Rating: 
Summary: Learn Something New
Review: Esme Raji Codell's biography tells of her first year teaching at a rural, public school, where her class of fifth grade students cannot read, write well, or behave properly. The book is further proof that you learn something new everyday. Esme does not just teach her students, but also learns many of life's lessons from each and every one of them. Join Esme and her class for a year of experiences that has forever changed her life.
Rating: 
Summary: Stop being so jealous! It's embarassing!
Review: No wonder more teachers don't try to get their memoirs published, if they are going to be attacked like Esme is attacked here! Esme is a 24 year old teacher and it shows, but that's what makes the diary so funny. And it is a diary, just from her point of view. If she had written this book as a piece of fiction, like "Up the Down Staircase," everyone would be singing her praises. But since she was stupid enough to actually publish her personal diary, I guess she should be on the firing line. I don't understand the attitude that there is only one teacher memoir a year allowed in the world. If there are so many reviewers out there who can write a better memoir, why don't they go for it rather than offer up sour grapes? This book didn't make me feel jealous, it made me feel proud to be a teacher and thankful that someone besides me had the guts to tell her story and was willing to take the fallout. I don't know what qualifications you are supposed to have to write your own life story, but none of them seem good enough around here.
Rating: 
Summary: Narcissa in the classroom
Review: This is a self-indulgent exercise by an emotionally damaged person who uses children to satisfy her own voracious ego. The only character in the book is Esme, and the book is aptly titled -- it is about her education rather than the education of her students... Esme can't accept the reality of anybody other than herself, generates formulaic two-dimensional characterizations of other adults and is only really interested in children when they parrot her views and ape her mannerisms. It is unclear that she actually harms the children trusted to her care, but she is so addicted to the image of herself as "the brilliant teacher who turns around the troubled kids" that it is difficult to imagine her doing much good, either. Up the Down Staircase by Bel Kaufman covers similar ground, but it was written by a mature adult, has an encompassing humanistic perspective, is a genuine work of literature, is both simple and complex, accessible and arcane. It's also funnier. (But note that Bel Kaufman loved this book, so who am I to talk?)
Rating: 
Summary: Slight but redeeming
Review: Codell's breezy memoir excites passion because it occasions the on-going debate between those who believe in a button-down style of teaching and those who espouse a more free and easy manner. Interestingly enough it is Codell, as a white elementary school teacher at a predominately black school in Chicago, who occupies the liberal turf. The narrative is amateurish and self-serving but warm and winning. The blurb contains some praise by writer/educator Herbert Kohl and novelist Bel Kaufman (Up the Down Staircase).Much of what plays here is the contrast and the tension that develops between Codell and her black male school principal. He is either a nitwit or the victim of that special kind of revenge practiced by authors, namely that of character assassination. Codell's methods are often creative, sometimes too much so, especially when she goes into the bathroom with one of her little charges and gets down right intimate with him to make a point. Professional teachers will be divided here on whether Codell is an effective teacher or not. Certainly her enthusiasm is welcome. However, why this book was published and not one of any number of other teacher memoirs is not clear, but I think it had something to do with the fact that Codell had a radio show in Chicago and that gave her the built-in publicity that publishers like before they invest in an iffy project. Or perhaps somebody knew that it would be controversial, that teachers and public alike would be sharply divided about the character of the outspoken, self-styled Madame Esmé. At any rate, if you're thinking of going into teaching little kids you might want to read this to see if you really want to guide OPC's (Other People's Children), a sometimes exhilarating, often frustrating, but ultimately rewarding and entirely laudable profession.
Rating:
Summary: Top Notch DIARY
Review: It seems to me that there are many (not including Esme) who are a little out of touch with the reality of teaching. Esme braces innovation, pride, creativity and poise all in the midst of crime, abuse,and attacks on her persona as well as her ideas. She should be praised for being willing to open her own personal memoirs to the criticism of others for the purpose of educating those contemplating the tumultuous world of education or those of us who have weathered our time. This book encompasses what all teachers (whether they will admit it or not) encounter on a daily basis (unless you are priveleged enough to be sheltered from it). Crime, poverty,and homelessness runs rampant today and it takes a special person, someone like Esme, to appeal to those distraught and out of hope to change their educational lives. With her innovative "storytelling festival", she does what we, as educators, should aspire to do: motivate children to become lifelong learners. Kudos to Esme for being an individual in a society that spawns replicas and rewards the status quo. You go girl!
Rating:
Summary: Educating Esme:Diary of a Teacher's First Year
Review: Educating Esme writen by Esme codell is a first hand account of her teaching experience in a multi cultural school. Writen in diary form she takes you through the daily life of a teacher. From the first day of school to the last she shows you the problems she encounters in class and out of class.This diary paints a picture of Esmes personality and love for every thing she does. Esme style of writing is rather blunt due to it being a diary. At times it can be rather socking, but will always end up making you laugh.
Rating:
Summary: Hard to believe -- a whole year with NO self doubt?
Review: ...She never doubts herself or her abilities and the kids never make her cry or feel like she's about to lose it -- all pretty much staples of the first year teaching experience. She never faces any difficulty planning activities and didn't seem to have to even think about educational objectives. On the other hand, she seems to genuinely care about the kids and did some awfully creative things. I am surprised, I suppose, that she became a librarian.
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Summary: A Plain Old Great Book
Review: I think the thing that is grossly overlooked by many readers of this book is what a gifted writer Esme is. This is a book many teachers wish they had written, and Esme makes it look as if anyone could have written it, but really, the writing in this book has a sense of timing and an ear for dialogue that is really amazing, considering the author is 24 years old. Another thing that is overlooked is that this is not so much a book about education as it is about work, and the frustrations and power struggles there. This is a great gift for anyone who needs a boost or a laugh, and you will laugh, out loud! THis book just won the ABBY award for best adult book for young adults, that's how I heard about it, and I agree that teenage readers would really enjoy it, it would give them a new perspective on their own experience. I also heard the audio tape, and Esme is a wonderful actress...aren't all teachers great performers? I am a huge fan, Esme, wherever you are, you are hot hot hot!
Rating:
Summary: Funny, enlightening, inspiring!
Review: I checked this audio book out from the library a few weeks ago as both of my daughters are in college to become teachers. It was so good I bought it for them! Esme Codell is a natural teacher with a quick wit and a wacky, original sense of humor. Her love and concern for the children of her fifth grade class shines through. I think every teacher-in-training should be required to read this book or listen to the audio tapes to learn about originality and tenacity in following your dreams. It's chock full of ideas for teachers and non-teachers alike.
Rating:
Summary: VERY WORTH YOUR TIME!
Review: I read this book all in one sitting because it was absolutely wonderful. I am one of those bright-eyed, cheery teachers-to-be who is certain she can change the world and I know I need a reality check every once in a while. Esme's spirit and uncensored voice are compelling. Her experiences will make you laugh and cry, and at times you might gasp in shock at the brutality in her truthfulness, but at no time do you lose touch with her sense of dedication. She responds to idiocracy and teaches her children the only way she knows how--by doing what she KNOWS works and what is best for her students. After all, they learned their alphabet, their division, and to love reading. Shouldn't those be the measure of a great educator? I am a future teacher who has trouble standing up for myself. Esme does what she knows is right, never what she is told. This book showed me that I don't have to swallow the garbage that is shoveled at me. Thank you, Madam Esme, for teaching me confidence. PS: One negative reviewer who criticized just about everything in the book REALLY wanted to use the word "kowtowing" instead of that other misspelled one. Perhaps she could have used a few minutes in Madame Esme's class herself.
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