The Little Book of Restorative Justice in Education: Fostering Responsibility, Healing, and Hope in Schools

by Katherine Evans

Much more than a response to harm, restorative justice nurtures relational, interconnected school cultures. The wisdom embedded within its principles and practices is being welcomed at a time when exclusionary discipline and zero tolerance policies are recognized as perpetuating student apathy, disproportionality, and the school-to-prison pipeline.

Relying on the wisdom of early proponents of restorative justice, the daily experiences of educators, and the authors’ extensive experience as classroom teachers and researchers, this Little Book guides the growth of restorative justice in education (RJE) into the future. Incorporating activities, stories, and examples throughout the book, three major interconnected and equally important aspects of restorative justice in education are explained and applied:

creating just and equitable learning environments;
building and maintaining healthy relationships;
healing harm and transforming conflict.

The Little Book of Restorative Justice in Education is a reference that practitioners can turn to repeatedly for clarity and consistency as they implement restorative justice in educational settings.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction, Professional Development, Social Justice, Counselling, Read For School

146 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 20, 2016

Reviews

[Brendan E-M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly useful in setting the (approachable) paradigm shift needed to build restorative schools. Embracing these themes changes teaching dispositions right off the bat - other practical strategies for RJE can be explored elsewhere.

[Becky Marder-Reifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great introduction into the key values of restorative justice in education. It made me want to learn a lot more - a sign of a good book! Highly recommend as a quick read for educators interested in adding restorative justice to their practice. Also includes pages of recommended books and organizations to learn more.

[Ayanna Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read that provides the history of restorative justice in education, and also explains how to effectively implement restorative justice as part of a dignified school. It is not about discipline. Dignity is at the heart of restoring relationships. As my school begins a restorative practice journey, it seems all the appropriate steps are in place according to this text.

[Jacob Rollins · Rating 3 out of 5]

A introductory reading on restorative practices in connection to education. Great reading for getting a foundational understanding of the topic. Might want to explore other works if you want to dive deeper into it.

[Ciarra Grobe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredibly insightful for individuals that are joining school leadership in restorative justice coordinator or coaching positions!

[Liz Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Katie Florida · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful introduction to the concepts of restorative justice in education, what it is important, and practical considerations for it's implementation. Not a training guide, more a tool to persuade readers if the importance of this topic and give them history and context.

[Kristen Luppino · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sussenct overview with many other resources listed. I learned a lot and made a lot of connections to some PD I've been in and other books I have read. Oh, and have made another list of books to read on similar topics!

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good stuff here. Almost exclusively theory based discussion and writen well enough for me to want to further explore actual strategy and concrete technique.

[Anth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has many points with which I agree, and I’m curious about how Restorative Justice in Education (RJE) could work in a school setting, though it takes a commitment. Toward the end, the book shows two schools who adopt RJE, one whose program excels and the other whose program deteriorates and is abandoned. I think my school district would be the ladder. It takes a commitment from year to year not for one year, and I think a program like this would start with great intentions and end with miserable results.

I was also thinking about how strategies like talking circles sound like a great way to create a sense of community and give students the opportunity for restoration but how hard it would be without co-teacher or smaller class sizes.

It also has to start early. I could see elementary implementation first, then middle school implementation, then high school implementation, which talks to how much of a commitment this kind of program is or should be resourcefully and in longevity.

I do wish this book would have made suggestions that the individual teacher could use in his or her classroom. Most of the approaches the book suggests are school-wise implementation policies.

[Lauren Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

For being a “little book” this book sure does provide a lot of information. The Little Book of Restorative Justice in Education provides the framework, history, some actionable steps, reflections, and many other resources to continue learning. The author states, “Restorative justice in education is not a program; it’s a framework”. It’s a way of living in a learning community that humanizes our students, honors dignity and values the worth and interconnectedness of all people. This book is a great place to begin your journey of restorative justice in education.

