A NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER

What is an ideal K-12 education, and how can we provide it to our children?

We send our children to school hoping that they will become insightful, knowledgeable, principled, independent, that they will learn to appreciate beauty, humility, and kindness.

This landmark book describes what every parent and teacher needs to know about K-12 education.

About the book

“A beautiful, soulful book. Inspiring for educators and helpful for parents too. My mind was racing with ideas for how to implement the practices with my kids at home.”

JOHN LEGEND

ARTIST AND ACTIVIST

“Anyone who doubts that America’s broken public education system can be transformed should read this important book, including our elected officials.”

MICHAEL BLOOMBERG

FOUNDER OF BLOOMBERG LP AND BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES AND
MAYOR OF NEW YORK 2002—2013

“Must reading for anyone who cares about American public education. This book gives me hope.”

DEBORAH MEIER

FOUNDER, CENTRAL PARK EAST
AUTHOR, “THE POWER OF THEIR IDEAS”

Speaking & Press

Deborah Kenny is a nationally respected educational thinker and New York Times best-selling author with expertise in PK-12 education. She challenges prevailing assumptions about schooling and offers a compelling vision for classrooms where students read and think deeply and engage seriously with ideas.

Teaching Above the Test

MORNING JOE

Rethinking Education Reform

CHICAGO IDEAS FESTIVAL

Reading Full Books and Quality Testing

MORNING JOE

  • "It’s not a small thing to call a new book canonical, especially in the field of education. This one is."

    —DAVID QUINN

  • "Every so often, a true visionary refuses to accept the prevailing belief system and proves what others insist is impossible."

    —MICHAEL SONNENFELDT

  • "This book is a must-read, new classic—beautifully written, well curated, and profoundly practical."

    —JACQUES WILLOUGHBY

  • "I didn’t expect to like this book as much as I do, and I will re-read/reference it many times, I’m sure."

    —KIMBERLEY

  • "Here's how much I loved this book: I've already purchased two additional copies, one for our new school superintendent and one for our new school principal."

    —PENNY

  • "John Legend calls Dr. Deborah Kenny 'electric,' and that's all you need to know. As a former teacher, current parent, and lifelong learner, this book spoke to my soul."

    —GENEVIEVE

  • "I inhaled this book over two days and am still thinking about it. Your next community book club book!"

    —PENNY KITTLE

  • "Kenny's book is an invitation to engage in the kinds of conversations we desperately need right now. Her ideas are both an inspiration and a provocation. A must read!"

    —DONNA SANTMAN

  • "A clear and concise treatise on how to raise thoughtful, caring children. This book is a launchpad for educators."

    —KELLY GALLAGHER

  • "An important beacon for the field of education and will leave you inspired, ready to take action."

    —PETER COE

  • "I haven't felt this inspired by a book since I first read Ted Sizer. This is good for my educator soul."

    — ANNIE HALLWAY

  • "This is an inspiring must read for everyone who is an educator, a parent, or simply appreciates valuable life lessons."

    – MINDY GRAY