Jonathan LaPoma's Blog - Posts Tagged "underground-book-reviews"
Review Blurbs for DEVELOPING MINDS: AN AMERICAN GHOST STORY
Inspired by his own travels, screenwriter and author LaPoma's narrative is raw and edgy, effectively anchored by two protagonists whose brio and "same sense of adventure" keep the story alive...Entertaining and authentic look at the troubled American educational system, courtesy of two men propelled by perseverance and adventuresome spirits. —Kirkus Reviews, Recommended Review
There are at least two competing ways of sizing up Jonathan LaPoma's very entertaining novel Developing Minds: An American Ghost Story, and both have merit.
(1) It is a scathing comic novel about the failures of American urban education, sort of a M*A*S*H for Miami schoolteachers.
(2) It is a Bildungsroman about the personal growth of a young man who happens to be a Miami schoolteacher for a year. —Patrick Murtha, Book 'em, Danno
Readers will be gripped by the many dimensions the plot has to offer...The story is honest, authentic, entertaining and poignant, and the contrasting images of a young man trying to grow in his personal life and the failures of the Miami school system have been woven together well without sounding forced. —Mamta Madhaven, Readers' Favorite, 5-Star Review
"Should be required reading for anyone who is considering or has ever considered teaching as a career. . . most highly recommended." —Jack Magnus, Readers' Favorite, 5-Star Review
Poignant, engaging. . . a frighteningly accurate depiction of inner-city schools . . . a full-bodied work of fiction that will ring true with both students and teachers and provide a point of hope in an industry that has become increasingly profit-minded and complex. —Red City Review
DEVELOPING MINDS is a raunchy, yet captivating story of two best friends, one gay, one not, who decide to spend a year teaching in the dysfunctional Miami school district... Jonathan LaPoma is an extraordinary writer. —Stargazer Literary Prizes (1st Place Winner)
Sometimes the meat of a title lies not in fire and flames, but in simmering passion. Such is the nature of the coming-of-age experience depicted in Developing Minds, which offers a multi-faceted exploration of growth, maturity, and eventual transformation on the parts of all involved. —D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
There is never a lack of style and all the words, carefully measured, enclose a meaning and a wink . . . The author delves into the intricacies of the human soul with padded outlines with rapid strokes, no less precise or less deep on a psychological level . . . —Kalyan Panja, Booktica
I was quite impressed . . . The humor was quite well-done, I found myself laughing out loud . . . As a young adult myself, I find Luke’s personal life so relatable and realist. We learn how to get out of toxic relationships, to be able to move on and to recognize true friends or, simply, the friends that are not good for you anymore. The author puts it in a subtle and smart way . . . The character development was rightfully done . . . don’t miss it! —Trang Tran, Bookidote
About as far removed from ‘Dead Poets Society’ as you can get.—Gem L Thompson, The Book Eaters
Incredibly artistic . . . The vast majority of college grads will relate with themes of alienation, addiction, and misguided hopes . . . Filled with drama and drugs, this novel is raw and endearing. It teeters on the edge of obscene, but really stays true to the life of an early 20-year old, amidst the drama and guise of self-discovery. Instead of idealizing public schools or idolizing functional drug addicts, it just lays out the truth. —San Francisco Book Review
Developing Minds deserves five stars as a gritty, character-driven, coming-of-age novel by a talented writer. . . This book is much more than a raw indictment of America’s school systems, of course. The protagonist is trying desperately to come to grips with his own demons — and not succeeding very well. His book project, like his proposed screenplay, is stillborn and his job as a teacher saps the creative energy from him at every turn, so the narrative often revolves around Luke’s inability to perform on many levels. . . A satisfying ending resolves many issues large and small, however. –Don Sloan of author Ingrid Hall’s Book Review Blog
Not for the faint of heart, Developing Minds will either have you furiously flipping the pages or fearfully enrolling your kids in home school. —Will’s Weekend Wrap-Up, NoiseTrade
Anyone who enjoys realistic fiction, with a gritty edge will enjoy this novel. The characters are extremely well written and believable, and the dialogue is perfect. Despite the serious matter, the book is also very humorous, visual and vibrant to read.” —Chantelle Atkins, Underground Book Reviews
There are at least two competing ways of sizing up Jonathan LaPoma's very entertaining novel Developing Minds: An American Ghost Story, and both have merit.
