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The Call to Brilliance: A True Story to Inspire Parents and Educators
A true story that describes the first successful school model where all children excel; it shows how to find a child’s interests, fuel interest into passion, and passion into brilliance. The book abounds in the success stories of children who achieved extraordinary accomplishments, many in spite of ADHD and learning disabilities, and all before the age of eighteen. Original.
311 pages, Paperback
First published January 11, 2007
11 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Resa Steindel Brown
3 books1 followerResa Steindel Brown’s expertise is in building educational processes and environments that enable children to find their passion and develop their individual and innate brilliance. She has been involved in alternative education since 1970 and homeschooling since 1987. She homeschooled her own three children from kindergarten to college.
Resa is credentialed by the State of California through the University of California at Los Angeles. She maintains Elementary, Secondary and Community College credentials in multiple subject areas. She has been teaching for over thirty-six years from kindergarten through the university level. She has a specialized credential in reading and teaches special education and mathematics remediation. Resa received her Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts and Master of Fine Arts from UCLA in Art and Theater Arts with full minors in English and psychology.
Resa is credentialed by the State of California through the University of California at Los Angeles. She maintains Elementary, Secondary and Community College credentials in multiple subject areas. She has been teaching for over thirty-six years from kindergarten through the university level. She has a specialized credential in reading and teaches special education and mathematics remediation. Resa received her Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts and Master of Fine Arts from UCLA in Art and Theater Arts with full minors in English and psychology.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
April 24, 2009
I thought this book would be about how this woman figured out the right path for homeschooling her kid. Basically, it was more metaphysical and philosophical than I needed. yes, there is an interconnected circle between intelligence and life and we can all enjoy reading the philosophical statements ad nauseum, but I really only enjoyed the parts about her actual school and the things the kids learned. and that part was highly glossed over. There were a few details, but not much, and not much given except that she "let them go" and do whatever they felt like doing. I guess since my kid will not naturally self-direct to taking apart computers and learning piano, I really have no use for this book other than to enjoy reading about the way someone else's kid accomplished a lot. My kid would probably become a master at whatever Wii game he could find and then move on to playstation or something. So much for brilliance. On the plus side, when he is older I will probably let my kid follow his own direction for a while and see what happens.
April 22, 2012
Loved it! Loved the quotes, loved the insightful thoughts, loved the story! It changed some of the ways that I teach my children for the better.
May 17, 2017
The author is surely a nice person, but she spends way too much of this book quoting other people. This book is a nice overview of the philosophy behind the unschooling and free, 'risky' play movements, but as a story, it's only so-so. The author jumps from the past to the present a lot, and while she makes it clear what she's doing so it's not confusing, it is annoying. I just wanted to read the story of the company school, that's why I picked this book up again. Unfortunately, that is only discussed briefly. Not worth the time it takes to straight-read it, I skipped all the philosophy stuff this time.
May 15, 2019
Should be required reading for all parents and teachers
The author’s style may not appeal to all readers, but her message is incredibly important in this day of increased focus on testing, when much of the joy of learning and the joy of teaching is disappearing from our schools. Skim some parts if the writing seems to meander, but don’t miss her point. Children are created to be brilliant, unique, differing wildly from one another and probably from what we imagine in our heads when we think of an “educated” child. Give them the space to be brilliant. Don’t kill their passion to learn and grow and live by insisting on conformity to mediocrity.
The author’s style may not appeal to all readers, but her message is incredibly important in this day of increased focus on testing, when much of the joy of learning and the joy of teaching is disappearing from our schools. Skim some parts if the writing seems to meander, but don’t miss her point. Children are created to be brilliant, unique, differing wildly from one another and probably from what we imagine in our heads when we think of an “educated” child. Give them the space to be brilliant. Don’t kill their passion to learn and grow and live by insisting on conformity to mediocrity.
January 30, 2009
My interview with Resa Steindel Brown -
Book Title: The Call to Brilliance by Resa Steindel Brown
Published by: fredric press.
Release Date: January, 2007
What inspired you to write the book?
My children inspire me. They have shown me who we are at birth and how we can bring that miraculous divinely inspired being into adult life. They encouraged me to document our experiences so that others may benefit from our journey.
What is your favorite chapter in the book – and why?
“Stephen,Just Stephen” I enjoy reading about Stephen as an adult. It shows how the ‘chaos’ he was so good at creating as a child has facilitated him as an international entrepreneur with a big heart. It shows how what might appear to be our worst challenges can become our greatest strengths.
