This book was not on my list to purchase, but for some reason I bought it anyways (bookstores are my downfall, you can never have too many books!). Anyways, if you're a teacher, if you know a teacher, if you've ever thought of becoming a teacher, you need to read this book. I know this has been said about 12 million times in the past, but teachers do not receive the respect they deserve. Through her matter of fact writing style, Leslie Baldacci gets the point across. She doesn't sugar coat it, she just gives the facts. Unless you are a teacher or your children attend inner city schools, you truly don't understand or are even aware of what goes on inside these schools. I have been in classrooms where the lighting only worked in half of the classroom, where toilets didn't work at all, where parents came to spank their children with a belt in the doorway of their classroom, and no one did a thing about it. I have heard teachers tell children that they can't read, that their writing is garbage, that they didn't want to look at their face. But through all of the horrendous things I have seen and heard, I am so very, very thankful to teachers like Leslie Baldacci, who truly do make a difference in the lives of these children.

A delightful yet compelling book about the Chicago school reform efforts. Mrs. Baldacci has a such pleasant way getting her point across.

Try to pick up this book....good read!

I was looking for books which could help me decide if becoming a teacher was the right path. After reading the challenges that Mrs. B' went through I decided that it will be the right path to take.

More than courage, hope and learning it's to have the guts to make a difference with a teaching career. It's to have the confidence that you can make a difference in a community, a child, a parent but also in you.

Great and easy book to read!!!!

With most things I order from Amazon I get them fast enough. The order was slightly slow then average and when I receieved the book there was junk inside of it that made the pages stick together. Overall had I known the condition of the book I recieved I would have spent the extra few dollars to get it new and faster delivery time.

Baldacci was a journalist for the Chicago Sun-Times and served on their editorial board. Among other things, she wrote about the shortcomings of the Chicago Public School system. Then she decided to put her money where her mouth was (quite literally, she took a two-thirds pay cut), signed on for an alternative teacher certification program, and began teaching in an inner-city grade school.

I admit I was skeptical at first. After all, here was someone who'd been telling the schools what to do from her journalist's ivory tower, probably thought she knew it all, and could cut and run back to her well-paying career if teaching went sour. Well, she didn't. She's still teaching.

All those folks who think teachers should be paid according to how test scores improve, who blame the teachers because kids can't read or are uncontrollable, need to read this book. It's been said before, but it needs to be heard.

You try it. Take a class of 36 kids, some of whom are homeless, or live in a home with crack addicts, who don't get enough to eat (except at school). Don't have supplies except what you buy yourself. Have the room be too hot in summer and too cold in winter. Do this in a school where the administration doesn't care about whether kids learn as long as they're quiet. Be downgraded for initiative. Teach to the test. Spend your free time and weekends grading and making lesson plans. Never get what you need until it's too late. Don't forget to learn all the different gang signals, and be sure to duck when there's shooting outside the classroom window. Get paid $24,000. Then talk about it.

It amazes me anyone is still teaching. But then there are folks like Baldacci, and the teacher named Donna who asked her why she took a two-thirds pay cut.

"Because a voice called and I answered," I told her. It was the first time I'd admitted that out loud to anyone outside my family and a few close friends. Although I did not know her well, I felt she would understand. She jerked her head and looked at me in surprise. Then a smile spread across her face.

"My sister," she greeted me, as if meeting me for the first time. "

This was by far one of the best books i've read - I absolutely couldn't put it down, which doesn't happen often. I'm currently considering going back to grad school to become a teacher here in Chicago so this book was very enlightening. Whether you're a teacher or not, this book is a great read & has great insight into the inner city schools.

Excellent book, excellent story...amazing experience. Leslie's experiences are incredible. A must read...whether you're a teacher or not. Inside Mrs B's Classroom will have you laughing through your tears. I'm waiting for the made for TV movie!