Although not a Christian, Mr. Kozol speaks warmly and positively about many of the religious things he observes in his research. He also is open to show the simple faith of the children that rely on this faith to help them through the constant battles of tough times in their young lives.
Lastly, he often makes reference to Biblical passages and at times citing where they are found. This is extremely positive.
Biblical and Ministerial Weaknesses
From a Christian perspective, Mr. Kozol does not believe in that which offers so much hope and blessing to the workers and the recipients in Mott Haven. This is confusing to me. All throughout the book I was expecting him to say that these experiences, especially at St. Ann’s, had actually help his faith grow, but of course, we never hear him say this directly. He does seem to ramble at times about God and prayer in passing, but he doesn’t seem committed to the concept at all. In fact, at one place he says something to the effect that he wishes he believed in God like the children, but doesn’t. I actually think this distracts from the book to a religious person, but probably to secular society, I would assume he said too much as far as they are concerned.
October 31, 2019
I was first introduced to Jonathan Kozol while going through my Masters of Education in his book Savage Inequalities. It was a stunning read and helped to solidify my views on both the failures of public education, and also the necessity of a public education that actually works for students.
I borrowed Oridinary Resurrections as it was the only Kozol book I had not read and I was interested in his writings outside of his normal educational ethnographeies.
I was surprised to see this book labeled as "sociology/religion" on the back as Kozol has never shied from his agonistic standing in many of his other books, but as I began to read, I saw that this label fit perfectly.
This is a deeply spiritual book. Not on purpose, I don't think, as I feel that this book was a way for Kozol to explore the lives of the children he meets outside of the school setting, but rather as a organic offspring of simply being in the presence of this children.
I would say that most anyone who works with children will say that it is easy to see the spiritual nature of their lives. And it is hard to not become "infected" with their childlike vision of the world. I found that this book is almost an exploration of Jonathan's spirituality as much as it is an ethnography on the children.
As always, Kozol's writing is spot on, heartfelt and impactful. He brings these children, who live a world apart from me, to vibrant life. I find myself moved reading Kozol in ways that I am rarely moved. Kozol is cut from the same cloth as Mr. Rogers, only with an academics slant on the world. If Mr. Rogers is the intermediary between adults and children, Kozol is the intermediary between Mr. Rogers and adults.
I would highly recommend this one for anyone who has appreciated Kozol's other works on the educational system, specifically in NYC. If you haven't read any of his other works, I would advise go there first before coming to read Ordinary Resurrections as it is a perfect companion to his other books and also acts as a balm to the sometimes bitter medicine that those other books can cause.
This is a celebration of the innocence and spiritual nature of children, while also allowing us as to look in the mirror and see how children see the world.
I borrowed Oridinary Resurrections as it was the only Kozol book I had not read and I was interested in his writings outside of his normal educational ethnographeies.
I was surprised to see this book labeled as "sociology/religion" on the back as Kozol has never shied from his agonistic standing in many of his other books, but as I began to read, I saw that this label fit perfectly.
This is a deeply spiritual book. Not on purpose, I don't think, as I feel that this book was a way for Kozol to explore the lives of the children he meets outside of the school setting, but rather as a organic offspring of simply being in the presence of this children.
I would say that most anyone who works with children will say that it is easy to see the spiritual nature of their lives. And it is hard to not become "infected" with their childlike vision of the world. I found that this book is almost an exploration of Jonathan's spirituality as much as it is an ethnography on the children.
As always, Kozol's writing is spot on, heartfelt and impactful. He brings these children, who live a world apart from me, to vibrant life. I find myself moved reading Kozol in ways that I am rarely moved. Kozol is cut from the same cloth as Mr. Rogers, only with an academics slant on the world. If Mr. Rogers is the intermediary between adults and children, Kozol is the intermediary between Mr. Rogers and adults.
I would highly recommend this one for anyone who has appreciated Kozol's other works on the educational system, specifically in NYC. If you haven't read any of his other works, I would advise go there first before coming to read Ordinary Resurrections as it is a perfect companion to his other books and also acts as a balm to the sometimes bitter medicine that those other books can cause.
This is a celebration of the innocence and spiritual nature of children, while also allowing us as to look in the mirror and see how children see the world.
January 9, 2021
My friend Iris gave me her copy of this title when I told her about my socially engaged art practice/project: Who Is My Neighbor. I'm so glad that I included it on my project reading list.
Kozol's essay/story style works so well for me as a reader and provides some inspiration for the way I wish to chronicle my interviews as I talk to my neighbors. My two prompts: 1) Tell me the story about moving into your house. 2) Tell me the story of life in your house in 2020. As a writer, I strive for a generous and honest narrative as I witness and share my neighbors' stories. Kozol combines these with skill and wisdom.
