3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
A Year of the Teacher by Steve Logston is a fictional coming-of-age narrative that follows Tony Stephens, a recent college graduate forced to move home after he is unable to find a teaching job. To make matters worse, his girlfriend, Melissa, breaks up with him. Tony fears he may be stuck in his industrial hometown working in a factory, but at least his parents are supportive. He reconnects with his best friend, Leon, and a fellow musician reaches out to him to join a band he is forming. Tony's exceptional year begins when he is hired as a sixth-grade teacher in Flag Station. As he settles into his new job and community, he develops new friendships, attends practices with the band, and is asked to coach the school basketball team. He is pleasantly surprised when Melissa shows up at his door, and they begin to rekindle their relationship. Things are really looking up for Tony until tragedy strikes.
This well-written book is 244 pages and told in the first-person narrative from the perspective of the protagonist, Tony. It highlights the increasingly common issue of college graduates being unable to find work in their fields of expertise. On a personal note, both of my daughters experienced the same challenge despite graduating with honors. The story moves at a steady pace through the daily circumstances in Tony's life. The author uses strong character development to illustrate Tony's growth over the year. Tony is flawed yet relatable; the only exception I noted pertained to his encounters with women. I find it far-fetched that despite their ages, practically every woman he meets wants to sleep with him and makes the first move. However, Tony matures and progresses from feeling sorry for himself to prioritizing relationships and helping others. This is most evident in his interactions with the school basketball team, his landlord, and the principal.
Jake Nielsen, the principal and Tony's boss, is another character who stands out. In fact, I particularly like the portrayal of the friendship between the two men. Good-natured Jake offers Tony both personal and professional advice, usually with a touch of humor. He isn't pushy or overbearing, and it's evident he is fond of the young teacher, which is probably why Tony usually heeds his advice. The relationship comes across as genuine and sincere. Since the author is a retired teacher, I couldn't help but wonder if he experienced a similar relationship as a mentor or as one being mentored.
On the other hand, I disliked the final chapter of the book, which abruptly shifted by introducing not one, but several life-changing events. The single reference to this in the synopsis, "...when everything seems to be going so well for Tony, it all starts crashing down," was an understatement. Without revealing any plot spoilers, I found aspects related to the plot, sequencing, and relationships unrealistic and inconsistent with the rest of the book. These factors influenced the ending, which felt rushed and comparable to watching an enjoyable movie that suddenly concludes with one of those endings that tempts me to yell at the screen. I wondered if the author was setting the stage for a sequel but felt he could have done so with a more satisfying ending.
Overall, I rate the book 3 out of 4 stars. Despite the issues with the final chapter and ending, it is an engaging story, and the editing is professional. However, it does contain profanity and non-explicit sexual references. I recommend the book to readers who enjoy coming-of-age stories. It will also appeal to musicians, teachers, coaches, and basketball fans.
******
A Year Of The Teacher
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon