"Books and Bricks" by Sindiwe Magona delivers a poignant message of community restoration through the thoughtfulness and ingenuity of Mr. Williams, who is the new principal at Manyano School. Neglected and robbed of its new computers, the setting at a fictitious South African School could have very well been replaced by many American schools that fail to be a citadel of learning or safe place. By challenging the Afrikaans to use their brickmaking skills at the school with consistent water and electricity, Mr. Williams ignites--and reignites--the heart of the community. Albeit fiction, the story is based on a true project --one that gives hope for community development. "Books and Bricks" depicts the power a group has when it organizes around a project and reclaims ownership of education for young and old. The results are stronger bonds, self-reliance, and upliftment.

A great fictionalize story about a school in South Africa that brought a community together to help all that lived there. The school was being vandalized and the families where losing their jobs. An innovative principal was able to bring the community together to solve the problems at the school and the families problems at home.
I'm not sure how much kids would really get out of this. I think it would be more effective with older kids even though it is a short chapter book.

Great story of coming together. Some places in the world have it tougher than we know. Interesting read. Would recommend.

Books and Bricks tells the story of a community coming together for the educational well-being of their children. This story demonstrates the importance and benefits of parental involvement in a child's school. The students at Manyano School in South Africa were determined to learn and receive their education and nothing could stop them, not even the "skollies"! I love how the parents step up and make sure that the school is and remains a safe place for the children to study, learn and grow. The parents in the story are an example of the need for parents to be involved and place their child and education as first priority in their lives! All children should have access to a proper education! Schools in all communities throughout the world must be well equipped to provide a safe and proper education.

Inspired by a true story, this book shows how empowering a community helped the children receive a better education.

This story based on a true story, about a school in a township in South Africa. When vandals (skollies) constantly break into the local school, there is a lot of apathy among the adults in the village. As well, many of them are without work and homes are either shacks or they are falling apart. When the new computers are stolen from a locked room, by making a hole in the roof, the principal calls a meeting of all parents. He tells them that the future of the children depends on them getting a good education. Knowing the children will repeat the path of their parents, the parents are invited to use the school to complete projects. The projects they develop are successful and lead the village into a more self-reliant existance and pride in their lives.

This book shows how empowering a community helped the children receive a better education. This brings to life the saying, "Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach him to fish, he eats for a lifetime." Developing pride in our lives and in what we do, working together, having confidence in our abilities, learning new things and being positive are all shown in this book. The back of the books contains a lot of information. There is a short description of the actual project this book is based on as well as some information on Aparthied and Nelson Mandela. There is a glossary of the Afrikaans words used in the story and some discussion questions. This would be a great story to use when studying World Politics, Social Justice and Prejudice. This book would be a great addition to Middle School and High School libraries and classes. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

This is an interesting story, based on a true story, about a school in a township in South Africa, where the school is constantly broken into. New computers are stolen from a locked room, by making a hole in the roof. It all seems hopeless.

But the principal feels that the future of the children is dependent on a good education, so he come sup with a plan. He hired the parents, who are out of work, to make bricks to fix the school, and to sell to the local community. This gives work to the parents, and helps the school as well.

It is an inspiring story, but the plot is given away right away, so there is no suspense. Perhaps the book blurb can be changed, or something, so there is a purpose reading the book, rather than knowing what will happen ahead of time.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

It is an inspirational tale, one that both the young and the old can enjoy.

The author has written this using her own experience in a similar situation, and the emotion shows. Despite not having that many pages to go through, we can immediately connect with Salmina ( who is eleven), our guide in her world as she walks through the events that change their lives.Her community is urged to come together as a whole for the mutual benefit of both themselves and the school. This is great book to initiate discussions amongst people for changes at the base level of any issue, and the fact that however small, any contribution could lead to something better.

This inspiring children's book impresses with its message of capacity building in the face of oppression, and use of Afrikaans with accompanying glossary was a unique treat for the reader!