The narrative revolves around a teacher Joan, and a number of her students and former students as well as a co-teacher, Michael. The tensions arise from the gaps and loneliness Joan perceives in her own life while all the time cheerfully teaching her precious students how to enrich their own lives with humour and compassion. The author gives 1st person voices not only to Joan, in the form of a journal, but to three other characters, Sid, Gordon, and Ryan, all former students who have overcome all manner of obstacles including abuse and disabilities and who are finally leading full and satisfying lives. This might seem like a complicated structure, but in fact the individual voices of the four main characters come through clearly and honestly. Their interaction with Joan is both touching and compelling.”
Stephen Patrick
The Highlands Communicator
Volume 5, Issue 15
“Watching how each character goes through the process of facing their past, their emotional healing, and finally, personal success, is what makes this book a success.
The theme of this book is that there is hope as long as we persist. These characters decided to make a change.”
Jessica Young
Minden Times
January 2007