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Our Kids

by Robert D Putnam

Choice Putnam (Harvard Univ.) is the author of Bowling Alone (CH, Dec'00, 38-2454). In his latest book, he examines class structure and inequality. Using classmates from his own high school class of 1959, Putnam examines the "opportunity gap," upward mobility, and the American dream of working hard to gain income and social status. He finds that for many poor and uneducated Americans, this is likely a myth. He also finds that though race is a significant factor in life outcomes, class-based characteristics have more bearing on outcomes for children. His recommendations echo those of other scholars: improving quality and access to public education and providing a living wage as long-term strategies. Unlike other more academic writers, he weaves storytelling with scholarly research and policy implications. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels. --Leslie T Grover, Southern University and A&M College

Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.

Library Journal Putnam, a renowned scientist, leading humanist, and author of numerous books on public policy issues, such as Bowling Alone, makes the case that fewer Americans today have the opportunity for upward mobility compared to those who grew up in the 1950s. Beginning with his own experience in Port Clinton, OH, in the Fifties, the author uses data from publicly available research and interviews. The interviews feature a cross-section of rich and poor young adults and their parents from various communities, urban and suburban; although one wonders about the challenges of rural America. The author makes the point that "All trends reported.are based on nationally represented samples, including all races." Putnam reminds us of our moral obligation to address the opportunity gap and suggests some public policy initiatives to address the problem-steps such as instituting nationwide early childhood education and restoring working-class wages. Jennifer M. Silva, a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University and author of Coming Up Short, is credited in the methodology section as having provided the interviews. VERDICT The title and subtitle speak to the author's passion and belief that today's family and community support are less readily available to kids from such modest backgrounds than in the past and that Americans need to address this problem for the benefit of all children. Recommended for academic and public library collections. [See Prepub Alert, 9/8/14.]-Karen -Venturella, Union Cty. Coll. Libs, Cranford, NJ © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Book list *Starred Review* Putnam (American Grace, 2012) tackles the enormously important issue of income inequality in the U.S. in this powerful blend of social and economic research. He vividly tells the personal stories of several American families that show the vastly different experiences resulting from their disparate incomes. Using his Ohio hometown as a springboard, Putnam revisits the accomplishments of his classmates, who, to varying degrees, all improved upon the economic accomplishments of their parents. This is no longer the case there, however. Traveling from Bend, Oregon, to Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Orange County, California, he focuses on how current income disparity directly influences the family, parenting, schooling, and community circumstances modern children are subjected to nationwide. This is not about lack of love Putnam makes no judgments on good versus bad relationships but rather it is about time, opportunity, and, in cases of extreme poverty, food and health care. Putnam casts a wide net, including Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic families, and he carefully weaves pertinent economic data and analysis into each chapter. Most important, the current physical separation between rich and poor is given careful consideration. Bend is a small community, one teen blithely asserts, and you don't see a whole lot of poverty. Here's hoping that young man reads about what Putnam uncovered in his town.--Mondor, Colleen Copyright 2015 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.