The Unteachables

The Unteachables
Gordon Korman
HarperCollins, 2019
279 pages
Grades 4-8
Humor/School Story

Multiple points of view tell the tale of the worst class at Greenwich Middle School. They are called the "Unteachables" because this merry band of misfits has disrupted and underperformed their entire middle school careers, finally landing them in a self-contained classroom for eighth grade. Fifty-five-year-old Mr. Kermit is assigned to be their teacher in an effort by the superintendent to push him out. A teaching scandal in 1992 has followed Mr. Kermit since the '90's, costing him his zest for life, passion for teaching and his fiancé. The year starts out predictably quiet. Mr. Kermit passes out worksheets and hits the crosswords, until a new teacher, the daughter of his former love, shakes things up for his class. And then his nemesis, the boy who caused the cheating scandal who is now a successful car dealer, takes the class under his wing to make amends. Something slowly wakes up inside Mr. Kermit and he rediscovers his love of both his students and the profession. The class starts excelling and the Unteachables begin to learn and care about their teacher. The problem is: the superintendent is determined to get rid of Mr. Kermit before he becomes eligible for early retirement at the end of the school year. Can this re-energized teacher's job be saved?

Gordon Korman is super reliable. All of his books will appeal to readers of all stripes, including the reluctant variety. Not sure how I missed The Unteachables upon it's release two years ago, but glad I discovered it now. A great book choice to read aloud to a class or give to a reader for the beginning of the school year, it is a school story filled with heart and humor that demonstrates that all students have potential. The alternating points of view allow the students and the principal to give their side of the story and, thanks to the identification at the chapter heads and clear writing, readers will not be confused who is speaking. The students range from a boy with anger management to a large girl who everyone believes is violent. Their antics include roasting marshmallows over the trash can, stealing one-thousand whistles for spirit week, and setting the car on fire that is meant to win the science fair. The book gets a little unrealistic in parts, including having the former student from the car dealership serve as a unsanctioned substitute, but readers won't care-and, frankly, I didn't either. I fell into the story, rooting for all of the characters, and even cried a little at the end. Let's hope that Korman keeps churning them out for another fifty years.