Annette Lareau Books

A down-to-earth, practical guide for interview and participant observation and analysis.

Resettled refugees in America face a land of daunting obstacles where small things—one person, one encounter—can make all the difference in getting ahead or falling behind. Fleeing war and violence, many refugees dream that moving to the United States will be like going to Heaven. Instead, they enter a deeply unequal American society, often at the bottom. Through the lived experiences of families resettled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Blair Sackett and Annette Lareau reveal how a daunting obstacle course of agencies and services can drastically alter refugees’ experiences building a new life in America. In these stories of struggle and hope, as one volunteer said, “you see the American story.” For some families, minor mistakes create catastrophes—food stamps cut off, educational opportunities missed, benefits lost. Other families, with the help of volunteers and social supports, escape these traps and take steps toward reaching their dreams. Engaging and eye-opening, We Thought It Would Be Heaven brings readers into the daily lives of Congolese refugees and offers guidance for how activists, workers, and policymakers can help refugee families thrive.

Class does make a difference in the lives and futures of American children. Drawing on observations of black and white middle-class, working-class, and poor families, this title explores this fact, offering a picture of childhood. It focuses on the frenetic families managing their children's hectic schedules of 'leisure' activities.

The new edition of Lareau's ethnography offers a contemporary perspective by addressing critical challenges educators face in the early 21st century. It situates the original research within current educational debates, enhancing its relevance and applicability to modern teaching practices and societal issues.