Other People's Kids: A Novel

by Kim Culbertson

After being attacked by a disgruntled parent in the parking lot of the private high school where she has taught English for the past twelve years, traumatized 45-year-old Chelsea Garden flees the San Francisco Bay Area for her hometown of Imperial Flats in the Northern California foothills. But even after being away for six years, she finds the complicated relationship she has with her mother the same as ever. At a chance meeting, beleaguered principal Nora Delgado offers Chelsea a long-term substitute position at Imperial Flats High School. To complicate matters, her former classmate and messy first love, Evan Dawkins, has also recently joined the faculty to teach music. He is caring for his father who has dementia and battling with his ex-girlfriend over the welfare of their nine-year-old daughter, Violet. He's tired. And wasn't expecting Chelsea Garden to walk back into his life.

Other People's Kids follows three one at the beginning of his career, one in the middle of hers, and one on her way out as Evan, Chelsea, and Nora try to navigate the usual complications of middle age and the entanglements of their relationships. Do they have the strength at this point in their lives to risk change?

Genres: Contemporary

392 pages, Paperback

Published August 5, 2025

About the author

Kim Culbertson is the author of the teen novels THE WONDER OF US (Scholastic 2017), THE POSSIBILITY OF NOW (Scholastic 2016), CATCH A FALLING STAR (Scholastic 2014), INSTRUCTIONS FOR A BROKEN HEART (Sourcebooks 2011), and SONGS FOR A TEENAGE NOMAD (Sourcebooks 2010).

She believes books make the world a better place.

Happy Reading!

www.kimculbertson.com

Reviews

[Tracy Erler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. Amazing. I loved all of these characters and related to all of them in one way or another. What a beautiful debut contemporary adult novel from Culbertson. Her writing is beautiful and the way she captures grownups, looking back and looking forward and trying to figure out exactly where they are right now, teaching, hometowns, relationships with parents as everyone ages—it was so well done. Looking forward to what she writes next.

[Karen Shillings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes I just want a rom-com.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this would be more dramatic, but it was more of a sweet, slow burn. I really liked the characters and how they supported each other, the pace of everyday life vs. the personal growth they all go through.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you teach, or work in a school in any capacity, this book is going to resonate with you on such a deep level. I spent the entire book saying "yes, exactly" to all the observations, examples, and experiences portrayed in this novel. I felt seen.

There are few jobs harder than working with teenagers, and I say that as someone who spent many years working in a mental health hospital. It is truly a unique experience. The daily range of emotions - frustration, anger, joy, sadness, humour, pride, exasperation - it's a never ending emotional rollercoaster but it's also one of the most rewarding things you can do, sometimes.

I've been a Kim Culbertson fan since her first novel and was very excited to be sent an ARC by the author herself. I loved every page and especially seeing education from the perspectives of people at such different points in their careers.

[Katy O. · Rating 5 out of 5]

(free review copy) As a veteran public educator and mother of teens, I was the absolute PERFECT reader for this book! Educators in middle age, private vs. public education, messy families, entitled parents of students, and most of all, deep and complicated feelings about teaching and relationships. I love this book so much.

It's often the case that authors use teachers as characters in books, but don't actually know the world of education. This makes me hate entire books, because it takes inside knowledge to truly be able to write it authentically. There is a whole language just for education, and we have no simple feelings about our students or their parents ~ it takes someone IN the world to write it.

Also, authors, listen up ~ we need more 45-year-old teachers in our books these days! Who do you think is READING books these days???

Source: digital review copy via Edelweiss

[Lora Chilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Other People's Kids by Kim Culbertson is the perfect book to read as students and teachers are returning to the classroom. The book explores the differences between exclusive private school education and the public school system, teasing out the competing expectations of teachers and students, and how money changes the equation. Other People's Kids is more than that though, as it also delves into past lives and the resurrection of youthful love. A compelling story that reminds readers how teachers are there for all  the "other people's kids." Thank you Booksprout for the ARC.

[Muriel Murch · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great dive into the world of teachers and education, of the disparities of affluent and cash strapped eduction. One almost wants to ask that 'Other People's Kids' be compulsory reading for parents whose children are at elementary, middle or high school. If you have ever been a teacher, ever been involved with kids in any educational setting you will recognize these parents and both laugh and groan. The teachers, the stories, the lives are all so dearly believable I wanted to hug them all.

[James Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally loved this book. Through the three main characters (one at the beginning, one in the middle, and one at the end of their teaching careers), it captured my feelings about education and being a (toward the end of my career) teacher in today's post-COVID world. The rom com elements were strong and I was invested in all three of their lives. I was worried towards the end because I felt it was running out of pages for a proper resolution, but it managed to pull of a satisfying conclusion with a few surprises to boot.

[Erin Van Rheenen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Other People's Kids is a pleasure to read. The author deftly weaves together the lives of three people at turning points in their lives — I was with each of the characters every step of the way! As a teacher myself, I loved reading about the lives of teachers who dedicate their lives to their students, but also have complicated lives outside of the classroom. Teachers don't get enough credit most of the time, but in this book they are focal points. I also appreciate Culbertson's portrayal of the complexities of living in a small town. Highly recommended!

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a big jump from writing YA romance to a mature, contemporary fiction book. It's definitely well written, it contains lots of emotional realistic drama, shows life as it is and explores the stories of those who once were young and years after all their firsts, including first failures and first mistakes. For those who are looking for ab emotional and honest book, this is for you.

[Alison Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Full of characters I believed in and grew attached to. It’s a warm, beautifully written page-turner that I didn’t want to end. Highly recommend!