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boipoka's review
3.0
The book started out pretty strong, the witty sign-offs being my special favorite. Jack's kids are hilarious, his frustration entertaining, and his love for teaching shines through it all. Reading about the American elementary education system is also fascinating (it's so much more laid back than India!). I also love the format - quirky emails are so endearing!
But at about three-fourths of the way, the style and content started feeling repetitive and the school year was stretched thin to increase the page count. By the end, the author seems to have run out of all ideas - the award ceremony at the end of the school year read like it had been copy pasted from 'Learn Me Good'.
I would have given this book a 3.5stars, but 4 is too much for it. So 3 it is!
But at about three-fourths of the way, the style and content started feeling repetitive and the school year was stretched thin to increase the page count. By the end, the author seems to have run out of all ideas - the award ceremony at the end of the school year read like it had been copy pasted from 'Learn Me Good'.
I would have given this book a 3.5stars, but 4 is too much for it. So 3 it is!
beccabudd's review against another edition
5.0
Quick read - made me laugh out loud regularly. Loved it.
claudiaswisher's review against another edition
4.0
Fun, true-to-life, with an authentic voice. Often I get impatient with first-year teachers' memoirs...too cute, too smug...too Esme. But this is a hoot. Maybe it's because it's written as emails to a friend--a snarky friend. Pearson entered teaching after he was laid off at his old job. But I never doubted his six city and commitment to his students...
His stories about his students are ones every teacher can smile at, nod his or her head at....we recognize his fear of parent conferences, his sick humor, his frustrations over the testing culture...
The book covers Pearson's first year, ending with the month-long testing frenzy that is Texas third grade...he covers the seasons, the celebrations, the revolving door that public schools are...kids in and kids out...one girl entered his class the day before the testing, and he was held responsible for her scores...
His affection for even the most challenging kids is clear, his desire to be a better teacher is evident. I really like Jack Pearson!
His stories about his students are ones every teacher can smile at, nod his or her head at....we recognize his fear of parent conferences, his sick humor, his frustrations over the testing culture...
The book covers Pearson's first year, ending with the month-long testing frenzy that is Texas third grade...he covers the seasons, the celebrations, the revolving door that public schools are...kids in and kids out...one girl entered his class the day before the testing, and he was held responsible for her scores...
His affection for even the most challenging kids is clear, his desire to be a better teacher is evident. I really like Jack Pearson!
bookworm_mommy's review against another edition
5.0
Engineer turned 3rd grade teacher...what's not to love?
I thought that I might struggle with the format. The entire book is written as emails from teacher, Jack Woodson, to a former coworker at the engineering firm. But that only added to it's appeal.
I literally laughed out loud at many points. As a previous junior high teacher, I could picture so much of it in my mind.
I appreciated how even the frustrating aspects of teaching can be looked at through the lens of humor.
Witty. Sarcastic. Real. A must read for any teacher. A should read for any person.
I thought that I might struggle with the format. The entire book is written as emails from teacher, Jack Woodson, to a former coworker at the engineering firm. But that only added to it's appeal.
I literally laughed out loud at many points. As a previous junior high teacher, I could picture so much of it in my mind.
I appreciated how even the frustrating aspects of teaching can be looked at through the lens of humor.
Witty. Sarcastic. Real. A must read for any teacher. A should read for any person.
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