Thought-provoking read
As a doctoral student, I was assigned this book for my comprehensive exams, but as a former elementary teacher (Grade Five, just like the author interestingly enough), I found reading this book to be an absolute pleasure. The book was written in the 1960's, but sadly, many of the criticisms of elementary education that he makes are still valid today. As i read, I kept thinking, "Yes! Exactly right!" and I wish that I had known about this book while I was still teaching. Holt's writing style is clear and accessible, and I like the fact that he grounds his theory in the observations of real children struggling to make sense of their world. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is passionate about children and education, but ultimately I think that anyone who has been edcuated would find something of interest in Holt's work.