Howard Zinn - People's History of the United States

Quite simply, the Historians textbook. Howard Zinn's historical account of US History through the lens of events that are excluded from history textbooks. Every classroom at the secondary level should have a copy of this book to compare and contrast how history is taught. Zinn's book is proof the NCLB's compartmentalizing of curriculum is dangerous. When government controls what is taught, many cultures will be excluded from history.

Jonathon Kozol - Lessons of Inequality

Jonathon Kozol has challenged legislators for an entire generation to examine the reality of social inequalities. His focus on education highlights what I have seen for twenty years. Schools within the boundaries of wealth have a much better advantage over their inner city counterparts. While we teach students about Brown v. the Board of Education, we never challenge students to see what is the reality of Brown v. the Board of Education. We create an illusion that equality is here today, when in actuality it is far from being real for many citizens of our country

You are Being Lied To

One of the best books that I have read regarding media manipulation and distorted realities. The follow up book deepens the examination into common realities that simply are not true.

Armed and Dangerous

Armed and Dangerous challenges many realities that we believe to be true. Whether the war on terror, election fraud, or media maniplulation, the author brings to light many ideas, thoughts and actions that many in the America deny to be truth.

Media Center Specialist????

One of the chapters in the book that evokes emotion is my discussion about the Librarian who turned into a Media Center Specialist. When schools are being assessed for how well a student writes a 500 word essay, then there is pressure to read short non-fiction materials. Challenging books of literature are becoming the thing of the past. For this reason, I want students to have a resource for books that challenge a common reality. I hope people of all ages contribute ideas and reviews for books.