"You tryin' to change us?"A few seconds into my first class ever, a student asked a question that had no answer. Then, he walked out.It was a fitting introduction to City High, inner-city education, and what would soon become the most challenging experience of my entire life. I was a white, middle-class, Midwestern man thrown into a Philadelphia school that had performed so poorly it was surrendered to state control. My next two years as a teacher at City High were hectic, heartbreaking, and at times, hilarious. I met students whose own lives seemed more dramatic than anything you might find in the movies. There was Manny, an oversized class clown with Ivy League dreams and a million-dollar smile, a city kid who liked NASCAR and got kicked out of Catholic school for carrying nun chucks. There was Romeo, a kid who got arrested for making his own adult films and Randy, a kid whose father was serving life in prison for shooting a police officer. And there were others too, every one of them struggling to survive in a city that would witness more than 400 homicides in a single year.I taught them all. I taught through the whirlwinds of overworked teachers, underfunded classrooms, and educational policies that often seemed more puzzling than practical. I taught kids who seemed to provoke every emotion possible, laughter and love and rage, often all of them in a single period.Maybe I made an impact, maybe they changed. I know I did.My story is different than all those feel-good, happy-ending Freedom Writer type films that seem to appear in theaters every few years.It is real. For real, for real.Nathan Frederick is a former sports reporter with more than 1,000 published bylines. His writing has won awards from the Keystone Press Association, the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Journalists, and the Associated Press Sports Editors. He currently lives and teaches in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
"You tryin' to change us?"A few seconds into my first class ever, a student asked a question that had no answer. Then, he walked out.It was a fitting introduction to City High, inner-city education, and what would soon become the most challenging experience of my entire life. I was a white, middle-class, Midwestern man thrown into a Philadelphia school that had performed so poorly it was surrendered to state control. My next two years as a teacher at City High were hectic, heartbreaking, and at times, hilarious. I met students whose own lives seemed more dramatic than anything you might find in the movies. There was Manny, an oversized class clown with Ivy League dreams and a million-dollar smile, a city kid who liked NASCAR and got kicked out of Catholic school for carrying nun chucks. There was Romeo, a kid who got arrested for making his own adult films and Randy, a kid whose father was serving life in prison for shooting a police officer. And there were others too, every one of them struggling to survive in a city that would witness more than 400 homicides in a single year.I taught them all. I taught through the whirlwinds of overworked teachers, underfunded classrooms, and educational policies that often seemed more puzzling than practical. I taught kids who seemed to provoke every emotion possible, laughter and love and rage, often all of them in a single period.Maybe I made an impact, maybe they changed. I know I did.My story is different than all those feel-good, happy-ending Freedom Writer type films that seem to appear in theaters every few years.It is real. For real, for real.Nathan Frederick is a former sports reporter with more than 1,000 published bylines. His writing has won awards from the Keystone Press Association, the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Journalists, and the Associated Press Sports Editors. He currently lives and teaches in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
He was an introvert from birth, suffering classmate name-calling; he was a homeless teen told to leave by his family; he was the high school dropout without a path to choose. With all these trials...
If you believe in love, you can make it happen! Through the use of stories and insights, you can discover practical ways to create a healthy dating relationship, and to grow in self worth. This...
Featuring inspirational poems such as Walking by Faith, In Deepest Sympathy, Sea of Tears, Pages from Within, Harry Got Saved, Overdosie-doe, and many more!This book contains the raw and genuine (and...
Discover your next great read at BookLoop, Australiand online bookstore offering a vast selection of titles across various genres and interests. Whether you're curious about what's trending or searching for graphic novels that captivate, thrilling crime and mystery fiction, or exhilarating action and adventure stories, our curated collections have something for every reader. Delve into imaginative fantasy worlds or explore the realms of science fiction that challenge the boundaries of reality. Fans of contemporary narratives will find compelling stories in our contemporary fiction section. Embark on epic journeys with our fantasy and science fiction titles,
Shop Trending Books and New Releases
Explore our new releases for the most recent additions in romance books, fantasy books, graphic novels, crime and mystery books, science fiction books as well as biographies, cookbooks, self help books, tarot cards, fortunetelling and much more. With titles covering current trends, booktok and bookstagram recommendations, and emerging authors, BookLoop remains your go-to local australian bookstore for buying books online across all book genres.
Shop Best Books By Collection
Stay updated with the literary world by browsing our trending books, featuring the latest bestsellers and critically acclaimed works. Explore titles from popular brands like Minecraft, Pokemon, Star Wars, Bluey, Lonely Planet, ABIA award winners, Peppa Pig, and our specialised collection of ADHD books. At BookLoop, we are committed to providing a diverse and enriching reading experience for all.
Buy Educational Books and Textbooks Online at BookLoop
Shop School Textbooks for Primary, Secondary, and Higher Education
At BookLoop, we make it easy to buy school textbooks online in Australia for every stage of learning. Our extensive
textbook collection includes curriculum-aligned primary school books,
secondary school books, and resources for TAFE courses, vocational training, and university studies.
Each title is selected for accuracy, quality, and alignment with the Australian Curriculum, supporting teachers, students, and schools across the country. Whether you’re preparing for exams, classroom learning, or distance education, BookLoop’s range of educational books ensures your students have the right materials to succeed.
Teacher Resources, Classroom Tools and Professional Learning
Empower your teaching with teacher resources and classroom support materials from BookLoop.
Our collection includes lesson planning guides, literacy and numeracy workbooks, STEM education resources, and assessment tools that help educators deliver engaging, effective learning experiences.
We also stock a wide selection of preschool and early years education books tailored to early childhood development, classroom management, and student wellbeing.
Teachers can access everything from professional development books to interactive classroom activities — all carefully curated to enhance teaching outcomes and student success.
Educational Books and Learning Resources for Every Subject
Find educational books for students across a variety of subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, and the Arts.
BookLoop partners with trusted Australian publishers to provide up-to-date resources that meet classroom requirements and support independent learning.
Whether you’re a school administrator sourcing bulk textbook orders, a parent preparing for the new term, or a teacher updating your classroom library, BookLoop is your one-stop online bookstore for all education and teaching materials.
Sign In
your cart
Your cart is empty
Menu
Search
PRE-SALES
If you have any questions before making a purchase chat with our online operators to get more information.
