New Teacher Summer Reading

I love reading, and I love teaching. Lately, it seems that I have been doing more teaching than reading. All teachers, new and not-so-new, need a break to catch up on some fun books for summer. As I was attending my niece's college graduation, I realized exactly what I needed to get her for her classroom. Oh yeah, she is going to be a teacher, like her favorite aunt! She will be receiving her very own copy of Up the Down Staircase by Bel Kaufman from her Aunt Amy. Published in 1965, it is truly required summer reading for all new teachers and any teacher who has somehow missed this classic. Who can forget the hysterical tale of Sylvia Barrett as she navigates her first year teaching? Remembering her unconcerned principal retort "Let it be a challenge for you," makes me smile as I realize I have exhausted my allocation of copy paper in November. So, read the book and let me know what you think. And no, the movie does not count!