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Teacher #2
Mister Teacher
It's 1978, and Jack Sheffield begins his second year as headmaster of a small village primary school in North Yorkshire. There are three letters on his desk - one makes him smile, one makes him sad and one is destined to change his life forever. This is from nine-year-old Sebastian, suffering from leukaemia in the local hospital, who writes a heartbreaking letter addressed to 'Mister Teacher'. Jack tries to help, and so begins a journey through the seasons of Yorkshire life in which the school is the natural centre of the community.
There's a colourful cast of characters who accompany Jack through the ups and downs of the school year including Vera, the school secretary who worships Margaret Thatcher and whose greatest ambition is to become President of the Women's Institute; Ruby, the 20-stone caretaker who sings like Julie Andrews; and Dorothy, the coffee shop assistant who is desperate to be Wonder Woman. Most of all, there is the lovely Beth Henderson, a teacher from a nearby school, who with her sister Laura presents Jack with an unexpected dilemma ...
There's a colourful cast of characters who accompany Jack through the ups and downs of the school year including Vera, the school secretary who worships Margaret Thatcher and whose greatest ambition is to become President of the Women's Institute; Ruby, the 20-stone caretaker who sings like Julie Andrews; and Dorothy, the coffee shop assistant who is desperate to be Wonder Woman. Most of all, there is the lovely Beth Henderson, a teacher from a nearby school, who with her sister Laura presents Jack with an unexpected dilemma ...
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
16 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
About the author
Jack Sheffield
32 books76 followersJack Sheffield (born Jack Linley, 1945) is a British author who wrote a series of books of fiction about the headmaster of a village school in a fictional Yorkshire village. The stories are set from the late 1970s to the early 1980s and attempt to portray life in Yorkshire as it was at that time.
He was trained as a teacher at St John's College, York and later became head teacher of two schools in North Yorkshire and then senior lecturer in primary education at Bretton Hall.
He took up writing after retirement, and his first novel "Teacher, Teacher!" sold 100,000 copies
He was trained as a teacher at St John's College, York and later became head teacher of two schools in North Yorkshire and then senior lecturer in primary education at Bretton Hall.
He took up writing after retirement, and his first novel "Teacher, Teacher!" sold 100,000 copies
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 24, 2018
I love this series from the cultural references, to the community story and the feel of nostalgia that resonates when I read this. Can’t wait to dive into the next book!
November 4, 2020
I got a bit out of order with this series and read installment 3 before 2, but I am all caught up now. Some of the characters were an immediate hit with me: Ruby the caretaker, Vera the secretary, and all of the students, whether pleasant or not. Jack is growing as a narrator. He still dominates, and this will never be close to Miss Read's Fair Acre series, but it is lovely nonetheless. You can see easily what he cannot, which is that he is about to step into a major mess. We will see how long it takes him to get a clue.
I am trying to make up my mind whether to start reading all of my series straight through, one series at a time. It is tricky trying to remember which characters are in which series. In addition to this I am reading Patric Taylor's Irish country doctor series and others. They are all simply wonderful books that block out the nastiness of the pandemic and this wild election ( for which we still await results).
I am trying to make up my mind whether to start reading all of my series straight through, one series at a time. It is tricky trying to remember which characters are in which series. In addition to this I am reading Patric Taylor's Irish country doctor series and others. They are all simply wonderful books that block out the nastiness of the pandemic and this wild election ( for which we still await results).
August 7, 2017
Book 2 in the series and it is heart warming and fun as Jack heads back to the school and through some letters learns the tragedies some are going through and tries to hep.
August 26, 2015
I was keen to read this book as it's the next in Jack Sheffield's series and I really wanted to know what was going to happen to all the characters!
I like the fact that the years these books are set in nearly mirror my own school years (I'm about 3 years too young) so references to things going on in education and the classroom ring many familiar bells in my mind.
One thing that did annoy me slightly is the use of hindsight to make jokes. For example there are comments about Harry Potter (having a boring name that nobody will remember). These seem a bit forced as obviously if this was really a memoir from the time this comment makes no sense at all!
Otherwise though I enjoyed the book a lot and have already started the next one in the series (things are still up in the air for our hero!)
I like the fact that the years these books are set in nearly mirror my own school years (I'm about 3 years too young) so references to things going on in education and the classroom ring many familiar bells in my mind.
One thing that did annoy me slightly is the use of hindsight to make jokes. For example there are comments about Harry Potter (having a boring name that nobody will remember). These seem a bit forced as obviously if this was really a memoir from the time this comment makes no sense at all!
Otherwise though I enjoyed the book a lot and have already started the next one in the series (things are still up in the air for our hero!)
October 25, 2012
My mum is a teacher, and I have grown up socialising with a lot of her teacher friends; reading this book made me howl with laughter. It is poignant and funny, and reminds me of hearing stories straight from the classroom!
