Helicopter parents vs teachers! this was a fun story without the filler fluff most similar books make you trudge through ( )

A solid 2 1/2 stars. It got better the further along I read, maybe because I knew it would soon be coming to an end. Pretty infuriating in some instances, maybe that's real life. I don't know. I guess it is for some. ( )

This was so much fun! I think there were a few too many perspectives, and Jamie and Julia just really needed names that didn't start with the same letter, but very readable nonetheless. ( )

Absolutely enthralling- over the top ridiculous, yet completely on point when considered from a satirical point. I loved it. ( )

Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes is a nuanced look at school politics at a prestigious school in an affluent Minnesota community. Written with humor and plenty of drama, West succeeds at sharing a look at high school life from the perspective of a well-meaning teacher who gets caught in the web of meeting the demands and expectations of parents/administrators and other teachers. We meet a slew of characters who set the scene and it is all too relatable to anyone who has ever been a part of a school community, whether as a teacher, parent or both.

There are helicopter parents, bullying on social media and conflicts between faculty and families. And then there are the students just trying to get through their high school years. The overbearing parents rule the roost at this school and West shares a great balance of laughable moments that seem totally unbeliever (unless you have been there and then you get it!) mixed with insight about just what students AND teachers are up against these days.

I found this book to be a light read with a great mix of thought-provoking and timely topics many of us can relate to. While some of the storylines may seem over the top, for me, they added to the complexities schools deal with in this digital age. I did struggle at times with keeping track of all the characters but all in all, this was a very enjoyable book that would make for a great book club discussion!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for an advanced copy. ( )