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The Secret School #1
The Secret School
More than anything, Ida Bidson wants to become a teacher. To do that, she must finish eighth grade, then go on to high school. But her dream falters when the one-room school in her remote Colorado town shuts down. Her only hope is to keep the school open without anyone finding out. Yet even a secret school needs a teacher. Ida can't be it. . . . Or can she?
In the spirit of The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Newbery Medal winner Avi creates an inspiring story of a headstrong girl determined to control her own destiny.
In the spirit of The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Newbery Medal winner Avi creates an inspiring story of a headstrong girl determined to control her own destiny.
157 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
About the author
Avi
319 books1,643 followersAvi is a pen name for Edward Irving Wortis, but he says, "The fact is, Avi is the only name I use." Born in 1937, Avi has created many fictional favorites such as
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle,
Nothing but the Truth,
and the Crispin series. His work is popular among readers young and old.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 570 reviews
October 26, 2013
I went to the library recently and, whilst browsing the shelves, I came across Avi's Nothing But The Truth. I love that book. I read it back in high school and remembered how I fell in love with its unique writing style, engaging story, and annoying, but necessary, characters. So I checked it out of the library along with a few other books by Avi. After all, if I read one of his books and loved it so much, there's a chance I might fall in love with another, right?
I did. I read The Secret School and thought it was just as lovely and enjoyable as Nothing But The Truth. The only difference is that it's slightly shorter and the characters are not all total idiots! Avi's writing style is slightly different in this book than in the other but that doesn't get in the way of the reading experience one bit. This story about a girl wanting to get a good education so she can follow her dream of becoming a teacher is a very endearing one. The characters are wonderful and the atmosphere makes it for a quick easy read.
That being said, the only thing this book suffers from is its length. I was really enjoying myself in this story and seeing the characters grow and become more mature that when it was over, I felt a "That's it?" escape from my lips. I wanted to see how high school was going to go for both Ida and Tom. I wanted to know what was going to happen to Herbert. I wanted to know how everyone's future was going to turn out! But, alas, the book ended too quickly before I got a chance to find out.
That's not to say you don't get a sense of closure; you do. It's just left so... open that you're still left wondering about these characters and if they are going to be alright. It's inferred... but I like being told straight up that they are going to make it. Don't get me wrong, I really love this book! I do! I guess, what I am trying to say is, I loved it so much I wanted more! Which is a sign of a great book, if you ask me.
Give this book a read. It's short and simple so you can get through it in no time and have a fun read whilst you're at it. If you like coming-of-age stories then you will, most likely, enjoy this one. It's a great story about children trying to make something of themselves when America was going through some dark times. (Not that it isn't like that today.) I know you will come away with new appreciation for your own life and the life of others.
Avi is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. This is only the second book I read of his, but I am in love with his ability to tell a story and tell it well. I have a few more books by him that I still need to read so I am not done yet with this amazing author!
I did. I read The Secret School and thought it was just as lovely and enjoyable as Nothing But The Truth. The only difference is that it's slightly shorter and the characters are not all total idiots! Avi's writing style is slightly different in this book than in the other but that doesn't get in the way of the reading experience one bit. This story about a girl wanting to get a good education so she can follow her dream of becoming a teacher is a very endearing one. The characters are wonderful and the atmosphere makes it for a quick easy read.
That being said, the only thing this book suffers from is its length. I was really enjoying myself in this story and seeing the characters grow and become more mature that when it was over, I felt a "That's it?" escape from my lips. I wanted to see how high school was going to go for both Ida and Tom. I wanted to know what was going to happen to Herbert. I wanted to know how everyone's future was going to turn out! But, alas, the book ended too quickly before I got a chance to find out.
That's not to say you don't get a sense of closure; you do. It's just left so... open that you're still left wondering about these characters and if they are going to be alright. It's inferred... but I like being told straight up that they are going to make it. Don't get me wrong, I really love this book! I do! I guess, what I am trying to say is, I loved it so much I wanted more! Which is a sign of a great book, if you ask me.
Give this book a read. It's short and simple so you can get through it in no time and have a fun read whilst you're at it. If you like coming-of-age stories then you will, most likely, enjoy this one. It's a great story about children trying to make something of themselves when America was going through some dark times. (Not that it isn't like that today.) I know you will come away with new appreciation for your own life and the life of others.
