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Please Return To: Norbert M. Finkelstein
Have you ever wondered, “What in the world is my teacher thinking?” You may not know it, but this very journal you now hold in your hands is the key to answering your question once and for all...as long as you can keep a few secrets.
Mr. Finkelstein is your average middle school teacher…who happens to moonlight as a professional wrestler. Norbie would like to keep this part of his life a secret. He’d rather endure the bullying he takes from students like Jimmy Baker, a world-class bubblegum flinger, and perform as the personal gopher for inept colleagues like Coach Seam and Principal Rubrick. It’s easier that way. Out of the spotlight and under the radar: the story of Norbert’s life.
When he decides to throw his weight around in the ring so he can afford to send his always-supportive mother on a dream vacation to the Greek Isles, a past life and his squandered talent rise up to haunt him. Between the brutal training sessions with Sensei Clement, and the threats he receives from a shifty fight promoter named Joey Happenstance, Norbie must wrestle his way up the ranks, pinning an entire cast of zany opponents along the way. It will take a lonely student named Maya and Norbie’s secret crush to help him find the passion and courage to face his toughest competition yet.
Mr. Finkelstein is your average middle school teacher…who happens to moonlight as a professional wrestler. Norbie would like to keep this part of his life a secret. He’d rather endure the bullying he takes from students like Jimmy Baker, a world-class bubblegum flinger, and perform as the personal gopher for inept colleagues like Coach Seam and Principal Rubrick. It’s easier that way. Out of the spotlight and under the radar: the story of Norbert’s life.
When he decides to throw his weight around in the ring so he can afford to send his always-supportive mother on a dream vacation to the Greek Isles, a past life and his squandered talent rise up to haunt him. Between the brutal training sessions with Sensei Clement, and the threats he receives from a shifty fight promoter named Joey Happenstance, Norbie must wrestle his way up the ranks, pinning an entire cast of zany opponents along the way. It will take a lonely student named Maya and Norbie’s secret crush to help him find the passion and courage to face his toughest competition yet.
- GenresMiddle Grade
226 pages, Paperback
Published September 10, 2019
22 people want to read
About the author
Frank Morelli
5 books117 followersFRANK MORELLI is the author of the young adult novels ON THE WAY TO BIRDLAND (2021) and NO SAD SONGS (2018), a YALSA Quick Picks nominee and winner of an American Fiction Award for best coming-of-age novel. His latest middle grade novel, BREAKING NEWS, is set to release on April 28, 2022.
A Philadelphia native, Morelli now lives in High Point, NC with his best friend and muse, their obnoxious alley cats, and two hundred pounds worth of dog. Connect with him on Twitter @frankmoewriter and IG @frankmorelliauthor.
A Philadelphia native, Morelli now lives in High Point, NC with his best friend and muse, their obnoxious alley cats, and two hundred pounds worth of dog. Connect with him on Twitter @frankmoewriter and IG @frankmorelliauthor.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 20, 2019
Though Frank's new novel hasn't yet been released, I can tell you folks this: Frank Morelli is an incredible writer. Period. His last novel, NO SAD SONGS, blew me away with its humor and raw heartfelt emotion. Getting another Morelli book so soon is truly a treat.
For fans of YA lit and for just plain good, honest writing, it's hard to match Mr. Morelli. I can't wait to learn more about Norbert M. Finkelstein!
For fans of YA lit and for just plain good, honest writing, it's hard to match Mr. Morelli. I can't wait to learn more about Norbert M. Finkelstein!
July 31, 2019
Norbert is a real softy, and I mean it in the sweetest way possible - he's a lovely and kind English teacher with a lot of pets, incredible shyness and a few extra pounds of weight. But he's not all soft - he's got a secret tough side, which is that he's actually a pro wrestler at night. He works as one trying to get a dream trip to Greece for his mother, in the true softy fashion (he is ADORABLE.) We follow Norbert through his journey of finding himself and his strength - also friends and respect from his students and workmates. It's a really really adorable story which made me feel all warm inside. It's also got these cute drawings! I read it in an evening and it was definitely worth my time - it made my blue mood go away for sure ❤️
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook through NetGalley. It has not affected my opinion.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook through NetGalley. It has not affected my opinion.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
September 3, 2019
Ah, middle school! The awkwardness, the cluelessness, the self doubt. And that's just the teacher! Mr. Finkelstein is a good-hearted, dedicated middle school teacher who happens to be a semi-professional wrestler in his off hours. His journal (don't call it a diary) chronicles his training and wrestling career as he tries to hide it from his students and co-workers. It's a funny, sweet, and satisfying read for middle schoolers. Plenty of clever nuances make it a fun read for adults, too. The best part? It's book one in a new series!
