Author: Gordon Korman

No word of a lie, Gordon Korman is the reason I’m a prolific reader.

While I spoke about my love of him in my Slacker review, I can’t stress enough how wonderful he’s been for getting young people to read. I’m currently hooking one of my colleague’s sons on reading by sending him my library of Korman books.

He’s loving them and asking for more.

Korman’s books always have a fun flair to them and a silliness that wraps itself in a lesson about taking life in good nature. The Unteachables, however, really strikes a nerve with the teaching profession.

Especially for me.

Especially this year.

There have been moments when I’ve hit the end of the day and asked myself,
“What’s the point?”
It’s been a tough year and I’m feeling burnt out.

Along comes this book and it starts with a teacher who once had a passion for his work, now grinding it out until retirement. As added punishment for his apathetic attitude towards teaching, he is sent to teach a sectioned group known as the Unteachables.

Think the worst classes you’ve heard of, been in or seen and that should give you an idea.

The book jumps perspectives every chapter, with each one being unique and actually feeling like you’re getting a different perspective on what’s happening.
Right there is a sign of a master author at work.
It was the first scene when our protagonist teacher, Mr. Kermit, dumps a mug of coffee on an open flame started by the students that got me to smile. Then it jumps to the student perspective where all he does is sit at the desk drinking coffee and handing out worksheets never expecting them to be done.

All I could think is, ‘I get why this teacher got to this point.’

There’s some obvious development and growth that happens with all the students, and Mr. Kermit, which had me closing the book and reflecting on why I joined the profession.

Then I realized any book that has me reflecting on my own life is top notch and I’m thankful to have read it when I did. It did more for me than any other motivational blog/video/teacher instruction manual with “ra-ra” chapter.

Thank you Korman.

You did it again.