Review: I am not getting the hype
Rating: 1 out of 5
Date: 10 13, 2012
I have been homeschooling for 15 years.  It is interesting to me that this book is marketed as a homeschool book.  You would have to never have homeschooled or spent any time with your child for this book to be useful.Yes, you should help your kids see the larger picture of what they can do and be.  But honestly what kind of awful parent doesn't do that already?  All in all the book comes off as a the author wanting to brag about her kid.  And that is great.  She sounds like a great mom and he sounds like a great kid.  But homeschool parents already know that everything is a teachable moment.  We already have discussions with our kids as we drive down the street.These anecdotes are not useful to homeschooling.  Additionally, some methods have been disproven.  Telling your child that he is your little genius is not the key to educational success.  The author tells you to "buy it, buy all of it" referring to Jumpstart products and educational software.Basically, this woman is a teacher.  Her son attended school (I am inferring that from some of the anecdotes).  She did a really good job parenting despite making some decisions I find questionable (watching Poetic Justice with a child).  But she is writing to an audience that she neither knows nor understands.  Lastly her advice on college applies to tests specific to California.I have now had three kids start college at 15.  Honestly, 15 is plenty early for college.  I have three more to go.  I care deeply about education and have made homeschooling my kids my career.  This is not a book that would contribute to that.