Do you have other books you have written? If yes, what are they?
I am currently working on a manual that well help others put their own journey into process.
Is there a particular event that stands out to you that helped you become an author? I would have been a writer, but not a published author, had it not been for the faith, dedication, and vision of my youngest son, Matthew. Had he not taken the document, published it, promoted it and passionately believed in the message it brings into the world, it would never have become a book. It would still have been a document sitting in hundreds of files buried in my computer, and I would still be someone who writes, but not an author.
Was there a person in your life that believed in you even more than you believed in yourself? If so – who was that person? When editing this book (20 years of writing) seemed like an impossible job, my husband just wouldn’t let me give up. Every night I went to bed feeling overly tired and overwhelmed. Every morning, sitting on my nightstand, was a gift…a love note and a new round of edits.
What advice would you give to writers wishing to have their works published?
Don’t quit.
Who is your favorite author?
I don’t have just one favorite. I read different books for different reasons. I really respect William Glasser, M.D., Joseph Chilton Pearce, Thomas Moore, Parker Palmer and a number of others who focus on the issues I think are vital to the way we see life and raise our young.
Do you have an author website? What is it?
Our website is http://www.thecalltobrilliance.com/
What is your favorite quote?
“Follow your bliss.” - Joseph Campbell.
Book Title: The Call to Brilliance by Resa Steindel Brown
Published by: fredric press.
Release Date: January, 2007
What inspired you to write the book?
My children inspire me. They have shown me who we are at birth and how we can bring that miraculous divinely inspired being into adult life. They encouraged me to document our experiences so that others may benefit from our journey.
What is your favorite chapter in the book – and why?
“Stephen,Just Stephen” I enjoy reading about Stephen as an adult. It shows how the ‘chaos’ he was so good at creating as a child has facilitated him as an international entrepreneur with a big heart. It shows how what might appear to be our worst challenges can become our greatest strengths.
Do you have other books you have written? If yes, what are they?
I am currently working on a manual that well help others put their own journey into process.
Is there a particular event that stands out to you that helped you become an author? I would have been a writer, but not a published author, had it not been for the faith, dedication, and vision of my youngest son, Matthew. Had he not taken the document, published it, promoted it and passionately believed in the message it brings into the world, it would never have become a book. It would still have been a document sitting in hundreds of files buried in my computer, and I would still be someone who writes, but not an author.
Was there a person in your life that believed in you even more than you believed in yourself? If so – who was that person? When editing this book (20 years of writing) seemed like an impossible job, my husband just wouldn’t let me give up. Every night I went to bed feeling overly tired and overwhelmed. Every morning, sitting on my nightstand, was a gift…a love note and a new round of edits.
What advice would you give to writers wishing to have their works published?
Don’t quit.
Who is your favorite author?
I don’t have just one favorite. I read different books for different reasons. I really respect William Glasser, M.D., Joseph Chilton Pearce, Thomas Moore, Parker Palmer and a number of others who focus on the issues I think are vital to the way we see life and raise our young.
Do you have an author website? What is it?
Our website is http://www.thecalltobrilliance.com/
What is your favorite quote?
“Follow your bliss.” - Joseph Campbell.
June 30, 2009
This book was fantastic! When I first checked it out I thought it was going to be more of a "how to" book, but it was more of her personal journey with her children through Montessory schools, homeschooling, and a private school which resulted with many gifted children going to college in their early and pre-teens. The Private school was founded by her cousin and her husband for their employees, and was offered as a benefit. It was very child- oriented, the children worked together on many projects, and ultimately hired and let go the teachers to fit their needs. She speaks of the contagious passion the teachers had for their field. It's hard to find that passion if you're not looking for it. Her children indeed grew up to be brilliant, and sometimes the mother's pride was a bit too evident, but I'd be proud too.
One thing especially applicable to me was their experience with the music teachers. Many of them were skilled, but they lacked passion, and their approach led to frustration and tears and they ultimately let the teacher go. Then they met Carol, a prodigy of Bernsteins, who believed that if the children could hear it, they could play it. If they could play it, they could learn to compose and write it, and if they could write it, they could read it. My own experience in Jazz band has led me to question the traditional approach I use with my students, and I have been considering and researching a more classical approach. Maybe reading this was what I needed to give me the confidence to jump in the water and try it.
This book is a "feel good" book, not one to help you plan a curriculum, but one to remind you why involvement in your child's education is so important in the first place, and for homeschoolers, why it is that we do what we do.
