{"product_id":"illiterate-america-9780452262034","title":"Illiterate America","description":"It is startling and it is shaming: in a country that prides itself on being among the most enlightened in the world, 25 million American adults cannot read the poison warnings on a can of pesticide, a letter from their child's teacher, or the front page of a newspaper. An additional 35 million read below the level needed to function successfully in our society. The United States ranks forty-ninth among 158 member nations of the UN in literacy, and wastes over $100 billion annually as a result. The problem is not merely an embarrassment, it is a social and economic disaster. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eIlliterate America\u003c\/i\u003e, Jonathan Kozol, author of National Book Award-winning \u003ci\u003eDeath at an Early Age\u003c\/i\u003e, addresses this national disgrace. Combining hard statistics and heartrending stories, he describes the economic and the human costs of illiteracy. Kozol analyses and condemns previous government action--and inaction--and, in a passionate call for reform, he proposes a specific program to conquer illiteracy. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eOne out of every three American adults cannot read this book--which is why everyone else must.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eJONATHAN KOZOL\u003c\/b\u003e is the author of \u003ci\u003eDeath at an Early Age\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eSavage Inequalities\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eAmazing Grace\u003c\/i\u003e, and other award-winning books about young children and their public schools.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Plume Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50844509831442,"sku":"9780452262034","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_9c587448-4957-4ccd-ad5d-56a0fcf53b43.jpg?v=1737323282","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/illiterate-america-9780452262034","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}