Another big thank you to the wonderful Miriam at Hachette Books.
TITLE: The Great Expectations School
AUTHOR: Dan Brown
GENRE: Memoir
RATING: 4 Stars
For some reason, I like to read memoirs written about school experiences. I have no desire to be a teacher - but I highly admire anyone who is willing to tackle this important and often overlooked profession. Granted, Dan Brown did not necessarily enter the profession in the most direct of routes and certainly did not enter it with a notion that he would change the system, but I think that the sheer fact that he came in through a "back door" actually adds alot of charm to this book.
Brown details in extremely funny and sometimes sad detail his first year as a somewhat overwhelmed teacher in the public school system. He is assigned a class that is to say the least a challenge and from the first page of his narrative, you just know that you are in for a terrific ride.
I felt for him as he describes the situation in which some of these children have grown up and the situations in which they are still in. I really liked the fact that Brown does not judge as he tells us his experiences, but rather tells us with humor and compassion just what it is really like to be a teacher in the US public system.
I admire him for making it through even the first year - I am not sure that I would have been able to make it myself - it does take a certain kind of dedication to do this type of work and still love it and still love the kids and apparently Brown has what it takes.
I also like the fact that as Brown shares his stories, he does not take himself too seriously. This added a definite "fun" element to a book that could have been just another story about the school sytem.
This is a great read and I suggest it for anyone looking for an inspiring, yet funny read.
9 comments:
Oooh I like school memoir type books too and I had not heard of this one, awesome!
I love memoirs and that one sounds good. I love the cover, too.
I love memoirs! This looks really really really good to me! I will definitely read this one.
Thanks for the great review.
This book sounds really interesting. Thanks for the review!
Oh... this sounds like a perfect book for me! My class in student teaching last year sounds just like this book! Great review... I will be on the lookout for this!
Oh, this one does sound good. I like hearing about school experiences as well. I hadn't heard of this before, so thanks for the review. I'd love to read it at some point...awesome title.
-Lauren
I hadn't heard of this one - it sounds great. My daughter is in her second year of teaching and some of it sounds familiar...
Oh I like memoirs in general. I have worked in the public school system myself and this books sounds like it would be a great read for me. I will have to keep a look out for this book.
I've never seen or thought about a memoir in this area before. I’ve always enjoyed movies about teachers maybe a book would also be of interest to me.
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