One thing especially applicable to me was their experience with the music teachers. Many of them were skilled, but they lacked passion, and their approach led to frustration and tears and they ultimately let the teacher go. Then they met Carol, a prodigy of Bernsteins, who believed that if the children could hear it, they could play it. If they could play it, they could learn to compose and write it, and if they could write it, they could read it. My own experience in Jazz band has led me to question the traditional approach I use with my students, and I have been considering and researching a more classical approach. Maybe reading this was what I needed to give me the confidence to jump in the water and try it.
This book is a "feel good" book, not one to help you plan a curriculum, but one to remind you why involvement in your child's education is so important in the first place, and for homeschoolers, why it is that we do what we do.
January 22, 2009
A friend and trusted homeschooling companion recommended this to me...
As I had just finished Howard Fast's historical novel "Spartacus" when I picked this book up, my reading of it was affected by a sort of pseudo-utopian/communist lens. I typically bristle at the naivete of utopian thinkers, so the timing of this book was really rather fortuitous.
I saw "Spartacus" in Brown's analysis of the failures of our contemporary education sytem that stem largely from a misconception of what it means to be fully human. "Spartacus" was further revealed in Brown's contention that intelligence of the heart, not intellect forms the foundation for the survival of civilation. This is perhaps the achielles heal that Spartacus was able to expose in his war against the strongest political/military force the world had ever known. However, Brown's analysis is necessarily more sophisticated, and Spartacus' understanding was shallow. Where Spartacus believed that life in itself was actualization, Brown knows that life is love and love is life. Only in love, and with love can one be fully human, and attain Spartacus' greatest desire, freedom.
I appreciate Brown's "A Call to Brilliance," because I dream of being able to "draw out" my own children's true passion and brilliance. It is an inspiring guide to living an education that is filled with freedom, passion, and love. I only pray that it is also a practicel guide in so far as I am able to relax standards of neatness, order, competitiveness, and my own preconceived notions of what it is to be good, happy, content, and educated.
As I had just finished Howard Fast's historical novel "Spartacus" when I picked this book up, my reading of it was affected by a sort of pseudo-utopian/communist lens. I typically bristle at the naivete of utopian thinkers, so the timing of this book was really rather fortuitous.
I saw "Spartacus" in Brown's analysis of the failures of our contemporary education sytem that stem largely from a misconception of what it means to be fully human. "Spartacus" was further revealed in Brown's contention that intelligence of the heart, not intellect forms the foundation for the survival of civilation. This is perhaps the achielles heal that Spartacus was able to expose in his war against the strongest political/military force the world had ever known. However, Brown's analysis is necessarily more sophisticated, and Spartacus' understanding was shallow. Where Spartacus believed that life in itself was actualization, Brown knows that life is love and love is life. Only in love, and with love can one be fully human, and attain Spartacus' greatest desire, freedom.
I appreciate Brown's "A Call to Brilliance," because I dream of being able to "draw out" my own children's true passion and brilliance. It is an inspiring guide to living an education that is filled with freedom, passion, and love. I only pray that it is also a practicel guide in so far as I am able to relax standards of neatness, order, competitiveness, and my own preconceived notions of what it is to be good, happy, content, and educated.
May 21, 2011
I was torn whether to give this book 2 or 3 stars so I guess it's 2.5.
I was somewhat disappointed with this book. I had heard really good things about it in home education circles and I had the impression that the author was a home educator. I expected this book to give me lots of information about how she home educated her children. My disappointed was probably largely due to the fact that I had a specific purpose for reading this book - namely to find out about the home education philosophy and methodology used to achieve brilliance. The book didn't do this. In fact, the author only home educated her children for a very short time and there was very little detail about how her children were educated.
This is what I know about Resa's children's education from the book: they attended a Montessori school, then were briefly home educated before they went to another Montessori inspired school set up in the work place of one of Resa's friends. The children had a lot of freedom in their education and followed their passions. That's it. Not alot. The first 150 pages of the book were about Resa educational path; her various degrees ect and the insights they provided. Then much of the rest of the book was about how amazing her kids were as adults, but without the all important part of how they got that way.
I found the spiritual aspect of the book interesting and I will definitely be reading many of the books that are in the references, but I didn't find it a useful read, or particularly inspiring as it lacked the how to element I was looking for. I do hope my kids turn out like Resa's though.
