Beth Kephart

Beyond Harvard and the SATs

In "Seeing Past Z," Beth Kephart argues that ambitious parents are smothering their kids' creativity with lessons, activities and schedules.

By Katy Read August 5, 2004
The rubble-rouser

The matriarch of a coffee farm sets out to rebuild her home and town after the devastating earthquake in El Salvador.

By Beth Kephart January 24, 2001
"Into the Tangle of Friendship" by Beth Kephart

A memoir that celebrates the most ubiquitous, least definable passion.

By Elizabeth Judd September 14, 2000
Letters to the editor

Readers clash over McCain's use of "gook" Plus: Splitting up siblings heartbreakingly common; the thrill of playing God with a Sim family.

Letters to the editor February 19, 2000
It's how they take you anywhere

A Rudyard Kipling story is all I need to transport an after-school classroom of rowdy 9-year-olds.

By Beth Kephart February 16, 2000
Into the belly of the earth

A cave in southwest France illuminates some of life's deeper secrets.

By Beth Kephart November 29, 1999
Cool. Dark. Moist.

At the height of a drought, when even spiders beg for a drink, thoughts drift to the basement visits of childhood.

By Beth Kephart September 9, 1999
The bad seed

In "Cries Unheard," Gitta Sereny wants to prove that children are not monsters. She only partially succeeds.

By Beth Kephart April 14, 1999
See no evil

Vivian Paley's belief in the inherent kindness of children makes her ill-equipped to explain their unkind behavior.

By Beth Kephart April 14, 1999
A Slant Of Sun: One Child's Courage

Katherine Wolff reviews 'A Slant of Sun' by Beth Kephart.

By Katherine Wolff November 16, 1998
Who needs experts?

Our children are more magical and far more precious than the reductionist equation 'genes plus peers.'

By Beth Kephart September 18, 1998
A melody of his own making

I tell myself we're managing. I tell myself we're happy. In the meantime, my son's terror of strangers is breaking my heart.

By Beth Kephart August 21, 1998