47 pages 1 hour read

Carla Shalaby

Troublemakers: Lessons in Freedom from Young Children at School

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2017

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Troublemakers: Lessons in Freedom from Young Children in School by Carla Shalaby, Shalaby argues for a radical reimagining of education that centers on freedom and dignity, using the experiences of four young "troublemakers" in elementary schools to highlight how children's disruptive behaviors signal institutional harms. Shalaby advocates for understanding these behaviors as purposeful disruptions and calls for educational spaces that prioritize play, creativity, belonging, empathy, freedom, and human dignity.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Carla Shalaby's Troublemakers has received mixed reviews. Many commend its insightful exploration of classroom dynamics and advocacy for understanding disruptive students empathetically. However, some criticize its repetitive narrative and perceived idealism. Overall, the book is praised for challenging conventional disciplinary approaches, though not all find its solutions practical.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Troublemakers?

Readers who appreciate Troublemakers by Carla Shalaby are often educators, parents, and social activists interested in progressive education and child psychology. Fans of Jonathan Kozol's Savage Inequalities and Alfie Kohn's Punished by Rewards will find this book insightful and compelling.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

Education

Social Justice

Parenting

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Conflict

Relationships: Family

Society: Education

Genre

Education

Psychology