Avi is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. This is only the second book I read of his, but I am in love with his ability to tell a story and tell it well. I have a few more books by him that I still need to read so I am not done yet with this amazing author!
August 29, 2009
Cute little story and a very fast read. I'm trying to get my 10 year old to read it, but she started it and lost interest after the first chapter. I will try her on it again later. This is a historical fiction story about 14 yr old Ida who wants to be a teacher more than anything in the world, yet her schooling is interrupted by the town's teacher leaving and no replacement coming. Ida decides to take the matter into her own hands and with her friend's encouragement, decides to become the new teacher herself...thus the beginning of the "secret school". The challenges and joys she feels in her new "job" are genuine. Having to continue all her chores and responsibilities on her family's farm, along with keeping up on her own studies proves to be exhausting and overwhelming. At times, my life felt so lazy compared to Ida's schedule. Although a fictitious character, the reader feels her frustration, her deepest wishes, and can appreciate her tenacity and dedication. A must read for anyone who wanted to be a teacher when she grew up (and those of us that got the privilege of doing just that in real life).
August 29, 2022
Two of my favorite ingredients: one room schools, and Depression era ! This is a wholesome story with the YA character being refreshingly open and honest their parents, sheep ranchers who want the best for their kids, but don't have much money to do so, and well-rounded characters of different interests and temperaments.
July 20, 2014
I liked this book because you can learn a poem or two and you can learn a lot of things like how back then the schools were all in one room.Imagine in one room about 16-20 kids in all grades.poor teacher!My favrite part was when the kids played a joke on the teacher and threw her in the pond.In conclusion, I thought this was a great book.
February 14, 2023
Cute book. I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to young readers in their teens - Can't remember the entire plot, but it had a nice story with relatable characters with a soft romantic undertone for those who enjoy stories about young love.
October 29, 2014
"The Secret School" by Avi is a book that should be read by younger students. I am in 7th grade and I thought that I should be reading a more challenging book. It was a short book that didn't have much going on. I felt throughout the whole book everything was being rushed. It seemed as if in every chapter there was something new going on.
I request this book to 4-6 grade students. It seems too challenging for 3rd graders and below because there are some bigger words that they might not understand. But, for 6th grade students it seems like a perfect book for that age. 7th grade and older I feel is too easy. Despite all the little imperfections this book was very good.
In summary, there a small classroom with deferent aged students in one room, with one teacher. One day the teacher announces that her mother is very ill. She will have to go take care if her and leave the school. Since it is too far into the year, the school board is just going to close down the school for the year because they don't want to get a replacement this far in the year.
Although 8th graders, Tom and Ida still haven't done their final to move onto high school and they won't get the chance. Ida wants to be a teacher and she has to do her final this year to become a teacher.
Ida is really desperate to become a teacher and complete her final, so the whole class votes that they have a secret school that way Ida and Tom can complete their finals. Everyone votes yes and they do it. They sneak into an open window that Ida left open as soon as the teacher leaves to go take care of her mother.
The school goes great until Ida started to realize that being a teacher, helping on the farm, and doing her own school work is a tough job, but she must complete her final to become a teacher no matter what it takes. Will anyone find out about the secret school? And will Ida and Tom be able to complete their finals? You'll have to read this book to find out.
I request this book to 4-6 grade students. It seems too challenging for 3rd graders and below because there are some bigger words that they might not understand. But, for 6th grade students it seems like a perfect book for that age. 7th grade and older I feel is too easy. Despite all the little imperfections this book was very good.
In summary, there a small classroom with deferent aged students in one room, with one teacher. One day the teacher announces that her mother is very ill. She will have to go take care if her and leave the school. Since it is too far into the year, the school board is just going to close down the school for the year because they don't want to get a replacement this far in the year.
Although 8th graders, Tom and Ida still haven't done their final to move onto high school and they won't get the chance. Ida wants to be a teacher and she has to do her final this year to become a teacher.
Ida is really desperate to become a teacher and complete her final, so the whole class votes that they have a secret school that way Ida and Tom can complete their finals. Everyone votes yes and they do it. They sneak into an open window that Ida left open as soon as the teacher leaves to go take care of her mother.
The school goes great until Ida started to realize that being a teacher, helping on the farm, and doing her own school work is a tough job, but she must complete her final to become a teacher no matter what it takes. Will anyone find out about the secret school? And will Ida and Tom be able to complete their finals? You'll have to read this book to find out.
October 9, 2022
Read this with a student during the month of September and we both really enjoyed it!