Good writing, for me, cannot come into being unless the writer reads the muscular, vibrant work of other writers. This is what Ordinary Resurrections is for me.
Kozol's essay/story style works so well for me as a reader and provides some inspiration for the way I wish to chronicle my interviews as I talk to my neighbors. My two prompts: 1) Tell me the story about moving into your house. 2) Tell me the story of life in your house in 2020. As a writer, I strive for a generous and honest narrative as I witness and share my neighbors' stories. Kozol combines these with skill and wisdom.
Good writing, for me, cannot come into being unless the writer reads the muscular, vibrant work of other writers. This is what Ordinary Resurrections is for me.
October 23, 2022
Kozol is famous for a series of righteously angry journalistic accounts of the ways the post-Civil Rights political landscape has abandoned the most vulnerable in the U.S. Many years ago I read his book about public schools in poor areas, Savage Inequalities. By contrast, this book is a conscious effort to focus on the irrepressible gifts, beauty, hope and resilience found in kids who grow up in difficult situations. As usual, his technique is to basically hang out and get to know people -- this time at an afterschool program run by a church in the South Bronx. It is a nice change of pace for him (although, some of the old fire shines through in places). He has a nice writerly flair for capturing moments and quirks that illuminate character.
August 8, 2023
Abandoned halfway through because there was nothing but the same old, same old, without much insight. Kids are great to be around, racism and segregation are evil, politicians are worse than worthless, public schools are poorly funded, churches give what help they can despite the fact that they are staffed mostly by elderly volunteers, do-gooders visit and observe and go home. How do we get out of this cycle? That's what I want to know.
July 4, 2025
I really love jonothan kozol. This book is just like a play by play of his experiences shadowing St. Ann's and PS30 in the South Bronx. It is very sweet, and makes me think ab schools today with tech/virtual learning/etc and the inequities wthat come w that. I read chapters sporadically and didn't finish the book in its entirety, but I still count.
December 26, 2023
Classic look at the inequalities of the world of public education.
March 17, 2021
There is something about the way Jonathan Kozol writes that makes these profound stories pierce through your heart. It’s been weeks since I’ve read this and the stories of these children have stayed with me since.
I wish there were more people like Jonathan or Mother Martha or Katrice who would give up a portion of their lives to make the lives of those like Pineapple or Elio and the children of St. Ann’s a tiny bit better, holding unto nothing but hope.
This book is pivoting, an eye-opener that deserves to be read by many.
Such beautiful writing in a beautiful book by a beautiful soul.
I wish there were more people like Jonathan or Mother Martha or Katrice who would give up a portion of their lives to make the lives of those like Pineapple or Elio and the children of St. Ann’s a tiny bit better, holding unto nothing but hope.
This book is pivoting, an eye-opener that deserves to be read by many.
Such beautiful writing in a beautiful book by a beautiful soul.
July 6, 2024
Written over 25 years ago, the themes and issues are sadly the same today. Kozol reveals the profound underfunding, prejudice, and a lack of priority being given to education in the poorest areas of New York. He also reveals the strength, love and resilience of these communities and the children who live in them. But there was something missing in the stories - Some direction? Solutions? Just one happy ending? I'm not sure, but as inspired as I was by the children, I was left with a hollow feeling that was hard to shake.
September 3, 2016
A beautiful, eye opening depiction of inner city children and their education. Kozol captures the simplicity and depth of these children with conviction and compassion while humanizing the issues of poverty and lack of opportunities.
Toward the latter part of the book he discusses the Biblical idea of "straight is the gate & narrow is the way to life."
But then he talks about the riches of "this kingdom", meaning the US. He says, "and certainly it shouldn't be like that in this abundant land in which we live. There should not be a narrow gate for children of the poor, a wide and open date for children of the fortunate and favored. There should be one gate. It should be known to everyone."
The purpose of his book is not to offer a lot of solutions, but more to highlight the incredible lives of the children & education workers he associates with, shares meals with & ultimately loves.
Toward the latter part of the book he discusses the Biblical idea of "straight is the gate & narrow is the way to life."
But then he talks about the riches of "this kingdom", meaning the US. He says, "and certainly it shouldn't be like that in this abundant land in which we live. There should not be a narrow gate for children of the poor, a wide and open date for children of the fortunate and favored. There should be one gate. It should be known to everyone."
The purpose of his book is not to offer a lot of solutions, but more to highlight the incredible lives of the children & education workers he associates with, shares meals with & ultimately loves.
