The Flying Classroom

February 23, 2015
Originally published in 1935 and charmingly illustrated by Trier, Kästner's (Emil and the Detectives) pleasingly sentimental tale of early 20th-century boarding-school life gets the opportunity to reach a new audience, courtesy of Bell's new translation. A varied group of boysâcowardly Uli, ever-starving future boxer Matthias, gentle Martin, and writerly orphan Jonathan Trotzâcome together in the final days before Christmas break to present a play, "The Flying Classroom," to their schoolmates. The heart of the novel centers on the boys' intricate layers of friendship and deep admiration for their housemaster. During a string of vignettes infused with sweet nostalgia, secrets are discovered, books are burned, bones are broken, and Christmas is almost spoiled. Still, the story shows its age, at timesâalong with somewhat old-fashioned language ("Now then, off you go, you bandits!"), fighting, bullying, and tobacco use are present. While the narrative frame and ensemble cast might prove a challenge to less mature readers, the rewards of meaningful and lasting emotion, portrayed throughout, is worth the effort. Ages 9â12.

April 1, 2015

Gr 4-6-First published in 1935, this new translation introduces readers to the entertaining exploits of five boys in a German boarding school. A consistent tone of gentle, ironic humor pervades the book, starting with the prologue in which the author himself shares his unusual writing process. The story involves a school play, a battle between the schoolboys and the local town boys, and a reunion between two long-separated adults, among other plot threads. Lively stretches of crisp back-and-forth dialogue are balanced by the narrator's frequently amusing observations and commentary. A description of a "truly terrifying dictation test" is one of many expertly written humorous passages. While the antics include fistfights, pranks, and other mischief, more serious themes of family and friendship run through the tale, along with philosophical discussions about courage, poverty, and "what's fair and right." The five featured kids all develop into distinct characters, with Martin (the leader) and Johnny (the writer) taking more major roles. Trier's original line drawings, usually one per chapter, add just the right touch of visual detail and support the humor. Not surprisingly, there's an old-fashioned, sometimes sentimental vibe to this 80-year-old tale, which might limit the potential audience, as might the complete absence of any key female characters. The sly wit and creative storytelling are quite fresh and engaging, though. VERDICT A lesser-known work that will be appreciated by readers who enjoy humorous classics.-Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.