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charireads's review against another edition
4.0
This author captures what it's like to teach to the detail! From comments, professional development, student behaviors, data binders, to even waiting in line for the microwave during our 30 minute lunch. Highly enjoyable and definitely relatable!
janaebeaver's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
joliebeth23's review
4.0
As someone who spent 18 years teaching in public schools before moving on to an independent school, this book was hilariously accurate regarding the lives of teachers today caught up in each educational fad some misguided politician or superintendent wants to foist upon them. I laughed out loud at multiple points. The characters seemed real based on teachers I've worked with, and the situations with students were also prescient. Any teacher will enjoy reading this fictional novel that honestly could be labeled "nonfiction," since most teachers will find it all too real.
sarahreadsinin's review
5.0
5 stars for realistic portrayals of teachers
I’m not sure how much non-educators would enjoy this book, but I adored it. I kept wanting to highlight full pages because so many reactions snd emotions rang true to me. I feel that Ms. Elden really conveyed well so many different types of teachers. But the thing they all had in common- they all wanted their students to succeed in life.
I’m not sure how much non-educators would enjoy this book, but I adored it. I kept wanting to highlight full pages because so many reactions snd emotions rang true to me. I feel that Ms. Elden really conveyed well so many different types of teachers. But the thing they all had in common- they all wanted their students to succeed in life.
stay_bardo's review
4.0
As a teacher, this book really hits the nail on the head with the thoughts, feelings, and situations that teachers go through at work. The book had me laughing for the vast majority of it thinking “yup that happened to me too.” Very easy read. Very relatable characters.
mollyfischfriedman's review against another edition
3.0
For a satire about a school struggling to meet ever-moving achievement targets pegged to test scores, I enjoyed reading this. Some of the characterization felt very exaggerated - from the new teacher who was only there for a two-year stint to the football coach whose whole life revolved around football to the Black and brown students feeling pretty stereotypical - but also it was just real enough to make it work for the most part. As soon as I finished the book, I felt a little let-down by how the book just ended without much closure, but after sitting on it, I decided that actually felt more realistic (plus, the epilogue was smartly done).
One more gripe: Lena was written to come across like a strong female character, but I'm not sure that she passes the Bechdel test.
One more gripe: Lena was written to come across like a strong female character, but I'm not sure that she passes the Bechdel test.
wildflowerz76's review against another edition
2.0
I received a digital ARC of this title from Edelweiss for an honest review.
The faculty at a high school in a large city in Texas has always gotten by pretty well. But when a new superintendent is named, it throws everyone's life into havoc. There's the spoken word artist English teacher, the science teacher that's always ignored all those directives to teach test taking, the second year history teacher dying to do everything perfectly for her students and the math teacher who will follow every rule perfectly and judge all the other teachers who don't.
Teachers in the public school system will undoubtedly find much content that is familiar here in this book. You'll find yourself nodding along as you read.
However. While even as someone who never has been, nor never will be a teacher, I can see the similarities with our public school system, it still doesn't hide the fact that this book really has no plot. Nothing much actually happens in this book and while the blurbs for this call it “laugh-out-loud funny satire” (Forbes), I found it to be decidedly unfunny. Most of the teachers and administration here were awful.
The faculty at a high school in a large city in Texas has always gotten by pretty well. But when a new superintendent is named, it throws everyone's life into havoc. There's the spoken word artist English teacher, the science teacher that's always ignored all those directives to teach test taking, the second year history teacher dying to do everything perfectly for her students and the math teacher who will follow every rule perfectly and judge all the other teachers who don't.
Teachers in the public school system will undoubtedly find much content that is familiar here in this book. You'll find yourself nodding along as you read.
However. While even as someone who never has been, nor never will be a teacher, I can see the similarities with our public school system, it still doesn't hide the fact that this book really has no plot. Nothing much actually happens in this book and while the blurbs for this call it “laugh-out-loud funny satire” (Forbes), I found it to be decidedly unfunny. Most of the teachers and administration here were awful.
what_risa_is_reading's review against another edition
funny
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.0
karibaumann's review
4.0
Well, this hit close to home! If you have ever worked as a teacher, you will completely relate to the ridiculous initiatives, the inexperienced "experts," and every single thing that Elden skews about school culture. It's a satirical novel about education but I actually recommend it for people who aren't teachers. In some ways it is too real for teachers to be able to laugh about. Read it and hug a teacher.