Rating: 
Summary: Unique Prose about a Not-so-Unique Problem
Review: "Up the Down Staircase" is a unique work of commentary fiction, written not in conventional prose, but rather the story evolving from among various files of the protagonist and main character, a young teacher in an urban high school. These documents include communication between the teacher, Miss Barrett, and her collegaues; samplings of student input (homework, papers, suggestions, etc.); and letters to a friend, as well as other myriad bits and pieces of info blended together into a melodramatic collage.
A side plot involves a homely student who has a crush on one of the other teachers and jumps off a window sill to demonstrate. Her high-school notebook serves to thicken and unravel this plot, interestingly, and "Neatly in Ink". Another involves Miss Barrett herself, in her quest to escape the drudgery environment of the present school to a more refined institution across town, how she is accidentally injured by a setting prop being used for a school stage play, and the gratifying response of her class to her absence.
I've plowed through this novel at least 10 times, partly due to the ease of reading from the format; partly due to the subject and its repercussions; and partly for pleasure. It was gratifying to see it amass more than 60 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. To naysayers: the continued sorry state of this society's schooling system isn't the fault of this novel, but more the supply-side doldrums we've been forced to endure since the novel appeared. Indeed, education is only ONE victim; if other imaginative authors would pen other "free-format" works addressing other societal ills, we might all be better-read.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Antinovel I've Ever Read
Review: Don't be put off by my title. An antinovel is merely a book that rejects the traditional elements of a novel. In "Up the Down Staircase", the story is told through letters, memos, notes left in suggestion boxes, and scribblings in notebooks. Some people may consider the letters the clumsiest part of the novel, as they are too detailed and precise to have been written directly from the protagonist's memory (as they are supposed to have been). That is not the point, however, as this clumsiness is something you only notice after you've finished reading (hopefully), assuming that you're really into the story.Like all other books about teachers-who-touch-the-lives-of-students, this novel is touching, poignant and funny--and properly depressing at the right times. It is also full of the strangest characters, teachers and students alike. Yet real life teachers will recognize their own students in the fictional ones and real life students will agree that the weird teachers in the novel are pretty realistic. What makes "Up the Down Staircase" different from others of its kind (e.g. "The Blackboard Jungle") is that even though it is "messagey", it was not written by someone who had an axe to grind. Yes, Bel Kaufman exposes the terrible working conditions and lack of respect public school teachers get, as well as the poor education students are subjected to--but Kaufman is no Dickens! (Thank goodness!) The crusade to help teachers and students is put in the background, where it belongs; and the story of Miss Barrett, her students, and the other colorful people of Calvin Coolidge, remains in the foreground.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Antinovel I've Ever Read
Review: Don't be put off by my title. An antinovel is merely a book that rejects the traditional elements of a novel. In "Up the Down Staircase", the story is told through letters, memos, notes left in suggestion boxes, and scribblings in notebooks. Some people may consider the letters the clumsiest part of the novel, as they are too detailed and precise to have been written directly from the protagonist's memory (as they are supposed to have been). That is not the point, however, as this clumsiness is something you only notice after you've finished reading (hopefully), assuming that you're really into the story. Like all other books about teachers-who-touch-the-lives-of-students, this novel is touching, poignant and funny--and properly depressing at the right times. It is also full of the strangest characters, teachers and students alike. Yet real life teachers will recognize their own students in the fictional ones and real life students will agree that the weird teachers in the novel are pretty realistic. What makes "Up the Down Staircase" different from others of its kind (e.g. "The Blackboard Jungle") is that even though it is "messagey", it was not written by someone who had an axe to grind. Yes, Bel Kaufman exposes the terrible working conditions and lack of respect public school teachers get, as well as the poor education students are subjected to--but Kaufman is no Dickens! (Thank goodness!) The crusade to help teachers and students is put in the background, where it belongs; and the story of Miss Barrett, her students, and the other colorful people of Calvin Coolidge, remains in the foreground.
Rating:
Summary: I'm a teacher, too.
Review: I am a teacher -- elementary -- and I identified with this book thoroughly. I realize that it was written almost 40 years ago, but it still shows how teachers can be caught up in paperwork, meetings and beaureaucratic folderol and not have time to do what they were hired to do . . . namely, TEACH! Again our nation faces a teacher shortage. If we would treat the teachers we already have like professionals -- in fact, like human beings -- we might find more people interested in going into the profession.
Rating:
Summary: I'm a teacher, too.
Review: I am a teacher -- elementary -- and I identified with this book thoroughly. I realize that it was written almost 40 years ago, but it still shows how teachers can be caught up in paperwork, meetings and beaureaucratic folderol and not have time to do what they were hired to do . . . namely, TEACH! Again our nation faces a teacher shortage. If we would treat the teachers we already have like professionals -- in fact, like human beings -- we might find more people interested in going into the profession.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic About Education
Review: I am preparing for my first year as a teacher. I came across this book in my searches for more serious texts. I remembered hearing the title so picked it up even though it was 40 years old. I loved it. It is amazing how little some things change over time, such as battles with administrators, etc. Highly entertaining, with good insight into education.
Rating:
Summary: Kids are still the same
Review: I first read this book back in the 1960s before I entered the teaching profession. I have read it several times since. Having just retired from teaching after 34 years, I can say that kids are still basically the same as described in this book. They may have laptop computers now, but their personalities are the same. We still have the teacher pleasers, the lovesick girls, the politicians, the misfits, the loners, and all the rest. My mind has gone back to this book many times as I encountered situations similar to those that faced Miss Barrett. As a matter of fact, as English Department chairman, I often quoted her boss, Mr. Bester: Let it be a challenge to you. I recommend this book to all who would venture into the exciting and wonderful world of the school teacher.
Rating:
Summary: Up the Down Staircase
Review: I had to read this book for a school report. The begining was a little to slow but all in all it is an amazing book. It is an great story about a teacher who is forced to teach in unmanigable conditions and it put through tourture in an inner city school. The books tells the changes she had in her life and in her students lives. I have read it and so has my best friend. We both loved it and you will too.
Rating:
Summary: Three cheers for Kaufman!
Review: I have to admit that when I first read this book, I didn't think it would be that good - especially considering the awkward structure of the novel. The story is told through a series of notes and letters which is a big shift from any "standard" novel I have read before (aside from "Dracula" - which becomes "standard" later on). Even so, after a few chapters to adjust to the new style I quickly found myself deeply involved with the characters and the plot. At times I was so moved or laughed so much that I just had to stop reading and reflect for a while. I found myself both rooting for my fellow students and backing the teacher. Bel Kaufman does a great job of characterization of the heroine and uses the letters effectively to sway the reader but leaves some intentional gaps for the reader to dwell on and figure out on his own. (What a great concept!) All in all, this book was great! It took me back to the good old days when I was in high school and made me understand what it is like to be a teacher at the same time.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book For Teachers Everywhere
Review: I loved UP THE DOWN STAIRCASE. It's a thoroughly enjoyably book. It should be read by teachers around the world.
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