Dr. James E. Christiansen, Texas A&M University

This funny, sad, irreverent, hopeful, painfully honest, and personal recounting of a rookie teacher’s experience with students with problems, attitudes, and needs enrolled in a non-traditional high school program should be required reading for all beginning teachers and experienced educators. Once you start reading, you won’t put it down until you finish…it will hold you attention!

Powell vividly illustrates that young people have feelings, needs and they deserve the very best from their teachers. They are not losers, they will respond to opportunity, take initiative, learn to adapt and can succeed. Nonconformity, ingenuity, patience, and respect in teaching is clearly illustrated here.