The Landry News

Andrew Clements tells a story of students making a difference. Fifteen years ago, fifth-grade teacher Mr. Larson was named "Teacher of the Year" three years running, but that was a l-o-o-ong time ago. These days he's a burned-out shell of his former self. When new student Cara Landry writes an editorial in her own newspaper about the "lack of teaching" in Room 145, she angers Mr. Larson--but also shakes him out of his lethargy. Zoe Kazan's delivery is more burned-out teacher than enthusiastic student. Her pacing is off-kilter at times, putting pauses in unusual places that confuse meaning. Nonetheless, this is an entertaining story of a class that rekindles a teacher's commitment. N.E.M. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine