{"product_id":"illiterate-america-isbn-9780452262034","title":"Illiterate America","description":"It is startling and it is shaming: in a country that prides itself on being among the most enlightened in the world, 25 million American adults cannot read the poison warnings on a can of pesticide, a letter from their child’s teacher, or the front page of a newspaper. An additional 35 million read below the level needed to function successfully in our society. The United States ranks forty-ninth among 158 member nations of the UN in literacy, and wastes over $100 billion annually as a result. The problem is not merely an embarrassment, it is a social and economic disaster. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eIlliterate America\u003c\/i\u003e, Jonathan Kozol, author of National Book Award-winning \u003ci\u003eDeath at an Early Age\u003c\/i\u003e, addresses this national disgrace. Combining hard statistics and heartrending stories, he describes the economic and the human costs of illiteracy. Kozol analyses and condemns previous government action—and inaction—and, in a passionate call for reform, he proposes a specific program to conquer illiteracy. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOne out of every three American adults cannot read this book—which is why everyone else must.“Stunning… with passion and eloquence Kozol reveals a devastating truth… and offers a challenge and remedy.”—\u003cb\u003eStuds Terkel\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e “A call to action, a manifesto… His enthusiasm renews our energies for the struggle before us, and gives welcome support to those committed to the notion that universal literacy and education are necessary for living a richer, better informed life.”—\u003cb\u003eJoseph S. Murphy, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e \"Kozol... has assembled facts, rebuttals, and proposals—in an emotionally potent, ethically charged package.\"—\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eJONATHAN KOZOL\u003c\/b\u003e is the author of \u003ci\u003eDeath at an Early Age\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eSavage Inequalities\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eAmazing Grace\u003c\/i\u003e, and other award-winning books about young children and their public schools.","brand":"Plume","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46304331563237,"sku":"NP9780452262034","price":24.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780452262034.jpg?v=1767729816","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/illiterate-america-isbn-9780452262034","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}