September 1, 2015
The Secret School by Avi is a fun and easy historical fiction book in which a one-room schoolhouse in a poor farming town in the year 1925 is faced with a big problem- they are about to lose their only teacher, with no hope of a replacement. Ida Bidson, a fourteen-year-old eighth-grader who aspires to be a teacher, realizes that when the schoolteacher leaves she won’t be able to take the exit exam and get to high school! She and the other students hatch the plan to reopen the schoolhouse- but secretly. Ida, who desperately needs the exit exam, volunteers to be the impromptu teacher. With a great plot about coming of age, personal struggles, and a determined farm girl The Secret School leaves an impact on the reader in many ways. The book brings to light that the education system we have now is a big privilege and an advancement compared to what was in place in 1925. This book also accurately portrays some of the struggles woman in particular faced when they wanted to continue their education but were advised against because of their gender. And despite the time period that The Secret School is set in, it makes a relatable and understandable plot and story, and makes the reader feel as if they are truly there. I would most definitely recommend the book to a classmate as a good historical fiction read. The surreal feeling makes you realize how different times were then and how far we’ve come today.
December 31, 2021
A historical fiction story for older children about a one-room school in rural Colorado. It especially interested me as I taught a similar school in Nebraska many years ago.
Just before the end of the school year, the teacher's mother became very ill. Since it was so close to the end of the term, the superintendent decides just to close the school for the rest of the time, but this leaves Ida Bidson and her friend Tom in a lurch. As the only 8th graders in the school, they will miss the end-of-term exit exam, which would allow them to pass on to the county high school. Ida is especially upset, because she has always wanted to be a teacher; without passing the exam and going on to high school, her dream is not only deferred, but may die altogether - unless some other teacher can be found to finish out the term. Is Ida up to the challenge? Spurred by her intense desire to further her education, she convinces the other children to secretly continue the school with her as the teacher. It's a lot harder than she ever imagined it would be - but she is determined to make it work.
Just before the end of the school year, the teacher's mother became very ill. Since it was so close to the end of the term, the superintendent decides just to close the school for the rest of the time, but this leaves Ida Bidson and her friend Tom in a lurch. As the only 8th graders in the school, they will miss the end-of-term exit exam, which would allow them to pass on to the county high school. Ida is especially upset, because she has always wanted to be a teacher; without passing the exam and going on to high school, her dream is not only deferred, but may die altogether - unless some other teacher can be found to finish out the term. Is Ida up to the challenge? Spurred by her intense desire to further her education, she convinces the other children to secretly continue the school with her as the teacher. It's a lot harder than she ever imagined it would be - but she is determined to make it work.
July 11, 2010
I really loved this book, and I plan on reading it to my students this year. Avi is a wonderful author and he really makes you feel like it is 1925 and you are a student in the classroom of The Secret School. The book was a quick read and it made me think about how lucky we are to be able to attend school and give it our main focus. Imagine having to go to school and work on a farm every other spare minute. I'm hoping this book will make my students think about how lucky they are to have the opportunity to be educated and inspire them to do their best this school year.
May 12, 2017
I really liked this books message to the readers. That people could do anything they wanted to do, if they were up for the task, that is. Ida is a young girl who wants to be a teacher, and faces discrimination on women's education, and she just goes to school anyway. I really enjoyed how the setting was somewhat modern, but still took you back to when it really happened.
October 24, 2007
I loved this story about a 14-year-old girl who secretly becomes teacher of a rural school in 1925 Colorado in order to keep studying and to graduate so that she can go on to high school. Now there's dedication to an education!
May 5, 2018
Meh. Slightly interesting read about life as kids & their one-room schoolhouse in early 1900's. Set in rural Colorado. Only read because of author. Would recommend if very interested in history of school houses & education.
April 28, 2016
Sweet book about the power of determination! I love how Ida is so young no so determined and strong.
April 11, 2010
Avi is one of the authors that I always expect great things from, and I am never disappointed when I read one of his books. The Secret School is about a fourth grade reading level, but perfect for a class that I teach of struggling readers. This quick read (about 150 pages, but larger print than normal) is about a valley of farmer's children that go to school in a one room schoolhouse. Their teacher is leaving because her mother is ill and the school board has decided to close the school. Then a student (Tom) decides that they could continue going to school if one of the other students (Ida) becomes the teacher. After a night of thinking about it, Ida decides that if the whole class agrees on it, then she will take over as teacher. The only thing is, they can't let the school board know, so the secret school is born. Ida learns that it is difficult becoming the teacher, as well as studying herself and working on the farm, but for the most part everything goes well, until...
I'm sure that you can figure out some of the problems that erupt when you have a secret school, but you'll have to read the story to find out more. All in all, this is a great book that can get student's thinking about what it was like when everyone went to school in the same room regardless of age. There are lessons about motivation and helping one another as well. As a teacher, I would encourage others to take a deeper look at what it would be like if we were not forced to get an education. I think that if our students begin to really look at what privileges they have now, they might not be so upset when they have to get up in the morning or do their homework. Also, there are tons of history lessons that can pop up from discussing this book.
It's a small book but can lead off to greater things. I highly recommend it to beginning novel readers, struggling older readers, or teachers that want something quick and sweet to start off their units.
I'm sure that you can figure out some of the problems that erupt when you have a secret school, but you'll have to read the story to find out more. All in all, this is a great book that can get student's thinking about what it was like when everyone went to school in the same room regardless of age. There are lessons about motivation and helping one another as well. As a teacher, I would encourage others to take a deeper look at what it would be like if we were not forced to get an education. I think that if our students begin to really look at what privileges they have now, they might not be so upset when they have to get up in the morning or do their homework. Also, there are tons of history lessons that can pop up from discussing this book.
It's a small book but can lead off to greater things. I highly recommend it to beginning novel readers, struggling older readers, or teachers that want something quick and sweet to start off their units.
July 21, 2015
It is 1925, and 14 year old Ida Bidson plans on being a school teacher when she grows up. But suddenly, her dream is threatened when her school teacher, Mrs. Fletcher, announces she will have to go home to take care of her ailing mother, and will not be able to finish the year. Mr. Jordan, the head of the local school board further explains that the school department will not be replacing the teacher and so school is out until next fall, when the children will need to repeat the grade.
This is disastrous for Ida, who along with her friend Tom, is expected to take an exit exam at the end of the year in order to enter High School in the fall. A plan starts to take shape, and Ida and her co-students agree that she should finish out the year as the teacher.
Avi's novel is slow to start, but soon takes off. The characters are well defined and three-dimensional. The kids work together to make their secret school work, and even in the face of adversity, manage to pull it all off. The time period offers vivid images of the car with the crank, the kids on the mule, etc. Younger teens might find this book fun to read as it is essentially a bigger version of the game of "playing school."
4th grade reading level. Interest level, grades 4-7th.
This is disastrous for Ida, who along with her friend Tom, is expected to take an exit exam at the end of the year in order to enter High School in the fall. A plan starts to take shape, and Ida and her co-students agree that she should finish out the year as the teacher.
Avi's novel is slow to start, but soon takes off. The characters are well defined and three-dimensional. The kids work together to make their secret school work, and even in the face of adversity, manage to pull it all off. The time period offers vivid images of the car with the crank, the kids on the mule, etc. Younger teens might find this book fun to read as it is essentially a bigger version of the game of "playing school."
4th grade reading level. Interest level, grades 4-7th.
Read
April 29, 2019This book I thought was really good. I really liked the part of the book when Ida got to teach the class because there teacher was out sick. She always wanted to be a teacher so this was good practice for her. It said that Ida was very nervous and I would be to if I had to teach kids that were the same age as me and younger. Ida like one of the kids that she teaches his name is Tom. Tom and Ida have been good friends for a long time and have flirted quite a bit. One day a lady came into make sure that the class was getting ready for there exams. The lady asked why Ida was not studying and she said that it was because she is a teacher. The lady didn't know that she was a teacher and she is not supposed to be. Ida explained there problem very well and the lady said that she would not tell, because of she told her would get in trouble.
September 26, 2014
Reminiscent of a Little House on the Prairie book, the Secret School is set in 1925 Colorado. Fourteen-year-old Ida is looking forward to graduating from the 8th grade and moving on to high school, but her plans are jeopardized when the teacher is called away for a family emergency before the school year ends and the school board doesn't want to replace her. If Ida can't finish the 8th grade, she can't go on to high school.
Featuring a strong female lead and providing details of life on a farm as well as the day-to-day functioning of a one-room schoolhouse, this story is engaging and well plotted. The tension is just right without anything being scary or sad.
A good choice for 3rd-6th grade readers.
