Death at an Early Age
Death at an Early Age
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1967
Book Brief
246
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Boston, Massachusetts • 1960s
1967
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Death at an Early Age by Jonathan Kozol critiques the Boston Public School system through the lens of his experiences as a fourth-grade teacher in an overcrowded, inner-city school. Kozol recounts his struggles to educate African-American students in a degrading environment and his dismissal for reading Langston Hughes' "The Ballad of the Landlord." The book exposes systemic racism and the destructive impact on young minds. Contains child physical abuse and racial discrimination.
Informative
Unnerving
Melancholic
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
1,021 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Death at an Early Age by Jonathan Kozol has been widely praised for its poignant and unflinching critique of the public school system's failures in addressing racial and socio-economic inequalities. Some reviewers commend its powerful narrative and Kozol's passionate advocacy, though others note its sometimes heavy-handed approach. Overall, it's a stirring call for educational reform.
Who Should Read Death at an Early Age?
Readers who are passionate about social justice, educational reform, and child advocacy will appreciate Jonathan Kozol’s Death at an Early Age. Comparable to works like Savage Inequalities by the same author and The Shame of the Nation, this book will resonate with those interested in systemic challenges within public schools.
1,021 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
246
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Boston, Massachusetts • 1960s
1967
Adult
18+ years
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