I'm so glad I reread this book once assigned as a reading for a sociology class. What is shared are first hand conversations and accounts that, sadly, are still a part of society today and show how little things have improved across society even a few decades later.

P

I read this book quickly, but it was depressing and outdated. It is about the plight of the hopelessness and inequality of families in the Bronx (Mott Haven) neighborhood in the early 1990's.

Very powerful read about the conditions in the South Bronx in the mid-90s. As someone who donates frequently to charities that work with the poor in other countries, I am somewhat ashamed after reading this book to realize that I've never considered working with, or donating to, organizations that work within inner city communities. I plan to change this ASAP. I would love to read an updated version of this book that answers the questions, "have things changed in the neighborhoods this author writes about? have any improvements been made? have things gotten worse?"

Jonathan Kozol ignited my passion for sociology. Many of Kozol's previous books highlight the crisis in U.S. public education, as well as the crisis of poverty. In this book, Kozol shares stories of hope and courage in the midts of so much despair. Kozol is amazed by this strength, and he does not understand it, but he shares their stories. It's a beautiful, sad, and hopeful book.

This. Was. So. Good.

I hate saying that about things that are depressing and sad, but it's just so good I can't believe this came out when I was the same age of some of the children, and yet even with the liberal parents I had, no one told me that I could have been living like that. It's horrifying to think that this was written so long ago and yet absolutely nothing has been done in response to it.

A very thoughtful read. I can't wait to read more of him.

This is Jonathan Kozol’s report of the South Bronx in 1995. Grossly underfunded schools, rampant drugs, murder, death, and AIDS, police who refuse to show up and do their jobs, hospitals that are so understaffed and overfilled they can’t serve the community, welfare programs totally broken, and disturbing housing situations. Somehow, through these terrible circumstances, the children still speak of God and heaven and prayers.

I read this book for a graduate class. Highly did not enjoy it. This book just shows the total brokenness of our societal systems and the extreme intersection of poverty and racism. I’m not sure how this helps me become a better teacher but it’s definitely a portrait of a system greatly in need of redemption.

4 of 10 overall and 2 of 5 for readability. Tough to read, sad, and I’m not sure what the moral of the story was other than our world kind of sucks.

-Holly

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I found this to be fascinating, maybe because I am a true New Yorker, or maybe its because I am involved with Psychology and Social Work professionally. However, the stories told in this book are just as heartbreaking as they are heroic. However, some of the stories still haunt me. Ebony Williams in 1993 will never leave my brain.

Merged review:

I found this to be fascinating, maybe because I am a true New Yorker, or maybe its because I am involved with Psychology and Social Work professionally. However, the stories told in this book are just as heartbreaking as they are heroic. However, some of the stories still haunt me. Ebony Williams in 1993 will never leave my brain.

Whereas "Rachel and Her Children" focused on the homeless of NYC, the South Bronx residents of "Amazing Grace" are, I guess, a step up in that they do have homes, but, oh the poverty. The emphasis here is on the children of the neighborhood and a surprising amount of hope is found in these pages. That is not to say that there isn't a lot of tragedy as well.

Gut wrenching