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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt
It wasn't amazingly written, but the content more than made up for it. It's about a special education teacher who has a class of four distinctly individual "problem children". The character of each of the children really come through the writing, it's absolutely fantastic. Must admit, the end made me cry (but that's not actually hard to do).
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
Well, that ripped my heart out. Forty years after the original publication of this book, I am struck by both the dramatic changes in the way we approach special education and the sad realities of the remaining similarities. I am also painfully aware of how much Hayden gives up for her job and how meaningful it is to her. What is it worth to make small changes in the lives of a few children? That's the question of my life, isn't it?
I read this book as a teen many times over and then re-read it as a young adult. It opened up my eyes on the different issues that my peers were dealing with (when I read it as a teen) and I was drawn in by the teacher (Torey L. Hayden) who never gave up on the children. It resonated with me and now, all these years later, I have worked many years in the field doing similar work. I find the book raw, truthful and inspirational. Well written and highly recommended.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Man. It was absolutely amazing and inspiring. Brb while I fucking sob.
4.5 stars. Excellent as always, Hayden’s writing gripped me. My heart ached and wept (and not just my heart cried) for each of her students and the tremendously difficult yet beautiful reality of her part as a teacher in their stories. The raw and gut-wrenching is interspersed with rich and heart-warming for an exquisite work once again. Be aware of some dated language and methods from the 80’s as well as language throughout.