Each chapter of John T. Smith’s book tackles one of twelve key questions about ‘the nature of childhood and on the comparative responsibilities and rights of parents, politicians and teachers to nurture young people’ (xi). Each question is framed both historically and contextually, with many generating as much heated debate today as they did in the past. The book covers a broad range of topics from the contested nature of childhood in Chapter one to what schools might be like in the future in Chapter twelve. This book is of particular relevance to trainee teachers, however, as Smith points out, it is also of equal importance to ‘the general reader, the parent and indeed anyone who might wish to hold schools and politicians to account’ (xii). The following review gives a brief commentary on each chapter ending with a summary of why the book is an essential read.