The number of street children in developed and developing nations is rising, often in the midst of prosperity. These original contributions study and compare the living conditions and educational experiences of homeless children in the United States, Brazil and Cuba. Because social policy and economic factors are central to these children's plight, Mickelson and her contributors employ a political economy perspective to examine the lives of the children and the educational and social programs-successful and unsuccessful-that are designed to serve them. The book examines formal and informal programs, compares and contrasts children's situations in each country, and offers policy recommendations. Throughout the book, case studies are combined with recent statistical and demographic facts about each country. Contributors: Fernanda Goncalves Almeida, Jean Anyon, Lynn G. Beck, Inaia Maria Moreira de Carvalho, Anthony Dewees, Marian Wright Edelman, Ligia Gomes Elliot, Irving Epstein, Maria Luisa Gonzalez, Linda Holman, Ana Huerta-Macias, Martha Knisely Huggins, Steven J. Klees, Lori Korinek, Sheryl L. Lutjens, Myriam P. Mesquita, Virginia Laycock McLaughlin, Roslyn Arlin Mickelson, Nelly de Mendoca Moulin, Rebecca L. Newman, Ralph da Costa Nunez, Vilma Periera, Marc Posner, Amelia Maria Noronha Pessoa de Queiroz, Yvonne Rafferty, Irene Rizzini, Fulvia Rosemberg, Murilo Tadeu Moreira Silva, James H. Stronge, Chriss Walther-Thomas