University of Chicago Press – The Chicago Blog

Five Questions with Susan Engel, Author of “American Kindergarten: Dispatches From the First Year of School”

Susan Engel’s new book *American Kindergarten* chronicles two years of visits to 29 classrooms across fourteen states, uncovering five core promises—reading, order, thinking, identity and love—that shape kindergarten experiences. Her observations reveal that classroom quality does not align neatly with race or socioeconomic status; instead, teacher intent and the presence of love drive outcomes. Engel highlights both the discouraging prevalence of scripted teaching and the hopeful vitality of five‑year‑olds eager to learn. The work calls for a re‑examination of early‑grade curricula and teacher support.