Rating: 
Summary: A Pleasant Surprise in an Unusual Package
Review: I picked up this book absentmindedly having no intention of reading it and the next thing I knew, I was finished. It has the most unique structure of any book I have ever read. The story is told through notes, faculty circulars, letters, bulletin board displays, papers found in the garbage can, and other similar items. However, this does not detract from the story in any way. It is fascinating to observe plot, characterization, climax- in short, all the necessary elements of a good story- emerging from this unusual structure. The book takes place in an inner city high school and is told through the eyes of a new teacher. I could really relate to the story as it poked fun at the bureaucracy of public schools and explored controversial and important issues that continue to be found decades later. For the most part, this is a lighthearted, sometimes humorous, story although there is enough emotion to give it just the right amount of depth. This book was an enjoyable and quick read. It was worth reading just to see how the structure lended itself to a good story about an attractive young teacher just trying to find her way and make a difference in the mayhem of a far-from-perfect public school.
Rating: 
Summary: It was a good book for high-schoolers and Teachers alike.
Review: I read this book and I related with a couple characters in this book. I am a senior in high school. In large schools, it is hard to get everything done in one day, harder if you have classes that are above and beyond the minimum requirement. Awesome book though. A must read, especially for beginning teachers and lowly freshmen...
Rating:
Summary: Read it in high school and loved it.
Review: I read this book when I was in high school. My son and daughter are now in high school and I was searching for it. I know they will love it. It is light hearted, funny, and it strikes a chord.
Rating:
Summary: Great book, must read for all first year teachers
Review: I really enjoyed this book and decided to teach it during my first year of teaching. The kids seem to have loved it. It gave them a great chance to take a closer look at both teachers as well as students and even the education system in general. The book was also a unique way of introducing different types of writing through journals, correspondence and dialogue! I think everyone should read this book and most will throughly enjoy the read!
Rating:
Summary: Unfortunately Still Relevant..
Review: I'm not dissing this book;it's just that it's too bad that 30+ years later we still have many of the same problems in our public school systems. This book is both funny and rather scary,especially the eye-opening statistics(sic) the author sprinkles throughout the book. One can only imagine how worse(the facts) are today,but it shows that a dedicated,committed teacher possibly can make a difference. Even if they only get through to a few of their students,it's a start.
Rating:
Summary: sharp beyond description.
Review: I'm not sure why, exactly, but the humor that everyone finds to be so uproarious in the book was more subtle and subdued to me (I silently laughed more than I cracked up out loud). Primarily, this is an extremely powerful thing, should completely grip anybody who reads it, and the amazing thing is that it speaks the language of its characters, it's subjects. It shows both that simple language is the best, and that sometimes that same language is not necessarily simple minded. Exposes the true beauty and character of so many things people are ignorant to-this book should be read by anybody associated in any way with education, student or faculty.
In a league with satire giants like One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Catch 22. Must read.
Rating:
Summary: sharp beyond description.
Review: I'm not sure why, exactly, but the humor that everyone finds to be so uproarious in the book was more subtle and subdued to me (I silently laughed more than I cracked up out loud). Primarily, this is an extremely powerful thing, should completely grip anybody who reads it, and the amazing thing is that it speaks the language of its characters, it's subjects. It shows both that simple language is the best, and that sometimes that same language is not necessarily simple minded. Exposes the true beauty and character of so many things people are ignorant to-this book should be read by anybody associated in any way with education, student or faculty.
In a league with satire giants like One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Catch 22. Must read.
Rating:
Summary: A bit disappointing, but still extremely good
Review: In my 9th grade drama class, we're working on a project where we have to read at least two plays and analyze them. When at the public library, I found a copy of "Up the Down Staircase" - and the reviews on the back were really engaging, and convinced me to pick it up. The reviews all focused on how funny the play was, and that's what really made me want to read it. Up the Down Staircase is about a young schoolteacher that moves to a school in a rundown, slightly grungy area. She teaches English, and her class is terribly unruly. The students don't respect her, mouth off, and are always late for class. There's also an aspiring author that is teaching while wating to publish a book, and a crazy principal. The story has drama and it's funny moments, but it's pretty disappointing. Up the Down Staircase wasn't funny at all - I didn't laugh once, or even crack a smile. In that sense, it was disappointing, but the storyline was so awesome that I will not soon forget the play. So, the play is recommended, but - and maybe it's just me! - it isn't funny like some of the reviews state. It's more of a drama. Overall grade - B+
Rating: 
Summary: Meh
Review: It had some humor, but it's quite dull and very abstract. I guess it's more of a time-piece. But we can always work on his aim.
Rating:
Summary: ANY QUESTIONS, CLASS?
Review: My dad recommended to me that I read this book. He said that it was very funny. Much to my disappointment I didn't find it funny in the least. Not that the book is all that serious, either. I agree that the American school system is really screwed up (understatement!), but I didn't see that this book really showed that. It's been a while since I've read this book, so take what I say with a grain of salt. But the fact remains, a really good book is one that you remember something about it years later. No, I'm not a teacher, so that's probably why I didn't find it that interesting--I can't relate. It was a fast read, though. My favorite book concerning school life was something called Westside stories from Wayside school, or something like that. I haven't read those books in an even longer time, but it's amazing how much I remember them. . .
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