"MY SCHOOL IN THE RAIN FOREST: How Children Attend School Around the World," by Margaret Ruurs, Boyds Mill Press, $17.95

This week, many children will be picking up overstuffed backpacks and returning to school.

But thousands of children around the world go to class on a boat, live in boarding schools, study in remote forests or interact with a teacher miles away by Internet. Some have a few supplies, most have none.

Margaret Ruurs provides a unique look at 12 classrooms and the children from many cultures who attend school when they can.

For example, in Shim Kalay, Afghanistan, a wall was built around a tiny school (with 50 students to a class) where thousands of children learned to read and write — even girls who were traditionally not allowed to attend.

But warfare took its toll; the wall and the school was demolished. Without a school the children of Shim Kalay must travel long distances to attend classes in other towns, but only when it is safe to do so.

Many children live far apart in the outback of Australia. One place is the Alice Springs School of the Air, where assignments and interaction with the teacher and a few other classmates is by radio, computer and Internet.

In Siem Reap, Cambodia, thousands of people live on floating homes. Therefore the children travel by boat to their school, which is a floating building on the Tonke Sap Lake.

In Neyyardam, India, the children walk almost two miles to school every day. Their school is a spot in the jungle with a smooth dirt floor sheltered by walls of lush green plants. During monsoon season, the children huddle under umbrellas for daily lessons.

The MV Anastasis is a hospital ship providing free health care to developing countries. Children of the medical staff and ship crew attend regular classes called Mercy Ship Academy. One benefit of their study is the ability to visit the many countries where the ship is docked.

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Boarding schools are common in Scotland. One such is the Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, a very old facility housed in a 15th century castle.

"My School in the Rain Forest" is an example of private and public schools, home-taught classes, schools in monasteries with walls and classes in the open air. Most interesting are the facts about volunteers and international involvement to make the schools for children around the world a reality.

Although sites may vary, there is an underlying message of hope to teach boys and girls everywhere so that they can improve their lives and those of their families.

e-mail: marilou.sorensen@att.net

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