Customer Reviews

The Teacher's Funeral

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Witty, refreshing, and heartwarming all describe Richard Peck's stories. One of the most lauded authors of fiction for young adults, Peck has received a National Humanities Medal, the Newbery Medal, and a Newbery Honor. Each richly deserved.

Equally merited is the Tony nomination gifted voice performer Dylan Baker received. His narration of this story set in 1904 Indiana is warm and moving. As an adult Russell Ciulver looks back on the year he was 15 when all he wanted was to cut out of backwoods Indiana and head for the Dakotas. Then it seemed opportunity knocked: "If your teacher has to die," says Russell, "August isn't a bad time of year for it."

Surely, he thought a new teacher wouldn't be hired for the half dozen students at Hominy Ridge School. He was forced to think again as his older sister, Tansy, was appointed to the post. She took it on with relish. As many a younger brother would, Russell decided it was time for a little subversion, such as a snake in her desk or a fire in the boy's privy plus sundry other bits of irritation.

Tansy was not about to be thwarted, certainly not by Russell.

This is a story the entire family will enjoy. Give a listen and return to simpler times.

- Gail Cooke

This book was so funny, my son and I had a wonderful time reading it. I would read aloud, and could hear my husband in the next room laughing. It was great.

I had already read this book with my boys before I read the reviews and was very suprised as we thought the story was a hoot from start to finish. The humour was fantastic and references to other novels such as Treasure Island (which we had read aloud during the winter) kept us all on our toes. Keep in mind this is exactly what it says on the cover, a comedy, not a historical novel. This is a perfect read aloud as kids and adults will love the comments about school being up hill both ways "As it was in those days." We have read Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, The Yearling, as well as freshly written novels about farming communities such as Dust. All fabulous in their own right and this one fits right up there with these. My three boys who are 12, 10 and 8 loved to make connections with the exagerated stories told to them by both their grandfathers and the hardships, and adventures of their rural childhoods. I do think this is best read aloud as the humour is contagious, and some kids reading this to themselves might not hear the humour in their heads, but give it a try!

This is a wonderful book to share with adults or children alike. Few books these days fit this category and the best part is that it is delightful to read aloud. It's along the lines of 'cold comfort farm', but for children.

Wow! Just wow. I had no idea I would love this book like I did. Set in rural Indiana at the turn of the century, this story is about growing up while attending a one-room school house. It's funny, it's well-written, it's interesting - it's just a great story. I went out and bought several copies to give to my in-laws as well as to my father. I don't know how well received this would be by junior high kids, but it's a great book for adults - especially older adults.

This historical fiction comedy is about fifteen year old Russell Culver and his country boy lifestyle. I personally think it shouldn't be considered a comedy, seeing as I only recall laughing at a couple parts. Nonetheless, it was one of the more interesting historical fiction books I've encountered.

The story is based in rural Indiana, 1904, where Russell lives with his dad, older sister Tansy, younger brother Lloyd and old Aunt Maud. In August, just before school is scheduled to begin, the ancient schoolhouse teacher, Ms. Myrt, drops dead. This sudden death of the only schoolhouse teacher in the small town brings hope to Russell and his friends that school will be canceled for good.

No such luck. To his dismay, Ms. Mryt's former position is taken over by none other than his bossy and controlling older sister Tansy. With less than ten students in the one room schoolhouse, a dream of running away to the glorious Dakotas to pursue, and a fun-sucking older sister to control it all, it is sure to be an interesting eighth grade year for Russell.

I didn't think there was anything very special or intriguing about the author Richard Peck's style of writing. In fact, if it weren't for me being obligated to read a historical fiction book, I'd have ditched The Teacher's Funeral after reading two pages. Yes, it did get a bit more interesting as I got into it, but barely. I couldn't relate to this story to my life the least bit. The main character and I are both in middle school, but that's about it.

LOL historical one-room school humor. 1904 silly in the southern hills of Indiana. A difficult read when your wife is in the room, since she asked I read all the parts aloud that I laughed through. That's a lot of rereading.

For example on page 7: How hot is southern Indiana? "An old horse thief from just over in Putnam County died and went down to Hades. And he sent back for a blanket."

Russel is the 15 yr old main character who is wise to the world and ready to end his education a year earlier than the law requires in Indiana for a life of farm machinery in the Dakotas. To speed along his heart's desire, the school-marm up and dies prior to the school year's beginning. But in Peck humorous style, after a laughable first Indiana road accident between horse and motor, the worst of all possible teacher replacements is announced. I'll not spoil the fun.

Along the way you meet the hilarious community of pioneer farm community misfits ever assembled. Kids and adults alike. Some have nicknames like Flopears, Little Britches, and JW (Just Worthless, the dog). Others have proper names: Aunt Fanny Hamline a large woman, Baz Ellenbogen the gravedigger, the Tarbox clan, and some Indiana historic names like Mr. Owen. Even funnier is their fast-paced shenanigans, like Aunt Maud Singleterry's record-setting catapult from the family wagon. And Richard Peck is an expert in producing hilarious zingers right in the middle of a paragraph that comes so unexpected.

I read another Indiana story by this author, "Here Lies the Librarian," and would recommend it also. Seems Peck likes killing off Indiana book lovers in fiction.

There is plenty of factual history in the book, presented in a fun way. You, and the kids, will not notice the fact they are learning about the early days of Indiana history while reading this book. Adults with a bit of Hoosier history knowledge will find even more fun Indiana trivia slipped between the dialogue. What fun.

Every school library should have this, especially the Midwest/Great Lakes, and most emphatically INDIANA, public, private, school, homeschooling, and all. Ya'll git with it, Indiana librarians; buy the dead teacher and librarian books.

I'm passing my copy on to my grandson, an avid reader at age 9, and who lives near Purdue, mentioned in the book.

this is by far the funniest book i have ever read. everyone in my family took turns reading it and laughing out loud.

The Teacher's Funeral is a delightful read for grades 5 up through adult. Set in 1904 it will help you realize just how far "school" has come and the things that make us human that we all have in common. The funeral sermon is the funniest yet. The main character is thrilled to find out the one room schoolhouse teacher has died. He is hoping school will be canceled. Much to his amazement, the new teacher is his sister, Tansy. He tells her that teaching doesn't seem like good honest work to him!

The Teacher's Funeral is full of funny high jinks. There is a lot of good vocabulary and expressive language, too. I highly recommend The Teacher's Funeral for your classroom or an enjoyable read for yourself

not an enjoyable read. my bother and I both disliked this book very much. it is very slow and lags a lot.