A brilliant read that I'd recommend to teachers, parents, or just anyone who can appreciate the funny things that kids say and do.
A brilliant read that I'd recommend to teachers, parents, or just anyone who can appreciate the funny things that kids say and do.
March 19, 2020
Wow,
I guess this is one of the books that works if this was the period of your youth. Which everyone always says was the best of times. Jack's style of writing brings memories flooding back and even helps to let your mind drift into other aspects of your life at the time.
Set in that period just before Britain changed forever due to Margaret Thatcher either for the good or the bad depending on your feelings yet it certainly did change for ever.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was so sad to reach the end like losing a good friend I had been chatting to over a number of days.
Thank you Mr Sheffield.
I guess this is one of the books that works if this was the period of your youth. Which everyone always says was the best of times. Jack's style of writing brings memories flooding back and even helps to let your mind drift into other aspects of your life at the time.
Set in that period just before Britain changed forever due to Margaret Thatcher either for the good or the bad depending on your feelings yet it certainly did change for ever.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was so sad to reach the end like losing a good friend I had been chatting to over a number of days.
Thank you Mr Sheffield.
October 27, 2018
An engaging read, a series of human interest episodes with an underlying love story which remains unrequited but progresses through the course of the book.
I hope this doesn't sound too lukewarm because it was nice to pull the book out of my bag and get into the next chapter on the train to work or back.
I hope this doesn't sound too lukewarm because it was nice to pull the book out of my bag and get into the next chapter on the train to work or back.
June 24, 2019
I loved the stories about the school, it's children and staff but I am so sorry Jack, I had to knock off a star as the narrator was very poor, and found it amazing that it was the author of the book. He surely ought to know the high and low inflections as he wrote it. He also doesn't alter his voice for characters. Lovely books though
January 14, 2020
On my second reading of the series as I felt I should read the whole series again before commencing the final two. Loved it last time this time not so much. Its a light funny humorous read its not diabolical but the characters are really starting to grate on me as is some of the repetitive phrases through out the series.
June 22, 2022
The lighthearted nature and humour of this book makes it a great read!
If you're looking to feel good and laugh, this is a book to go to.
The character building throughout the chapters is great however I would personally recommend reading the series in order so as to create a clear image in your mind as you go on the journey with Jack Sheffield at Ragley Scool.
If you're looking to feel good and laugh, this is a book to go to.
The character building throughout the chapters is great however I would personally recommend reading the series in order so as to create a clear image in your mind as you go on the journey with Jack Sheffield at Ragley Scool.
February 20, 2019
A pleasant read of charming anecdotes. There's little new to say after the first book, but it's an enjoyable series when in need of some light, comfortable, pleasant reading, no bad thing. I'm going to read more in the series.
March 1, 2018
Wholesome read, with some humour.
July 28, 2018
Fabulous; feel happy book ; funny and heartwarming
September 28, 2020
Love these books. Brings village school life back to life through Jack Sheffield's diary as Headmaster of Ragley School.
December 3, 2021
Delightfully entertaining. Very readable
Read
June 22, 2022Very easy, light read - probably better to read during the school year than in summer.
July 17, 2022
Loved it cant wait to read the next book
October 28, 2022
Oh for the days when you could buy a Curlywurly AND a Milky Way for 5p! Lots of nostalgia and carefree tales from Jack’s second year at the North Yorkshire village school at the end of the 70s
August 18, 2025
A gentle, humorous story of the headmaster is a Yorkshire primary school. and it's cast of staff and pupils.
October 10, 2025
BOOK 31/52 READ FOR THE 52 BOOK CHALLENGE 2025.
PROMPT 39: HAS AN EPIGRAPH.
Review to follow.
PROMPT 39: HAS AN EPIGRAPH.
Review to follow.
March 12, 2017
Charming.
October 17, 2015
The story of `Mister Teacher' is a semi-autobiographical recollection of events and experiences of author Jack Sheffield from his days as a headteacher of a school in North Yorkshire. It is written in the first person in a delightful and gentle manner where characters are attractive and appealing even though some have roguish or intimidating tendencies. Apart from the headteacher as main protagonist the cast is largely his staff and pupils, but there are continuing encounters with villagers and school authorities. Each chapter embraces a separate tale with dates and extracts from a school logbook as headings to be linked with the narrative's indications of cultural and political occurrences ongoing at the time. Big changes were underway in education, lifestyle and society at large, and Jack Sheffield skilfully interweaves observations and pronouncements on these general matters with hilarious yet perplexing tales based on school and village situations. In easy to read manner this is accomplished with much humour yet also a degree of pathos, and readers are stimulated to think in addition to being entertained with heartening tales.
Being from Yorkshire it's extra special series !!
Being from Yorkshire it's extra special series !!
