Jonathan Kozol has been a leading educational critic and social activist since 1967 when Death at an Early Age, his book about racism in Boston’s schools, was published and won a National Book Award. Since then, Kozol has written eleven more books which focus on such issues as segregation in schools and society, poverty, inequitable school funding, effective teaching and curriculum choices that help create good citizens and good learners, teacher leadership in matters related to social justice, literacy, and homelessness. This book organizes Kozol’s texts by topic, analyzes his perspective and proposed solutions for the issue under review, and examines the contemporary status of those issues to determine the continuing relevance of Kozol’s ideas today. A Persistent Reformer is a critical read for pre-service and in-service teachers, graduate students, administrators, and anyone concerned about educational reform today.
