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A review by solnit_and_sebastian
Adequate Yearly Progress by Roxanna Elden
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.)