Through the Cracks

by Carolyn Sollman, Barbara Emmons, Judith Paolini

Uninspired lessons and stifled creativity often lead to boredom, and—even worse—kids "falling through the cracks" of the educational system. Told in the form of a children's story, this allegory pleads with us to ensure the future of society by helping to meet the mental and emotional needs of young people in school. 56 pages (all in color), 12 X 9.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Picture Books, Childrens, Education, Fiction

56 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 1994

Reviews

[Ari]

This book addresses one of the most important issues of this time. How young students become frustrated and disengaged in school systems that can't always meet their emotional, mental, and intellectual needs. The story has a powerful message and even better photos that show the students "shrinking away" from the classroom. A young girl named Stella is the main character and she explains why she lost her interest in doing class work. The problem was uninspired lessons leave them bored, with wandering minds that hinder learning. Fortunately, there are solutions here: bright and appealing classrooms where kids discuss their work and ideas, where special guests come to share their knowledge, where appealing art and research projects stimulate youthful imaginations, and where nature studies are actually done outdoors.

[Vanessa Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book about two students who were falling through the cracks at their school. I thought that this book was extremely interesting and unlike any of the books that I have read before. There were lots of opportunities for students to get the gist of the story and I liked that it was very detailed. There were tons of times in this book where students could stop and think and it could be very interactive. I think that showing this to students would be beneficial until they realize that it talks about their teacher or a teacher that they had and then I feel like that could come back on you and think that you are implying bad things about other teachers but other than that I think that it could be very beneficial.
Author: Carolyn Sollman
Illustrator: Barbara Emmons
Publisher: Davis May 6, 2008

[Sydney Huntington-Strohm · Rating 5 out of 5]

It starts off talking about the problems Stella and Christopher are having in school. And eventually, they slip through the cracks because they are run down and stressed out. Later in the book, Stella and Christopher notice what kids are like in school while they are young with teachers overworking them. And teachers showing little to no enthusiasm. As Stella and Christopher grow up they notice that teachers do more fun activities that are hands-on making it more interactive for students allowing them to enjoy and love school. I would use this book for students above fifth grade and teachers as well. I would have both read them because students can get an idea of how to handle not falling through the cracks of school. And for teachers, I would have them see if they are interactive with hands-on earning instead of boring with lecture-based then students will want to learn and be in school.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book that resonates with children of all ages. It's about realizing how boring and uniformal school is and how children "fall through the cracks" when they cannot use their imagination and be creative. We see many children who feel trapped by the rules and expectations and then how the two main characters come back. They discover a world below and see how children are in trouble and being disciplined and how some are able to express and enjoy school. Wonderful book, that makes you completely feel for the characters.

[Lindsey Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, but I personally think this book is for teachers rather than students. The way the illustrations were drawn out along with the story plot was a great way of showing of students are "falling through the cracks". This book did a great job showing of showing how teachers are failing to get students' attention and make learning more interesting, instead, it was "Boring, boring, boring." I think more teachers should read this book and really learn how important student's interest is.

[Ashlyn Littlefield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book to read! It really makes people think. It should be read by all educators, to really get a glimpse of what some kids go through while in a school that may not be able to meet students’ needs while trying to learn. Educators should want to keep their students engaged and thinking creatively, instead of making their students bored while they are learning. This is what the book is all about.

[Keann Moncrieffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was creative in showing how students find school tedious, yet once they venture off and find some classes they are passionate about, their views on school change. I liked how they would shrink if they were bored and didn't feel like they fit in the classes they were in previously but would grow once they found those classes that sparked their interest. Overall, I loved the book, and the illustrations were excellent!

[Heather Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through the CracksCarolyn Sollman i think this book is a really good book. I think it has a really good lesson to the book as well.

[Libby Forgues · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author: Carolyn Sollman, Barbara Emmons, Judith Paolini
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Davis (May 6, 2008)
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0871928779

This is a great book for preservice teachers. It is a perfect book for teaching multiple intelligences. It's about realizing how boring and uniform school is and how children "fall through the cracks" when they cannot use their imagination and be creative. I feel like every teacher should read this book to learn how much impact your teaching has on your students.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the illustrations in this book are great. They are very engaging and there is always a lot to look at and to keep your mind active about what is going on. I think this book has a great message about school and students who may struggle to get engaged. It shows how these students shrunk down and were able to explore classrooms and learn that school is not boring after all.