(1) It is a scathing comic novel about the failures of American urban education, sort of a M*A*S*H for Miami schoolteachers.
(2) It is a Bildungsroman about the personal growth of a young man who happens to be a Miami schoolteacher for a year. —Patrick Murtha, Book 'em, Danno
Readers will be gripped by the many dimensions the plot has to offer...The story is honest, authentic, entertaining and poignant, and the contrasting images of a young man trying to grow in his personal life and the failures of the Miami school system have been woven together well without sounding forced. —Mamta Madhaven, Readers' Favorite, 5-Star Review
"Should be required reading for anyone who is considering or has ever considered teaching as a career. . . most highly recommended." —Jack Magnus, Readers' Favorite, 5-Star Review
Poignant, engaging. . . a frighteningly accurate depiction of inner-city schools . . . a full-bodied work of fiction that will ring true with both students and teachers and provide a point of hope in an industry that has become increasingly profit-minded and complex. —Red City Review
DEVELOPING MINDS is a raunchy, yet captivating story of two best friends, one gay, one not, who decide to spend a year teaching in the dysfunctional Miami school district... Jonathan LaPoma is an extraordinary writer. —Stargazer Literary Prizes (1st Place Winner)
Sometimes the meat of a title lies not in fire and flames, but in simmering passion. Such is the nature of the coming-of-age experience depicted in Developing Minds, which offers a multi-faceted exploration of growth, maturity, and eventual transformation on the parts of all involved. —D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
There is never a lack of style and all the words, carefully measured, enclose a meaning and a wink . . . The author delves into the intricacies of the human soul with padded outlines with rapid strokes, no less precise or less deep on a psychological level . . . —Kalyan Panja, Booktica
I was quite impressed . . . The humor was quite well-done, I found myself laughing out loud . . . As a young adult myself, I find Luke’s personal life so relatable and realist. We learn how to get out of toxic relationships, to be able to move on and to recognize true friends or, simply, the friends that are not good for you anymore. The author puts it in a subtle and smart way . . . The character development was rightfully done . . . don’t miss it! —Trang Tran, Bookidote
About as far removed from ‘Dead Poets Society’ as you can get.—Gem L Thompson, The Book Eaters
Incredibly artistic . . . The vast majority of college grads will relate with themes of alienation, addiction, and misguided hopes . . . Filled with drama and drugs, this novel is raw and endearing. It teeters on the edge of obscene, but really stays true to the life of an early 20-year old, amidst the drama and guise of self-discovery. Instead of idealizing public schools or idolizing functional drug addicts, it just lays out the truth. —San Francisco Book Review
Developing Minds deserves five stars as a gritty, character-driven, coming-of-age novel by a talented writer. . . This book is much more than a raw indictment of America’s school systems, of course. The protagonist is trying desperately to come to grips with his own demons — and not succeeding very well. His book project, like his proposed screenplay, is stillborn and his job as a teacher saps the creative energy from him at every turn, so the narrative often revolves around Luke’s inability to perform on many levels. . . A satisfying ending resolves many issues large and small, however. –Don Sloan of author Ingrid Hall’s Book Review Blog
Not for the faint of heart, Developing Minds will either have you furiously flipping the pages or fearfully enrolling your kids in home school. —Will’s Weekend Wrap-Up, NoiseTrade
Anyone who enjoys realistic fiction, with a gritty edge will enjoy this novel. The characters are extremely well written and believable, and the dialogue is perfect. Despite the serious matter, the book is also very humorous, visual and vibrant to read.” —Chantelle Atkins, Underground Book Reviews
