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sandysmith's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.25
I'm gradually adding books I've read in 2021 to give a true reflection of the books I've read since keeping records. This was the first book I read in 2021, and is what kick-started my reading journey having put reading on the back burner whilst bringing up the children, previously being an avid reader. A selection of stories about children taught by Kate in 30 years as a teacher. A conflicting read and at times condescending, and some of her views I felt are dated. I couldn't warm to the book or its writing style so I'm probably in a minority. A non fiction read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Addiction, Body shaming, Ableism, Child abuse, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Eating disorder, Torture, and Trafficking
catherinemorganowen's review against another edition
sad
1.0
So disappointed with this book. The racism and classism is rife and Clanchy regularly feels the need to relate pupils’ stories to herself, mentioning her ‘dyslexic traits’ when discussing a child with severe dyslexia and comparing leaving Scotland to being a refugee! There are parts of this book that are incredibly moving and powerful but I do not trust the narrative due to Clanchy’s appalling use of language at times and her white saviour complex. I also really question whether permission was sought to write about pupils lives and traumas’ and for Clanchy to profit from it feels gross to me. This could’ve been done so differently if she had worked collaboratively with students. Disappointing all round.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Ableism, Classism, Fatphobia, and Racism
Minor: Torture
brennaa's review against another edition
I started to look through it to see if the dragging it was getting was deserved. Holy cow, it starts off with the racism and classism immediately. I didn’t make it more than 3 pages plus screen shots I'd seen and already I had to add like 6 content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Antisemitism, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Islamophobia, and Racism
I wouldn't even use it for toilet paper.epellicci's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
2.0
It is clear that Clanchy is a successful English teacher who has developed as a practitioner over the course of her career and certainly did inspire her students. However, this book is shockingly dense and loaded with her unacknowledged prejudices. Clanchy has an apparent saviour complex, and as such non of the children in this book were able to speak for themselves. Instead of elevating their stories, Clanchy marches over them with her limited and privileged analysis which completely invalidated the attempt I think she was trying to make to give the children more depth. I was also disturbed by the extent that she took it upon herself to meddle with some of the children's lives - not just those of her own students. The story about Royar - the troubled son of a Kurdish widow seeking asylum in the UK - made me particularly uncomfortable. She abused his mothers trust, privacy, and lack of English language ability to meddle unopposed in the boys education, eventually contributing to Royar's expulsion.
There is unchecked racism throughout the book, alongside sexism, fatphobia, and an uncomfortable attention to detail when describing the bodies of (mostly) her female pupils. The authors white, middle class analysis of events is unchallenged, and the 'what the children taught me' element was lacking compared to her preaching of her brilliance in transforming disadvantaged children's destinies.
I enjoyed the use of the children's poetry to frame their stories, although there is a question of whether the correct permissions were gained for Clanchy's use of them, and whether she should be profiting off their work. All in all, a disappointing read, featuring some disturbing actions and attitudes.
There is unchecked racism throughout the book, alongside sexism, fatphobia, and an uncomfortable attention to detail when describing the bodies of (mostly) her female pupils. The authors white, middle class analysis of events is unchallenged, and the 'what the children taught me' element was lacking compared to her preaching of her brilliance in transforming disadvantaged children's destinies.
I enjoyed the use of the children's poetry to frame their stories, although there is a question of whether the correct permissions were gained for Clanchy's use of them, and whether she should be profiting off their work. All in all, a disappointing read, featuring some disturbing actions and attitudes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Racism, and Sexism
Moderate: Addiction, Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Grief, Sexual assault, and War
alyssamakesart's review against another edition
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/aug/09/kate-clanchy-book-updated-racial-stereotypes-picador-some-kids-i-taught
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Racism, Racial slurs, and Fatphobia
parksmj's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Minor: Addiction, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Trafficking, Suicide, Sexual assault, Sexism, Racism, Rape, Physical abuse, and Pedophilia
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