Sign-In
Cart
Fighting Prosaic Messages: A Portrait of Family Literacies with Critical Essays on the Causes of School Failure
Paperback
General EducationGeneral Parenting
Publisher: Henry C Amoroso, Jr.
Published: Apr 3 2026
Pages: 698
Weight: 2.73
Height: 1.90 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
Part historical fiction, part memoir, part philosophy of education, this book begins with a story about a woman's immigration into the U.S. and how three of her generations struggled in the U.S. school system. The book ends with an analysis of why many students fail in school, and what we can do about it. Through story and analysis, this book offers a critique of the U.S. education system-in 3 parts.
Part one imagines what the immigration experience was like in the past, and reads like historical fiction. Part two looks at the ensuing three generations in the present, and reads like a memoir. Part three gleans lessons from the story as a whole for what we can do better in the future.
In the historical fiction part, a Sicilian woman named Rose emigrates to the U.S. at the turn of the twentieth century. Knowing no English and illiterate but armed with a moral intelligence, she struggles in this strange world of the free, rubs shoulders with some of the great thinkers of her day, and discusses the nature of education with them. She's one of the many prosaic heroes history books and schools sometimes forget.
In the memoir part, Rose's son Henry, the author's father, drops out of school in the eighth grade to help his single mom by selling newspapers-he never thought he was smart enough for school anyway. His son Henry Jr. goes all the way in school to obtain a PhD, but struggles to find a voice along the way. Henry Jr.'s son Justin was seemingly born with an expressive voice, but in his shuffle to conform to the school system, almost lost it. In these 3 cases, we see 3 types of students who often fail in school in general.
In the final analysis part, the book reflects on these prosaic cases to understand why so many U.S. students fail. The theme that emerges parallels the traditions of Rousseau, Dewey, and Montessori: students at heart are good and educators are most effective when they treat them as such; students learn best by doing, and this includes moral doing; and students become intrinsically motivated to learn if allowed to think critically, creatively, and to find their voices.
If democracy depends on an informed citizenry, the questions this book raises about school failure are critical to the future of our nation . J.A.
Also in
General Education
A Light in Dark Times: The New School for Social Research and Its University in Exile
Friedlander, Judith
Paperback
How to Educate a Citizen: The Power of Shared Knowledge to Unify a Nation
Hirsch, E. D., Jr.
Hardcover
The College Scam: How America's Universities Are Bankrupting and Brainwashing Away the Future of America's Youth
Kirk, Charlie
Hardcover
Homeschooled: A New York Times Bestselling Memoir and Read with Jenna Pick
Merrill Block, Stefan
Hardcover
Light Up the Learning Brain: 7 Keys to Reducing Disruptive Behavior in the Classroom
Sinarski, Jessica
Paperback
7-Figure Educator: Turn Your Experience as an Educator Into Income, Impact, and Freedom
Jordan-Thomas, Erica
Paperback
Loteria: First Words / Primeras Palabras (Bilingual: English/Spanish): A Bilingual Picture Book
Rodriguez, Patty
Stein, Ariana
Hardcover
Teach Like a Champion 3.0: 63 Techniques That Put Students on the Path to College
Lemov, Doug
Paperback
The Total Money Makeover: Classic Edition: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness
Ramsey, Dave
Hardcover
Math Fact Fluency: 60+ Games and Assessment Tools to Support Learning and Retention
Kling, Gina
Bay-Williams, Jennifer
Paperback
Poisoned Ivies: The Inside Account of the Academic and Moral Rot at America's Elite Universities
Stefanik, Elise
Hardcover
The College Finder: Your comprehensive guide to finding colleges that fit YOUR unique path
Antonoff, Steven R.
McCann M. S., Jay
Paperback
The Kids Who Aren't Okay: The Urgent Case for Reimagining Support, Belonging, and Hope in Schools
Greene, Ross W.
Hardcover
Miracle Children: Race, Education, and a True Story of False Promises
Green, Erica L.
Benner, Katie
Hardcover
The Neurodivergent Learner: A New Approach to Your Child's Success in the Classroom and Beyond
King, Emily W., PhD
Hardcover
The Joy of Money: How to Do More with and Feel Better about Your Money--No Matter How Much You Have
Grimes, Carrie Joy
Hardcover
The Digital Delusion: How Classroom Technology Harms Our Kids' Learning--And How to Help Them Thrive Again; Updated Edition
Cooney Horvath, Jared, PhD Med
Paperback
The People's Guide to College Applications: A Week-By-Week Approach to Writing, Connecting, and Getting in
Constantino, Jill
Paperback
The Power of the Socratic Classroom: Students. Questions. Dialogue. Learning.
