The Well-Educated Child: How the Principles and Practices of Quality Thinking, Agency

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

One of America’s leading educators explains what children need to thrive and excel.

In The Well-Educated Child, Dr. Deborah Kenny offers an inspiring vision for education that cultivates intelligent, happy, morally grounded young people. This landmark book will change the way we think about what it means for our children to be well educated.

Drawing on decades of experience with students from preschool through high school, Kenny presents education as soul craft. She reveals how to teach children the skills of self-management and the virtue of self-discipline, and what students must learn to become intellectually curious, knowledgeable, gracious, and motivated.

With wit, wisdom, and warmth, Kenny describes how young people can become serious thinkers and avid readers who appreciate beauty, concentrate for long periods of time on challenging work, and lead meaningful lives. She takes us inside classrooms to understand the importance of deeper learning based on three concepts: quality thinking, ethical purpose, and a sense of agency. Her ideas are both practical and deeply philosophical. At a moment when parents and teachers are concerned about digital distraction and declin­ing engagement, The Well-Educated Child is a masterful exposition of what we need to know about what education should be.

Dr. Deborah Kenny is the founder of Harlem Village Academies and the Deeper Learning Institute, author of The Well-Educated Child, and one of the most influential educators in the country. Deborah has been honored with the Columbia University Teachers College Distinguished Alumni Award, and named on Oprah’s Power List and Esquire’s Best and Brightest, and is regularly featured in national media. She holds a PhD in comparative international education from Columbia University and a BA in intellectual history from the University of Pennsylvania. The mother of three grown children, she lives in New York City.

“A beautiful, soulful book. Inspiring for educators and helpful for parents too.
My mind was racing with ideas for how to implement the practices with my kids at home.”—John Legend, artist, activist, and founder of Get Lifted Books

“Anyone who doubts that America’s broken public education system can be transformed should read this important book, including our elected officials.” —Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies and mayor of New York, 2002–2013

"The Well-Educated Child is a jolt of good news. It should be required reading for every American teacher, and for every School Board member…and for every politician who claims to care about this issue. It provides potential answers to rectify the slow-slide toward incompetence of American education in the digital era. It is a vibrant demonstration that great education can be brought to all students, despite the incandescent temptations of 21st century social culture."—Joe Klein

“Deborah Kenny’s book stopped me in my tracks. Her humility and passion for excellence literally jump off the page. It is a beautiful book filled with wisdom and depth. I’m a better person for having read it.” —David Adams, chief executive officer of Urban Assembly

“The Well-Educated Child is a tour de force. Must reading for educators and parents.” —Geoff Canada, founder and president of Harlem Children’s Zone

“The Well-Educated Child will change the way you think not only about education but about life.” —Hugh Jackman, artist and philanthropist

“This beautifully crafted, engaging book would make a great book club choice
for teachers, administrators, and parents.” —Shelley Harwayne, founder of the Manhattan New School and former superintendent NYC District 2

“Deborah Kenny sounds a clarion call. Read this book and see how, with steely clarity and unwavering moral conviction, even the boldest educational aims can be achieved.”—Sam Wineburg, Margaret Jacks Chair of Education, emeritus, Stanford University

“This moving and insightful book is truly a gift.”—Pedro A. Noguera, PhD, Emery Stoops and Joyce King Stoops Dean of Rossier School of Education, University of Southern California

“A remarkable, compelling story. This book is both inspirational and practical.”—Ron Berger, former chief academic officer at EL Education

“A must-read for anyone who cares about American public education.” —Deborah Meier, founder of Central Park East Elementary School and author of The Power of Their Ideas

“Utterly absorbing. The Well-Educated Child is essential reading for parents and educators.”—Howard Fuller, distinguished professor emeritus at Marquette University, former superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools, and founder of Black Alliance for Educational Options

"The Well-Educated Child is destined to become a classic." —Ed Lewis, Founder, Essence Magazine

"Part memoir, part roadmap, in The Well-Educated Child, Deborah Kenny shares knowledge and insights that could change the way we educate students for the future." —Zaretta Hammond, M.A., teacher educator and author, “Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain” and “Rebuilding Students' Learning Power”

“Deborah Kenny is a once in a generation visionary. She believes that our children deserve the highest quality education and works to ensure they receive it.” —Melba Wilson, Founder Melba’s Restaurants