Rating: 
Summary: I think that this book will be very enjoyable...
Review: My high school drama class is doing this play and I just got the part of one of the students, Harry, (but changed to Harriet) of course I am very excited and I hope this play will be very good!
Rating:
Summary: Reversals And Retrievals
Review: Noise, chatter, broken down classrooms, and a thousand interruptions comprise this abstract, or fragmented, portrayal of an inner city High School's English class. Sylvia Barret, a first year teacher, has been given the task of teaching English to students who are as demanding in their needs as a nestful of chicks. The results are as mixed as the students, but somehow, an intangible thing occurs: learning happens.At first, this book appears dated, but the heart of the story remains intact an condition seems to resist education--if one believes the strict administrators and the burnt-out teachers. But the mystery of an optimistic teacher teaching pessimistic students reverses; smart teachers are the ones who are willing to learn from their students.
Rating:
Summary: Ups and downs
Review: Schoolteachers make up a pretty small percentage of the population, but "Up the Down Staircase" gives us a little glimpse of exactly what it is like to be one. Especially an idealistic-to-a-fault one who has to deal with a... well, shall we say, interesting group of students. (That is to say, more than a little insane) Miss Barrett arrives at Calvin Coolidge High, to teach English to a motley band of students. Among them are: Hormone-addled Linda; resentful, angry Joe Ferone; woman-hating Rusty (who repeatedly tells Barrett that he would like her if she weren't "a female"); Edward Williams Esq., who thinks that everything is racially-prejudiced; soppily romantic Alice, and a slew of others. Miss Barrett realizes over time that the kids are screaming out not just for education, but for love and understanding. But will her idealism break through to them? This isn't really a novel as people generally think of it -- it's composed of skits, letters, notes, and occasionally stretches of dialogue between the teachers and students. Sounds awful? It isn't. Instead it's cute and quirky, and if you get past the odd format it will become immensely enjoyable and coherent. The dialogue is funny, especially since quite a few of the students don't spell-check. ("Fuk"?) There are also suggestion box excerpts ("You think it's fair when a teacher takes off 5 points on a test just because I misspelled his name wrong?"; "We're behind you 85%!") and book reports ("We study myths to learn what it was like to live in the golden age with all the killings"; "We read it because it's a classicle"). One chapter is even devoted to the extremely imaginative lies that the students think up to explain what happened to their homework ("Some one stole it") with a bit of honesty as well ("I didn't know we were supposed to do it"). There are more serious moments, such as one young woman dying after a botched abortion, and a lovelorn girl jumping out of a window because her crush read one of her love letters. And Barrett's disillusionment near the end is as saddening as the response of the students is uplifting. It's also rather pleasant to read that a teacher with genuinely good intentions and hopes can make a positive difference, even though it lacks in realism. The peculiar narrative drags a bit during the first fourth, but picks up after that with more about the students and less chitchat between teachers. "Up the Down Staircase" is touching and funny, a novel in the barest sense but immensely enjoyable. It's a little weird and drags at times, but it's still fun. And if you're a teacher, you'll probably be weeping at the traumatic memories it brings back.
Rating:
Summary: Ups and downs
Review: Schoolteachers make up a pretty small percentage of the population, but "Up the Down Staircase" gives us a little glimpse of exactly what it is like to be one. Especially an idealistic-to-a-fault one who has to deal with a... well, shall we say, interesting group of students. (That is to say, more than a little insane) Miss Barrett arrives at Calvin Coolidge High, to teach English to a motley band of students. Among them are: Hormone-addled Linda; resentful, angry Joe Ferone; woman-hating Rusty (who repeatedly tells Barrett that he would like her if she weren't "a female"); Edward Williams Esq., who thinks that everything is racially-prejudiced; soppily romantic Alice, and a slew of others. Miss Barrett realizes over time that the kids are screaming out not just for education, but for love and understanding. But will her idealism break through to them? This isn't really a novel as people generally think of it -- it's composed of skits, letters, notes, and occasionally stretches of dialogue between the teachers and students. Sounds awful? It isn't. Instead it's cute and quirky, and if you get past the odd format it will become immensely enjoyable and coherent. The dialogue is funny, especially since quite a few of the students don't spell-check. ("Fuk"?) There are also suggestion box excerpts ("You think it's fair when a teacher takes off 5 points on a test just because I misspelled his name wrong?"; "We're behind you 85%!") and book reports ("We study myths to learn what it was like to live in the golden age with all the killings"; "We read it because it's a classicle"). One chapter is even devoted to the extremely imaginative lies that the students think up to explain what happened to their homework ("Some one stole it") with a bit of honesty as well ("I didn't know we were supposed to do it"). There are more serious moments, such as one young woman dying after a botched abortion, and a lovelorn girl jumping out of a window because her crush read one of her love letters. And Barrett's disillusionment near the end is as saddening as the response of the students is uplifting. It's also rather pleasant to read that a teacher with genuinely good intentions and hopes can make a positive difference, even though it lacks in realism. The peculiar narrative drags a bit during the first fourth, but picks up after that with more about the students and less chitchat between teachers. "Up the Down Staircase" is touching and funny, a novel in the barest sense but immensely enjoyable. It's a little weird and drags at times, but it's still fun. And if you're a teacher, you'll probably be weeping at the traumatic memories it brings back.
Rating:
Summary: A collection of letters and memos that tell an amazing story
Review: This book is amazing! Bel Kaufman shows the problems of inner-city schools and the teachers who work there, while keeping with the light of subtle humor. It is easy to read, in that the format leaves room for breaks (the chapters are short). I would recommend this book to anyone, whether you are a teacher, student...just anyone who knows how to read!!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: This novel is the funny depiction of a not-so-funny subject: inner-city school systems in the 60's. That may sound boring at first, but I enjoyed reading the accounts of Miss Barrett, an idealistic, well-meaning teacher. Through countless peaks into the teacher's letterbox and student's suggestion boc, etc. you laugh over the mixed up system and wild students. But you'll also discover how truly saddening Miss Barrett's school is. She is trying hard to make a difference in the lives of her students, but come to realize that love is all they need. Can she give that to them, or is it just too much to ask? This question is one that is wrestled with in Up the Down Staircase...and the reader goes away contemplating it in the same manner.
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