Rating: 
Summary: CAN YOU EVER BE HOMELESS?
Review: "A superb... well written book by Kozol. This award winning book gives an in depth look at the controversy of homeless victims living in shelters in New York City. Kozol doesn't just speak about homeless issues but goes directly to the suffering victims for his certainty. Startling facts about the homelessness, that the media never reviews. If you're curious of how the homeless survives in all for seasons...This is the one book you would need to read."
Rating: 
Summary: An Apology for the Homeless
Review: "Rachel and Her Children" is an award-winning compilation of the author's conversations with homeless people, highlighting how the downtrodden suffer in the United States at the end of the 20th Century. Jonathan Kozol pulls no punches in his one-sided indictment of the American way, putting the blame for homelessness squarely on the shoulders of everyone else (Americans with homes, that is, the rest of us). Although much of what Kozol depicts is heart-rending, I would have welcomed a more balanced presentation of the homeless issue, not only discussing the shortcomings of a political and economic system that makes it difficult for the homeless to overcome their situation, but also indicating that the homeless bear a good deal of personal repsonsibility in their plight (making little to no effort to seek employment, avoiding or sometimes even refusing to accept the albeit limited help offered by government agencies, sinking further into poverty by irresponsibly having children whom they cannot afford to support, etc). For those of you who want a stronger kick in the pants about the suffering of the poor than that provided by Jonathan Kozol, I suggest reading the essay of another Jonathan (Swift's "A Modest Proposal").
Rating:
Summary: Kozol Misunderstood
Review: I have been reading several reviews of books by Jonathan Kozol and I am disappointed. For starters, everyone seems to be blaming minority mothers for their "out of control baby making." I think the point of his books have been missed. Kozol is always looking at how societal ills effect children. He is not apologizing for families that are larger than can be afforded - he is sympathizing with the children that are born to them. He is sympathizing (better word empathizing) with the children who attend horrible run down schools and like in welfare hotels. As a public school teacher in Chicago, his revelations are very real. We do teach in terrible buildings. We do have homeless children. Would I ever think to point the blame at them? Am I pleased with the choices their parents have made? Not always, but I am also not the one to judge -- I am there to teach their children.As for all of the people who suggest all "these people" need to do is get up off their couches and get a job: I would like to know if you would be willing to hire these people with substandard educations and possibly no permanent residence. Middle and upper class America is quick to condem those without work, but also the last group of people to provide employment to those in most need. Before condeming the people in these situations, I firmly believe we all need to take a hard look at ourselves.
Rating:
Summary: Kozol Misunderstood
Review: I have been reading several reviews of books by Jonathan Kozol and I am disappointed. For starters, everyone seems to be blaming minority mothers for their "out of control baby making." I think the point of his books have been missed. Kozol is always looking at how societal ills effect children. He is not apologizing for families that are larger than can be afforded - he is sympathizing with the children that are born to them. He is sympathizing (better word empathizing) with the children who attend horrible run down schools and like in welfare hotels. As a public school teacher in Chicago, his revelations are very real. We do teach in terrible buildings. We do have homeless children. Would I ever think to point the blame at them? Am I pleased with the choices their parents have made? Not always, but I am also not the one to judge -- I am there to teach their children. As for all of the people who suggest all "these people" need to do is get up off their couches and get a job: I would like to know if you would be willing to hire these people with substandard educations and possibly no permanent residence. Middle and upper class America is quick to condem those without work, but also the last group of people to provide employment to those in most need. Before condeming the people in these situations, I firmly believe we all need to take a hard look at ourselves.
Rating:
Summary: A scary and moving view of how far too many people live
Review: I read the book for a sociology class I am taking. I remember talking to friend who was reading a book on poverty in Northern India and then I said to her, "Look what's going on in our cities." Her reaction was the same as mine, a sense of toal disbelief that we let this happen. The most telling aspect of the book is how easily we can get there. We often overlook the forgotten members of our society, this book serves as a startling reminder that not all Americans live in the suburbs with two cars in the garage. Without laying the statistics on too thick, Kozol shows us how we have neglected our children. An amazing book for those who want to make a change and for those who don't feel a change it needed.
Rating: 
Summary: Rachel and Her Children review
Review: I read this book not knowing much about all the aspects of homelessness. I was educated about how homeless people live and what the government is doing about it. It turns out, according to Kozol's documentation, the government treats homeless people unfairly and does not make a huge effort to help them. The living situtaions of the people profiled in this book are horrid and really opened my eyes to what is going on in big cities around me. I actually look at homeless people different now, with a more educated view as to what is going on behind the scenes. I enjoyed this book and definately recommend it to anyone who would like to open their eyes to what is going on in the lives of homeless people.
Rating:
Summary: Kozol's Wake Up Call
Review: Jonothan Kozol's chilling account of homeless families in America is a must read. Kozol uses the real life stories and words of our own nations imporvished as a wake up call to all of us. Through these real life accounts of dangerous and unfit living conditions, Kozol illustrates the hoplessness of America's most desperate families and children. He also poignantly lets us know we, as a society, are responsible for their sufferieng.
Rating:
Summary: Kozol's Wake Up Call
Review: Jonothan Kozol's chilling account of homeless families in America is a must read. Kozol uses the real life stories and words of our own nations imporvished as a wake up call to all of us. Through these real life accounts of dangerous and unfit living conditions, Kozol illustrates the hoplessness of America's most desperate families and children. He also poignantly lets us know we, as a society, are responsible for their sufferieng.
Rating:
Summary: A Great perspective
Review: Reading through the book Rachael And Her Children you are brought into a entirely new world. A world where the homeless are not just figures with hands held out asking for spare change. Kozol brings us into the lives of these homeless story by story case by case sharing his personal interviews with these misfortunate people. Instead of putting a empty face on what we normally walk by and think nothing of, Kozol shows us that these individuals were not just mere vermin but people whom grew up like any of us but for any which reason now are homelss. Kozol does an excellet job in showing us not only these poeples lives but also educates the reader in exactly how big of a problem homelessness in America actually is. After reading this book my understanding, knowledge, and compassion of how homeless are actually treated is rought into full perepective. The book has great readabillity and is compelling enough to keep you flipping the pages. I would recomend this book to anyone and think very highly of it -Matt
Rating:
Summary: Very insightful!
Review: This book delivers a powerful message that anyone can become homeless. It provides a moving account of the life-and-death struggles faced by homeless men, women, and children in America today. Kozol does a good job in showing how government policies worsen the problems of the homeless. I recommend this book to anyone interested in social change and to anyone who thinks homelessness is a choice.
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