[Matthew Provencio · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a high school student, this book really makes me look at the way my school deals with discipline in a different lens. It has inspired me to gift the book to my principal as an act of trying to encourage a different form of dealing with troubled children. I am hoping that I can help the administration see this form of justice from a students point of view and they will understand why it would be a good idea to implement the ideas into the existing system.

[Lizzie Kramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect introduction that gets the gears working in the minds of educator personal on the steps staff in the education sector can do to implement RJE. This principle of “Restorative justice” is needed for “facilitating learning communities that nurture the capacity of people to engage with one another and their environment in a manner that supports and respects they inherent dignity and worth of all”

[LeighAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am presently working on my certification in Trauma and Resilience in Education as well as Restorative Justice in Education. This book, while required reading, is a blessing. The "little books of restorative justice" (do an Amazon search) have proven to be incredibly worthwhile thus far. Evans is no stranger to the research or the experience. Her writing proves there is work to be done, but more importantly, it IS possible and there IS hope.

[Lauren Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This handbook provides a great introduction of restorative justice as a philosophy-framework that should inform practice and undergird the culture of a school. For those well versed in RJE, there may not be groundbreaking information, however as a school social worker I find there are useful examples and activities that would be very useful in collaborating with other educators who are not familiar with RJE.

[Poonam Dubal · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a great intro to restorative practices, definitely check this book out. It has a lot of the basics you need to understand the intent and philosophy behind restorative practices and also looks at the practical applications of restorative practices (e.g. circles, conferences) in different settings.

[Terry Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had higher hopes for this one after reading Fania Davis’s excellent entry in the series. I think perhaps it’s a great introductory text, if you are completely unfamiliar with restorative and relational work, but that’s not where I’m at. The 6th chapter on Repairing Harm and Transforming Conflict and last chapter that drives a little into implementation were most helpful.

[Bob Marcacci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Advocates building relationships as the core of successful instruction—not just relationships with students, but with colleagues, as well. In fact, we probably often do not realize how poorly we exemplify social interactions to our students when we fail to build those relationships successfully with our colleagues.

[Brooke’s Book Daze]

Read this for a college course. Restorative justice is definitely something I would like to use in my future classroom. I do feel like this book seems like more of a starting/ jumping off point. If I wasn’t also talking about it and practicing it in my college course, I’m not sure that reading this alone would suffice - but maybe. I did feel like this book was a little repetitive at times.

[Drick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book puts forth the concept of Restorative Justice in Education (as opposed to the more common Restorative Practices) and outlines the way a Restorative Justice approach to K-12 education call for a significant cultural change in K-12 education

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This talks about restorative justice not just as a discipline practice, but as a system of beliefs, values, and practices.

File under: textbook-esque

Learned about: restorative justice, respect, dignity, teaching

[Lisa Keuss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plenty is packed into this "little book". Provides a solid foundation for understanding the philosophy behind Restorative Justice and is practical enough to encourage a teacher to implement some of the practices.

[Brianna Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utah Public Education needs RJE badly.

These values are based fundamental principles of humane civil conduct. We need more of this. Thank you for your thoughtful work and articulation of principle.

[Patrick McDermott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back from my GoodReads hiatus 🤭 anyway, idk what I was on (Adderall), but I FLEW through this! It provides a great framework for restorative justice in education and a realistic action plan for teachers.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for my Youth Justice Reimagined course this term (Fall 2024). Good overview, especially of the interlocking three principles. Gave some good idea of why my one practical experience in a school was rough.

[Michelle Peet · Rating 4 out of 5]

All educators need to read this.

[Melissa Hodgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a great OVERVIEW of Restorative Justice in Education.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best RJ books for teachers that I've read.

[Kristen Fort · Rating 2 out of 5]

Page 104, about halfway down the page, says all I want to say about the subject.

[Mar · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-5 I enjoyed this book. It is easy to read and outlines the benefits of Restorative justice.

Awesome ideas and great resources. Relationships are key.