Review

Library Journal Review 2007 May 1

The Well-Adjusted Child : The Social Benefits of Homeschooling
ISBN: 978-1-60065-107-6


In his sociological study Kingdom of Children: Culture and Controversy in the Homeschooling Movement , Mitchell L. Stevens divides homeschoolers into two groups: those from the Christian day-school movement and those from the alternative school movement. First-time author Gathercole seems to be one of the latter and has here assembled the most common questions regarding the social aspects of homeschooling (e.g., "Don't the kids miss out on socialization?") and answers based in opinion, fact, and personal accounts from homeschoolers and their children. This formula works. Gathercole persuasively argues that homeschooling is not isolating but can be a sophisticated approach to socializing and educating children. The personal accounts especially challenge our cultural construct that school life is synonymous with childhood. While considering the social benefits of homeschooling, Gathercole also illuminates contemporary problems with public education. With a short list of web and print resources, this is not a how-to book, however. It is a successful albeit repetitious and elementary consideration of the topic intended for families in the initial stages of investigating homeschooling. Suitable for public libraries with large collections on the subject. Fran Mentch, Cleveland State Univ. Lib.
[Page 98].


Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.