I was somewhat disappointed with this book. I had heard really good things about it in home education circles and I had the impression that the author was a home educator. I expected this book to give me lots of information about how she home educated her children. My disappointed was probably largely due to the fact that I had a specific purpose for reading this book - namely to find out about the home education philosophy and methodology used to achieve brilliance. The book didn't do this. In fact, the author only home educated her children for a very short time and there was very little detail about how her children were educated.
This is what I know about Resa's children's education from the book: they attended a Montessori school, then were briefly home educated before they went to another Montessori inspired school set up in the work place of one of Resa's friends. The children had a lot of freedom in their education and followed their passions. That's it. Not alot. The first 150 pages of the book were about Resa educational path; her various degrees ect and the insights they provided. Then much of the rest of the book was about how amazing her kids were as adults, but without the all important part of how they got that way.
I found the spiritual aspect of the book interesting and I will definitely be reading many of the books that are in the references, but I didn't find it a useful read, or particularly inspiring as it lacked the how to element I was looking for. I do hope my kids turn out like Resa's though.
May 26, 2008
This book affirmed all that I believe about education. It is not about the pouring of knowledge into a pail, but the lighting of a fire! The word "education" is derived from the latin word "educo" which means to draw out. I have always believed that each of us comes to earth as a unique being blessed with talents, skills, and abilities. As parents and educators, our goal should be to help draw out, or educe these gifts from each individual to best help each child develop into a purposeful, well educated and useful individual who readily uses their gifts and talents to serve others, give glory to God and complete the mission he or she was sent to achieve.
This book is the true story of a family who set out to recognize and cultivate the unique brilliance in each of their children and were rewarded with amazing results as their children blossomed into truly brilliant, whole and contributing individuals. It was very inspiring to hear the contrast in the mother's education to that she provided for her children. Nearly all of her children were in college at 13, studying more in depth, the interests they were truly passionate about.
Whichever method you choose to educate your children, this book will have you excited to do it!
This book is the true story of a family who set out to recognize and cultivate the unique brilliance in each of their children and were rewarded with amazing results as their children blossomed into truly brilliant, whole and contributing individuals. It was very inspiring to hear the contrast in the mother's education to that she provided for her children. Nearly all of her children were in college at 13, studying more in depth, the interests they were truly passionate about.
Whichever method you choose to educate your children, this book will have you excited to do it!
September 17, 2010
I was excited to read this book as I have been doing lots of research on schooling in America.
I really do not like this book. I mean, I am all for small homeschool groups, but holy crap lady, get over yourself! It's like she wrote this for the express purpose of bragging about how brilliant her kids are and how advanced they are and holy crap they got into college at age 11 and aren't they geniuses? What I want to know is, if your daughter is such a genius, why are you hanging around at her study groups 24/7? Don't you have something better to do? I mean, the daughter has her own apartment so you'd think she'd be old enough to study without Mommy hanging around. Yuck.
I wanted to like this book, but after a while it just really started to annoy me. It was ridiculously repetitive too, not just about how amazing her kids are but the actual information was stated over again at least 3 times. So yay, now I know how brilliant the Browns are and yippee skippy for them. Bleh.
I really do not like this book. I mean, I am all for small homeschool groups, but holy crap lady, get over yourself! It's like she wrote this for the express purpose of bragging about how brilliant her kids are and how advanced they are and holy crap they got into college at age 11 and aren't they geniuses? What I want to know is, if your daughter is such a genius, why are you hanging around at her study groups 24/7? Don't you have something better to do? I mean, the daughter has her own apartment so you'd think she'd be old enough to study without Mommy hanging around. Yuck.
I wanted to like this book, but after a while it just really started to annoy me. It was ridiculously repetitive too, not just about how amazing her kids are but the actual information was stated over again at least 3 times. So yay, now I know how brilliant the Browns are and yippee skippy for them. Bleh.
February 2, 2015
Here's another book that makes me wonder if I've been doing my whole life wrong. This book tells the story of one family's journey to educate their children outside the confines of the traditional system. It's kind of a funky read, in that it is part biography/memoir, part poetry, and part bibliography of educational philosophy. At times I was drawn to the touchy-feely aspects of the books, and other times it felt sappy. But I was absolutely intrigued by the idea of letting children pave their own way without a forced curriculum. Ultimately this story of an impressive family inspires me to think about education in new ways. And kind of makes me want to move to the forest and let the trees raise my children (which is not what the family in the book did, BTW).
