THE WAY TO SCHOOL
BY ROSEMARY MCCARNEY WITH PLAN INTERNATIONAL ‧ RELEASE DATE: SEPT. 1, 2015

Riding the school bus will lose some of its allure and excitement but not its value for readers after seeing how kids around the world get to school.

McCarney points out that not all children who want to get an education are able to. But for those that can, getting there can be a challenge. Full-color photographs of children’s journeys fill the pages. These are labeled with the country, though the black text against mostly dark backgrounds makes them difficult (and a few times impossible) to read. The U.S. is first: a Caucasian boy with a backpack and lunchbox stretches a foot up to board an iconic bus. Some children in Cambodia and Indonesia use boats to get to school. In Nepal and Colombia, students may use a rope and a zip line–like apparatus to “fly across” obstacles. Donkeys, oxen, water buffalo, and dog teams play their parts, too. Beyond the sometimes-dangerous ways that kids travel around the world, what may strike readers the most is the lengths these kids will go to to learn: some carry their own water, as their schools lack this resource; others bring their own desks; and unstated but obvious from the pictures is that going to school in many countries requires a uniform, an added expense for poor families.

This is both a fascinating look at school around the world and a very subtle message to readers to appreciate what they have. (Informational picture book. 4-10)

-Kirkus Review

Note: I received a digital review copy through NetGalley. ( )

The Way to School is a short non-fiction book that allows the readers to learn about the dangerous journey children around the world make day by day on their way to school because of poverty or natural disasters. Some children take many risks by paddling across rivers, walking around mountains, climbing high cliffs, or even transporting themselves on animals and carrying their own water or desk just to go to school, and sometimes with bad weather conditions. I think this is a great book to have in the classroom so students can read how difficult it is for some students around the world to go to school and to be proud of the opportunities they have of being able to go to school without having to go through difficult situations. I think that reading this book will help students to understand that education is a privilege and they don't have to take it for granted. ( )

A amazing look at the dangerous ways children travel to school internationally. This would be a great eye-opening read for young readers.

**eARC netgalley** ( )

The Way to School by Rosemary McCarney

I received a copy of this ebook from Netgallery in exchange for an honest review.


My seven year old enjoyed this book because school is not just about learning; it’s about having fun and enjoying what you are doing. No matter one’s way to school may be, all that matters is that one gets to school. He is glad his way to school is normal and safe and not wet, dry, or dangerous. No matter what one’s way to school, it is always worth the trip.
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