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shirp's review
4.0
If nothing else, this book is a very entertaining read. Cummings is honest and informative with just the right amount of self-deprecation. I like her thesis, only revealed at the end of the book, regarding the future of education as "a la carte". I wouldn't necessarily recommend this on its information or persuasion merits to someone seriously interested in homeschooling (which I can't say I was, to be honest) but it is a nice sort of parenting memoir mixed with funny essays. It definitely made me want to check out her other book, Notes from the Underwire.
drusmilford's review
4.0
First - disclaimer - I have never homeschooled!
I very much enjoyed the history of homeschooling. I was a bit distressed as the mother's cavalier attitude that she wanted to homeschool Alice but was continuously searching for a "homeschooling group" to fit in with.
I very much enjoyed the history of homeschooling. I was a bit distressed as the mother's cavalier attitude that she wanted to homeschool Alice but was continuously searching for a "homeschooling group" to fit in with.
katiebtatton's review
2.0
The Year of Learning Dangerously chronicles one woman's quest to find a style of homeschooling that best fits her family. I like the idea behind this book, and I think that there is a market for people who are looking to provide a better education for their children than what traditional public education provides, while not fitting into the homeschool stereotype of ultra-conservative Christians or free-living hippies. Where the book falls short, however, is that its author expects me to believe that while she isn't a stereotypical home-schooler, everyone else she meets is. The idea that she repeatedly finds a convention of conveniently happening next week and that she suits up in whatever costume she can find to better fit in while browsing the parking lot learning more about the people from their bumper stickers is ridiculous and degrading.
I did appreciate the chapter during which she flies to the midwest to participate in a homeschool prom and has an encounter with one of the students and is told something to the effect of, "No, this isn't like the public school proms I've been to. I feel like a lady here." I also enjoyed the last chapter which discusses how most parents are already involved in their children's education through parent-teacher groups, volunteering in classrooms, expanding ideas at home through various extra-curricular lessons and practices and more. I agree with the author when she says that traditional education is going to start looking a lot more like homeschool with online classes and alternative means to passing knowledge on to our students. I just wish I hadn't felt patronized during most of the book.
I did appreciate the chapter during which she flies to the midwest to participate in a homeschool prom and has an encounter with one of the students and is told something to the effect of, "No, this isn't like the public school proms I've been to. I feel like a lady here." I also enjoyed the last chapter which discusses how most parents are already involved in their children's education through parent-teacher groups, volunteering in classrooms, expanding ideas at home through various extra-curricular lessons and practices and more. I agree with the author when she says that traditional education is going to start looking a lot more like homeschool with online classes and alternative means to passing knowledge on to our students. I just wish I hadn't felt patronized during most of the book.
jenlaughs's review
4.0
Funny, well-written, and I'm convinced she and I would fall over laughing if we shared a bottle of wine. Awesome book.
amibunk's review
4.0
This book made me laugh right out loud. I thoroughly enjoyed Quinn Cummings' journey as she explored some of the different ways in which to homeschool. I will never again struggle with a card key and a hotel door without thinking of her.
hilhcl's review
1.0
No. No. No. This book started out alright, but after the hundredth time of the author going off tangent to explain away quirks of hers that has nothing to do with homeschooling, I have had enough. Tell me about your conference, not spend 2 pages explaining why you are incapable of flying or opening hotel doors.
cwileygo's review
2.0
While this book is written exceptionally well and entertaining at times, Quinn's viewpoints remained extremely limited and judgemental in her "findings." First, she has one daughter and they were in their first year of homeschooling – hardly the due diligence one expects a good author to experience in order to craft a "homeschooling adventures" book.
I wonder if she took all the time she spent traveling and writing this book to actually be present and reconnect with her daughter, guiding her into excitement about learning again, her words would have been different – but that was too tough for her to face, apparently. Although she's probably a pleasant person, it's disappointing and dishonest how she ran around the country doing her "research" simply to judge others who made the same exact decision she did, despite their beliefs. It left me believing she wrote the book simply for personal fantasy and financial gains.
If you're interested in researching (or simply reading about homeschooling), don't pick this one up unless you're solid in your conviction to homeschool. Instead, focus on homeschooling mom authors who've spent longer than a year with their children as well as homeschool more than one. Or the may other great authors who do homeschooling justice... just glad I picked this up at the library.
I wonder if she took all the time she spent traveling and writing this book to actually be present and reconnect with her daughter, guiding her into excitement about learning again, her words would have been different – but that was too tough for her to face, apparently. Although she's probably a pleasant person, it's disappointing and dishonest how she ran around the country doing her "research" simply to judge others who made the same exact decision she did, despite their beliefs. It left me believing she wrote the book simply for personal fantasy and financial gains.
If you're interested in researching (or simply reading about homeschooling), don't pick this one up unless you're solid in your conviction to homeschool. Instead, focus on homeschooling mom authors who've spent longer than a year with their children as well as homeschool more than one. Or the may other great authors who do homeschooling justice... just glad I picked this up at the library.
laurenphillips79's review
4.0
Excellent read... honest and funny, and reiterates that you don't have to have it all figured out or pretend to be able to see the future in order to enjoy homeschooling. I will be recommending this one quite a bit.
photogcourt's review
4.0
I wasn't homeschooled, and I don't have kids. I picked this up because it genuinely sounded interesting- and it was! Quinn is a great writer, her vocabulary is awesome, and her one liners are pretty genius.
It really paints a picture on not just homeschooling in general, but different forms of education and the pros/cons to all of them. It really makes you think that the way someone is educated should be based on how they learn and their capabilities- and not just thrown into a public school because it's there.
Great read for anyone who likes learning... about learning, and education.
It really paints a picture on not just homeschooling in general, but different forms of education and the pros/cons to all of them. It really makes you think that the way someone is educated should be based on how they learn and their capabilities- and not just thrown into a public school because it's there.
Great read for anyone who likes learning... about learning, and education.
wenwe's review
3.0
This is a fast and entertaining read. Ms. Cummings has an interesting turn of phrase, a tongue in cheek look at herself and her lifestyle, and the ability to share information without choosing what is best for ALL.
That said I found her summaries of each "style" to be exaggerated and dismissive, full of stereotypes and generalizations to poke at in this day and age of "acceptable sarcasm". In some cases IMHO she was cringeworthy rude.
That said I found her summaries of each "style" to be exaggerated and dismissive, full of stereotypes and generalizations to poke at in this day and age of "acceptable sarcasm". In some cases IMHO she was cringeworthy rude.