Customer Reviews

Homeschooling Abbey: Your Basic Mom Tries Home Education & Tells All

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I bought this book after reading the fabulous reviews on Amazon; now I'm thinking that maybe the reviews were limited to friends/family who received an early release of the book and forgave the half-baked prose. I am contemplating homeschool for my five year old, and was looking for inspiration to reconcile my (unfounded) fears and launch into this new adventure.

Unfortunately, this book brought very little inspiration and I have since sold the book to a local used bookstore. The early chapters did not capture me, other than the deep pathos of the author who is/was riddled with guilt about her failed marriage and her disconnect with her elder daughter, laying blame squarely on the local school system for not caring about her "broken household". I had a hard time getting over the author's Victim mentality, "having" to work a corporate job, move to the mainland, attend a funeral. Apparently, mothers can not make life-affirming choices in New Jersey.

In case you are wondering, the author is an award-winning novelist. It's clearly displayed on the back of the book, inside the last chapter, and interspersed at least twice in the book itself. No humility here.

I have since started David Guterson's "Family Matters: Why Homeschooling Makes Sense", and though only 40 pages into it, recommend it very highly for its articulation of the larger societal issues while remaining firmly grounded in sharing his story of his family's homeschooling experiences.

Homeschooling is more popular than ever it seems everywhere. Many schools, unforetunately have their own agendas and students are often forced to read books and have opiniated teachers pushing THEIR view s on students. Go homeschooling, but really commit and be dedicated and organized. Start with this great book!!!

Learn something most schools don"t teach: For starters: Forgotten Holocaust: The Poles Under German Occupation 1939-1944 Talks about 5 Million Catholics/Gentiles murdered in the holocaust (high school level and up. Also in Americans historyThe Peasant Prince: Thaddeus Kosciuszko and the Age of Revolution +Twice a Hero: The Stories Of Thaddeus Kosciuszko And Casimir Pulaski: Polish American Heroes of the American Revolution 1st one for high school and up and te 2nd one for elemetary school, include a great succint DVD on General Casimir Pulaski, the creator of the first amercan cavalry, appointed by washington himself. Also,Madame Curie: A Biography Greatest scientist ever and a women. Her real name before marrying Pierre Curie was Maria Sklodowska, she was born in Warsaw, Poland. Lastly, Nicolaus Copernicus: And the Founding of Modern Astronomy (Great Scientists) another great scientist born in Poland, and why not Looking at Poland (Looking at Countries) in english and the same book in spanish Descubramos Polonia/Looking at Poland (Descubramos Paises Del Mundo / Looking at Countries) (Spanish Edition) Learn about Poland, while learning Spanish at the same time.i.e., reading books simultaneously alternating. Just a few ideas.

First get Homeschooling Abbey - a great start, and something to really think about.

This narrative is rated "E" for Everyone! Champions of homeschooling and doubters alike will enjoy reading Carol's intimate journey into homeschooling. Carol instinctively reaches out with humorous, "no holds barred" details about the ups and downs of a real-life homeschooling journey that began when her daughter was in public school, not in the womb, and continues to this day. Carol brings you into her world and wraps you in comfort. This is a book meant to be shared...buy one for a friend!

Wow. Add another person to your goal of 5000, though I think there will be many more touched by your book. Your book affected me on so many levels. Your words gave me encouragement and inspiration, not to mention it was a great read! I am going to incorporate your card system and Yahtzee playing. My 7 yr. old already loves to play chess. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. I am sincerely changed and encouraged because of your book.

Parents seeking the best for their children ask questions. "What is the best way to teach and nurture my child?" "What school district has the brightest students?" "Where are the most devoted teachers?" "What is the cost?"

In Homeschooling Abbey, Carol Plum-Ucci, openly shares her same searching journey and encourages the reader to ask another question, "Could homeschooling take my child's learning experience from "normal" to "awesome?" The author feared homeschooling, was confused about what it was and worried that her young daughter would have no friends, but her instincts forced her to begin asking more questions, and her instincts told her that schooling her daughter traditionally just may not be the best for Abbey.

I love that Plum-Ucci's writing style puts me at ease and makes reading a pleasure. She relives her personal experiences and touches on my concerns as a mother, while inviting me to explore the common thoughts all parents have. I love the way she addresses homeschooling without praising it to death, and that she writes from her experiences with traditional schooling without being bitter and negative. Her writing is fresh and credible and offers much needed insight into what goes into a family's decision to stay home and learn.

This book shows that there is another pathway to a great education - and it could be a journey that relaxes enough to enjoy great views, one that builds solid relationships, one that leads a child to pursue their young passions, or one that gives families control over how learning should work for them.

Homeschooling Abbey is a treat for anyone schooling at home, a great read for those considering it, and insightful for anyone curious about this amazing lifestyle. I felt as if I was having a cup of coffee and a heart-to-heart talk with author Carol Plum-Ucci. Amidst a beautiful testimony of the greatest joy she has ever experienced, Carol is honest and straightforward, revealing her doubts, fears and insecurities. Carol tackles all those annoying but common questions. She captures and reveals the secrets every homeschool family knows and articulates them into enjoyable words and encouragement. Homeschooling Abbey is a fast read without sacrificing depth or details. Real life information and flavor kept me engrossed to the very end, sacrificing my usual bed time to devour it in one night- Excellent!