Exit Tickets

by Kenneth Chanko

"A powerful, realistic portrayal of life in the American public education system." -Editor's Pick, Publishers Weekly

"A masterful tapestry of strife and resiliency." -Kirkus Reviews

There's never been a school year like the one at P.S. 961...

It's 2007 in New York City, and the well-meaning Mr. J, a newly arrived teacher still mourning the loss of his sister, latches onto a vulnerable student. Kandra, a bright but troubled girl, pushes boundaries to the limit in pursuit of a brazen intimacy with her teacher, risking far more than failing grades in a school filled with emotionally disturbed teenagers.

Mr. J struggles to help Kandra and his other students amidst an environment where volatility is rampant, but he finds limited support among the colleagues who should be able to help the most. Mr. Cody, the principal, is on the brink of retirement and only intermittently engaged, much to the school's detriment. And Shirley, a dedicated veteran teacher, knows a reckoning looms but can do little to prevent it.

As fierce as it is heartbreaking, Exit Tickets, told from multiple points of view, lays bare the dreams and struggles, sacrifices and heroism of its characters.

318 pages, Hardcover

First published November 18, 2025

About the author

Kenneth Chanko's debut novel, "Exit Tickets," eleven years in the works, was inspired by his ten years of teaching in Manhattan and South Bronx public schools. A former entertainment journalist, whose byline has appeared in The New York Times, New York magazine and Entertainment Weekly, Chanko switched careers in his mid-40s to become a New York City public school teacher.

"Exit Tickets" has been hailed by Publishers Weekly as "a powerful, realistic portrayal of life in the American public education system," with the novel being awarded PW's "Editor's Pick" in its December 1st, 2025, issue. And Kirkus Reviews, in its Nov 15 issue, praised it as "a masterful tapestry of strife and resiliency."

Chanko is currently working on a sequel to "Exit Tickets." For more information, visit: www.kennethchanko.com

Reviews

[John Weiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. There's a fantastic, loose tension to every page. We're bopping from character to character, and it all works & flows into a larger, cohesive story. Very hard to make a MAGNOLIA or CATCH-22 story as streamlined as this, but Chanko does it. Not only was I a NYC student, but my partner is also a high school teacher, and this manages to be authentic AND a blast to read.

[Steve Samuels · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read for All Public Education Stakeholders


Teachers across the country routinely gather at happy hours, downing shots while exchanging war stories in what amount to free group therapy sessions. Non-teacher attendees shake their heads in incredulity at what they hear—outsiders who have never experienced an urban classroom. For those not privy to these gatherings, but who want to understand why LeeAnne cannot simplify a fraction or Charles cannot write a simple hamburger graph, there is a new book to add to the classroom canon (Up the Down Staircase,Blackboard Jungle, To Sir With Love): Kenneth Chanko’s Exit Tickets.
Chanko has woven his classroom experiences into a novel that, while ostensibly fiction, has the verisimilitude of a documentary about the trials and tribulations of urban public education—and how the vicissitudes of urban life impact the students, their families, and the teachers’ ability to provide a quality education. The setting for Mr. J’s (the protagonist, a naïve newbie teacher) special needs public school seems inspired by Jonathan Kozol’s Savage Inequities, for it is located around the corner from one of New York City’s most elite prep schools on the Upper East Side (a real-life irony).
The characters could have been plucked straight out of my own East Harlem school: precocious, sassy, and at times violent student Kandra; pragmatic, detached, and cynical principal Thomas Cody; and my favorite, paraprofessional/bouncer Big Henry (who is truly sui generis).
What elevates Exit Tickets above the typical teacher war stories is Chanko’s gift for writing—he writes authentically from multiple points of view—and the poignancy of the relationship between Mr. J and Kandra. These disparate characters forge a genuine, if fraught, connection as they become entangled in a relationship that threatens to derail Mr. J’s fledgling career. As every teacher knows, you cannot elevate a student without first creating a bond and conveying the importance of grit. Mr. J’s exit ticket (a tool teachers use to assess learning outcomes after each lesson) provides a master class in how to build that bond—and foster resilience.