October 5, 2012
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Fantastic observations on the people around him and some funny anecdotes, especially with the benefit of hindsight and things we know have now happened. "Harry Potter - everyone will soon forget that name!" LOL It is simply written so an easy read but the human and heart warming sentiment is not lost and it is fantastic when the village bully finally gets his comeuppance. The small stories of things the children say and write and interjected with observations about the villagers lives and some sad and happy tales of their living, loving and leaving, followed by comments on Jack's personal life, especially the dilemmas he faces in his love life.
A gentle read at the end of the day that will make you laugh out loud and smile with sentiment and look back at a different era, sometimes with rose tinted glasses and sometimes with harsh relaity that life was actually tough then too.
A gentle read at the end of the day that will make you laugh out loud and smile with sentiment and look back at a different era, sometimes with rose tinted glasses and sometimes with harsh relaity that life was actually tough then too.
October 3, 2009
Sequel to 'Teacher, Teacher', this book documents the second year of Jack Sheffield's life as headmaster in the fictional Ragley School, a small primary school set in a village in Yorkshire.
It continues many of the threads started in the previous book, and introduces some new and interesting characters. As with the first book, there are some amusing parts, and some which are quite emotional. The sub-plots are many, and mostly believable; the book well-written on the whole.
I did find myself annoyed in a few places when incidents were described, or even emotions explained in situations where the narrator (who uses the first person) was not present. The editor should surely have picked that up; the section where Jack's 'young lady' Beth applies for a Head post in another school was one such section that I found distinctly irritating.
Overall, though, a very enjoyable read.
It continues many of the threads started in the previous book, and introduces some new and interesting characters. As with the first book, there are some amusing parts, and some which are quite emotional. The sub-plots are many, and mostly believable; the book well-written on the whole.
I did find myself annoyed in a few places when incidents were described, or even emotions explained in situations where the narrator (who uses the first person) was not present. The editor should surely have picked that up; the section where Jack's 'young lady' Beth applies for a Head post in another school was one such section that I found distinctly irritating.
Overall, though, a very enjoyable read.
October 18, 2012
I haven't read Teacher, Teacher and was pleasantly surprised that I could read the sequel without any issues. This book was given to me by a friend and I started it straight away.
This is basically an autobiography of Jack Sheffield and depicts his tales as a Head Teacher at a village school in Yorkshire. The book is set in the late seventies, when the world was a seemingly different place. The story shows how simple everything must have been then, only merely 30 years ago, and also Jack Sheffield has achieved in showing the reader that actually a lot has changed in this time. This is a pleasant, unique tale which is actually quite funny. The story warms your heart and makes you realise how nice and simple things used to be. I enjoyed this book and will read the next instalment shortly.
This is basically an autobiography of Jack Sheffield and depicts his tales as a Head Teacher at a village school in Yorkshire. The book is set in the late seventies, when the world was a seemingly different place. The story shows how simple everything must have been then, only merely 30 years ago, and also Jack Sheffield has achieved in showing the reader that actually a lot has changed in this time. This is a pleasant, unique tale which is actually quite funny. The story warms your heart and makes you realise how nice and simple things used to be. I enjoyed this book and will read the next instalment shortly.
October 9, 2009
It's a bit like watching the Phantom Menace - I started with what I now understand is book THREE in the series, and have now just finished book TWO, so I need to get book ONE later, and have just realised book FOUR is due to be published, and FIVE is in progress...
I remembered more about 1978/9 - the topical references are great, especially viewed through a long lens. I especially noted references to Harry Potter, Designer Labels and Saddam Hussain...
Another enjoyable romp through the late 70s
I read this 'Teacher' book and Educating Rita as the 'student' book for challenge 15.10
I remembered more about 1978/9 - the topical references are great, especially viewed through a long lens. I especially noted references to Harry Potter, Designer Labels and Saddam Hussain...
Another enjoyable romp through the late 70s
I read this 'Teacher' book and Educating Rita as the 'student' book for challenge 15.10
April 1, 2013
This novel could almost be called a memoir. Jack is in his second year as headmaster and teacher for a private elementary school in a small English village in the 1970’s. Each chapter is based on an entry in his journal and expands on the particular incident at that time. It is an entertaining look at the local characters and the school in that place and time. I found it a light but delightful read.
April 23, 2012
Whether or not you're a teacher this book will put a smile on your face, you will want to read the following ones. The description of a small village in North Yorkshire and it inhabitants is so accurate that I had to go and check a few places out, to my surprise (good surprise) I could see several scenes of the book reflected in the different places.
July 1, 2016
An enjoyable read about a teacher in elementary school in Yorkshire, UK. It takes place in the early or mid 70's and I am surprised how simple life can remain in a little country school. This is a very easy and pleasant read, as one would expect. Don't expect literary genius - just fun stories about the villagers and their children.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews