very good, somewhat dated ( )

I liked this book fairly well. I really appreciated how they did the updated edition. Originally Holt wrote this in the early 80s. For the 21st century update they kept Holt's words exactly as they were with the secondary author addi g his own in snippets clearly shown what was new. Some chapters included mostly new, like that on legal aspects of homeschooling, and some where completely untouched. Most had a paragraph or do of new material.

My only complaint was that I didn't feel live I learned a lot more than I had just having out with unschooled individuals. I was a little taken back by Holt's arguments about there not being learning disabilities, the update only slightly before in saying that things aren't exactly that there aren't but they don't have to be as dibilitating as the public school makes them out to be. Everything else seemed on point so it might just be a matter of semantics.

Probably very good fit those not yet familiar with unschoing/homeschooling with child directed education. Almost 20 years have passed since this update and a new update may be helpful, particularly I would like to see since input on how screen time effects unschooling. ( )

A useful book that explains easier and cheaper ways of teaching your kids what takes the normal educational system too long and convoluted ways to do. Highly recommended for anyone who works with children or wants to teach them more effectively. ( )

I've just discovered this maverick guy. What a trailblazer he was. I'm only sorry he died young and didn't stick around long enough to continue writing and publishing his magazine Growing Without Schooling. While I don't agree w/all his ideas, I do find many of them compelling. His analysis of how children learn and how the public school system discourages natural curiosity in favor of mass conformity makes so much sense! I recommend reading this one, as well as How Children Learn. ( )

In this book, John Holt explains how learn not only through academics, but by living life. Even though this book is more for homeschoolers, the message is important for everyone. ( )