As we know this is written by one of our community! I am pleased to have it offered as a book club selection. I hope you did as well! I spent 33 years in the education system and this book rang true to my experiences, if not true to my actual experiences.
Rob Mariner is a man of many facets
and I liked them all. He was not wishy-washy. He set goals and went after them
even when things got rough. He was not a superhero, nor should he
be. Superheroes do not make good principals. He cared about his
students and took risks on their behalf. He was a gentle soul who made
Denny’s mother feel pride in her son (was he really dealing drugs out of the
deli? Great twist to the end and wrapped it all up!) He was a no-nonsense
principal who could get students to understand the wrongfulness of their ways
while still allowing them to keep their humanity.
Many things occurred in this book which makes it not only enjoyable but also a good read. There are many portions that ring true. The poetry game seemed appropriate given their backgrounds and that they were working to make the Friday evening meal special. While I would have liked Rob to go marching over to “bring Liv back” it fits his personality. He was focused and that focus was the source of their problems. Had he gone it would not have fit the character as well. Also, because there is always there hint of antagonism between him and his father I see that as something he would not do. It is quite appropriate that Les and Rob not get along. Les wanted the job and was set up as a non-team player even for Andrew. Rob’s hospitalizations also fit. Anyone who is under that kind of stress will have health issues and these humanize him. The book really does not slow. It took me three days to read because I did not have time to read straight through. I never had to go back and reread to keep things straight.
As any good author will let you know
there must be a twist or two! Les and
Mr. Pulaski being twins added to the suspense. I saw Les as an ass but
never a killer. Even his taking money for getting unwed mothers to give
up their children did not make him a killer. I think it was a pleasant
surprise to find out he was just an unhappy person who would eventually get
what was coming to him by losing the school he wanted so badly. I have
known plenty people in education who are in it because of the power they
perceived came with the job. Ironically, most of them did not even like
children and I think Les fits into that category. Juan’s father being part of
the “Mexican Mafia” is not farfetched either as Juan did not want his father to
know what was going on with the threats against them. Could be he feared
his father yanking him from school but the idea of him going ballistic and
taking matters into his own hands is lots more fun! In keeping with the
use of poetry between Rob and Liv, the Charge of the Light Brigade is
terrific. It depicts his sense of getting in way over his head—with Liv
and their relationship, with the murder investigation at school and even with
the problems around the school itself. the comment about “way too much
education” makes it all the more appropriate. As for the death of Travis
riley by Rasheed—genius! I had no idea who he was and it all seemed to make
sense after I got over the OH NO!! stage. I even expected Rasheed to be
the one going after Rob in the end but liked that Mr. Pulaski was there
instead.
Many questions arise. Why did Jennifer failed to testify at Christian
Pulaski's trial,
and was Mr. Pulaski death in prison accident
or murder? This one is trickier! One of my former students just spoke on
CNN about the young ladies in Cleveland. He would tell us to always believe the
young lady. Laws require Rob to do exactly what he did. That being said,
I have known people who make accusations based on desire to be noticed, gain
attention, even as a cry for help. Jennifer was a drinker like her
mother. Maybe someone else had abused her and she used her art teacher as
a scapegoat. Maybe it was to get out of trouble for the wrestling team
capers. Maybe it did happen. The fact that she did not testify
leads one to think it did not; that she got the attention she needed, dried out
a bit and was able to go with her father where she probably wanted to be all
along. OR, Mr. Pulaski got to her and bribed/threatened her into not
testifying. The unanswered makes it good! As for his murder, and I
believe it was a murder, I would look into Juan’s father!
If there is any unfinished business
here it is what happens to Leon Salazar? I liked the kid and would hope
he made it somewhere and was able to stay alive. What say the rest of you? Look forward to our discussions!
