Michelle Kuo decides to leave Harvard University and teach in a ghetto school in Arkansas. Her immigrant parents are appalled. They think Michelle is throwing away a promising career (and a lucrative one, too!) to pursue a fantasy. During her first year of teaching, Michelle starts to think her parents might have been right. The students are rude and disrespectful. They make fun of her. The books Michelle thought would capture their attention are ignored.

But things start to change in Michelle’s second year of teaching. She finds ways to engage the students. They finally realize Michelle is trying to help them. Michelle particularly tries to help a troubled student named Patrick. After two years of teaching, Michelle gives in to her parents’ pressure and goes to Harvard Law School. But, throughout her legal studies, Michelle tries to maintain her connection to the students she taught, especially Patrick. Patrick, in a violent incident, kills a man. He’s in prison awaiting trial. Michelle visits him and tries to provide books and materials to keep his brain active.

Reading With Patrick shows the limits of change. Despite Michelle Kuo’s best efforts, the culture and the upbringing doom many of her students. This is a moving true story that will stay with you long after you finish it. GRADE: B+
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Introduction – xi
Part I:
Chapter – 1: A Raisin in the Sun 3
Chapter – 2: The Free Write 13
Chapter – 3: The Fire Next Time 42
Part II:
Chapter – 4: The Death of Ivan Ilyich 73
Part III:
Chapter – 5: Crime and Punishment 115
Chapter – 6: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe . 134
Chapter – 7: He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven 165
Chapter – 8: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass . 180
Chapter – 9: I Have Read Everything on This Paper (The Guilty Plea) 209
Chapter – 10: To Paula in Late Spring 231
Part IV:
Chapter – 11: Easter Morning 261
Author’s Note 283
Acknowledgements 289