Featuring a strong female lead and providing details of life on a farm as well as the day-to-day functioning of a one-room schoolhouse, this story is engaging and well plotted. The tension is just right without anything being scary or sad.
A good choice for 3rd-6th grade readers.
August 5, 2018
I know a lot of people love Avi but I’ve never really loved his books. I debated on giving this one 2 or 3 stars, but it was slightly better than some of the other BOB books I’ve read recently so I rounded up. It wasn’t a bad story it was just kind of boring. I think listening to the audio made it seem a lot longer than it really was. The narrator was great I just got really bored with the story.
My favorite part was how Ida and Felix drove the car. I doubt my students will have any idea what it means to “crank” a car so if we read this as a class that will be some fun history.
I liked the relationship between Ida and Tom as well, it was pretty cute. Ida is an impressive character but I felt like this story could’ve been at least 1/3 shorter and still got the message across.
My favorite part was how Ida and Felix drove the car. I doubt my students will have any idea what it means to “crank” a car so if we read this as a class that will be some fun history.
I liked the relationship between Ida and Tom as well, it was pretty cute. Ida is an impressive character but I felt like this story could’ve been at least 1/3 shorter and still got the message across.
February 4, 2017
A small one room class of students secretly carry on school led by 14 year old Ida after their teacher is forced to leave before the end of the school year. Set in rural Colorado in 1925. this is an interesting depiction of frontier education as well as a charming story of energy and ambition.
May 22, 2020
I loved this! This is the book I wish I'd had as a kid when I all I dreamed about was becoming a teacher. An interesting historical fiction novel about a fourteen-year old who becomes the teacher of a one-room schoolhouse in 1925.
August 4, 2022
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook version of this on CDs in the car. It was a gentle, earnest story, and the voice actor, Johanna Parker, did a nice job narrating the book. I like how the characters are all three-dimensional, and nothing terrible happens, but the book has a good ending.
August 14, 2009
i read it and its really good!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
December 12, 2015More juvenile than I usually read, but I figured it was an Avi book, so hey! Naturally I was not disappointed and this was an especially good kid's book.
May 8, 2018
Listened to this in the car. This just brought back lots of memories from being fourteen. Ida's character really felt true to me. It was a short, simple story that we all enjoyed.
December 3, 2018
Just okay.
November 2, 2019
Entirely delightful.
August 4, 2020
Read in November 2012.
Listened to as an audible in August 2020.
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Second review: I remembered this as a book that I wanted to share with my kids, so I bought it as an audible and listened to it with Jill during a car ride. We both enjoyed the story. I hadn't realized how relevant I would find it. Right now with covid-19, my children basically lost their teachers. They had a term left to the school year. They pretty much had to do school on their own. Of course, I helped them and acted as their teacher, and the parents in this story weren't able to do that. But I thought the parallels from 2020 to this 1925 story were very interesting.
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This would be a good older elementary/middle school read. The main character (Ida) is a fourteen year old girl who wants to be a teacher someday, but near the end of her eighth grade year, her teacher's mother becomes very sick, and her teacher has to leave to go take care of her mother. The school board president decides to cut costs by not getting a replacement with only a few months left. That means that none of the students will get credit for that school year and Ida won't be able to take the test to qualify to attend high school. Then her best friend Tom comes up with a solution: continue going to school in secret with Ida as the teacher of the younger kids!
This would be a great book to read with your child or discuss later with your child.
The book takes place in 1925, and the differences between then and now almost one hundred years later are very interesting. Those students memorized a lot. I don't really feel like students today are required to memorize large passages of literature or historical speeches. It was a one room school house, so all the different first through eighth grade students were together and often helped each other. I think that is a really good experience, for a child good at math to help another child with that subject and then get help back in literature. And likewise students in higher grades can help the students in lower grades. You gain a lot through teaching what you know. I was also impressed by their desire to learn. A lot of them were more educated than their parents, and in 1925 you took a test to qualify for high school rather than everyone getting forced to go like now. It's like their high school was similar to our college level almost in that way.
The opening scene with fourteen year old Ida driving the car, well steering the car, while her younger brother was crouched down pushing the clutch and pedals definitely set the stage for how different life was back then. But as Ida said, driving the car like that beat walking five miles to and from school.
I wish there were some way to instill the love of learning that those children had into children today. And of course I'm sure not all kids back then didn't love school (Herbert didn't excel for his own personal reasons), but I would hazard the guess that more children then appreciated the opportunity to go to school than children do today.
