Shadow Lessons

"Bonnell takes us into an at-risk school with both sacred and kick-ass prose that weaves Steinbeck-like storytelling with art theory, history, practice, and pedagogy. Everyone in need of reconnecting with his or her own humanity should read this book."

--Stephen Knudsen, contributing editor and critic, ARTPULSE Magazine



"I found myself reading Shadow Lessons very slowly. When I finally finished I realized why. I just didn't want it to end."

--Phil Ginsburg, writer and performer



"Read, weep, enjoy, and learn. Shadow Lessons is a lot like Bonnell's sacred art: both offer fresh, new, and sometimes hard insights."

--Steve Starr, photojournalist and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for News Photography (1970)



"Shadow Lessons paints an intimate, candid, and harrowing portrait of a desperate corner of America, where dire circumstances mock the very idea of hope. In the midst of this bleak landscape, Bonnell introduces us to one remarkable character after another--with compassion, humility, and humor--and ultimately reveals the indomitability of the human spirit in the face of crushing adversity. An unforgettable read."

--John Edmark, lecturer, Stanford University