A first-year teacher's semi-stream-of-consciousness account of his first year of teaching in George Washington Junior High, somewhere in California. He captures the frustration and futility of trying to teach English to 7th, 8th and 9th grade students who have not been successfully educated up to grade level in their previous years in public schools. The mis-directed ambition of the students is especially poignant. It is a real downer to keep in mind that this book was written 40 years ago. I think not much has changed since 1965 for many students in similar circumstances. ( )

Excellent look at the way things were in a mid-city school in the 70s. ( )