"A Light Shines in Harlem" tells the fascinating story of the Sisulu-Walker Charter School of Harlem, the first charter school in New York. It is a true-to-life inspirational tale of how a hero of the civil rights movement, a Wall Street star, educators, inner-city activists, parents, and students all joined together to create a groundbreaking school that, in its best years, far outperformed other schools in the neighborhoods in which most of its children lived. This book also discusses the most recent research and issues facing the charter movement, describing the strengths and weaknesses of charter schools and how lessons from them can be applied to other schools. The result is not only the gripping inside narrative of how one school fought to succeed despite the odds but also an illuminating glimpse into the future of American education.