Being re-released in a new edition on April 30, 2019.

This book is one of the reasons that over four decades ago I decided to be a teacher because I wanted to make a difference like Ms. Barrett. The book is exactly the same as when I first read it…letters from Sylvia to her friend, notes to her colleagues, memos from the office and much more. What is most entertaining and what gives the most information about Calvin Coolidge High School are the short paragraphs that the students write in reply to a prompt from Ms. Barrett. They are extremely needy students who just want someone to care and that person comes in the form of a young and inexperienced Sylvia Barrett. Although Ms. Barrett is fictional, she represents every teacher who has tried and who continues to try to touch their students’ lives, to make the world a little bit better. I thoroughly enjoyed the book this second time and highly recommmend it to anyone who wants to see what a high school is like, with mountains of paperwork and little time to actually interact with the students, much less actually make a difference in ther lives. The most memorable character was Mr. Grayson, the disappearing custodian who tries to help out the students in his own way. The theme of the book seems to be to keep trying to help others because the small things you do will count in their lives someday. Loved it!

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”