If Holden Caulfield Were in My Classroom: Inspiring Love, Creativity, and Intelligence in Middle School Kids

by Bernie Schein

Contrary to traditional educational thought, true emotion, rather than pure reason, is the secret to creativity and intelligence. The truth is ultimately personal-that's why it's universal. By the time Bernie Shein's students arrive in his middle-school classroom, they are little more than a gaggle of defense mechanisms, needing to rediscover who they are. His goal is to help them with this joyous and difficult endeavor. Through stories from his classroom, he shows us how he does it.

Genres: Nonfiction, Education

264 pages, Paperback

First published July 29, 2008

Reviews

[Debby · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book, if not based on the main title alone, then on the subtitle and the back cover blurb. I was sorely disappointed. While it's not billed as a "how to teach" book--and that wasn't what I was looking for anyway--I didn't expect it to be a series of vignettes in which the author is basically doing group therapy with his middle schoolers, confronting them and ferreting out their deepest and darkest fears in the name of freeing them to be happier and more creative. He's casual with his students, who call him by his first name; he cusses freely, says things that are meant to be shocking, publicly delves into his students' private lives, and leads them through relaxation exercises during which a student who's having trouble figuring out what's behind some behavior lies on the floor taking deep breaths with the teacher holding his/her hand. On page 19, this middle-aged male teacher (not that his age or gender should matter in this instance!) tells a girl (middle school, so age 11-14ish) who's being seductive (and obviously hiding some deep and dark fear through this behavior) that her "tits are sticking out." (Yes, this is a direct quote.) That she drily replies, "I'm not certain that has anything to do with the book we're discussing," implying that she's not offended or even shocked (or that she's hiding one or both), doesn't alter the fact that I can't think of a single instance, real or hypothetical, in which that blunt comment, from any adult to any child, is even remotely appropriate. And this was during class, leading to a discussion of how, indeed, her sticking-out tits DO have something to do with the book. I should have stopped reading right there, but I'm not one to not finish books, so I persisted. I'm not saying that I gleaned nothing of value. That would be unfair. I just had to wade through way too much self-indulgent psychobabble to get there.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bernie Schein has written the best inspirational book on teaching I have ever read. Most lose me after the first chapter and in some cases the first paragraph. If Holden Caulfield Were in My Classroom is a moving book about teaching, kids, coming to know oneself, taking risks, and facing up to ones fears, failures and successes. If you are a teenager, parent, teacher, or writer, this is a must read.

[CommonAction Consulting · Rating 1 out of 5]

A confusing, slightly misleading ramble, this book summarizes a teacher's long journey across many years in a classroom without drawing any finitie, meaningful conclusion. Instead, it confuses, obfuscates, and otherwise manipulates readers' attention, diverting them from any lessons by cramming too much into one book. Next time get a better editor.

[Caroline Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book really grabbed me at first. However, his teaching stule is on the edge. The author, a long-time middle school teacher, suggests that this is necessary with middle school age children. I would argue that you can still maintain a sense of decorum in spite of the age group and still make connections. Will let you know what I think when I finish.

[Shelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh...author comes across as a know-it-all who has the answers to all his students' problems. The book is one story after the other about individual students and their personal problems. I had trouble keeping all the names straight. The book is framed around a trial in his classroom over - get this - whether one girl slandered another by spreading a rumor that she stuffed her bra.

[Cristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I love the author's passion for his children, most teachers could not get away with his techniques. Oh, and if I end up teaching school, I'll be teaching the younger kids - this book is scary.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

An eye-opening book to read when your kids are approaching junior high. You've probably forgotten what it was like to be that age. The author/teacher delves into the most personal aspects of his kids' lives in a way that may startle you.

[Tedra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is written by my brother's 7th and 8th grade teacher. He is the kind of evil-genius who tortures you for years, and then you thank him for it.

[Em]

I just like Bernie.

[Kay Huck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any teacher would appreciate his stories of actually reaching students so they are capable of reaching their potential.