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allisomethings's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Enjoyable, relevant read.
beegcly's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you Net Galley and Atria Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review☺️
Adequate yearly progress tells the story of multiple teachers at Brae Hill Valley high school who are all struggling in different ways. There’s a new super intendant which means there’s increasing pressures throughout the school board to meet certain standards, there’s differing opinions on the best way to be a good teacher and there’s challenging students to deal with day in and day out. Not to mention the teachers personal lives that in some cases affected their work.
I have never read a book like this before. It was fiction but read like non fiction. It almost reminded me of the office (but not quite as funny
Adequate yearly progress tells the story of multiple teachers at Brae Hill Valley high school who are all struggling in different ways. There’s a new super intendant which means there’s increasing pressures throughout the school board to meet certain standards, there’s differing opinions on the best way to be a good teacher and there’s challenging students to deal with day in and day out. Not to mention the teachers personal lives that in some cases affected their work.
I have never read a book like this before. It was fiction but read like non fiction. It almost reminded me of the office (but not quite as funny
solnit_and_sebastian's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"I've always had a problem with the Hollywood version of the teacher story," Elden relates in the post-narrative Q&A of Adequate Yearly Progress, "where one self-sacrificing hero battles her terrible colleagues to save the kids. In those stories, it's too easy to identify the heroes, the villains, and the exact right thing to do. In real schools . . . the questions are more complex. What happens when that fun, relevant lesson plan goes off the rails? What happens when a teacher cares, but is also coming into school the day after a breakup? And what's already going on in the classroom when a voice comes on the PA to announce the newest success initiative?"
This novel feels like a love letter to teachers, in all of our messy, neurotic, fierce passion. Parts of it are incredibly validating, others infuriating in their relatability, still others heartwarming examples of exactly why we chose a profession that is a highly effortful labor of love. The choice to write from several different perspectives allows the reader to see the characters' efforts as well as their flaws. I recognize, and have affection for, all of these people, even when I fundamentally disagree with their perspective or approach to their work. This speaks to very well-written and realistic characters. Even at my deliberate pace, I finished AYP in a day and still had time to grade! (But I'm saving that for Sunday, thank you very much.)
This novel feels like a love letter to teachers, in all of our messy, neurotic, fierce passion. Parts of it are incredibly validating, others infuriating in their relatability, still others heartwarming examples of exactly why we chose a profession that is a highly effortful labor of love. The choice to write from several different perspectives allows the reader to see the characters' efforts as well as their flaws. I recognize, and have affection for, all of these people, even when I fundamentally disagree with their perspective or approach to their work. This speaks to very well-written and realistic characters. Even at my deliberate pace, I finished AYP in a day and still had time to grade! (But I'm saving that for Sunday, thank you very much.)
dscfrazier's review against another edition
3.0
Cute, easy-read book that would probably mainly appeal to educators. It makes fun of businesses and non-educators who think they have the solution for solving education that get people supporting them with their catch phrases and initiatives. The only issue I had with the book is that no character is rounded because it focuses on their flaws, so I didn't really find myself rooting for anyone. However, the book did offer a great break from grading. So I give it three stars.
greenek3's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Elden does an excellent job of making the diverse characters complex, fully realized people while satirizing the school, the system, and the politics of education. The writing is lovely and so smartly structured!
phattypatty's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
jennnafziger's review against another edition
4.0
This quick and easy read was darkly funny... because as a teacher, I felt these truths in my bones!
tazzbury's review against another edition
5.0
As an educator in a low income school, this book is so spot-on, it’s scary. I felt like I was reading about my own teaching experiences. And it’s very well written, funny, and real.
dawnpruyn1023's review against another edition
2.0
Mildly entertaining but never really grabbed me. A little disappointing.
nickscoby's review against another edition
4.0
In truth: this rating is more like a 4.5. I enjoyed this book IMMENSELY right from the first page. The author pulls off some very tricky feats, especially juggling multiple characters while making each of them compelling in their own ways. (While I enjoyed the chapters about Lena and Hernan, I think the writing is downright exceptional when it comes to Maybelline). I am not and have never been a K-12 public school teacher but I laughed out loud at some of these situations because they were just so relatable. I definitely think this should be mandatory reading for those bright eyed undergraduates who want to change the world and become teachers, especially those who feel called to Teach For America (insert eyeroll here). Elden presents an unflinching look at the realities and complexities of the profession. And did I mention that this book is FUNNY? So much.