This book takes a hard look at how this ominous reality came to be, how it has worsened in recent years, and why attempts to resolve it often devolve into finger-pointing and polarizing politics.

The signs and statistics are undeniable: boys are falling behind in school. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the biggest culprits are not video games, pop culture, or female-dominated schools biased toward girls. The real problem is that boys have been thrust into a bewildering new school environment that demands high-level reading and writing skills long before they can handle them.

In Why Boys Fail, you will understand this misunderstood problem and uncover schools that are getting it right by boosting literacy among the entire student body, using:

data,interviews,case studies,and clearheaded analysis

Amidst the alarming proof of failure among boys, there are also inspiring case studies of schools where something is going right. Each has come up with realistic ways to make sure that every student-male and female-has the tools to succeed in school and later in life.

Educators and parents alike will take heart in these promising developments and heed the book's call to action, not only to demand solutions but also to help create them for their own students and children.

Richard Whitmire