Learnt

by: Edward M. Baldwin

Published by: Jazlo & Lossi Publishing

Reviewed by Leslie Granier

Lincoln High School is where behaviorally challenged students are sent. They don’t earn a diploma for completing their courses, so there is really no motivation for them to learn. Tony Avery, an English teacher who is black, accepts a job there in order to get some experience before seeking a position at a better school. He faces the challenges of trying to motivate and educate the unruly students, while also trying to earn their respect. Avery ends up learning many things from his students, especially Kenny, a white student who was sent to Lincoln for fighting at his other school.

Author Baldwin has an excellent way of making the characters come to life. Mr. Avery was not depicted as the idealistic new teacher who thought he was going to fix everything that was wrong with the school system. His doubts and frustrations were clearly demonstrated. However, his efforts to fight for all of his students to be eligible to try to return to a “regular” school showed that he believed in them and their futures.

Kenny’s struggles were also portrayed well, told in first person, making it very moving. His difficulties with his alcoholic mother and his weight issues were sources of constant embarrassment.

An important part of Learnt deals with racial issues. Baldwin does a fine job of showing that different races can get along as well as learn from each other. Tony has a white fiancée–and they seem so perfect for each other. When Kenny finally makes a friend for the first time in his life, it is with a black male, even though Kenny hates black people because of an incident when he was younger.

At first it was a little difficult to decipher some of the African-American dialect that was written, but I caught on fairly quickly. Using the dialect made the characters and the situations portrayed seem more real. It also helped demonstrate the point that just because someone does not speak what is considered standard English, his or her thoughts and opinions are not less valuable.

This book will touch the reader’s heart from the beginning to the unexpected incident at the end.

Armchair Interviews says: Highly recommended for teenagers and adults–for the lessons to be learned.

Author’s Web site: http://www.EdwardMBaldwin.com