Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind

September 7, 2009
Once again, author and veteran California school teacher Done (32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny) shares his unique, joyful view of childhood with gentle humor and penetrating insight. Going through the school year month by month, Done offers humorous vignettes, student profiles and phenomena unique to the third grade, peppered with memories of Done's own childhood, which only get better as the book goes on. Done's style is straightforward and fast-paced, expertly recreating his adventures as the sole adult in a room of eight-year-olds. Culled from decades of experience, Done's text illuminates the enormous commitment and generous humor needed to get through 25 years of teaching ("After learning their names, I gave them the Keep Your Zippers Up Speech in my best Judge Wapner voice"). Alongside dry wit, Done also delivers heartbreak and wisdom relevant to anyone with memories of a childhood classroom.