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.
katherine_f16's review against another edition
4.0
This is a must read for all of my teacher friends, or for anyone who wants to know what it's really like to be on the other side of the desk. There are no teachers who are heroes, who are "winning." All of the character teachers are just trying to do their jobs against a steady push of demands and obstacles. The different viewpoints were a great idea, because every teacher's experience is unique. However, it did affect the character development a bit. Also, I would have liked more exploration into the celebrity superintendent. It seems like that story line was forgotten in the second half of the book. Those small shortcomings aside, I did highly enjoy this book!
smiley938's review against another edition
5.0
I wasn't expecting much but I actually really enjoyed this book. I'd definitely read more from this author.
arthur_pendrgn's review against another edition
2.0
Not quite sure about this book. There's a lot of realism in this book, yet it ends up doing exactly what those movies the author criticizes do--everything works out for the best and everyone is rewarded in some way. Although I suppose the realism is supposed to elicit a rueful laugh from teachers, I'm uncertain that it does for those not experienced with this career field. It perpetuates myths about education and stereotypes of teachers that those not in the field use to attack public schools. It's been a long 18 months in education and I didn't find this as funny as the book cover promised.
peyton_vernon's review against another edition
I thought it was boring and the description doesn’t match the vibes it gives off
chemwiz77's review against another edition
2.0
I feel like this book written in satire just tried to put too many issues in one place. Was the author trying to address race issues? If she was, it was too glib. Why Nex Level? What was the point of that story line at all? I just didn’t see it was necessary and the main character didn’t “evolve” bc of it. It seemed that also was kind of a dumb thing to have an argument about and never talk again. But she was hung up on him? Really? As a teacher, I see and appreciate the ridiculousness of data driven decisions and all of the other issues teachers are directed to deal with. That is why this got a 2* instead of 1*. I pretty much drug through the book bc my friend wanted me to read it. It missed the mark all around for me.