Another benefit, to me, is that the children had one teacher for such a long time. If you've had the same teacher for eight years, you can bet you have a relationship and the teacher would really know by then how to teach you and get to you.
I loved how supportive Ida's parents were of each other and how honest they were with Ida, and supportive of her as well.
I also really loved how there were little crushes, or admiration, and it was able to be left at that. There was no pressure to date or make a decision or kiss or anything. Kids were allowed to be kids. There was teasing but no rush to grow up. I feel like fourteen years olds today feel a lot of pressure to already have boyfriends/girlfriends and emulate their older peers in issues that are way over their maturity levels. So I liked that it was okay to just like someone and leave it at that.
This book also made me consider the role of women. I often take my liberty as a woman for granted, but the generations preceding me really overcame a lot of obstacles for me to have this freedom. I have always wanted to be a mother, a college educated mother, but I wonder if I would have wanted to be a mother (and be as fulfilled and happy as I am as one) if I had been forced into the role, if it had been the only role available to me, rather than being the life that I chose. Tom's mentioning that no nice girl would want to do the things Ida wanted to do made me think of that, of the strict gender roles.
"'Now, Ida Bidson,' Mr. Jordan answered, 'as an adult, it's my bounden duty to inform you—as I'm certain your parents do every day—that life teaches us many a hard lesson beyond school. No doubt this . . . exam business will be inconvenient.
'But I'd suggest you think a little less of yourself and a little more on Miss Fletcher and her ailing mother. Besides, I'm not so sure a girl needs a high school education. Any more questions?' Mr. Jordan asked, looking around the room."
"'But, if I had all that money . . . ' [said Ida.]
'What would you do?' [asked Tom.]
'Teach in a big city. Denver, maybe. Have books. My own car. A new one. Travel around the whole world.'
'Come on, you're no flapper. Nice girls don't do that.'
'Then, I'm not nice,' Ida snapped."
"Ida started to go back to her regular seat. She was halfway there when she paused. 'Miss Fletcher, do you think girls don't need a high school education?'
'Oh no, of course I don't believe that. Mr. Jordan was not . . . thinking.'
'It's what he said.'
Miss Fletcher sighed. 'Ida, do try to be patient.'
'It's hard being patient,' Ida replied, 'if there's nothing to be patient for.'"
"'You're always taking a vacation,' Susie said.
Herbert flushed. 'Am not! Working, that's what. My dad says there ain't no laws can force me to go to school. Unconstitutional.'"
"Ida sighed. 'I can't believe we're doing this.'
'You nervous?' [Tom]
'I think so.'
'Know what my uncle once told me?'
Ida shook her head.
'Said, "If you want to try something new, and you're not scared, means you're not really trying something new."'
'Maybe I'm too scared,' Ida said with a wan smile.
'Which scares you the most,' Tom pressed, 'teaching, or not going to high school?'
'I think I'd hate myself if I didn't try everything to get there,' Ida said after a moment.
'Well,' said Tom, 'if I had to pick between hating myself and scaring myself, guess I know what I'd do.'
'What?'
'Oh no!' Tom said, getting up. 'Last time I suggested what you could do, you got made at me. You're gonna have to decide for yourself.'"
"Do what conscience says is right;
Do what reason says is best;
Do with all your mind and might;
Do your duty, and be blest."
"As the days passed, she worked with or listened to each student separately, though there were times she worked simultaneously with two or three. When she wasn't spending time with them, the children were either learning lessons by themselves, memorizing, working with each other, studying together if they were on the same level, or helping one another if they were not. When they became tired or bored—which happened—they sat quietly, staring out the windows at the mountains, daydreaming. Sometimes they did little but listen to the other lessons that buzzed ceaselessly around them."
"Then there were school chores. Sweeping, mopping, cutting and hauling wood, dusting, taking out ashes, polishing desks, filling the stove, cleaning the privies, washing windows. Everybody did some of everything."
Listened to as an audible in August 2020.
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Second review: I remembered this as a book that I wanted to share with my kids, so I bought it as an audible and listened to it with Jill during a car ride. We both enjoyed the story. I hadn't realized how relevant I would find it. Right now with covid-19, my children basically lost their teachers. They had a term left to the school year. They pretty much had to do school on their own. Of course, I helped them and acted as their teacher, and the parents in this story weren't able to do that. But I thought the parallels from 2020 to this 1925 story were very interesting.