Fischer, Charles Ames
Paperback
The Best 392 Colleges, 2027: In-Depth Profiles & Ranking Lists to Help Find the Right College for You
Soto, David
The Princeton Review
Franek, Robert
Paperback
Why You Should Read Children's Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise
Rundell, Katherine
Hardcover
Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong
Loewen, James W.
Paperback
Scholastic Success with Reading Comprehension Grade 2 Workbook
Scholastic Teaching Resources
Paperback
The Station Rotation Model & UDL: Elevate Tier 1 Instruction and Cultivate Learner Agency
Tucker, Catlin R.
Paperback
Scholastic Success with Reading Comprehension Grade 4 Workbook
Scholastic Teaching Resources
Paperback
Financial Feminist: Overcome the Patriarchy's Bullsh*t to Master Your Money and Build a Life You Love
Dunlap, Tori
Hardcover
Permission to Feel: The Power of Emotional Intelligence to Achieve Well-Being and Success
Brackett, Marc
Paperback
One Trusted Adult: How to Build Strong Connections & Healthy Boundaries with Young People
Raney Edd, Brooklyn
Paperback
What's So Great about the Great Books?: Why You Should Read Classic Literature (Even Though It Might Destroy You)
Kanakia, Naomi
Hardcover
Better Than Carrots or Sticks: Restorative Practices for Positive Classroom Management
Smith, Dominique
Fisher, Douglas
Frey, Nancy
Paperback
Scholastic Success with Reading Comprehension Grade 3 Workbook
Scholastic Teaching Resources
Paperback
First Little Readers Parent Pack: Guided Reading Level a: 25 Irresistible Books That Are Just the Right Level for Beginning Readers
Charlesworth, Liza
Schecter, Deborah
Paperback
Beyond the Science of Reading: Connecting Literacy Instruction to the Science of Learning
Wexler, Natalie
Paperback
Setting Limits in the Classroom, 3rd Edition: A Complete Guide to Effective Classroom Management with a School-Wide Disciplineplan
Stanzione, Lisa
MacKenzie, Robert J.
Paperback
The Addiction Recovery Workbook: Powerful Skills for Preventing Relapse Every Day
Freedman, Paula A.
Paperback
Illuminating Care: The Pedagogy and Practice of Care in Early Childhood Communities
Garboden Murray, Carol
Paperback
Supporting Student Executive Functions: Insights and Strategies for Educators
Carey, Lisa
Reid, Alexis
Paperback
Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students
Hammond, Zaretta L.
Paperback
The Writing Revolution 2.0: A Guide to Advancing Thinking Through Writing in All Subjects and Grades
Hochman, Judith C.
Wexler, Natalie
Paperback
Original Sins: The (Mis)Education of Black and Native Children and the Construction of American Racism
Ewing, Eve L.
Paperback
How to Take Smart Notes: One Simple Technique to Boost Writing, Learning and Thinking
Ahrens, Sönke
Paperback
Universal Design for Learning: Principles, Framework, and Practice
Meyer, Anne
Rose, David H.
Paperback
AI with Intention: Principles and Action Steps for Teachers and School Leaders
Frontier, Tony
Paperback
The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College (Revised and Updated)
Cohen, Harlan
Paperback
Mtss for Reading Improvement: A Leader's Tool Kit for Schoolwide Success (Reading Science in Action: An Mtss Tool Kit)
Brown, Sarah
Stollar, Stephanie
Paperback
MANUAL SUPERANDO PÉRDIDAS EMOCIONALES, vigésimo aniversario, edición extendida: programa de acción para superar la muerte, el divorcio y otras pérdida
James, John W.
Friedman, Russell
Paperback
Math Practice Workbook Grades 6-8: 1000+ Questions You Need to Kill in Middle School by Brain Hunter Prep
Brain Hunter Prep
Paperback
The Fallacy Detective: Thirty-Eight Lessons on How to Recognize Bad Reasoning
Bluedorn, Hans
Bluedorn, Nathaniel
Paperback
Reading Assessment Done Right: Tools and Techniques for Data-Driven Instruction
Stollar, Stephanie
Winn, Kate
Paperback
Scholastic Success with Reading Comprehension Grade 5 Workbook
Scholastic Teaching Resources
Paperback
Hacking School Discipline: 9 Ways to Create a Culture of Empathy and Responsibility Using Restorative Justice
Weinstein, Brad
Maynard, Nathan
Paperback
The Essentials of Adolescent Literacy: Integrating Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Instruction in Grades 5-12
Sedita, Joan
Paperback
The Preparation: How To Become Competent, Confident, and Dangerous
Smith, Matt
Smith, Maxim
Casey, Doug
Hardcover
Fostering Resilient Learners: Strategies for Creating a Trauma-Sensitive Classroom
Souers, Kristin
Hall, Pete
Paperback
The Inspired Homeschool: How History's Heroes Light a Path Toward Joyful, Confident Learning
Pepito, Jennifer
Hardcover
Creating a Language-Rich Math Class: Strategies and Activities for Building Conceptual Understanding
Atkins, Sandra L.
