Teacher Man by Frank McCourt. Published by Scribner, 2005. 258 pages.

Frank McCourt, Pulitzer Prize winning author of Angela’s Ashes and ‘Tis writes of his 38 years as a teacher in the New York City Public School System, his struggles with a seemingly uncaring bureaucracy and his interaction with students. The story is easy to read and his self-deprecating Irish humor mixes some fun in with the tragedy and frustration. The battle of wills between McCourt and the students over what will or will not be taught will ring true with anyone who has worked with teenagers. Many teachers have similar stories to tell but few can match McCourt’s lyrical storytelling abilities.

Mike Brady