September 11, 2019
This is cute. It wasn't for me, just not my taste, but I am very sure others will love it. It simply did not suit me.
September 12, 2020
This was not my usual read plus he was a new author to me so I wasn't sure what to expect. It was surprisingly a very cute quick read. It revolves around a middle school teacher and his life both inside and outside the classroom. I think younger readers would definitely enjoy it. They would certainly be able to relate to all the classroom antics that go on. The sketches included in the book add a nice touch to the story.
May 27, 2020
This charming tale by Frank Morelli kept me rooting for Middle School teacher Norbert Finkelstein from beginning to end. During school hours, he endures bullying from his students who have no clue about his double life as a professional wrestler. Clever, touching and laugh out loud funny, the story follows Norbert on his journey to self respect as well as admiration from his students. I highly recommended it.
April 30, 2020
This is a great YA book.
Teachers have lives outside of school. Did you know that? Mr. Finkelstein has a pretty awesome one. By day he is a mild-mannered teacher with a heart of gold teacher. By night he is a semi-professional wrestler. His journal is full of trials and tribulations with wrestling. Like most people, he keeps his personal life and private life separate.
This is the first book I read by Frank Morelli and it will NOT be the last. I'm excited to read book #2 and see what happens. I love the wit and comedy that Morelli brings to the book. It might be a YA book, but as an adult, I enjoyed it too!!
Teachers have lives outside of school. Did you know that? Mr. Finkelstein has a pretty awesome one. By day he is a mild-mannered teacher with a heart of gold teacher. By night he is a semi-professional wrestler. His journal is full of trials and tribulations with wrestling. Like most people, he keeps his personal life and private life separate.
This is the first book I read by Frank Morelli and it will NOT be the last. I'm excited to read book #2 and see what happens. I love the wit and comedy that Morelli brings to the book. It might be a YA book, but as an adult, I enjoyed it too!!
April 29, 2020
A funny and a fast trip down memory lane back to middle school. The underdog Mr. Finkelstein is a character designed to make you shake your head and roll your eyes while you root for him. A quirky and super enjoyable twist on the "journal" genre of book usually relegated to wimpy kids.
September 8, 2019
I don’t normally read middle-grade fiction, but that’s going to change—especially with books of this quality available. Frank Morelli weaves a captivating tale that’s impossible to put down, and if you can make it through just the first chapter, without rolling on the floor, and shooting Coca-Cola out of your nostrils, well, you need to work on your sense of humor.
Morelli’s wit and use of comedy isn’t the only high point, though. His characters are well thought out, and he makes you care about what happens to them: from the three-hundred-pound English teacher, moonlighting as a professional wrestler, to the snot-nosed-brat nemesis Jimmy, and on to the semi-psychotic wrestling trainer, who’s a cross between a pit-bull, and an ex-ninja assassin.
This is one of those books you will remember, and want to tell people about. I can’t praise it enough. Frank Morelli has one more fan: me.
Morelli’s wit and use of comedy isn’t the only high point, though. His characters are well thought out, and he makes you care about what happens to them: from the three-hundred-pound English teacher, moonlighting as a professional wrestler, to the snot-nosed-brat nemesis Jimmy, and on to the semi-psychotic wrestling trainer, who’s a cross between a pit-bull, and an ex-ninja assassin.
This is one of those books you will remember, and want to tell people about. I can’t praise it enough. Frank Morelli has one more fan: me.
June 9, 2021
A wonderfully written book that perfectly captures the essence of middle school awkwardness...from the perspective of a kind, caring, and always selfless teacher. Norbie is the kind of teacher, co-worker, friend, and son that anyone would be lucky to have to have. This book is filled with humor and warmth! Great read for a middle schooler!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews