Reviews (7)

funny
If you feel the author of this book was irresponsible, then you have something coming. Go to college and understand how important research like this is. Then you will understand why is was important for him to preserve the culture in order to study it. The whole pretense of research, especially an ethnography, is that people trust you so you can study the truth and show your findings to the rest of the world. He found a lot in this research and this wouldn't have happened if he "told" on them.

Interesting, yet highly disturbing
I write this review merely to respond to allegations that Fleisher is irresponsible.First of all, before you make that claim, enroll in one sociology course.Research like this is vital to understanding how humans operate, and without such research (not just about gangs, but about many aspects of life) policy recommendations would not be accurate, and problems would not be addressed appropriately.Had Fleisher reported all of the crimes that occurred during his time there, his research would have ended.As it is, there is very little research done on girls in gangs.Second, if you had completed the book, you would have seen that Fleisher did have a friend report what he saw with Amy and RoniRo (p 247 -- second full paragraph.)Third, he didn't approve of the gang girls choices to sell drugs -- he said he understood it.Granted that is a choice that most people cannot understand, but after witnessing all that he did, how can you blame him for being disenfranchised?
Perfect
The author handled the situations almost perfectly and I applaud him for that. Being a reformed gang member I was suprised that he even got these kid to trust him enough not to think he was the feds. People complain about how he allowed them to smoke and deal drugs but if he had tried to stop them he would have been dead. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Case studies    2. Children's Studies    3. Criminology    4. Female juvenile delinquents    5. Gang members    6. General    7. Juvenile Delinquency    8. Kansas City    9. Missouri    10. Problem youth    11. Social Science    12. Sociology    13. Sociology - Urban    14. Adolescents    15. Causes & prevention of crime    16. Children    17. Organized crime    18. Social history    19. USA    20. Violence in society   

Subjects:  1. Children's Studies    2. General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Modern - 20th Century    7. Modern - 21st Century    8. Association: clubs, societies    9. History / General    10. History of specific subjects    11. STUDY AIDS - SPARKCHARTS   

Reviews (11)

Help Yourself Before It's Too Late...
This is not your everyday novel. This is a novel full of real-life advice that can help you prepare yourself for real-life challenges.
Sensitive, insightful, and inspirational
After reading `A Child Called "It"', `The Lost Boy', and `A Man Named Dave', I felt almost as if I knew Dave Pelzer personally. That may seem strange, but after surviving an abusive childhood, I understand his way of thinking, his past insecurities, his need to prove himself, and his willingness to give of himself but being held back by the fear of being rejected. Now, after reading `The Privilege of Youth', which should be read after `The Lost Boy' as something akin to a missing chapter that was significant to Dave's development from a `Lost Boy' to `A Man Named Dave', I still feel the exact same way I felt after completing `A Man Named Dave'. Although `The Privilege of Youth' can be described as a 229 page missing chapter to `The Lost Boy`, that doesn't mean that it's not a completed work on its own.
A disappointing continuation...
I eagerly started reading this book.I was very interested to find out where Dave's life was headed after "The Lost Boy" ended.I soon found out that this book was not nearly as interesting as the first two.I found the writing to be somewhat forced.It seemed as though he downplayed his experiences with foster care and all that went with it.
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Subjects:  1. Abuse - General    2. Age Groups    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. California    6. Childhood Memoir    7. Childhood and youth    8. Children's Studies    9. Foster children    10. Motivational & Inspirational    11. Pelzer, David J    12. Social Science    13. Social Welfare Services For Special Classes    14. Social acceptance    15. Sociology    16. Teenage boys    17. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Editorial Review

Twelve-year-old Craig Kielburger, upset by a newspaper article about the forced slavery and subsequent murder of a child in Pakistan, began in 1995 to research worldwide injustice against children. Armed with the disturbing facts, he convinced friends at his Canadian grade school to form a group to advocate for children's rights. With world-changing zeal, Free the Children gathered information, wrote world leaders, and led conferences on the issue with other youth. Kielburger himself was given the opportunity to accompany a human rights worker through cities in South Asia.Read more

Reviews (26)

The Best book
Craig Keilburger is an amazing man and is one of the Worlds greatest heroes. I have learned more from this book then any in the whole world. Even Social Studies!

More of a Reflection of Us than of the Wretched of the Earth
How we live in many cases determines how others all around the world live.Those fortunate to be living in the industrialized, rich nations of the world directly benefit from the suffering and injustice inflicted upon the heads of many unfortunate people in the Third World. Excellent!
"Free the Children" is an excellent book on the issue of child labor. Craig Kielburger, a 12 years old Canadian became an activist after reading from the newspaper that Iqbal Masih, also another 12 years old from Pakistan was killed because of his support for the abolition of child labor. Soon, Craig started the "Free the Children" foundation, consists of only school children and their goal is to bring awareness to the issue of child labor. In order to learn more about this issue, Craig travelled to South Asian countries like Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal and to Thailand, hoping to meet the children himself.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Canada    3. Child labor    4. Children's Studies    5. Children's rights    6. Current Affairs    7. Human Rights    8. Kielburger, Craig    9. Labor & Industrial Relations - General    10. Political    11. Political Freedom & Security - Human Rights    12. Politics / Current Events    13. Social reformers    14. Sociology   

Reviews (7)

Real solutions to the problems I face in my work
I work with a lot of abused children and their families who come from all over the world. I also work with children and families with other problems in a healthcare setting. This book is fabulous, and not just for issues of abuse.
Something for Everyone
As a practicing clinician and college professor, I cannot overstate the importance of this book.As I read it, I realized that we all make quick and often inaccurate assumptions about one another, even when from the same culture.This book forces us to look at all of the ways in which we can oversimplify the behaviors or appearances of others and often jump to false and dangerous conclusions.It is certainly a book that anyone working with people from cultures other than their own (that means most of us) should read.It speaks both to the complexity and importance of the work and challenges us to look more carefully at what we do.

Excellent choice for graduate students preparing to work in schools
Dr. Lisa Aronson Fontes has written a unique and extremely helpful book that is a must read for anyone who works with children and families.I had my graduate students in school counseling read and discuss the book this past year and they found it to be extremely practial, enlightening and applicable to their work. It really engaged and challenged them and sparked an extremely rich and useful dialogue.I have been looking for a book like this for some time now and I am thrilled to have finally found a well researched, compassionate and clearly written book which speaks respectfully to the complexity of these issues. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abuse - General    2. Child abuse    3. Child welfare workers    4. Children's Studies    5. Cross-cultural studies    6. Interviewing in child abuse    7. Psychology    8. Psychotherapy - Child & Adolescent    9. Social Work    10. Sociology    11. Psychology & Psychiatry / Child Psychology   

Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Children's Studies    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Parenting - General    6. Advice on parenting   

Reviews (2)

As an UP series fan, this is a disappointment
This is a thin little book (155 pages) that is mostly transcripts of the film 42 UP.It includes snippet interviews of the other UP film series, but these are identical to what you will find in the "flashbacks" in the 42 UP film.There is a little bit extra here from the 35/42 Uppers than in the movie but not enough to be hyped as "never-before-available out-takes from 35 UP and 42 UP".The interviews themselves are raw transcripts without descriptive comments like "sighs", "laughs", "winces" which would help put the verbal comments in perspective.
A Child is Parent to the Adult
If the book is 1/10 as fascinating as the movie, it's a winner.A 'must see' for all parents, educators, POLITICIANS!, sociologists, mental health professionals and everyone else who cares about who we are as humans.Entertaining as well as deeply thought-provoking. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Age Groups    2. Children    3. Children in motion pictures    4. Children's Studies    5. Film & Video - History & Criticism    6. Great Britain    7. Longitudinal studies    8. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    9. Social Science    10. Sociology    11. Sociology - General    12. Television - General    13. Television Program Writing    14. Working class   

Reviews (3)

Good for novices to foster care system
The interworkings of social services and esp. that of foster care are complex and take much to understand. On Their Own is written at a basic level so the general public can understand what is going on. I have been a mentor and advocate for foster children for a year now and found the book helpful and inspiring. The back part of the book has detailed information on what can be done to help this problem. Some of the kids I mentor will soon be turning 18 and this has allowed me some insight on what to do.
Please read this book!!!
I hope that you take time out to read this book. It focuses on the lives of youth who are in foster care and the challenges that we face when we emancipate from the foster care system. This book is great for people who work in the social services field, who work directly with foster youth, as well as the foster youth themselves. I am in it as well, please read my story... pg. 109

The Saddest Story
What happens when Social Services fail you?And even though you've turned eighteen, or so it says on your birth certificate, you're still not ready for adulthood?Children in foster care face this dilemma daily, for as soon as they're 18, they're dumped from wherever it is that was paying for them to stay.The Williams brothers, three small boys, grew up tough, and in their different ways, Jermaine, Lamar and Jeffrey all tried to cope with a foster system that alternately coddled them and abused them.I was moved to tears by reading the account of Jermaine's last days on earth, simply written by ace reporter Martha Shirk.Happily, the other members of Jermaine's family are living still.Then there's Giselle, a promising young girl who unfortunately becomes prey to anorexia.All too soon, adulthood is upon her, while she's still struggling with a common problem of teenage girls.Liberals worry about these issues, while those of a more conservative bent argue that 18 is certainly old enough to expect a young man or woman to get out on his own and stop depending on charity or handouts.But Shirk and her co-author Stabgler admit there are no easy answers.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Studies    2. Foster Care Services    3. Public Policy - Social Services & Welfare    4. Social Science    5. Sociology    6. Sociology - General    7. Family & relationships   

Reviews (11)

Prosaic....
Personally I found this book to be little more than a GRE verbal refresher course.Sure, it is objective and balanced but so impassionate that such a contentious issue seems like nothing.I think you can strip away emotion from a social problem so much that it creates the question of, well, then, does this really matter?In my opinion I feel this is what the author has done.I was really disappointed in this book.

Solid Social Science
Professor Jenkins contributes immeasurably to the current discussion of clergy sexual abuse by doing what every social scientist should. Jenkins steadfastly refuses to add to the volume of this shrill and partisan debate by offering conjectures or personal opinions. Instead, he calmly presents the data in a detached manner, and then draws his conclusions based solely on the data. Excellent Book on this Crisis
This is a non-Catholic scholar who makes the case that there is an objective anti-Catholic agenda at work behind the expolitation of the relatively few cases of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. Read more

Subjects:  1. Abuse - General    2. Children's Studies    3. Christianity - Catholicism    4. Church And Social Problems    5. Clergy    6. Religion    7. Roman Catholic Church    8. Sociology    9. Sociology of Religion    10. Child abuse    11. Religion & Theology | History of Christianity | American    12. Religion / Catholicism    13. Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholic Church    14. Sexual abuse   

Reviews (5)

Remarkably Moving Book
This book is well researched and well written. As engrossing as it is disturbing, this is a must read for anyone interested in the history of lost or abandoned children. A study of personality developement as well as a case by case study of some of the most interesting and well documented cases of lost children. A must read for those interested in discovering what effect isolation or early contact with others really has.
A haunting and beautiful book
This is a fantastic book, bringing together six very different case studies of wild children.It is a book about innocence and its vulnerability.Exquisitely written, Newton brings together each tale with a great deal of feeling and consideration and is a book that will stay with you long after you have read it.

you'll find it used soon enough...
Despite the hip, appealing jacket and auspicious credentials of the author, this book disappoints.It feels like an academic toss-off, designed for the layperson with a fleeting interest, who will leaf through it like a magazine.To swim through the author's disjointed and often autobiographical slough to arrive at the occasional chunks of interesting stuff is simply not worthwhile.On page 9, the author describes his attitude toward his doctoral thesis (...I stayed up, slept late, frequented cafes in the long afternoons, wrote and unpublished novel and an unperformable play, watched far too many old movies, and diligently avoided my supervisor...)Replace 'supervisor' with 'lit agent', and we may have discovered Newton's approach to book writing as well. Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Studies    2. Feral children    3. General    4. History    5. History: World    6. Psychology   

Reviews (4)

Who could bea molester?
Although the content is difficult to stomach, the author provides insight into the minds of pedophiles.I found the information to be extremely helpful.I'd recommend this book to any parent.I'd like to think that as parents we might be able to stop a predator before he or she abuses a child.

Read This book America:
After the press told the story of little Carlie Brucia, I believe this book should have been purchased by everyone. This book gives insight and teaches us caution not just for ourselves but for our children. this is a marvelous book. I want to recommend to the reading audience a couple of other books, NNIGHTMARES ECHO, LOST BOY and THE PRIVILEGE OF YOUTH. Please read and learn what can happen to a child right under our noses and also make sure to read Identifying child Molesters..so you will know some of what is needed to protect.

Empowering
Any parent who reads this book will have more tools to care for their child(ren). Dr. van Dam focuses on adults becoming the first and strongest line of defense against child sexual abuse and proactive for children who report abuse.The information lifts the wool from the wolf in sheep's clothing without cynicism. Readers will become knowledgeable as they learn the surrounding issues and its effects. The information is well organized, written, and researched. Perhaps, its repetive reading but clear from naivete.Most importantly, the guidelines for intervention are revealed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abuse - General    2. Applied Psychology    3. Child molesters    4. Child sexual abuse    5. Children's Studies    6. Criminology    7. Identification    8. Movements - Psychoanalysis    9. Personality    10. Prevention    11. Psychology    12. United States    13. Child abuse    14. Criminal or forensic psychology   

Reviews (3)

Fine addition to gender studies literature
Reaching Up for Manhood is an excellent guide for the layperson as to thepsychology behind the "cult of macho," by which so many youth areraised.Just as the author, Geoffrey Canada, points out, that today's fashions, be it sneakers or designer clothing, often originate in the innercity, so, too, has the inner city become a trend-setter in attitudes, whicheventually pervade our entire culture. Consequently, this book is alsoimportant for those who are either parents of, or work with, middle classyouth. Although the book is about boys, it is important reading forthose concerned with girls to better understand the interaction between thesexes.The weakness of Canada's book is that it is too concerned with lifein the "street" during his own adolescence, some 25 years ago. Itwould have been preferable to eliminate some of his own reminiscing andinclude more current anecdotes.On the other hand, Canada's style rendersthe book very intimate, as well as easily and quickly readable

Like good eatin in New Orleans, this book was "good readin"
At first glance, the potential buyer of this book may not be attracted to the simple book cover. That will immediately change when you pick it up and start to read it. I was hypnotized by the simplicity of the reading. Thisbook can be read in one day and unlike many books, memorized. GeoffreyCanada does an excellent job of putting in words what some of the problemsare that are plaguing America's young boys. Though his book leans heavilytoward the "growing up" problems of African American boys, thelessons that he put out, apply to all American boys. Teenagers refusing towork at the soft drink table during a function (too beneath them), a youngman who fights off a thug who is attempting to steal his jacket(he thoughtthe guy was a friend of a friend), a young man who tries to kill himself,are just a couple of the real life examples in this book. This is all stuffof the real world of America's adolescents. I say this because I grew up inthe neighborhood that the Rheedlen Center caters to, and reading Canada'sbook was like taking a step back into time. And he is so right when he says"we" have to get involved in the lives of America's boys who needsupport.

Uncommonly sensical
The author has amazing insights which, after reading or hearing, one says, "I should have known that before. It makes such good sense." I believe this is the kind of book that has the ability and sense to change and save lives. Terry Gross featured the author on her NPR program, Fresh Air, recently ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African American boys    2. Boys    3. Child Care/Parenting    4. Children's Studies    5. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    6. Men's Studies - Masculinity    7. Psychology    8. Social conditions    9. Sociology    10. United States    11. Social Science / African-American Studies   

Subjects:  1. Abuse - General    2. Child abuse    3. Children's Studies    4. General    5. Prevention    6. Recovery    7. Self-Help    8. Social Science    9. Social Work    10. Social change    11. Sociology    12. Child welfare    13. Children    14. Social Science / Social Work   

Reviews (4)

Stress Prohibits Inner Growth and Success.
The pressure to excel is a national phenomenon.It seems like stress during the formative years is considered the norm instead of the exception these days.As they mature, girls feel even more stressed when the "expectations of their peers and adults conflict."Teens who believe their parents and teachers have hopes for them that are realistic, and in line with their actual talents and passions, feel most equipped to succeed.
A Useful Resource
As a psychologist, I have used this book as a resource.I have recommended it to parents of teenage girls and I have also referred to parts of the book during therapy sessions.Cohen-Sandler's description of the pressure girls feel to excel on all fronts has been especially helpful.In reponse to my sharing an excerpt with her, a thirteen year old recently exclaimed, "That's exactly how I feel" with a look of surprise on her face and tears in her eyes.

Is Your Daughter A Stress Mess? This can help!
Many girls worry their way through adolescence--whether they are socially insecure, high-achieving perfectionists, or just too scheduled. Stressed-Out Girls can help parents as well as educators know when to step in, when to step back, and how to help girls feel less overwhelmed and more in control. As an advice columnist for girls, I've read lots of parenting guides, and believe me, I don't give all of them a thumbs-up. But this book can help. And while an Amazon reviewer on this page pointed out, correctly, that in some ways girls have it easier than they used to, it's equally true that girls' lives are fuller--and more stressed--than ever before. Example: Years ago, we all took the SATs and that was that. Now students take SAT prep courses simply because everyone else is doing it. Suddenly weekends are full of tutoring and practice tests. It's more stressful (and expensive) for all. If your daughter is anxious, get this book for yourself and get GIRLTALK: All the Stuff Your Sister Never Told You for her. And start carving out some more downtime for everyone. Knowing how to ENJOY is as important as knowing how to EXCEL. --Carol at carolweston.com ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adolescent Psychology    2. Applied Psychology    3. Children's Studies    4. Developmental - Adolescent    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family/Marriage    7. Life Stages - Teenagers    8. Parenting - General    9. Psychology    10. Sociology    11. Stress Management    12. Women's Health - Breast Care    13. Women's Studies - General    14. Social Science / Women's Studies   

Reviews (13)

Too Much That is Not Discussed
There is simply too much that is not discussed for this to be a truly effective book, including most of DC and Marvel's non-superhero output, so that their war, western, and romance comics are neglected and the horror boom of the 1970s is largely ignored.The many superhero comics of the 60s that were published by companies other than DC and Marvel are also overlooked.Harvey and Gold Key are barely mentioned and to read this book, you would think that Charlton only printed war comics.

An amazing book!
I don't know that I can write this review without injecting it with ample amount of gushing praise, but I will try.
This Is It!
Any serious reader of comic books should own this book. Scholars interested in the comic book as a form of popular culture will find the thorough and thoughtful research invaluable. At the same time, adult readers of comics will find the writing style interesting and easily accessible. Wright offers a clear, interesting, and often funny history of the comic book as a uniquely American art form. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Studies    2. Comics & Cartoons    3. General    4. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    5. Popular Culture - General    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Comic book & cartoon art    9. Medical / History    10. Popular culture    11. Social history    12. USA   

Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Child Development And Rearing    3. Children's Studies    4. Developmental - Child    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Life Stages - Adolescence    8. Life Stages - School Age    9. Middle school students    10. Parenting - General    11. Preteens    12. Psychology    13. Social conditions    14. United States    15. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. African American children    3. African Americans    4. Children's Studies    5. Ethnic Issues    6. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    7. History    8. Race awareness in children    9. Segregation    10. Social Science    11. Social conditions    12. Sociology    13. Southern States    14. United States - State & Local - South    15. Black studies    16. Central Southern states    17. Social Science / Children's Studies    18. Southeastern & South Atlantic states    19. race awareness; segregation; racial etiquette; racial violence; childhood; adolescents; history of childhood; racism; racial roles /   

Reviews (1)

It is one of the funniest books I have ever read.
when I was 10 years old, I found this gem in a large pile of books at my Grandma's house. I laughed out loud when I first read this book,and each time since. It is hilarious. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children    2. Children's Studies    3. General    4. Humor    5. Parenting - General    6. Quotations    7. Topic - Family    8. Humour   

Reviews (1)

FANTASTIC...!
This absolutely is the best textbook on the market for preparing to teach preschool children.The quality of the book reflects the author's intense dedication to early childhood as a teacher, center director, and University professor.Read more

Subjects:  1. Child care services    2. Child care workers    3. Children's Studies    4. Day Care Centers    5. Early childhood education    6. Education    7. Education / Teaching    8. Philosophy & Social Aspects    9. Preschool & Kindergarten    10. United States   

Reviews (1)

I love this book!
This book was short and easy to read - I read it in two days (while being a mom to 2 boys!).The author describes 6 circles: the individual, the family, the neighborhood, the community, businesses and government, and our elders; and gives examples of steps that people all around our country our taking within these 6 circles to create a safe culture for our children.Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Child welfare    3. Children    4. Children's Studies    5. Community life    6. Family & Relationships    7. Parenting - General    8. Social conditions    9. Sociology    10. United States    11. Family & Relationships / Parenting