[Madi C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a really good book. It shows that some students fall through the cracks when they have a hard time paying attention. But you can focus their attention back and help them. This is a little bit of a longer children's book but still an important one and should be read in a classroom for students.

[Abbie Kane]

I thought the book Through the Cracks was a great read, the book had a interesting hidden message in it. This is a good way to teach students that class will no always be fun but if you stick it out there will be fun parts. it also teaches you to look at the positive of learning not just the boring parts where your aren't doing a fun activity.

[Katelyn Douglass · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about how older students become disinterested in school. It really shows the importance of keeping students engaged in their learning. When they start to become disengaged, they start to slip "through the cracks" and away from their learning opportunities. It's all about allowing students to have fun with their learning.

[Kassidy Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way the author and illustrator show how students dislike school is fascinating. How the students had certain classes they enjoyed and it would bee physically seen within the illustrations or if they disliked a class that too was able to be seen just by how their mannerisms in the book were done.

[Brittney Cayford]

Through the Cracks addresses one of the most important issues of our time: how youngsters become frustrated and disengaged in school systems that cannot always meet their emotional, mental, and intellectual needs. Presented as a children's story, with powerful images that literally show the students "shrinking away" from the classroom.

[Lauren Hay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read for teachers, administrators, and children of all ages. The book depicts how the school system often bores children and how they eventually slip through the cracks, soon becoming completely disengaged!

[Bella Herrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books is a really good way to explain to kids and adults alike how much some people struggle in life, mainly in school. Kids “falling through the cracks” are depicted in a literal way in this book and displays how the education system sometimes fails children.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great message to teachers about the importance of ensuring that students are stable within the education system and receiving the help that they need so they do not fall through the cracks. Great illustrations that bring further understanding to educators.

[Jordan Devine]

I like this book, i think that it shows a really good lesson on children and their involvement in the classroom. I loved the illustrations i thought that they showed an amazing representation of the book and showed how the students were shrinking and then how they were growing.

[Alyssa Doughty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the message behind this story was very good. How kids can get lost if not given the opportunity to get creative and simply just speak. I also liked how the kids saw what was wrong and figured out a way to fix it instead of just doing nothing.

[Emily Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through the cracks is such an important and good book I think very teacher and future teacher should read. The details in the illustrations of this book are absolutely stunning. I personally love the deeper value this book made for kids withholds.

[Mandi Simmons]

This book goes over one of the most important issues in our time, how youngsters become frustrated and disengaged in school systems that cannot always meet their emotional, mental, and intellectual needs.

[Olivia McCorrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this is a very good book, and gives an important message to educators. Not only does it show problems within the classroom, but also gives solutions which I think is important as well. I really enjoyed reading this.

[Emilee Ireland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book had a really great message for kids as well as adults. It validates student's feelings while also letting them know there's a way out of the "cracks". Teachers can also learn what is going to keep students engaged.

[Hailey Licata · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book many kids may connect with, and all teachers should read. It displays how some students fall though the cracks in their core classes, but they find amazement in art related classes (art, music and dance).

[Lydia Bussell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Students in the story are shrinking and falling through the cracks because of how unengaged they are. A great book for teachers to remind themselves what they should be doing in the classroom for their students.

[Zoe Austin]

Through the Cracks by Sollman, Carolyn, Emmons, Barbara, and Paolini, Judith is a thought-provoking paperback that explores sensitive topics with depth and nuance. Educators might find it useful for sparking discussions on important issues within a classroom setting.

[Kaylee Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author: Carolyn Sollman, Barbara Emmons, Judith Paolini
ISBSN-13:9780871922939

Summary: Students are failing through the cracks in the educational system. Society needs to meet the needs of young people in school and bring creativity to light.

[Devynn Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! This should be read by every student, teacher, administrator, and human! The message is so powerful and constantly looked past.

[Sierra Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This is a neat way to look at the way students slip through the cracks!