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This would be a good older elementary/middle school read. The main character (Ida) is a fourteen year old girl who wants to be a teacher someday, but near the end of her eighth grade year, her teacher's mother becomes very sick, and her teacher has to leave to go take care of her mother. The school board president decides to cut costs by not getting a replacement with only a few months left. That means that none of the students will get credit for that school year and Ida won't be able to take the test to qualify to attend high school. Then her best friend Tom comes up with a solution: continue going to school in secret with Ida as the teacher of the younger kids!
This would be a great book to read with your child or discuss later with your child.
The book takes place in 1925, and the differences between then and now almost one hundred years later are very interesting. Those students memorized a lot. I don't really feel like students today are required to memorize large passages of literature or historical speeches. It was a one room school house, so all the different first through eighth grade students were together and often helped each other. I think that is a really good experience, for a child good at math to help another child with that subject and then get help back in literature. And likewise students in higher grades can help the students in lower grades. You gain a lot through teaching what you know. I was also impressed by their desire to learn. A lot of them were more educated than their parents, and in 1925 you took a test to qualify for high school rather than everyone getting forced to go like now. It's like their high school was similar to our college level almost in that way.
The opening scene with fourteen year old Ida driving the car, well steering the car, while her younger brother was crouched down pushing the clutch and pedals definitely set the stage for how different life was back then. But as Ida said, driving the car like that beat walking five miles to and from school.
I wish there were some way to instill the love of learning that those children had into children today. And of course I'm sure not all kids back then didn't love school (Herbert didn't excel for his own personal reasons), but I would hazard the guess that more children then appreciated the opportunity to go to school than children do today.
Another benefit, to me, is that the children had one teacher for such a long time. If you've had the same teacher for eight years, you can bet you have a relationship and the teacher would really know by then how to teach you and get to you.
I loved how supportive Ida's parents were of each other and how honest they were with Ida, and supportive of her as well.
I also really loved how there were little crushes, or admiration, and it was able to be left at that. There was no pressure to date or make a decision or kiss or anything. Kids were allowed to be kids. There was teasing but no rush to grow up. I feel like fourteen years olds today feel a lot of pressure to already have boyfriends/girlfriends and emulate their older peers in issues that are way over their maturity levels. So I liked that it was okay to just like someone and leave it at that.
This book also made me consider the role of women. I often take my liberty as a woman for granted, but the generations preceding me really overcame a lot of obstacles for me to have this freedom. I have always wanted to be a mother, a college educated mother, but I wonder if I would have wanted to be a mother (and be as fulfilled and happy as I am as one) if I had been forced into the role, if it had been the only role available to me, rather than being the life that I chose. Tom's mentioning that no nice girl would want to do the things Ida wanted to do made me think of that, of the strict gender roles.
"'Now, Ida Bidson,' Mr. Jordan answered, 'as an adult, it's my bounden duty to inform you—as I'm certain your parents do every day—that life teaches us many a hard lesson beyond school. No doubt this . . . exam business will be inconvenient.
'But I'd suggest you think a little less of yourself and a little more on Miss Fletcher and her ailing mother. Besides, I'm not so sure a girl needs a high school education. Any more questions?' Mr. Jordan asked, looking around the room."
"'But, if I had all that money . . . ' [said Ida.]
'What would you do?' [asked Tom.]
'Teach in a big city. Denver, maybe. Have books. My own car. A new one. Travel around the whole world.'
'Come on, you're no flapper. Nice girls don't do that.'
'Then, I'm not nice,' Ida snapped."
"Ida started to go back to her regular seat. She was halfway there when she paused. 'Miss Fletcher, do you think girls don't need a high school education?'
'Oh no, of course I don't believe that. Mr. Jordan was not . . . thinking.'
'It's what he said.'
Miss Fletcher sighed. 'Ida, do try to be patient.'
'It's hard being patient,' Ida replied, 'if there's nothing to be patient for.'"
"'You're always taking a vacation,' Susie said.
Herbert flushed. 'Am not! Working, that's what. My dad says there ain't no laws can force me to go to school. Unconstitutional.'"
"Ida sighed. 'I can't believe we're doing this.'
'You nervous?' [Tom]
'I think so.'
'Know what my uncle once told me?'
Ida shook her head.
'Said, "If you want to try something new, and you're not scared, means you're not really trying something new."'
'Maybe I'm too scared,' Ida said with a wan smile.