[Pamela Chanko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the New York City school system in the mid-aughts, this is a character-driven novel delivered with empathy, imagination, and an ear for dialogue. Told from multiple points of view, by both adolescent and adult characters from diverse backgrounds, the story is propulsive without sacrificing deep reflection and meaning. Recommended for readers who want to be immersed in a specific time and place, and left with something to think about.

[Wisconsin Alumni]

Kenneth Chanko ’79
Author

From the author:
It's 2007 in New York City, and the well-meaning Mr. J, a newly arrived teacher still mourning the loss of his sister, latches onto a vulnerable student. Kandra, a bright but troubled girl, pushes boundaries to the limit in pursuit of a brazen intimacy with her teacher, risking far more than failing grades in a school filled with emotionally disturbed teenagers. Mr. J struggles to help Kandra and his other students amidst an environment where volatility is rampant, but he finds limited support among the colleagues who should be able to help the most. Mr. Cody, the principal, is on the brink of retirement and only intermittently engaged, much to the school's detriment. And Shirley, a dedicated veteran teacher, knows a reckoning looms but can do little to prevent it. As fierce as it is heartbreaking, Exit Tickets, told from multiple points of view, lays bare the dreams and struggles, sacrifices and heroism of its characters."Chanko juggles the presentation of all these characters and their issues with immense skill. These elements-as well as plenty of melodrama-all coalesce brilliantly and immerse readers in a world where education takes a back seat to interpersonal upheavals. The author combines realistic dialogue, complex contemporary social issues, and characters to root for in this narrative. The result is a masterful tapestry of strife and resiliency. ... An immersive and engaging interior chronicle of young people and their enduring educators." — KIRKUS REVIEWS

Kenneth Chanko taught for 10 years in Manhattan and South Bronx public schools. Exit Tickets is his debut novel. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, New York Magazine, and Entertainment Weekly. Chanko, who also ran after-school chess clubs, remains in touch with several of his former South Bronx students. He is currently working on a sequel to Exit Tickets.

[Evensong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel excelled at creating a rich, interconnected world by piecing together diverse narratives which enhanced the understanding of complexities in the daily lives of students and teachers.
Each chapter contributed unique themes that highlighted deeper explorations of trauma, love, and community; revealing how individual lives intersected in unexpected ways. The characters' choices and experiences reflected broader societal issues and the cumulative effect was a mosaic of the drive, empathy and instinctual yearning to know and be known. The story encouraged readers to appreciate growth in both character and intelligence, the highest aims of education.

[Karen Staulcup · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Exit Tickets and found myself truly sorry to reach the last page. The story drew me in from the beginning, and by the end, I felt as though I really knew these characters. I’m happy to hear that a sequel is in the works, because I’m eager to see how their lives continue to unfold.

The author’s strength lies in remarkable character development and authenticity. Each character—students, teachers, and administrators alike—felt vividly real. The dialogue, interactions, and daily routines captured the true rhythm of school life, from its quiet struggles to its moments of humor and connection.

Beyond the realism, the writing balances insight and empathy, showing the challenges of education with honesty but also deep understanding. The story never feels exaggerated or sentimental—it’s grounded, observant, and full of heart.

This is one of those rare novels that stays with you after you finish, because it makes you care about ordinary people doing meaningful work. I’m impressed, and I can’t wait to read the next installment.

[Mark J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is brilliant on many levels. Ken Chanko skillfully brings us inside the emotions and lives of the individual students and staff at a challenging New York City Junior High School. The fullness and veracity of the portrayals is astounding. It captures the social and physical geography of inner-city life as it is today. In addition, it is an exciting tale from beginning to end. Hopefully this is the first of many books by this new author.

[Rick Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down as it grabbed me from page one. Chanko ‘s carefully crafted novel drew me into a world totally unfamiliar and made me care about each and every character! From midwestern ideals to inner city turmoil, this skillfully paced tale is dense with imagery to the point it brought me to tears at the conclusion. An outstanding debut which deserves the anticipated sequel!