Crime, Mysteries & Thrillers discussion

Hello fellow Crime, Mystery & Thriller readers,

Welcome to our discussion about A Murder of Principal by Saralyn Richard, your discussion leader is Tracey.
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Please note: If you have not finished reading the book spoilers are permitted in this discussion from the start. If you would like to use the spoiler formatting it can be found on the top right of the comment box in the "(some html is ok)" menu.
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Summary

When a maverick principal comes in with a student-centered agenda, there’s no more business as usual at Lincoln High School. Killing the principal is just the beginning…

Someone sets fire to Lincoln High and kills the new principal, and chaos threatens to overtake the urban school. Assistant Principal Sally Pearce, hired to help the deceased principal revamp the culture, vows to carry on the mission. In so doing, she locks horns with fellow assistant principal, Wally Welburton, and gets caught up in gang threats, racial tensions, grievances, sexual harassment complaints, and murder.

Sally never dreamed she’d be faced with solving a mystery and returning the school to order. The odds are against her—a woman in a man’s job, a minority in a tough position. Her strong moral compass and commitment to students bolster her as she meets challenge after challenge. When a second murder happens on campus, Sally realizes she’s trapped in a cycle of violence that must be stopped--now.

Welcome to the discussion of Saralyn Richard's Murder of Principal.

I interviewed Saralyn last January when the book was released. So I'm open to your questions comments.

What did you think of the character Sally Pierce?

As educators, parents and students, how do you feel about the premise that stakeholders in the school might have motives to murder a maverick principal?

Do you think the normal tensions that exist in a large urban high school could escalate to that degree? Why or why not?

Why do you suppose more book and movies aren't set in urban high schools?

Tracey, you bring up a very good question. Movies today premiere upper class high schools with issues focusing on kid/ parent relations, drugs and alcohol, sexuality and college aspirations. Saralyn’s book touched a grittier subject matter that reminded me very much of my high school experience. Her topic is a more realistic setting even though it’s in a time before social media played a big part in teen development. I wonder how this book would play out in today’s media driven society.

Good point, Minette!

Gang activity is one of the themes of A Murder of Principal. What do you think the author was trying to convey about gangs? What message would you want to convey about gangs, based on your own experience in school?

I think the author was trying to show how even the best student or kid with academic potential can get sucked into the hole of darkness that gangs protect. She shows the desperation to protect one’s self and family against the threat of violence when gang tasks aren’t completed. Something as simple as a prank or gang initiation can become deadly and change everything in an instant. Those students living on the edge can quickly fall into permanent trouble. Shayla has a great job helping the new vice principal, yet her gang leader twin brother is trying to fulfill his duty without becoming a murderer. For him, there is no way out and if he doesn’t find a way to protect his family, everyone he loves will pay the price.

As one reader pointed out at a book club discussion about this book, some children are born into gangs. They never even have a choice. And some are drawn in at young ages, before they realize how they are compromising their lives. What the author was trying to convey is that gang members are people, too. They aren't all bad, even if they do bad things. The more we know and understand about people different from ourselves, the better chance we have to live in a peaceful, civil society.

Tracey wrote: "As educators, parents and students, how do you feel about the premise that stakeholders in the school might have motives to murder a maverick principal?

Do you think the normal tensions that exis..."

Nowadays, the tension in school is stronger than ever, and that scares me. So, I do believe that emotional turmoil can lead to murder.

Saralyn wrote: "As one reader pointed out at a book club discussion about this book, some children are born into gangs. They never even have a choice. And some are drawn in at young ages, before they realize how t..."

I agree with Saralyn. It's sad, but some children who don't have a lot of choices, join gangs to belong or for protection, not realizing what they are getting into.

I read A Murder of Principal and thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters were believable and well-developed. I was a public school teacher for 25 years, and much of what Saralyn wrote rang true. Fortunately, I didn't experience much violence in school, but I taught in a wealthy school district where the parents were supportive of the teachers and involved in their child's education. I

It was a little strange to follow Shayla and have a feeling of disconnect (my fault). I finished high school before most of you were born (pretty much pre-violence, definitely pre-gun and pre-drugs, yes there was a time like that) but my memories are of the pressure to find my own place in a 3000-student school, of avoiding the bullies that had plagued me in grade school, and not flunking. My parents were no help so it was all on me. Plus I had a younger, socially savvy sister. When I finally did begin to carve out my own place (no violence involved), we moved to Florida and I had to start all over with my New York accent and "big city" wardrobe.
The disconnect also came because I write suspense (love killing off people...I wonder why) under the name of Shayla McBride and seeing the first name jolted me frequently.

Shayla wrote: "It was a little strange to follow Shayla and have a feeling of disconnect (my fault). I finished high school before most of you were born (pretty much pre-violence, definitely pre-gun and pre-drugs..."

Wow, thank you so much for sharing, Shayla!

Shayla, you have a beautiful name! I know how you feel about seeing your name in print, though. I would feel the same way.

(p.s. I'm familiar with your books!)

Certain characters have opposing views about important school issues such as disciplinary techniques, scheduling, sports eligibility, and instructional methods. Why do you suppose the author created these dichotomies and what is she trying to say?

A MURDER OF PRINCIPAL is a work of fiction. However, readers who are teachers have commented that they know people just like the characters in this book. No matter where they work, they think Lincoln High School is their school. What does this say about the profession?

Have Schools changed for the better or worse? The time period and setting of A Murder of Principle is the early 90's. What about this time in history--the start of state and national accountability movements-- makes it a good time for a maverick principal pushing for student-centered changes?

Schools have their challenges in every age, but the accountability movement brought about a shift in focus based solely on student achievement indicators. This was a difficult adjustment for everyone—teachers, administrators, AND students. It required rethinking of every policy and procedure. Change is hard, and change agents are never popular. Who remembers that time?