Flying Solo

3.75 Stars. When I first read this book in elementary school over 20 years ago, there was something about it that stuck with me long after I finished it. It was one of few books I encountered that showed kids around my age dealing with something bigger than trying to fit in, do well in school, be themselves, and/or get along with their families. I loved plenty of books that focused on those other themes, but this book always felt more affirming of my own experiences as a kid who felt things deeply and reflected intensely on my thoughts and feelings.

With all that in mind, I finally decided to reread this book to see if it held up to my childhood memories. Fortunately, for the most part, it did.

Despite not having as tight of a narrative show more arc as I would have liked and not having much explicit diversity beyond socioeconomic status, this book was just as funny, heartfelt, and interesting in a nuanced yet kid-friendly way as I remembered it. More significantly, it still did a really solid job of showing how kids are impacted by different kinds of loss and how much kids silently carry unbeknownst to those around them. This was the message that was most important to me as a kid and remains the best part of the book for me as an adult.

Although I don’t know that I’d recommend this book to modern day kids because it feels very nineties in a way I don’t know that they could appreciate, I am glad I read it as a kid and glad I took the time to reread it as an adult. Also, this book 100% should have been made into a 90s movie because I would have worn that VHS out. show less

"Flying Solo" is the story of a class of sixth graders who are left alone in their classroom for a day. Their teacher, Mr. Fabiano is out for the day and no substitute shows up in class. After a long debate, the class decides not to tell the office, and to run things themselves. All goes pretty well until the rock ritual: the way the class says goodbye to Bastian, a student who is moving, by going around the room and having each student share a memory of Bastian. A fight breaks out between Bastian and Rachel, the girl who hasn't spoken out loud since their classmate Tommy's death.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My favorite thing about it was how the author used different students' perspectives throughout the story. The first four show more chapters follow four of the students the morning of the "big day", giving the reader a look inside their lives. We learn that one is traumatized by the death of a classmate, one is an air force brat who is moving and is worried about his dog, one is a goal-oriented student with common family trouble, and another is dealing with a new step-mother. I appreciated that, for the most part, the students did what they were supposed to throughout the day. I think most students, in the same situation, would have told the office, though. Most of all, I liked the varying characteristics of the students. I have seen each of them in my classroom over the years. Appropriate for grades 5 and up. show less

Take a class of sixth graders and let them run the class on their own and what do you have? When sixth grade teacher Mr. Fabiano's sub calls in sick the message doesn't get delivered. Mr. Fabiano's class decides not to tell anyone. Karen appoints herself the leader and believe it or not they follow the lesson plans, most of the time. Things go smoothly until the assembly.
This was a fun book to read with some deeper issues. Why has Rachel stopped talking? How does Bastian really feel about moving again? Why doesn't anyone ever talk about Tommy?
This book was recommended to me by a student and I will recommend it to all of my students. I would not however, leave my sixth graders without a teacher. That would definitely not work.

Probably the book from back in elementary school that had the most lasting affect on me. The plot was one of the most emotionally rich I recall reading during that time, and the characters were very believable and rememerable for me.

The story starts with an introduction to each of the main characters building background for their personality and behavior in the story. Their teacher, Mr. Fabiano is absent and his substitute calls in sick. The secretary drops the note about getting a new substitute and Karen, his student decides not to tell the office when she delivers the attendance. The class is flying solo without a teacher for the whole day. They run the class like Mr. Fab would have with learning and working. They do have some arguments and discussions that bring up some topics that they needed to discuss and resolve. The characters learn more about each other through their day running the class together.

This story is the day of a class with no teacher. Their teacher didn't show up and they decide to run the classroom themselves. The children have different struggles they are going through during this day. The book is beneficial for children to learn responsibility and independence. The book is written for children ages 10-12

Students handle class when sub doesn't come; selective mute