They called him Dr. Staff and Dr. Pepper. He had a file cabinet drawer in the staff room for a desk and a rarely used room in the library to met students. He was warned that half his class would be gone by the end of the term. “It’s like Gettysburg,” another teacher warns.

I have only one issue with Rick Bailey’s Drop and Add. It was too short! The story of a recent PhD reduced to accepting an adjunct teaching job with “the worst class with the worst students at the worst time of day,” bagging groceries and singing in a band to make ends meet, yet commits himself wholly to his work, is entertaining and inspiring. And, I want to know what happen next.

Eliot Becker finds an apartment in a small town consisting of singulares: there is ‘the cop’, ‘the’ coffee shop, ‘the’ grocery store. He can jog the length of main street in five minutes. His girlfriend can’t imagine him living there. She also is having trouble finding a job but, being a tennis pro, has work at her dad’s tennis club.

Eliot throws himself into his new culture, getting to know the locals in town. He responds to the beauty of open skies and “seas of green” cornfields. He takes time to get to know his peers and determines how to get to tenure.

Eliot loves singing with the Falsies, a band that does Oldies songs with falsetto singing, like the Bees Gees and Four Seasons. He has no compunction about taking a job at the market, starting at the bottom, bagging groceries, hoping to work up to stocking shelves. It involves him with his new community. When there is a fire, he worries because it is likely someone he knows.

Eliot’s class at Eastern Technical College is remedial composition. While some of the professors pride themselves on winnowing out those with subpar skills, Eliot is determined to not lose a student. Students respond to his teaching methods and attitude. Noticing his art skills, Eliot helps a failing student into his proper course of study. He only loses two students, including one who had to drop out for financial reasons. He is a good and committed teacher. He doesn’t take himself too seriously–after all, he proudly hangs his diploma erroneously announcing his degree as Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science and Engineering!

Eliot becomes attached to his students and to Freeland, and we know he won’t be moving on. He may lose his girl, but he has found his calling. He is in for a long haul, ready to work his way into tenure.

With humor and heart, this story of a young teacher’s dedication is a cozy and joyful read.

Thanks to the author for a free book. ( )