Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyes (mg)
288 p. Random House Children's Books, October, 2010. 978-0-385-73882-8 (Purchased.)
Mr. Terupt is a new fifth grade teacher and several students in his class have a great deal to say about him and his teaching style.
I usually enjoy "inspirational teacher" stories. I didn't enjoy this one so much despite the starred reviews in professional journals and blog buzz. I bought the book based on all the hype, but it sat on TOM for quite awhile. Once I got to it, I found the storyline stretched credulity passed breaking point. Sorry, I'm a former nurse who found the whole coma thing totally eyeroll-inducing. And, for all the bedside vigils, I'm expected to believe that the kids had no idea that he was released from the hospital in order to totally surprise them on the last day of school? Um, no.
There were some realistic dynamics and dialogue going on. I liked the multiple narrators and felt I got to know the five students fairly well. However, there were quite a few classroom/ school management issues that I felt were totally unrealistic, at least in my world. And, the whole thing felt like manipulative and melodramatic. Sorry, this one was a miss for me.