There are few places where idealism and hope encounter circumstances that result in crushing defeat as in a high school classroom.
Yet when September rolls around, another young graduate will face a class of ninth graders, confident that she can "tame the beast".
In the novel, A Lamb to the Slaughter, Ms. Annette Kalin, a young teacher gives up the security of a Midwestern community to take
on the challenge of teaching in New York City. From day one, she is challenged by Leon for control of the class. Day after day she
returns with a lesson plan hoping to make a breakthrough only to encounter defeat by a class that has mastered the science of "the
lesson kill". By the end of the semester almost all the kids fail. In her naive belief that, by making a home visit to talk with Leon's
parent who was never able to make the scheduled conference, she could change the dynamic in her favor, she walks into a trap, with
tragic consequences.
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“the story is valuable and worthwhile. It exposes the issues of a profession that is often controversial and highlights the ways
that even the best of intentions can go awry”
“Readers unfamiliar with the situation … described may have a hard time believing that
such characters exist…”
“I’m not sure how best to describe my feelings after reading this story, but ‘numb’ comes close.”.
Reader's Feedback
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School News USA
Working for Better Schools
Here is a book that will open your eyes as to why city schools experience so many problems.