Seeking something motivating and inspiring that will read like a novel and not a "how-to" book or a book with short little passages. Must have language that is suitable for a high school student. Educating Esme is not the answer, too many vulgar words for my taste. Must be in paperback, there is no budget.
Haven't read it myself but other teachers in my building use "To Sir, With Love". Another possibility is "Freedom Writers" - my kids love the movie, and again, I haven't read the book, but worth looking into.
Inspiring novel about a teacher for high schoolers? I love Luanne Johnson- Dangerous Minds- vulgar language though and I have not read that book- I think it is called My Posse Dont Do Homework. Then there is Torey Hayden, which would probably not be approved- those books include some really harsh, heartbreaking realities, but it is wicked inspiring. Richard Bach's Illusions and his Johnathan Livingston Seagull which I am not sure if anyone classifies as teacher/inspirational with the exception of me, but those are all the inspirational teacher novels (and movies) I turn to. I have read all of these prior to high school, but it depends on the student. I would certainly preread them prior to suggesting them to students. I also did not care for Educating Esme. There is also that book Teach like your hair is on fire, by someone whose name begins with an R- you can find it on amazon, but I thought it was kinda like Esme and I did not care for it. Another idea is the book Everything I need to know I learned in kindergarten, again that is kinda iffy categorization as are the books about the people behind sesame street- like Big Birds book and those books I forget the titles but I read them and was inspired. I guess I am not much help, but I cannot wait to read other peoples ideas!
I teach Angela's Ashes...1/2 the class likes it, 1/4 doesn't like it and typically the last 1/4 doesn't read it.
