teachers

Audiobook: The Faculty Lounge

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by Jennifer Mathieu
Read by Lisa Flanagan
Support your local independent bookstore: buy it there!
Or listen at Libro.fm
Content: There is some swearing, including a few f-bombs. It’s in the adult fiction section of the bookstore.

It starts as a mostly typical year at Baldwin High School in Houston, TX, until a beloved former English teacher (and current substitute) dies in a classroom (on his free period). That sets off a chain of events that includes a misstep of an ash scattering, parent complaints, pregnant teenagers, and inter-department romances. There’s not really an over-arching plot; it’s a series of vignets, each chapter about a different person in the high school from the principal to a janitor, about their experiences over the course of a school year, the ups and downs, the ways in which politics effect the school day, and the inner lives of teachers.

I really liked this one, especially on audio. It’s mostly just a character study, but Mathieu is a good enough writer to pull it off. And Flanagan was an excellent narrator, giving life to the different characters. I know Mathieu is (was? at least when she came to Wichita for an event, she was) a high school English teacher, and so she knows the ropes, and it comes across in this book. It’s entertaining and fun to listen to, and I didn’t mind that there really isn’t a plot. I liked learning about the characters, the way the chapters built upon each other, the way it felt like I was sitting with friends or co-workers to learn about their lives and their experiences teaching.

Definitely a fun read.

Three Books for National Mentoring Month

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One of the things I do as part of my job is write a newsletter for teachers and librarians. It’s the thing I feel the most inadequately prepared for, not being a librarian OR an educator, so I did some asking around to find out what would be most helpful. One of the things was lists of books on a theme. That, I can do.  So, I started a new part of the newsletter where I highlight three books (new or backlist) on a certain theme. This month was Mentors, since I needed a place to start. If you have any theme ideas, I’d love to hear them as well!

I figured it would be a good idea to feature them here as well. Lists are always fun, anyway.

9780399257629 Thank You, Mr. Falker, Patricia Polacco. Believe it or not, I’ve never actually read this one. I do know it is loosely autobiographical and that people love it. But that’s all I know. What have I missed?

 

 

 

9780399162596Fish in a Tree, Lynda Mullaly Hunt. This one is like so many others: brilliant (male) teacher discovers previously unknown learning disability in a student and makes her shine. But, I enjoyed it anyway.
[clear]

 

 

 

9781250004673

A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L’Engle. I’ll admit that this one didn’t readily come up when I was thinking about this list. But, doing some internet digging I came across two things: first, that there aren’t enough books with women mentors (no surprise) and second, that this was an excellent example of strong women mentors. From Meg’s mom to Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which, there are strong women guiding Meg in her journey. No, they’re not traditional teachers, but they count.

 

Any other books with good mentor/teacher figures that I forgot? Particularly ones with women?