New, longer review on my Homeschool site:

Don’t Tell Me I Can’t: An Ambitious Homeschooler’s Journey is among the books that I always recommend first to parents and teens who are interested in homeschooling, especially unschooling.

This is a wonderful book, written by an unschooled teenager who was an unbelievably remarkable kid. Raised in poverty by disabled parents along with his autistic older brother, Kevin Cooper (who wrote online under the name Cole Summers) accomplished so much in his tragically short life.

Kevin’s autobiography was published when he was 14, just before he tragically died in a kayaking accident at a friend’s birthday party. The book details how he had accomplished so much as a rural child who would seem to have so few advantages.

As The Deseret News reported:

At 14, he had just published his autobiography. He was making plans to expand his 350-acre farm to buy up surrounding farms to convert to regenerative agriculture. He was saving money to build a house for his parents and another for his autistic older brother. He was polishing a movie script and a series of children’s books teaching business literacy for kids. He was looking for a celebrity to endorse his line of luxury toiletries made from the milk of his goat herd. He was breeding heritage turkeys. He was writing guest essays for notable bloggers higher up the political food chain. And, in his spare time, he had the task of grading the road to his farm using the John Deere tractor he bought new for himself for his 11th birthday.

In his memoir, Kevin wrote about how his father helped him learn how to teach himself everything he wanted to learn, from financial literacy via Warren Buffet videos to how to buy his own farm and remodel his new kitchen — all as a child.

From the publisher:

Cole is no stranger when it comes to rising to circumstantial challenges. Homeschooled and born into a poor rural family with disabled parents, he started his own farm by age 7. When he was 9 he purchased a 350-acre ranch, and when he was 10, a house. By the time he was 14, he’d forged a plan to tackle the environmental problems of industrial hay farming and aquifer depletion.

It would seem life has prepared Cole for this very calling. His journey through entrepreneurial unschooling has led him through an early path of conquering devastating setbacks on the way to his accomplishments. As you read his story, young Mr. Summers hopes that you find his writings equally eye-opening and inspiring for responding to your own challenges and calling in life.

In the last sentence of the book, Cole wrote, “As wild as it is to have done enough unique things by age 14 to be able to write an autobiography, the truth is, I’m still just getting started.”

This is more than a little heartbreaking, as readers know what would happen soon after. His book is a legacy for the rest of us though, showing how remarkable our children’s lives can be with self directed learning and how much they can accomplish.

Kevin’s voice throughout the book is motivational and uplifting. He gives a road map for how to find out any information you need, follow your dreams, do the work and make things happen.

While I don’t often call books “must reads,” I’d go so far as to say this one should be required reading for all homeschoolers, parents, teachers, environmentalists, entrepreneurs, and… well, everyone.

The loss of Kevin Cooper was a tragic one, but his memoir can help inspire the rest of us to carry on his visions and to give our kids the autonomy to make their own remarkable lives.

You can read Don’t Tell Me I Can’t: An Ambitious Homeschooler’s Journey through your local library or order it on Amazon (affiliate link) or through your local bookseller.

Original Goodreads review:

This is such an amazing book, written by an unschooled teenager who was such a remarkable kid. Raised in poverty by disabled parents, he accomplished so much in his tragically short life. I plan to write a much lengthier review on my homeschooling site, A Magical Homeschool, but I will absolutely say that the book should be required reading for all homeschoolers, parents, teachers, environmentalists, entrepreneurs, and… well, everyone. What a loss his tragic accident was, but his memoir can help inspire the rest of us to carry on his environmental rescue plan for his area and to give our kids the autonomy to make their own remarkable lives.

I read a digital review copy of this book via NetGalley.

This book is inspiring, heartbreaking and written with a maturity beyond his years, Cole Summers tells his story well!
The storyline outlines a young man’s journey, his determination and ability to do what he set his mind to. I found myself turning the pages to hear what else Cole could do!
Cole learns his life skills at home, following his dreams and leaving anyone who reads this book pondering their own life skills and dreams!
An amazing story of an incredibly talented young man!

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and share this amazing book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cole Summers lived more in his fourteen years than most people live in a lifetime. Never accepting being told that he couldn’t do something, he proved many adults wrong with his abilities to do anything he set his mind to. At three he could change a tire on a truck. At four years old he disassembled a truck engine and help rebuild it. At eight he traded some mechanic work for a 1976 Chevy 4x4. At nine he bought his first property, a 350 acre ranch. According to Cole’s dad, he didn’t just think outside of the box, but he ripped up every box he could get his hand on. Cole’s motto was “don’t ever take “can’t” as the answer unless you’ve verified that it is against the law or or against the laws of physics”. While his parents homeschooled him, he was really unschooled. Learning the way that worked best for him. He kept getting up no matter how many times life knocked him down. Growing up poor to a disabled father and a full time caretaker mother, didn’t stop Cole from pursuing his dreams. Cole realized he was different, not smarter, just different. He just thought of things in different ways. At fourteen Cole had big plans for his future. Plans to earn millions of dollars to buy farmland to help avoid an environmental and supply chain disaster. What an extraordinary young man!

Heartbreakingly Cole’s short life met a tragic ending when he was killed in a kayaking accident in the summer of 2022 right after finishing this book😢

In this short book, 14-year-old Cole Summers shares his life journey thus far. From growing up poor with 2 disabled parents, to homeschooling, to becoming a success at a very young age, Cole shows what can happen with hard work, the desire to learn, and the freedom to try new things. Cole admits his learning style and his parents’ training style is not for everyone, and that he is “weird” and “different” from other children. But you can’t look at an ambitious, responsible teen who has worked hard to own multiple vehicles, properties, and businesses (all a result of his unique education) and think they did something wrong. He also seems to stay humble, taking his parents advice and not feeling smarter than anyone else, just given more opportunities in certain areas and a desire to go against the flow. And then he takes on his biggest challenge yet – solving the problem of the rapid decline of the aquifer of the Great Basin Desert that threatens his home and livelihood.
I thought Cole’s story was absolutely amazing. He accomplished in a few short years what most people don’t do in a lifetime – and all before entering high school. I easily read the 120 or so pages in a day and went to Amazon to buy the book to support his continuing ventures. The Amazon listing indicated that Cole (real name Kevin Cooper) passed away in an accident in June 2022, just the month after this book released, at age 14. A quick Google search provided many links to articles, obituaries, and his facebook page. My heart is broken to read about this bright young man gone too soon. He has written other books, including books on business for children, that the family plans to eventually publish. I hope for the chance to read them someday. The audio book is also available on Audible. Cole finished recording it himself just days before he died.
This concise book is a must read for any adult or teen, especially homeschoolers, who want to consider out-of-the-box education and be inspired to make a difference right where they are. I recommend purchasing this book in support of his family and his ongoing influence. May some of our children push against the nay-sayers and status quo and carry on his legacy.
*I received a free copy of this e-book from NetGalley and the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

An inspiring book that will leave readers feeling empowered and motivated to pursue their dreams. The story of Cole Summers is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination, and his journey serves as a reminder that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. The writing is engaging and relatable, and readers are sure to find themselves drawn into Cole's story and inspired by his unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the world. This is a must-read book for anyone looking to overcome adversity and pursue their own calling in life.

An autobiography written by a 14 year old boy who was being (self) home schooled. What an amazing young man. This should be required reading for all who are home schooled ... and really ... it ought to be required reading for all students. Absolutely fantastic!

Published May 2022. Many thanks to NetGalley for making available again for the opportunity to review in exchange for the advance read copy.

A captivating book that tells the story of Cole Summers, a young man who discovers an impending environmental disaster in his community and takes it upon himself to prevent it. The book is a powerful testament to the power of perseverance and determination, showcasing Cole's unique upbringing and entrepreneurial spirit as he navigates the challenges of taking on such a daunting task. The writing is engaging and inspiring, and readers are sure to find themselves rooting for Cole as he fights for what he believes in. This is a must-read book for anyone looking to make a positive impact on the world.