Allison's Story: A Book About Homeschooling (Meeting the Challenge) [Library Binding]

Jon Lurie (Author), Rebecca Dallinger (Illustrator, Photographer)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Meeting the Challenge

Describes the experiences of an eight-year-old girl and her family who are educating their children at home.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-Parents have a variety of reasons for homeschooling, but none are given as to why Allison's parents have made that decision. The book is a look at the situations and lessons Allison and her sisters face each day. The pictures show a somewhat unusual household with parents who are highly committed to giving their children a well-rounded, full school day. It appears that Allison sleeps on the floor, and that her parents may have some political motives behind their choices, but these issues are not discussed. All this aside, however, the book is a good introduction to home education, and Allison seems to be a bright, independent, and creative child. A good "kid's-eye view" of the topic for those who are unfamiliar with this educational alternative.
Julie Halverstadt, Douglas Public Library District, Castle Rock, CO
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 2^-4. "I learn from everything I do," says eight-year-old Allison, who narrates this appealing photo-essay about her homeschool experiences. The photos are a little dark, but they are plentiful and unstudied, catching Allison at work and at play, alone and with her family, content and moody. Although this is a very upbeat view of homeschooling, it is also nicely tempered with reality: Allison admits that being with her whole family all the time isn't easy, and she alludes to the prohibitive cost of some materials and the need to find outside teachers for certain things, such as dancing and knitting. However, the portrait is a winning one, showing a bright, eager child whose schooling may be different but who seems just like the girl next door. An appended section includes information about homeschooling, and an eclectic list of further reading rounds things out. Stephanie Zvirin

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Library Binding: 40 pages
• Publisher: Lerner Pub Group (L) (September 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822525798
• ISBN-13: 978-0822525790
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,145,957 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not my kind of homeschooling, July 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Allison's Story: A Book About Homeschooling (Meeting the Challenge) (Library Binding)

The author and photographer do a good job of capturingAllison's day in a warm and human way. However, I would not recommendthis book as an introduction to homeschooling because I have philosophical disagreements with the approach Allison's parents use. The family uses a "school at home" approach complete with tedious homework, regular testing, and pressure to work. The parents stay up late into the night developing lessons, planning curriculum, and assessing their daughters' progress. And the mother has a masters degree in education! While that's not a bad thing, overall this book could give the impression that homeschooling can only work for highly educated superparents. I prefer I am a Home Schooler by Julie Voetberg which to me sets a more appealing and approachable example of homeschooling.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great way for the kids to see how others homeschool, September 14, 2002

By 

Rachael "emily dickenson" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Allison's Story: A Book About Homeschooling (Meeting the Challenge) (Library Binding)

My son is 8 and so is the main girl in this book, so I think he could relate. Both my children liked this book, and I thought it was worth buying ...
On the parent's side, the amount of things this family gets done in one day was a little intimidating! But it was a good, positive read for the kids.