TAUGHT

by Eric F. Goldstein

As protests ignite across Washington, DC, veteran teacher Jerry Brown, known as JB, finds himself at a breaking point. His marriage is faltering, his faith in teaching is crumbling, and a viral video showing police brutality against his former student, Malik Drummond, forces him to question his understanding of education.

When Malik-charismatic, unpredictable, and scarred by loss-reenters JB's life, their unexpected reunion turns into an impulsive road trip through Appalachia, burdened by a shared history and unspoken pain.

From the streets of Southeast DC to the civil rights landmarks of Harpers Ferry and the forests of the Appalachian Trail, their uneasy journey becomes a reckoning, each mile revealing new fault lines between past and present, teacher and student, guilt and grace. What begins as flight turns into an unflinching exploration of race, education, and redemption within a divided nation.

Combining literary depth with narrative propulsion, TAUGHT invites readers, educators, and fans of socially conscious fiction on a journey as provocative as it is redemptive.

Here's what our advance readers had to say...

“An unflinchingly honest portrayal of the student-teacher relationship that reminds us that history is never finished. A must-read for educators, parents, and all who believe in the power of truth-telling and the transformative impact of education.”
– Dr. Michaele C. Samuel, Educator & Psychotherapist

“In these pages, I found a mirror and a map—an invitation to reimagine our relationships, repair what has been broken, and reconnect with the parts of ourselves that are most alive.”
– Caroline Hill, 228 Accelerator Founder

“These are the protagonists throughout time that stick with me. JB reminds me of a grown-up Holden Caulfield.”
– Richard Reyes-Gavilan, DC Public Library, Executive Director

“TAUGHT will take you on a riveting, honest journey with Malik and JB. Their experiences challenge our notions about race and society in this fast-paced, emotionally charged story.”
–Jordan Lloyd Bookey, Beanstack Co-Founder & Reading Culture Podcast Host

300 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2026

About the author

As a middle and high school teacher in Washington, DC, Eric F. Goldstein founded the nonprofit, One World Education. The organization leads programs inside classrooms and after school that connect learning to research and write with social justice advocacy. Its impact on more than 65,000 students inspired his debut novel, TAUGHT. Eric lives with his family in Washington, DC.

Reviews

[Christine Minihane · Rating 4 out of 5]

TAUGHT is a heartfelt story of teacher and student sharing and teaching each other about the real world.

The main characters share rich stories about family, feelings, and conflict. Two worlds that reflect the deficits of humans and the need for understanding across race, culture, education, and generations. The writing is passionate and real. The characters are honest and complex. This is a book for educators, students, and anyone looking to continue the conversation and improve race relations.

[Teri M Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taught by Eric F Goldstein is a contemporary literary fiction that follows a teacher and a former student on a week-long journey. However, this journey is not something either one planned.

Jerry Brown's life is a mess. He's likely to lose his job as a teacher. He and his wife are having issues. And Malik, a former student, is beat by police during a protest. He decides to go camping and write graduation letters to his students. But before he gets out of town, Malik shows up. So, they leave together.

This is not a fast-paced story, but one where the back stories leak out slowly and deliberately. We see Jerry doubting himself as a teacher and husband. We see Malik doubt himself as a student and friend. Both doubt whether they can live up to the title of 'man'. And, as the reader, we feel the pain.

Race plays a huge role in the story, allowing us to glimpse lives we might not otherwise experience - and allowing us to ask the hard questions. Is racism real? Is it everywhere? Do people experience a stop in a backwoods gas station differently depending on their skin? And, more importantly, what can - or should - we do about it?

I definitely suggest this one for your TBR.

[themightyline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cauterizes the wounds of America’s trauma.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book, meditate on this book, be shocked by this book. A b00k which will stay with you for a very long time. Took me a long time to read because every page is a revelation and has meaning.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this as someone connected to DC and to education made it especially powerful for me. The story feels urgent, human, and uncomfortably real in the best way. It’s the kind of novel that pushes you to reflect on your own assumptions and responsibilities.