September 29, 2008
If I could give a rating in two categories, I would rate a 5 for content, but a 3 for perseveration in writing. I loved the central idea in this book that all people are born with brilliance in certain areas; the challenge is finding those areas and then giving children the tools to shine. I thought, however, that the commentary on this idea was a bit laborious at times. If you want to be inspired and think about your children in a new light, this a great read. Just skim through the monotonous parts.
July 11, 2008
Lots of inspirational language not particularly practical. If you like the ideas of Maria Montessori, Charlotte Mason, etc you will find that this author is right down that alley. She gives her own experiences mixed with lots of quotes from other like-minded authors. We can all do better to appreciate the unique strengths of our children and those we teach especially if they have learning disabilities that make it hard for them to integrate into a traditional classroom.
April 13, 2008
This was written by a woman who says she homeschooled her 3 children though it sounds like she started a small school in her family's small factory and hired a Montessori teacher. In any case, she has a wonderful attitude toward children and life and the book spoke to me. She quoted many familiar and unfamiliar writers and sources.
August 6, 2008
This book is an incredible story of what kind of an education we all deserve. We are all meant to be brilliant and this book shows us one way a family nutured their 3 children to shine. There are so many gems in this book. It is a must read. It changed the way I look at my children and the way they learn. I would highly recommend this to anyone.
June 2, 2010
I'm only a few chapters into this book and already I have disagreed with vehemence and agreed passionately. The constant quoting and referencing to other books and authors is getting old very quickly, but I appreciate the views all the way around. I'm interested enough to keep going but bugged enough to skim when needed.
June 25, 2010
Very inspiring; just wish it gave more practical details of HOW they carried out this inspiring vision. Like, nuts and bolts. Hard not to be convinced that every child is gifted and just needs to not be messed with too much. :-) Most important take-home message, I think, was to put the relationship with your child above every detail of their education.
March 10, 2011
This book was a great read for me right now. I recommend it to any parent who seeks direction in helping their children find their true greatness, their mission in life. The only disappointment is that it is nearly impossible for me to give my children the perfect environment to discover their potential, however, I gained some good insight into how I can communicate with them and mentor them!
August 10, 2012
2012 Booklist
I found it difficult to follow the author, as she jumps from present to past without (it seemed to me)rhyme or reason.
I did find the description of the G.T Water school to be hugely inspiring; and descriptions of her eldest son (when he was younger) reminded me of my own son - so I found his particular path to be quite encouraging...
I found it difficult to follow the author, as she jumps from present to past without (it seemed to me)rhyme or reason.
I did find the description of the G.T Water school to be hugely inspiring; and descriptions of her eldest son (when he was younger) reminded me of my own son - so I found his particular path to be quite encouraging...
Currently Reading
March 16, 2008I saw this book on the morning news when they were doing a story on homeschooling and the Thomas Jefferson Education. So far, it's very good. It seems to be a must read for parents who embrace the Thomas Jefferson Method.
August 20, 2008
I just started it, but it is very thought provoking. It is a book on how to educate. It seems to add to and really deepen my thoughts on education. I am looking into home schooling my kids, and it is a gread read so far.
January 9, 2009
AMAZING! So well researched, but yet it is most akin to a memoir. Really, there's nothing like it. It is the capstone to all the reading I've been doing about the education system and alternatives. The BEST. I'm so inspired!
January 23, 2009
My favorite quote from this book is "to educate means to 'draw out' not to 'put in'". This book taught me the importance of listening to our children as we try to help them discover some of their God given gifts and passions.
July 9, 2009
Some really wonderful insights about love and caring for children. Often a little extreme points of view regarding the wrongs of public schooling and I didn't really like the format of going back in time then present etc.
August 28, 2010
Another book I didn't finish. This was really strangely written. There may have been a good message in there, but it was so odd, and poorly written, I couldn't move past the first few pages/chapters.
July 30, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend it not just to homeschoolers, but also anyone who would be interested in letting children pursue their passions. I really appreciated the thought that children are not empty vessels to be filled but already complete.
Want to Read
March 7, 2008I ordered this book today. Have any of you read it? Do you know anything about the Thomas Jefferson and Mason methods/curriculum?
April 11, 2008
I wasn't expecting a memoir, but more of a why/how-to inspire brilliance in ourselves and children. But it is mostly a memoir, so I was a little thrown off. I'll have to read it again.
June 7, 2008
I would give this a 10! A book I would highly recommend to everyone who cares about their kids and their futures. It has altered my thinking about so many things.
September 7, 2008
This book is very interesting and gives a good insight into children's minds and learning styles. I definitely recognized many of my children's traits.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews