Education reform efforts generally start off with good intentions, but often lose their effectiveness as they unfold within the daily life of schools. The Dark Side of School Reform is a skillfully-written book that speaks to a wide variety of audiences about this deterioration, but does not alienate any of them. Indeed, policy-makers, researchers, teachers, administrators, and vested constituents alike are bound to find this book approachable, insightful, and useful.

Gerald R. Lopez, assistant professor, Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, Indiana University and Co-Editor, Interrogating

Jeff Brooks' perceptive account plunges us headfirst into the everyday messiness of school reform at ground level, where teachers struggle mightily to hold on to their ideals amid the whirlwind that whips around them. In an educational universe where the wisdom of classroom practitioners is too often disregarded, Brooks' greatest contribution may be his willingness to listen carefully to teachers and to take seriously what they have to say.

Gregory Michie, author of See You When We Get There: Teaching for Change in Urban Schools

Teaching is intellectual and ethical work, transcendent work that at its best encourages students to reach the full measure of their humanity. Teaching is also gritty work-grinding, draining, backbreaking, mind wrecking, and as common as mud. How do teachers experience these conflicting pulls? How do we understand the contradictions at the heart of what we do? How do we negotiate the turbulence? Jeffrey Brooks dives directly into the whirlwind, and invites us to sail along with him. It is not an easy ride, but it is well worth it. In this book he provides a nuanced and complex look at that special place between heaven and earth where every teacher must somehow make a life.

William Ayers, educational theorist, author, and distinguished professor of education and senior university scholar at the University of Illinois at Chicago

While Jeffrey Brooks portrays the dark side of being a teacher, he does it in a shining, even brilliant multifaceted (like a diamond) style. The effect, not depressing, is exciting and engaging, as is teaching itself. Through multiple lenses, he focuses, for example, on a single teacher's struggle, a group of teachers and their school, culture, roles, duties, experiences, contradictions, and problems. Brooks is right there in the book with the teachers, feeling and interacting. For as one teacher, Jim, asked, 'Why can't you use common language to describe something so common?' The author's response: 'Okay, Jim, maybe I will. Thanks.' But nothing's common about this marvelous book.

Bruce S. Cooper, PhD, emeritus professor and vice chair, Division of Administration, Policy and Urban Education, Fordham University

The Dark Side of School Reform is an eye-opening look at the difference between appearance and reality in schools today. There will be laughter, tears, and gasps as you read the journey one school has taken. This book will serve as an inspiring and practical tool for school leaders.

Julie Gawarecki, assistant principal, South Valley Junior High Liberty, MO

Skillfully captured in teachers' real voices, this account of a school reform effort draws the reader in so deeply that you'll feel as though you're an invisible presence in busy classrooms and hot and crowded meeting rooms. The writing is superb and the message is enlightening.

Lisa D. Delpit, author of Other People's Children and editor of The Skin We Speak