Paperback
The Resistance Solution: Why Educators Resist Change and What They Need Instead
Silver, Becca
Paperback
The Golden Thread: A History of the Western Tradition, Volume I: The Ancient World and Christendom
Hankins, James
Guelzo, Allen C.
Hardcover
The Opposite of Cheating: Teaching for Integrity in the Age of AI Volume 4
Bertram Gallant, Tricia
Rettinger, David A.
Paperback
Unearthing Joy: A Guide to Culturally and Historically Responsive Curriculum and Instruction
Muhammad, Gholdy
Paperback
Teaching with Dignity: How to Create Classroom Ecosystems Where People Thrive
Cobb, Floyd
Snyder, Summer
Krownapple, John
Paperback
Your Students, My Students, Our Students: Rethinking Equitable and Inclusive Classrooms
Jung, Lee Ann
Frey, Nancy
Fisher, Douglas
Paperback
The Essential Homeschool Kindergarten Workbook: 135 Fun Curriculum-Based Activities to Build Reading, Writing, and Math Skills!
Lewallen, Hayley
Paperback
Thriving with ADHD Workbook for Kids: 60 Fun Activities to Help Children Self-Regulate, Focus, and Succeed
Miller, Kelli, Lcsw MSW
Paperback
Enhancing Professional Practice: The Framework for Teaching
Furman, Jim S.
Kappes, Lee
Danielson, Charlotte
Paperback
First Little Readers Parent Pack: Guided Reading Level B: 25 Irresistible Books That Are Just the Right Level for Beginning Readers
Charlesworth, Liza
Schecter, Deborah
Paperback
Learn to Read Activity Book: 101 Fun Phonics Lessons to Teach Your Child to Read
Braun, Hannah, M. Ed
Paperback
The Principal's Playbook on Instructional Leadership: 23 Things That Matter Most for Improving Student Achievement
McLaurin Ed D. Nbct, Josh
Paperback
Black People Invented Everything: The Deep History of Indigenous Creativity
Dass, Sujan Kumar
Paperback
Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning
Watson, C. Edward
Bowen, José Antonio
Paperback
Forward, Together: Moving Schools from Conflict to Community in Contentious Times
Couros, George
Paperback
The Preparation: How To Become Competent, Confident, and Dangerous
Smith, Matt
Smith, Maxim
Casey, Doug
Paperback
Facing the Fantasy, Finding the Way Forward: Every Educator's Guide to Moving Beyond Behavior Management to Lasting Behavioral Change Using Neuroscien
Bowman, Doris
Bowman, Rick
Paperback
Scholastic Success with Reading Comprehension Grade 1 Workbook
Scholastic Teaching Resources
Paperback
The Writing Revolution 2.0: A Guide to Advancing Thinking Through Writing in All Subjects and Grades
Wexler, Natalie
Hochman, Judith C.
Paperback
Handwriting Practice Book for Kids Ages 6-8: Printing workbook for Grades 1, 2 & 3, Learn to Trace Alphabet Letters and Numbers 1-100, Sight Words, 10
Lalgudi, Sujatha
Hippidoo
Paperback
CompTIA Tech+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Third Edition (Exam FC0-U71)
Wempen, Faithe
Paperback
Transform Your Teaching with Universal Design for Learning: Six Steps to Jumpstart Your Practice
Pusateri, Jennifer L.
Paperback
Greek Myth Plays, Grades 3-5: 10 Readers Theater Scripts Based on Favorite Greek Myths That Students Can Read and Reread to Develop Their Fluency
Pugliano, Carol
Pugliano-Martin, Carol
Paperback
The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure
Lukianoff, Greg
Haidt, Jonathan
Paperback
The Shift to Student-Led: Reimagining Classroom Workflows with UDL and Blended Learning
Tucker, Catlin
Novak, Katie
Paperback