Calumet Editions

Those Who Can’t

For the new teacher, botching the lesson plan is his least concern

New teacher Dave Legnagyszerűbb is determined to thrive at Maple Valley High, convinced education can transform even indifferent students and hard-nosed administrators. But the suburban school hides a secret magnet program for gifted students on a covert vocational track. Nina Dos Santos Pandlay works to keep her brilliance invisible. When Mr. L—her favorite teacher—realizes he was hired by mistake, the stakes shift fast, and homework becomes the least of their worries.

captures the essence of the first year of teaching and the loneliness and doubts that come with it

—Allison A., verified review on Amazon

Description

Dave Legnagyszerübb is sweating through his first job as a fresh-faced teacher in a public high school, and his perseverance is paying off. No obstacle-indifferent students, hard-nosed principals, required new-teacher meetings, is a match for his eager belief in the transformative power of an education offered here at Maple Valley High School.

But Maple Valley is not what it seems. Beneath the generic, Midwestern cultural crossroads that is the modern suburban institution lies a secret magnet school for kids whose talents put them on a unique vocational track. Kids like Nina Dos Santos Pandlay are trying to keep their brilliance unnoticed by any too-curious teachers or students. And when Mr. L, her favorite teacher, realizes that he was hired here by mistake, homework and tests may become the least of their concerns.

Product Details

PublishedMay 20, 2023
ImprintCalumet Editions
LanguageEnglish
Print length250
ISBN-139781960250841
Dimensions6 x 0.63 x 9 inches

Great book!! <em>Those Who Can’t</em> is a fun, fast-action, keep-you-guessing page-turner that offers a story line so unique I don’t really know how to describe it…spy novel meets high school shenanigans? It also offers an entertaining inside look into the daily life of a teacher. As a teacher, I found myself laughing out loud at the absurd, yet somehow realistic school situations the author so accurately describes. Overall, a great read with an engrossing plot and fantastic character development!

—Nana, verified review on Amazon

I loved this book! It captures the essence of the first year of teaching and the loneliness and doubts that come with it while still being extremely witty and funny. I loved the twists and turns – this book kept me guessing what would come next. Enjoyable read full of humor and a great story.

—Allison A., verified review on Amazon

Laughlin masterfully mixes surrealism with the (sometimes) absolute mundanity of the life of a teacher. Readers will be swept up in this wild adventure!

—Hannah Bierbaum, verified review on Amazon

Sometimes it’s fun to spice things up! As a teacher for many years, I would love to experience (in many cases) the twists and turns this book provides. Schools hold a variety of stories and Mr. Laughlin, through his witty writing, weaves secrets into the hum-drum daily. It’s clear he knows the inner workings of a school and its students, teachers, and administrators. This is a good one to pick up as summer ‘break’ begins.

—Carmen, review on Amazon