Ilana Garon

A version of "Up the Down Staircase" for current times. Although the writing was, in my opinion, very good, my problem with this book is that the author was writing about her teaching experiences in a low-income crime ridden section of the Bronx. The worst words spoken, or recorded in the book is "mad", as in "mad stupid", an occasional "F--- Off!" (or variation thereof) and a few printable curses.

The author's students all call her "Miss" and refer to the other teachers by Mrs. or Mr.; there is occasional talk of local gangs (the Bloods and the Crips) but that issue as well as other serious issues are all discussed with a light hand.

This book is categorized as non-fiction. I don't want extreme descriptions in either direction, but even mainstream and higher income schools have serious issues with student behavior these days. This book is just to "clean and fluffy" to me.

"Up the Down Staircase" and "To Sir With Love", IMHO, presented life seemingly realistically.

The writer did tell a good story, but I don't think it qualifies as non-fiction.… (more)