Monday, March 1, 2010

SCHOOLED: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
SCHOOLED

BY ANISHA LAKHANI

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Welcome to Schooled, where even homework has a price.

Ivy-League educated Anna Taggert believes that enriching the minds of America’s youth is the greatest gift, and that landing a job at an elite Manhattan school is her lucky break. But when the grim reality of the private school hierarchy settles in, not to mention that of her meager compensation, Anna realizes that passion might not be worth the sacrifice.

Ever the optimist, Anna forges on until she discovers that the papers she grades are not the work of her students, but of their high-priced, college-educated tutors. After uncovering this underground economy, where a teacher can make the same hourly rate as a Manhattan attorney, Anna is seduced by lucrative offers—one after another. Teacher by day, tutor by night, she starts to sample the good life her students enjoy: binges at Barneys, dinners at the Waverly Inn, and a new address on Madison Avenue. Until, that is, Anna gets schooled

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Until 2006, ANISHA LAKHANI taught English at the Dalton School on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Soon after she started teaching, she was named chair of the Middle School English Department. Lakhani received both her B.A. and M.A. degrees from Columbia University. She lives in Manhattan with her beloved Shih Tzu, Harold Moscowitz.

MY REVIEW:


For those of us who are teachers, we are too late! The “Nanny Diaries” of education we have always wanted to pen, has been written. Anisha Lakhani’s Schooled is the story of Anna Taggert and her experiences with the world of education from the teacher’s side of the desk…. well, at least if the desk is in privileged Manhattan private schools. Anna, who comes from a grounded family of well educated parents who are pleased she is graduating from Columbia, are shocked when she tells them she is going to teach. She has the drive and heart of the young, dedicated, and clueless who go into education for all the right reasons and haven’t as yet been jaded by the bureaucracy and red tape! She is prepared for the reality of lesson plans, inspiring students, and smaller paychecks, or thinks she is until
she really gets into the job.

Anna quickly notices that all the students, as well as an aloof teacher named “Randi”; all dress better than she does. Their Channel book bags alone cost more than a month’s salary. Her walkup apartment is far from the rewards her Ivy League friends are now living in with their high paying jobs. It doesn’t take Anna too long to realize that not only do the students not want to do the work she enthusiastically tries to inspire them to do, but nor do the parents whose interests only lie in the “A” grade. Their child’s admission to THE “right college” with these “A” grades, as well as time to socialize outside of school, attending every party, bar mitzvah, and opening available to them is these parents’ and children’s priority. Anna finds that the work her students turn in, impressive as it is, is not being done by them at all, but rather by high paid tutors—VERY high paid tutors!

Her idealism is short lived as she is lured into the life tutoring can afford her. When reprimanded by the headmaster for making students actually work in class, Anna finally relents. As she connects with Randi and the golden haired mothers outside school, Anna is enticed by the designer clothes and is soon strutting into school herself in Juicy jumpsuits, with a new designer bag by her side. She spends her days off literally spending at Barney’s, being hosted at swanky restaurants for lunch and dinner, and residing at a new address on Madison Avenue. Anna goes overboard as the heady feeling of this lifestyle carries her away, but it doesn’t take much for reality to quickly burst her bubble and finally pop her back into the real world.

How Anna handles the precocious adolescents and parents and her whirlwind life in the fast lane of name-dropping fashion and places she is wined and dined, makes for a delightfully decadent romp in Manhattan’s world of private education. Anisha Lakhani’s personal connection with this real slice of the privileged life, adds a bit of authenticity to a story that most mortals, especially educators, might find hard to believe. The story entertains and is a fast, light read that keeps you going if for no other reason than to read more about a life one would like to temporarily imagine living in! Strongly recommended for an enjoyable education!

GIVEAWAY

THIS IS A FAVORITE FUN READ OF
MINE AND SO I AM PERSONALLY
GIVING AWAY TWO BRAND NEW
COPIES OF THIS BOOK TO SHARE WITH
MY WONDERFUL FOLLOWERS!



--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON MY REVIEW AND WHAT YOU THINK YOU LIKE OR WOULDN'T LIKE ABOUT THIS BOOK.

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT IF YOU ALREADY ARE A LOYAL FOLLOWER OF ANY KIND AND WHERE/HOW

+1 MORE ENTRY:
BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK HERE WITH THE LINK

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE IN
BY
6 PM, EST, MARCH 19


GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

71 comments:

enyl said...

As a teacher, I dislike that there is probably a lot of truth behind the fiction.
enyl(at)inbox)dot)com

enyl said...

