Thanks to Scholastic and Jordan Sonneblick for sharing this advanced readers copy with Kid Lit Exchange. Published 2/2/21.
Every teacher needs to read this middle grade memoir.
Sonnenblick tells the story of his 4th grade year, in often painful detail. He didn't have good experiences with many of his teachers and his 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Fisher, is the worst of the bunch. He is convinced that she hates him, and then two things happen to confirm his suspicions: 1) he overhears her tell his mother that he will never amount to anything, and 2) she slaps him across the face during class. Thankfully, his parents move him to a different school right away, and not only is his new teacher is kind and encouraging, his classmates have a positive attitude about education and accept him as he is, which changes his life in very real ways. Jordan's story is a reminder that we need to remember the impact we have on the self-esteem of our students.
In addition to his woes at school, Jordan also struggles with anxiety, trichotillomania, and likely ADHD. He doesn't understand why it is so difficult to "be good" at school. He doesn't think he does anything well, and when he does find something he is good at, it seems to upset people. He knows he is smart, but he doubts himself in every other part of his life. And, most unsettling of all, he worries that his mom will be killed in an accident on the New Jersey turnpike.
In sharp contrast to all of this angst, Jordan's adventures with pets, friends, family, and sports are often hilarious and heart-warming. His descriptions of a fight at school, his love of reading, sledding on a car hood, learning to be a drummer, a Little League win, and the glories of field day are told in a way that makes you feel the adrenaline, joy, and triumph that 4th grade boys feel.
If this is close to what Sonnenblick's 4th grade year was really like, my heart goes out to him, and I celebrate that he proved Mrs. Fisher absolutely wrong.
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