'Which scares you the most,' Tom pressed, 'teaching, or not going to high school?'
'I think I'd hate myself if I didn't try everything to get there,' Ida said after a moment.
'Well,' said Tom, 'if I had to pick between hating myself and scaring myself, guess I know what I'd do.'
'What?'
'Oh no!' Tom said, getting up. 'Last time I suggested what you could do, you got made at me. You're gonna have to decide for yourself.'"
"Do what conscience says is right;
Do what reason says is best;
Do with all your mind and might;
Do your duty, and be blest."
"As the days passed, she worked with or listened to each student separately, though there were times she worked simultaneously with two or three. When she wasn't spending time with them, the children were either learning lessons by themselves, memorizing, working with each other, studying together if they were on the same level, or helping one another if they were not. When they became tired or bored—which happened—they sat quietly, staring out the windows at the mountains, daydreaming. Sometimes they did little but listen to the other lessons that buzzed ceaselessly around them."
"Then there were school chores. Sweeping, mopping, cutting and hauling wood, dusting, taking out ashes, polishing desks, filling the stove, cleaning the privies, washing windows. Everybody did some of everything."
February 4, 2023
First sentence: On a cool Monday morning in early April 1925, Ida Bidson, aged fourteen, carefully guided her family's battered Model T Ford along a narrow, twisting dirt road in Elk Valley, Colorado. "Brake and clutch!" she shouted. Ida, only four-feet-eleven and unable to reach the floor of the car, knelt on the torn seat and gripped the steering wheel tightly. Her seven-year-old brother, Felix, hunched on the floor before her and used his hands to push the brake and clutch pedals down.
Premise/plot: Ida desperately wants the chance to go to high school. Ultimately she wants to go to "normal school" and get her teaching certificate as well. But this eighth grader may not get the chance to graduate eighth grade dashing all her future dreams. Why? Well, their current teacher is leaving abruptly--a family emergency. The school board had decided to end the term early. The two eighth graders wouldn't get a chance to take their final [final, final] exams and graduate. The two wouldn't be permitted to go on to high school the next school term. But Ida, well, she has BIG dreams. And when someone suggests that she should be their teacher for the rest of the term, well, it makes a lot of sense. It has risks, for sure. She'll be a secret teacher at a secret school. Will she get a chance to take her exam? Will she be going to high school after all?
My thoughts: I love, love, love stories of one-room schoolhouses. This one was a PERFECTLY PERFECT fit for me. I loved getting to know Ida. I loved getting to know all her classmates/students. I felt the story was fleshed out. It felt very REAL. I cared about these students and their families. I wanted more, more, more.
I don't know WHY I'm just now discovering this one. But I am super thankful I read it.
Premise/plot: Ida desperately wants the chance to go to high school. Ultimately she wants to go to "normal school" and get her teaching certificate as well. But this eighth grader may not get the chance to graduate eighth grade dashing all her future dreams. Why? Well, their current teacher is leaving abruptly--a family emergency. The school board had decided to end the term early. The two eighth graders wouldn't get a chance to take their final [final, final] exams and graduate. The two wouldn't be permitted to go on to high school the next school term. But Ida, well, she has BIG dreams. And when someone suggests that she should be their teacher for the rest of the term, well, it makes a lot of sense. It has risks, for sure. She'll be a secret teacher at a secret school. Will she get a chance to take her exam? Will she be going to high school after all?
My thoughts: I love, love, love stories of one-room schoolhouses. This one was a PERFECTLY PERFECT fit for me. I loved getting to know Ida. I loved getting to know all her classmates/students. I felt the story was fleshed out. It felt very REAL. I cared about these students and their families. I wanted more, more, more.
I don't know WHY I'm just now discovering this one. But I am super thankful I read it.
December 14, 2022
apparently I really enjoy the book genre "a character is forced to step into a leadership role they want but are woefully unprepared for and then works incredibly hard to succeed while dealing with trials and tribulations" because first it was this and years later it was orion lost.
this held up really well for the number of years it's been since I've read it. and I was FR obsessed with this book. it made me want to go to school in a one-room schoolhouse LMAO
2022 popsugar reading challenge: A book that takes place during your favorite season
this held up really well for the number of years it's been since I've read it. and I was FR obsessed with this book. it made me want to go to school in a one-room schoolhouse LMAO
2022 popsugar reading challenge: A book that takes place during your favorite season
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