When Grit Isn't Enough

"It's a marvelous book, and badly needed at this time. Drawing on the powerful stories of children at the Boston Arts Academy, Linda Nathan bravely confronts the widely circulated myth that children who grow up in poverty can overcome inequity and every other daunting obstacle they face if they just 'believe,' 'persevere,' 'work like hell,' and show sufficient 'grit.' Many of these students do prevail, but Nathan makes it clear that 'grit' is not enough and that our adherence to this appeasing myth is letting a divided and bitterly unequal social order off the hook."
--Jonathan Kozol, author of Savage Inequalities

"Supporting students throughout college is as important as supporting them in high school--especially as students confront challenges connected to race and class. Linda Nathan deftly describes the kind of team effort that is required of educators in order to ensure student success."
--Deborah Bial, president and founder of the Posse Foundation

"Storytelling can serve as a powerful tool for truth telling. Linda Nathan's When Grit Isn't Enough is truth telling at its best! Drawn on over thirty years of teaching and leading in public education settings, Linda's stories show us, in no uncertain terms, how five long-held assumptions about American education are hurting thousands of talented urban students. Through stories, Linda exposes us to painful truths and provides us with practical, implementable, and replicable solutions that can reverse these long-standing false assumptions. Most of all, she leaves us with hope, inspiration, and direction."
--Jackie Jenkins-Scott, president emeritus, Wheelock College, Boston