January 12, 2014
I had previously read Kizol's Fire in the Ashes: Twenty-Five Years Among the Poorest Children in America and was moved by the stories of these beautiful children living in the worst conditions. Ordinary Ressurections had the same impact.
The grace of these wonderful children and their families along with the people who work in the church to help them get through the day will make you cry and feel hope at the same time. I highly recommend any Johnathan Kozolbook.
The grace of these wonderful children and their families along with the people who work in the church to help them get through the day will make you cry and feel hope at the same time. I highly recommend any Johnathan Kozolbook.
August 31, 2016
A beautiful, eye opening depiction of inner city education. Kozol captures the simplicity and depth of these children.
Toward the latter part of the book he discusses the Biblical idea of "straight is the gate & narrow is the way to life."
But then he talks about the riches of "this kingdom", meaning the US. He says, "and certainly it shouldn't be like that in this abundant land in which we live. There should not be a narrow gate for children of the poor, a wide and open date for children of the fortunate and favored. There should be one gate. It should be known to everyone."
The purpose of his book is not to offer a lot of solutions, but more to highlight the incredible lives of the children & education workers he stoops with, shares meals with & loves.
Toward the latter part of the book he discusses the Biblical idea of "straight is the gate & narrow is the way to life."
But then he talks about the riches of "this kingdom", meaning the US. He says, "and certainly it shouldn't be like that in this abundant land in which we live. There should not be a narrow gate for children of the poor, a wide and open date for children of the fortunate and favored. There should be one gate. It should be known to everyone."
The purpose of his book is not to offer a lot of solutions, but more to highlight the incredible lives of the children & education workers he stoops with, shares meals with & loves.
July 9, 2011
Kozol has aged well, and I think I liked this better than some of his more famous works. The activism and rage that starts to look ridiculous with time has faded to a mature, more personal portrait of children, and also of his own life. Lyrical, universal, charming, and hopeful, with the perspective of age and the intensely personal good rather than an abstract, and possibly unobtainable view of a utopia, I'd highly recommend this one. The love shines through, rather than the detached journalist/commentator he used to be. His best.
May 22, 2007
(I'll go ahead and post this review for all Jonathan Kozol books). I really like what he writes about and how he does it. Kozol is pretty remarkable given he has devoted his life to putting the spotlight on societal issues and problems in urban communities -- all in the hopes of bringing about change. Sadly though not much has improved and there is little hope for a better future for the families that Kozol befriends and whose lives are portrayed in his books.
May 15, 2012
I felt like I was having a conversation with the author in his living room. The richness with which he describes his experiences make the South Bronx come alive, even to a teenager from the suburbs who hasn't ever been to a place like that. This book also calls you to action, because after reading it, you will fall in love with these kids and weep for the unfairness of the lives ahead of them. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever noticed that the education system is a bit wonky.
April 24, 2007
Kozol's latest book, he returns to the same neighborhood that he wrote Amazing Grace. In comparison to his previous books, he admits that this book is more tempered, less all-out fire and passion-- but in doing so, i think he is more honest and transparent about the occasional doubts that affect many people who work in underserved communities (myself included).
April 13, 2008
As the title suggests, this book provides a strong sense of inspiration and strength for anyone on the quest to bridge the inequality gap that exists for so many children in the New York public school system. The story is very personal, an easy read, and filled with small yet meaningful recounts of the author's beautiful little moments with children in the South Bronx.
December 19, 2009
Jonathan Kozol is an angel sent from heaven to tell the tales of inequality in urban education. All of his books have had a profound impact on me, but this one stands out. This book reminds me so much of my students in Washington, DC and inspires me to never forget them and never give up on improving education for our neediest students.
March 29, 2011
I am not a huge fan of Kozol. He is certainly a workmenlike writer and researcher. I admire his commitment to publicizing and presenting the working poor and the poor in America. However, his books do tend to blur together and they tend to have a voyeauristic quality than I eventually became uncomfortable with.
December 14, 2025
His narratives of the children, the church schools and others are wonderful. He also goes into a lot of biographical asides which he ties into the narrative. His polemics on the institutional injustices are right on, but still come off a bit didactic (though he claims they are toned down in this book). His ability to connect with the kids comes out strong.
July 6, 2007
Sachs, throughout all his writing, has really gotten at the heart of what the problems in our educational system are. This book is no different, but offers up hope in the lives of the children he writes about. Despite their horrendous circumstances, these kids still find a way to shine.
January 18, 2008
Humanizes the issue of poverty and lack of opportunities in America's inner cities. The author lets us get to know some of his friends in the Bronx, and appreciate them as human beings rather than statistics or posters for social justice.
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