Chicago Review Press presents...
New York's First Charter School and the Movement It Led
REVIEWS

President Bill Clinton
A Light Shines in Harlem is "a wonderful tribute to Sisulu-Walker..."
One of ten non-fiction books recommended on Publishers Weekly’s “Notable African-American Interest Titles, Fall 2014-Spring 2015”
“A Light Shines in Harlem by Mary C. Bounds is an accomplished journalist’s microcosmic retrospective on the Sisulu-Walker Charter School…So much about quality education seems like common sense, but thanks to Ms. Bounds for reminding us…Exploring ‘the hundreds of small decisions and big risks that go into creating and leading a school, not the generalities of textbooks and manifestoes,’ Ms. Bounds encapsulates solutions.”—Sam Roberts
The Harvard Kennedy School’s Education Next journal
"From this book one learns how difficult and complicated it is to open a charter school." —Nathan Glazer, professor emeritus of education and sociology at Harvard University
“A Light Shines in Harlem tracks the tenacity and heroism of a few of the reform movement's earliest and lesser known pioneers, in standing up to those who refused to give up their power to allow new lights to shine, no matter how successful they were.”—Jeanne Allen
The Manhattan Institute’s City Journal
“At its heart, A Light Shines is the story of an unlikely partnership between a Wall Street hotshot and a Harlem minister, the little-school-that-could they created together on 115th Street, and the path that they’ve charted for educational equity in New York—and across the nation.—Charles Upton Sahm
The Harvard University Kennedy School’s Education Next journal
One of seven books that landed on Education Next”s “Education Books Make Great Gifts”
The Center for Education Reform Newswire
“A new, must-read book that tells the poignant, impactful story of Sisulu-Walker Charter School of Harlem, the first-ever charter school to open in New York.”
Journal of Blacks in Higher Education
One of six books listed as “Recent Books That May Be of Interest to African-American Scholars”
One of seven “Best Book Bets”
Scholastic Instructor and Scholastic Administrator magazines
An against-the-odds tale that serves as a window on the charter school debate.”
“Seven education books to catch up on during the holiday season”
“Top Eight Books” of 2014
“A Light Shines in Harlem documents the struggles and triumphs of the city’s first charter school, which opened in 1999 as a reaction to Harlem’s failing school system.”—Emily Laurence
“New book pays homage to charter school movement’s Brooklyn roots”—Samantha Samel
Education Reform Newswire
"A Light Shines in Harlem is the title of a new, must-read book that tells the poignant, impactful story of Sisulu-Walker Charter School of Harlem, the first-ever charter school to open in New York. The book chronicles in accessible fashion the school’s founding and development, and what took place behind the scenes to make Sisulu-Walker a reality for New York students. Written by Mary C. Bounds, the book includes a foreword by Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker, Sisulu-Walker co-founder and civil rights hero who served as Martin Luther King’s chief of staff and head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) during the 1950s and early 60s. But most interesting is the book’s incorporation of the charter school movement as a whole, recent studies corroborating charter achievement, and what challenges lie ahead. This type of perspective is critical, because as Dr. Walker writes, 'In the charter movement, I am continuing the work of Dr. King that has far-reaching meaning. Every American child is deserving of a quality public school education. It is education that will guarantee that segregation and second-class citizenship will never return!'"—Education Reform Newswire
“Each school has its own story, but few are chronicled as honestly, openly, and passionately as in this engaging volume. You will learn to love this school built with the same passion that inspired those who walked with Dr. Martin Luther King.” —Professor Paul E. Peterson, director of the Program on Education Policy and Governance at Harvard University and author of Saving Schools: From Horace Mann to Virtual Learning
“A beautifully written and meticulously researched story about New York’s first charter school and the heroic folks who were responsible for creating this groundbreaking educational institution. It is a riveting story with a host of exceptional characters who turned a dream into a reality.” —Sy Fliegel, author of Miracle in East Harlem: The Fight for Choice in Public Education
“A must-read for anyone who cares about improving our educational system. Mary Bounds has researched and written an important story detailing the tenacious process required to establish charter schools in New York. It is a well-told narrative about launching a successful program that can enrich the education of every child in America.” —George E. Pataki, former governor of New York
“A Light Shines in Harlem tells the truly remarkable story behind New York City’s charter schools and the people who paved the way for lights to shine for more children. Read it and you’ll understand why charter schools were created and how they are the most important lever for social and economic equity this nation has ever seen.” —Jeanne Allen, Founder, Senior Fellow, and president emeritus of The Center for Education Reform