The Bookshelf: March 5, 2015

Trib+Edu is joining with respected books authority Kirkus Reviews to bring you select reviews of books of note in the field of public education. For more book reviews and recommendations, visit Kirkus.com.

OUR KIDS: The American Dream in Crisis

by Robert D. Putnam

A political scientist calls attention to the widening class-based opportunity gap among young people in the United States.

Putnam argues that the American dream has faded for poor children in the past five decades. Beginning with the stories of individuals, he compares the opportunities for upward mobility in his hometown of Port Clinton, Ohio, when he was in high school with the situation today, and he finds tremendous differences. For getting ahead in the world, social class mattered relatively little then, but now it is paramount ... Putnam expands his view … across the U.S., looking at how young people in different social classes fare. Using personal stories, statistics and studies, and focusing in turn on families, parenting, schooling and community, the author demonstrates that the class gap in America has been growing … The best hope is a strong economy that benefits less-educated, low-paid workers.

For full review visit kirkus.com.