The Homeschooling Book of Answers: The 101 Most Important Questions Answered by Homeschooling's Most Respected Voices (Prima Home Learning Library)
by Linda Dobson
Book Summary Information
Author: Linda DobsonEdition: Paperback
Published: 2002-02-26
ISBN: 0761535705
Number of pages: 384
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Book Reviews of The Homeschooling Book of Answers: The 101 Most Important Questions Answered by Homeschooling's Most Respected Voices (Prima Home Learning Library)
Book Review: Good but better for people inclined to unschooling styles
Summary: 4 Stars
I always enjoy the homeschooling books when I'm getting down or need inspiraton. This one I was looking forward to as it was highly recommended by several people. While overall I did enjoy it, there were several things that did not sit well with me. First, I'm going to focus on the positive: This book is written in question and answer format with the answers supplied by a panel of homeschoolers, homeschooling experts and even homeschooled students. It is a very nice style, and often a particular question will have an answer by 2 or 3 different panelists. This gives several experiences and viewpoints. Often the answers share personal antecdotes and experiences, making this read like sitting down to a chat with a few friends about homeschooling. I also have to stay that this particular book appears to a wide range of audiences, covering questions from "Is it legal?" and the question of socialization, curriculum choice (generalized, not specifics), family dynamics in homeschooling and more all the way up to how homeschoolers can and should be involved in political activism to continue to ensure homeschooling remains an educational alternative in the United States. Few if any other books I have read on homeschooling covered such a breadth of topics so well, while at the same time not being cumbersome and too fact-filled to be read easily. I really give high praise to the layout, writing and scope of this book. It is appropriate for newcomers to homeschooling while at the same time sharing many things relevant and interesting to veterans as well.
What I did not enjoy about the book is it is overtly pro-unschooling in methodology. If you use a boxed curriculum, school at home or other more structured styles, this book may not be for you. It is also decidedly against charters for various reasons, going so far as to question whether using a charter is actually homeschooling (see question #89), "But is it homeschooling? You decide. Homeschooling, by its very definition, implies that parents do it all and pay for it all." I do not utilize a charter, but I do know parents who do and feel this is a bit insulting to them, especially as charters continue to change and some allow great flexibility while offering benefits many parents enjoy.
So overall I do recommend this book as a wonderfully researched and interesting book. However, I do caution those of you who utilize charters or are towards more structured forms of homeschooling that some of what you read may feel a bit critical, especially if you used boxed curriculum, do formalized testing or "school at home" styles.
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