Not usually my kind of book but I'm intending to read this series. Told perhaps with a little artistic license (it's not possible for the narrator to know what others are thinking) this makes for a novel that feels part storytelling and part memoir. As sad at times as it is humorous in others. I want to say this is a pleasant read though I don't think that does the book justice. For those who like books a little biographical in nature, perhaps, this is a much warmer tone of fiction. ( )

1977, North Yorkshire. Jack Sheffield is the newly appointed headmaster of a small village primary school. The book chronicles his first year as he comes to grips with his new role. Chapter headings include what was officially entered into the school logbook with the real story told in the chapter. His fellow cast includes Ruby the 20 stone caretaker with spelling issues, a secretary who worships Margaret Thatcher, a singing cowboy, and a five-year-old boy with a colourful vocabulary! This is not to mention the distraction of the lovely Beth Henderson. Village life sounds both lovely and entertaining. Would sit well on the shelf next to James Herriot's books. Enjoyed. ( )

Just a lovely book that reminded me how much I enjoyed reading about daily life in Yorkshire. I'm glad I've discovered another series set in this beautiful part of the world. ( )

Somewhat in the style of James Herriot or Gervase Phinn, this is a fictional account (almost certainly based heavily on personal experience) of a young headmaster in his first year at a small Yorkshire school in the late 1970s. I thought it very well written, giving a great impression of what life was like in a village environment. There are some colourful characters who seem believable, if caricatured, and some delightful children. It's written in the first person, with one or two very funny moments and others that are extremely moving. There's a low-key romance too, when Jack meets the attractive Beth Henderson. Very enjoyable, and recommended. Four and a half stars, really. ( )

In 1977, Jack Sheffield is appointed Headmaster of a small primary school in a village in North Yorkshire. Teacher, Teacher is his semi- autobiographical account of his first year in this tiny village, the events that occur during the school year and the interesting, strange and quirky characters that he encounters. Told in a mild, slighty tongue-in-cheek manner, this is a very readable and gently humorous story.

Each chapter starts with a brief entry from the school logbook and then goes on to enlarge upon the details and tells the story behind these entries. These stories often emphasize the importance of the village school to the sense of community, and although Jack tells interesting stories, it is the other characters that provide the color, humor and human interest. These stories range from insights about Ruby, the larger-than-life school janitor to the touching story of a Viet Nam refugee and are warm, funny and nostalgic.

I enjoyed Teacher, Teacher but found that it was a book that I had to put down often to give myself a break from the sweetness. While reading of the support, tolerance and understanding that Jack remembers as being the norm of the day, one should remember this is also the time period of the Yorkshire Ripper and that things were not as picture perfect as this book would have one believe. This was the first book in a series of four, and I will probably pick up the second book at some point when I need a warm, comfortable read. ( )