Among Schoolchildren

By: Tracy Kidder

Narrated by: Stephen Yankee

Among Schoolchildren illuminates a year in the life of a fifth-grade teacher struggling to make a positive difference in the lives of her students. In Holyoke, Massachuetts, Christine Zajac toils far from the limelight. Her story, and that of her students is heart-warming and inspiring as she helps them to become full-scale human beings. We find that some are brilliant, that others are troubled, and that Ms. Zajac never gives up.

Even more novelistic and impressionistic than House, Among Schoolchildren is Kidder's best book yet. Listeners will be drawn into the lives of feisty, funny and tough Ms. Zajac and her equally endearing students.

©1990 Tracy Kidder (P)2008 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

A Gentle Story

I enjoyed the story even though it moves fairly slowly. I liked the characters. Found the narrator irritating. Listen to a sample before you buy.

Enjoyed by a former teacher.

This was especially enjoyable for me, as it brought back so many memories of my own teaching experiences. I'd have preferred a female narrator, as the author is a woman. I'd also prefer a bit more feeling in the narration. The narration was dispassionate and reminded me of someone reading a clinical or scientific text.