The School I Deserve

Six Young Refugees and Their Fight for Equality in America

By: Jo Napolitano

Narrated by: Dani Cervone

Uncovers the key civil rights battle that immigrant children fought alongside the ACLU to ensure equal access to education within a xenophobic nation

Journalist Jo Napolitano delves into the landmark case in which the School District of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was sued for refusing to admit older, non-English speaking refugees and sending them to a high-discipline alternative school. In a legal battle that mirrors that of the Little Rock Nine and Brown v. Board of Education, 6 brave refugee students fought alongside the ACLU and Education Law Center to demand equal access. The School I Deserve illuminates the lack of support immigrant and refugee children face in our public school system and presents a hopeful future where all children can receive an equal education regardless of race, ethnicity, or their country of origin.

One of the students, Khadidja Issa, fled the horrific violence in war-torn Sudan with the hope of a safer life in the United States, where she could enroll in school and eventually become a nurse. Instead, she was turned away by the School District of Lancaster before she was eventually enrolled in one of its alternative schools, a campus run by a for-profit company facing multiple abuse allegations. Napolitano follows Khadidja as she joins the lawsuit as a plaintiff in the Issa v. School District of Lancaster case, a legal battle that took place right before Donald Trump’s presidential election, when immigrants and refugees were maligned on a national stage. The fiery week-long showdown between the ACLU and the school district was ultimately decided by a conservative judge who issued a shocking ruling with historic implications. The School I Deserve brings to light this crucial and underreported case, which paved the way to equal access to education for countless immigrants and refugees to come.

©2021 Jo Napolitano (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Napolitano retraces Khadidja’s history with great dexterity.... Backed by research, profiles, court testimonies, and interviews with teachers, refugees, and immigrant advocates, the book calls into question the vital essence of education and why, even in this modern era of accountability, these injustices persist.... An eyebrow-raising report on education that is both enraging and heartbreaking.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Laden with compassion and detailed insights into the practices that threaten equal access to education, this is an eye-opening account of a precedent-setting case.” (Publishers Weekly)

“Napolitano’s book should be the next step for people horrified by the plight of refugees, undocumented people, and unaccompanied minors.” (Booklist)

important

This book brings light to the problems refugees face when coming to America. I didn't know about the lack of equal opportunities regarding education. I didn't like the Trump bashing because the scope of his actions only cover a few years. While some refugees have suffered in camps for over a year, there is no mention of how other presidents have ignored those refugees who have been in camps around the world for 30-40 years. Just a thought. Overall, I thought the book is important and I'm glad the refugees won their case.

A timely and necessary read

I first heard of this book in my PLC and knew I had to read it. As a teacher of multilingual learners I am also an advocate. Napolitano provides an thorough and contemporary report on a civil rights case featuring refugee students during an asphyxiated time in our country's recent history.

Amazing, Factual, Fabulous book with depth and insight into life of children

Thank you for the opportunity. Thank you for providing a well needed voice to children. Excellent narration.