Review of Here!

Buk Nerd · Post by **Buk Nerd** » 07 Sep 2021, 16:43

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Here!" by Ann C. Smith.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Ann C. Smith is an educator with over two decades of experience teaching English as a Second Language in Texas middle schools. Here! is her first book in which she shares her experiences, challenges, and triumphs as an ESL teacher. The book is structured as a moving yet candid collection of stories about some of her students. The author also shares her frustrations with the seeming disregard for immigrant students’ needs.

Each chapter is dedicated to a different student. Smith shares how they came to be in her class and what makes them unique while examining their progress or lack thereof within the school system. Smith expressed her concerns with the high school dropout rate of ESL students. It exceeded the national average. She believed the failure problem and the solution lay in the teaching. According to Smith, explicit instruction is necessary for acquiring a new language. Unfortunately for ESL learners, language acquisition and how it is taught is neither intensive nor encouraged as the focus of their learning at the stage where it is of utmost importance.

I loved the stories Smith shared about her students. Each story and student were unique and fascinating. The kids were tremendously courageous and resilient in the face of exceedingly challenging odds, and I learned as much from them as I did from the author. Magaly was one student I greatly admired. She was confident, grounded, and one of those people who took life in stride no matter the kind of hand she was dealt. A lively and dedicated student from Guatemala, Magaly was relentless in her commitment to learning. While she struggled with language acquisition, she was a maths and science whiz. Always ready to lend a hand, Magaly’s vibrant personality belied a tragic childhood. Magaly’s voice happens to be her most distinguishing attribute, very hoarse and gravelly. It is also a daily reminder of her painful reality. As a baby, her biological mother had tried to kill her by strangling her neck, permanently damaging her vocal cords.

It would be remiss of me not to mention my admiration of Smith's steadfast dedication to making sure her kids excelled as best they could. An instance of this was when, after years of watching her ESL students sidelined from extracurricular activities, she decided to create a competition exclusively for them. An annual spelling bee solely for ESL students, something their level of English proficiency usually precludes them from participating in. Not only was it a fun, instructive, and memorable experience for them, but it also served as a teachable moment for the author. The experience led Smith to have a deeper appreciation for the courage and bravery that her students had to exhibit every day of their lives as immigrants or refugees in a foreign land and everything that that entails.

There was nothing to dislike about this book. To touch on all the book’s high points would be to write a whole new book. The last chapter, which was also a favorite of mine, is titled The Candy Store. Not only did the chapter showcase what it means to go above and beyond as an educator who seizes every opportunity to enrich the experiences of her students, but it also showcased the importance of allowing students to explore - ESL students in particular. ESL learners are mostly comprised of displaced kids forced to leave their homeland behind for the unknown. More than anything, they need a frame of reference to mark their current position in the world. You need to read the book to understand the chapter’s significance.

The book appeared professionally edited with some barely noticeable punctuation errors. The eloquent writing, the remarkable stories, and the exceptional editing have earned this book a 4 out of 4 stars rating. Here! is an inspiring memoir by an inspiring human, bringing awareness to the struggles of the immigrant and refugee youth who are usually no more than statistics in general conversation. It is a must-read for educators everywhere, and I also recommend it to anyone interested in getting a glimpse into the lives and experiences of immigrant students.

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Here!
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Nkgchidimma080 · Post by **Nkgchidimma080** » 09 Sep 2021, 17:51

As a teacher I think this book would be of great help in learning more teaching experience,nice review.

Sarah C McHum · Post by **Sarah C McHum** » 13 Sep 2021, 01:39

I am teaching English for Foreign and Second Language learner. I do think this book will help me dealing with various kinds of students. I almost quit my job because I don't have the patient to teach. Thanks for the review!

Joyjen · Post by **Joyjen** » 14 Sep 2021, 04:26

Amazing! Your description of the book, the setting and high praise for the authors ability to intrigue readers makes this an appealing story. Thanks for the exiting recommendation.

Edit_or · Post by **Edit_or** » 18 Sep 2021, 17:03

Guess I’ll get this book for my aunt Dyma who is teacher. A good review though

Ferdinand_Otieno · Post by **Ferdinand_Otieno** » 28 Mar 2022, 08:12

This is a collection of stories based on educator Ann C. Smith’s experiences during her twenty-four-year career in Title 1 secondary schools in Texas. The book is temporarily free on Amazon Kindle and has a well-written OnlineBookClub review. Congrats on the BOTD selection.

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 28 Mar 2022, 08:13

This book seems very interesting with the experience accumulated by Ann C. Smith in teaching immigrant students, hence seeing firsthand who they are and which problems they have to face after coming to another country, sometimes after passing through hardship. Thank you for your great review!

Pandora10 · Post by **Pandora10** » 28 Mar 2022, 08:24

This memoir telling the experiences of an ESL teacher with refugee children and those whose first language was not English. She artfully describes their challenges and struggles to learn. The description of Magaly and her background is quite heartbreaking.

Nji Rodney · Post by **Nji Rodney** » 28 Mar 2022, 08:50

This book brings out new ways for teachers to coupe with the situations they face with students. I'd gladly recommend this book for language teachers struggling with teaching immigrants

Petronila O · Post by **Petronila O** » 28 Mar 2022, 08:54

Teaching is a calling wow about this book emulate how he taught migrants the challenges and struggle Mt kind of book thumbs up

Tars · Post by **Tars** » 28 Mar 2022, 09:01

Please, no! Don't take it personally, but I couldn't stomach to read about "Immigrant and Refugee Youth" at the moment. Not with the recent Ukrainian nightmare shows in every news channels "Through the Eyes of not just Teacher, but doctors, soldiers and volunteers. It is so tragic, that I can't add to it, sorry I will have to pass the book, but I compliment your efforts to open public eyes on this problem. Congrats on BOTD!

Brenda Creech · Post by **Brenda Creech** » 28 Mar 2022, 09:06

The author sounds like a dedicated teacher who wants the best for her immigrant students against all odds. I was moved by the fact she made up her own competition for her students who were sidelined from other extra curricular activities in the school. Thanks for the great review!

Doris Nwoti · Post by **Doris Nwoti** » 28 Mar 2022, 09:09

Smith's devotion towards her job is really applaudable! She gave equal attention to these ESL students whom no one gave attention to. These students were like lost puppies in their new school but with the help of this one-of-a-kind educator, Smith, they came out just fine.

Emmanuela Amasiobi · Post by **Emmanuela Amasiobi** » 28 Mar 2022, 09:12

This book seems interesting and inspiring, especially since it is from an educator's perspective. Congratulations on BOTD

Ayomikun Babalola · Post by **Ayomikun Babalola** » 28 Mar 2022, 09:12

I love the fact that the author is trying to drive more attention on the struggles that ESL learners face. I did not know this was an issue before. I really would like to read this book.