I'm a Google Friend Connect follower.
enyl(at)inbox)dot)com

g.g. said...

Having taught school, I bet there is a lot to laugh about in this one..as some people have no clue to all that goes on

anjamie4 AT gmail Dot com

g.g. said...

I follow with google friend and subscribe with email

anjamie4 AT gmail Dot com

Wickdogg said...

I have heard a lot of good things about this being a really fun book to just enjoy and would love to win

wickdogg AT gmaildot com

Wickdogg said...

I follow with google friend connect


wickdogg AT gmaildot com

Wickdogg said...

I subscribe by email for a while now

wickdogg AT gmaildot com

Anisha Lakhani said...

Thank you so much for such a lively and detailed review; I am honored!

Bernice L. McFadden said...

Hello!

It would be great honor if you would read and review my novel SUGAR, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

New York Times Bestselling author Adriana Trigiani said:

"Bernice L. McFadden is a master storyteller.

Blogger/Book Reviewer Gerber Daisy Mom was quoted as saying this about Sugar: "In my quest to find the alternative to The Help I’m trying to immerse myself in African-American authors, whose points of view lend more authenticity and credibility to the stories of African-American characters. I hit gold with Bernice L. McFadden’s,Sugar."

You can read her entire review here: http://gerberadaisydiaries.blogspot.com/2010/01/book-review-sugar.html

Anne over at Baby Got Books said: "Bernice McFadden, the author of shocks the reader to attention in the first few pages."

You can read her entire review here: http://www.babygotbooks.com/2010/02/24/sugar/

I'm working to place SUGAR into as many hands, hearts and minds as possible and I hope you can help me do this.

Please send yoru mailing address along with blog URL to: bernicemcfadden@hotmail.com -

I will be more than happy to have a review copy of SUGAR sent to you.


Peace & Light,

Bernice

Carol W. said...

I think I would thoroughly enjoy this book since the situation portrayed is such a distinct contrast to my own educational experiences.

wolfcarol451(at)gmail(dot)com

Carol W. said...

I follow with Google Friend Connect.


wolfcarol451(at)gmail(dot)com

Sarah said...

I think I'm really going to enjoy this because I'm an education major.

faithinhim(at)gmail(dot)com

StephTheBookworm said...

Oooh, awesome! I've checked this out of the library two times now but never had the time to read it before it was due, so I'd LOVE to win. I'm interested in this book because I WAS studying to be a teacher before I switched to librarian. I also love reading books set in NYC because it's my favorite place in the world!

stephaniet117(at)yahoo(dot)com

StephTheBookworm said...

I'm a Google friend connect follower.

Sue said...

I think it looks like fun! I'm not a teacher, but I have four children, volunteer quite a lot, and am grateful for the teacher's my boys have. Thanks for the giveaway.

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

traveler said...

Thanks for this giveaway. An interesting perspective on this subject. I have been a teacher for over 30 years. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I am an e-mail subscriber. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

brokenteepee said...

It's rather appalling actually!
please enter me
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

brokenteepee said...

I follow and subscribe
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

brokenteepee said...

I tweeted
http://twitter.com/BrokenTeepee/status/9836548381
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

Shooting Stars Mag said...

I've wanted to read this for a long time. I'm not a teacher, nor do I think I ever will be, but it sounds interesting and I'm a college student so it's crazy what people go through to GET here

-Lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT ocm

Margie said...

Thanks for the giveaway. I have some friends who are teachers, so this should be an interesting book. I hope there isn't too much reality behind this book! It sounds like a fun read.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Colleen Turner said...

I am a google friend!
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

Having worked in the school system I have seen that the sorts of behaviours described in your review do actually happen...isn't it appaling! This sounds like a great read!
Thanks!
candc320@gmail.com

Debbie said...

I follow through GFC.

Debbie said...

As a mom of four and a substitute teacher, you have gotten my attention with this one!
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

Angie said...

I'm an email subscriber and Google follower

Angie said...

I think this book sounds fun. Sad but true in this day & age that this really happens. Great review!

Linda Kish said...

GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Sounds like a fun read.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

holdenj said...

I'm a loyal google friend connect follower.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

Sort of sounds like a fictional "Up the Down Staircase" for the priveleged in the 00's! Looks like it would be a good read. Thanks for the chance to win.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

justpeachy36 said...

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

Please enter me in the giveaway.

I'm a former teacher, this should be interesting

rubynreba said...

I'm interested in the fact that the work turned in by them is done by hired tutors.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

bison61 said...

sounds like a fun book-I think I'd like the drive this teacher has!

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Rebecca Orr said...

I actually see this happening in our day and age. It reminds me of the movie Friends with Money. It stars Jennifer Anniston, but it certainly wasn't on the blockbuster list...but I loved it. Thanks for the chance to win it. bekki1820cb at gmail

Rebecca Orr said...

I am already a follower via google reader, email, and gfc. bekki1820cb at gmail

bermudaonion said...

I have a lot of friends who are teachers, so I think I would enjoy this one! milou2ster(at)gmail.com

Misusedinnocence said...

It sounds like a book I would love. Both the fashionista in me and the teacher in me would be at battling ends fo the book, it'd be fun. ;)

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Benita said...

I follow via GFC and subscribe via email.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

It sounds like such a fun novel, based on reality or not.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

ossmcalc said...

After teaching for 23 years, I see that I still have alot to learn. This form of teaching is extremely foreign to me, but I would definitely want to read about it.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I follow via Google Reader, email, and as of today, through your Facebook page.

thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/ossmcalc/status/10110462721

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

Mary said...

I've got this book on my list of books I want to read. It sounds like one that I would truly enjoy. I run a daycare and am with precocious children all day.

mamie316(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

Unknown said...

I get email updates.

ashleymaymott(at)aol(dot)com

Unknown said...

This book sounds great and had me at the cover (I totally judge books by their cover).

I really like the sound of the plot too though - it sounds like a different perspective on the same plot lines that were addressed in the Nanny.

ashleymaymott(at)aol(dot)com

Debbie F said...

I follow on google reader

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

I'm interested to read all about the life of a teacher. I have 3 children to it could be enlightening

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Amanda S. said...

I've gone back to college (but write my own papers, lol) so the subject matter is interesting to me. Sounds like a good read!

DarcyO said...

loyal follower with Google Friend Connect

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

DarcyO said...

Loved the review, but I hope the book isn't based on fact because that means we are really going down the tubes.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

Marianna said...

I follow your blog on google friend connect
mannasweeps (at gmail DOT com

Marianna said...

I'm not a teacher but I think this sounds like an amusing and fun read about a lifestyle that would be TOTALLY foreign to me! lol
mannasweeps (at) gmail DOT com

Lacey said...

I am a follower on networked blogs

Lacey914 at sbcglobal dot net

Lacey said...

I am going to school to be a teacher and the emphasis is on low ses and many people forget about the corrupt curriculum in prep schools, what can we do about that?? I would like to see how this author handled it.


Lacey914 at sbcglobal dot net

Lacey said...

http://twitter.com/HtxAstrosFan/status/10447535933

tweet!!

Lacey914 at sbcglobal dot net

Margie said...

(forgot to include this entry before!)
-blog follower via GFC and email subscriber
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Cindy said...

I would love to read this book! I enjoyed your review very much. It was nice to read a review about a book about a teacher from someone who is also a teacher.

I was a substitute teacher for a few years while my children were in elementary school. It was enjoyable most of the time, but as a substitute teacher during those years, I gained an even deeper appreciation for teachers!

This book sounds fun and educational too!

Cindy
Socmom213@aol.com

Cindy said...

I follow your blog on Google.

I also subscribe by email.

Cindy
Socmom213@aol.com

LittleEagle said...

I enjoyed your review. It made me want to read the book. Thank you for hosting this giveaway. sharonaquilino at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

I'm a Google Friend Connect follower.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Sounds like a fun read. I know my sister who is a teacher will enjoy this.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Bookie said...

Sounds like a really funny and witty book. I like the school setting.

dawnpnr(at)aol(dot)com

Bookie said...

I'm a google follower.

catss99 said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/catss99/status/10710396465
catss99@yahoo.com

catss99 said...

i follow thru google friends
catss99@yahoo.com

catss99 said...

I just read a true account of a prep school, the book was called "Restless Virgins," and some of the stuff in your review reminded me of it.
catss99@yahoo.com

Nancye said...

I am a loyal follower thru Google Friend Connect, email, etc.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

As a retired/disabled teacher I can totally relate to this book. I have never been offered the bling and fancy things for grades, but I have felt pressures from "well to do" people. I can't imagine the teacher in the story to having this type of lifestyle dangled in front of her. We all know teachers aren't paid well. We scrimp and save and can barely make it month to month. These offers would be very enticing, but I still would stick to my morals and principals and not accept.

I would LOVE-LOVE to win this book! It sounds like fun!! Sorry so long!!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!

http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/10741380104

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

CLICK HERE TO
SEE MY POLICY