In this absorbing study, John Holt uses his lifelong experience in education to answer the questions: Why do children fail? What really goes on in the classroom? What goes on in children's heads? The last chapter is entitled How Schools Fail? which shows the development of Holt's thought, and foreshadows his subsequent books and analysis of the whole destructive business of schooling. His approach is anecdotal, accessible and fascinating and will revolutionise your thoughts. It was first published in 1964 and this second editon includes a fresh look at how children investigate the world and cope with "social promotion", grades, tests and the issue of authority.