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purrfectpages's review against another edition
4.0
This book might not be as well received amongst non educators. However, as a teacher in a district very similar to the one depicted in this book, I have to say I totally related. I found myself laughing at its sad, yet realistic absurdity. It meanders a bit towards the end, but never lost me. I’ve always said there should be more fiction novels written about the world of education. I’d recommend all educators give this one a chance.
k8tist's review against another edition
5.0
Just like teaching
Totally captures the teaching experience and the burnout culture of schools trying to overcome situational, unyielding obstacles to get or maintain AYP. Really felt the way I did at the end of a year in this setting at the end of the book.
Totally captures the teaching experience and the burnout culture of schools trying to overcome situational, unyielding obstacles to get or maintain AYP. Really felt the way I did at the end of a year in this setting at the end of the book.
copusb's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
mindfullibrarian's review
5.0
(Free review copy from NetGalley)
This highly satirical novel set in a Texas public high school is absolutely hilarious and a perfect fit for anyone in the education world.....at least those who can see the current test-heavy state of ed for the insanity that it is. Pitch perfect, biting and incredibly relatable, this was an amazing book to inhale in my first few days back to teacher inservice. If you aren’t a teacher, definitely give it a shot, but do know that the majority of the humor may not be apparent.
This highly satirical novel set in a Texas public high school is absolutely hilarious and a perfect fit for anyone in the education world.....at least those who can see the current test-heavy state of ed for the insanity that it is. Pitch perfect, biting and incredibly relatable, this was an amazing book to inhale in my first few days back to teacher inservice. If you aren’t a teacher, definitely give it a shot, but do know that the majority of the humor may not be apparent.
heather425's review against another edition
4.0
Adequate Yearly Progress is a great tongue in cheek story about working in a school today. The author’s experience in schools is obvious from the stereotypes she portrays to perfection. The over eager assistant principal, the different teachers, the disinterested students, and all the crazy acronyms are all present in today’s school setting. I spent almost a decade working as a school counselor and burned out more from the constant changes in bureaucracy than working with the students. Constant meetings, paperwork, and trainings meant less time supporting the students. This book is perfect if you work in a school. And if you don’t it’s still great to see how impossible we’ve made teaching as a profession. Teachers are under paid, underappreciated, and over blamed for society’s problems.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
amndadms's review against another edition
1.0
I want to preface by saying that I am not an educator, nor do I have a desire to be an educator. I chose this book because the description reminded me of the show Abott Elementary — I thought it was going to be a quick, funny read. I was mistaken. It took me a week to read this because I kept getting a little bored. If I was an educator I would’ve related, thus enjoyed, the book more. It was well written. I just did not relate.
atlas1327's review against another edition
It was boring. And maybe more suited for American teachers, less for European teachers.
sde's review against another edition
3.0
Fun book that MAYBE is satire, but is so true to what my kids have experienced in their urban schools (minus the Teach for America types, which they don't have), that I hesitate to call it satire. It is often so true to life that it is both funny and not funny at the same time because our teachers and kids are actually experiencing this horrible stuff. For example, when the kids have to circle words that will tell them whether something is past or future tense, when they are given directions on how to write a "good" essay on the standardized tests, or when they have to say what the author's purpose is. Just a couple of months ago my daughter was working with a kid she is mentoring on the last thing. The boy had to determine whether the author's purpose was to explain, argue a point or entertain. The answer was supposed to be "to entertain." The kid took umbrage at that because the reading "wasn't entertaining at all."
It can seem as though the author is relying on stereotypes, except that I have encountered almost every person depicted in the book.
This was hard to rate. If you haven't had direct contact with schools, especially urban schools, in the past 10 years or so, this book might seem really dull or forced. The humor is very specific to this setting.
This book was not closely edited. There were some obvious typos, which made me wonder what else was missed. There were a number of things that could be considered offensive in it, but I think that was supposed to be part of the satire.
It can seem as though the author is relying on stereotypes, except that I have encountered almost every person depicted in the book.
This was hard to rate. If you haven't had direct contact with schools, especially urban schools, in the past 10 years or so, this book might seem really dull or forced. The humor is very specific to this setting.
This book was not closely edited. There were some obvious typos, which made me wonder what else was missed. There were a number of things that could be considered offensive in it, but I think that was supposed to be part of the satire.
heremireadz's review against another edition
4.0
This satirical look at the modern day school and classroom reveals the challenges of the education world today while also humanizing teachers in a departure from the "teacher as savior" narrative. Teachers and other school workers from any district, state, type of school (urban, suburban, charter, etc.) will relate to the pressures, expectations, and stereotypes Elden's characters face in and out of the school setting, and may even see a reflection of themselves or a colleague in one of the main characters. The specific school wide "initiatives" and experiences of the characters are exaggerated while also being eerily realistic, an impressive feat.
Everyone's had a teacher, so everyone thinks they know what it's like to be one- but unless you live it, you have no idea. Reading this book might give non-teachers a small glimpse into that world.
*I received an ARL copy of this book for free in a Goodreads giveaway.
Everyone's had a teacher, so everyone thinks they know what it's like to be one- but unless you live it, you have no idea. Reading this book might give non-teachers a small glimpse into that world.
*I received an ARL copy of this book for free in a Goodreads giveaway.