No. 7 in Jack Sheffield’s „Teacher”-series remains true to the style, form and atmosphere of its predecessors: Once again, the book starts with Jack making the first entry of a new school year in the school’s log book; once again, the reader accompanies Ragley-on-the-Forest and its inhabitants through an entire year, and once again, what happens during that year is a mixture of the dramatic and the funny, of ups and downs in the lives of Jack, his colleagues at the school, the children and everybody else in the village.
Although this well-known outer frame provides stability to the reader (making the book very recognizably part of a series) just like a time table and special events at set intervals provide stability for the children at the school, it is not boring. No two days, let alone weeks, months or years, are ever the same. It is all very much like real life, and from what I know about the author, he uses a lot of his own experience as a (head)teacher in village schools, often describing events that have actually taken place, only making slight changes so as not to offend any of the people involved.
Descriptions of the beautiful countryside, changing along with the seasons, are as beautiful as in the other six books. The characters are as familiar as they should be, but of course there are some new introductions, last but not least a new teacher who makes for some interesting developments that leave plenty of room for book 8 and beyond.
In his first book, Jack Sheffield started as Head Teacher in the year 1977. By now, we have reached 1983/84, and there have been considerable changes in the lives of many characters, while some others have remained pretty much as they were. Some changes are good, some less so, but it is characteristic for Ragley that in difficult times, the community rallies round to support the person or family in need.
As in his previous books, the author has done a lot of research and manages to convey very well what 1984 would have been like in a place like Ragley. Political events, celebrities, TV programs, fashion and music are mentioned; the prices for articles of daily use are given, but all as part of the story and never in the manner of a history lesson.
One such event featuring in the book was the York Minster Fire on the 9th of July, 1984. I had not know about this until reading it in this book, but of course there is plenty about it on the internet, for instance this article on the BBC homepage.
One such event featuring in the book was the York Minster Fire on the 9th of July, 1984. I had not know about this until reading it in this book, but of course there is plenty about it on the internet, for instance this article on the BBC homepage.
Speaking of history – does 1984 feel to you like 30 (THIRTY!) years ago?! I was 16 then, puberty in full swing, and I must say that I would not want to go back – unless it were equipped with the way I feel about life and myself now.
I enjoyed this seventh book in the series as much as the others, and have already put # 8 ("Silent Night") on my Amazon wish list.
(If you are interested in my reviews for the first six books in the series, simply type "Jack Sheffield" into the search box on the upper left corner of my blog, and you should find them all.)
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