Book Review: The Unteachables by Gordon Korman

Image via Goodreads

Genre: Middle Grade
Rating: 5 out of 5
Recommend to Others?: Yes

 

Summary (via Goodreads):
What happens when the worst class of kids in school is paired with the worst teacher?

The Unteachables are a notorious class of misfits, delinquents, and academic train wrecks. Like Aldo, with anger management issues; Parker, who can’t read; Kiana, who doesn’t even belong in the class—or any class; and Elaine (rhymes with pain). The Unteachables have been removed from the student body and isolated in room 117.

Their teacher is Mr. Zachary Kermit, the most burned-out teacher in all of Greenwich. He was once a rising star, but his career was shattered by a cheating scandal that still haunts him. After years of phoning it in, he is finally one year away from early retirement. But the superintendent has his own plans to torpedo that idea—and it involves assigning Mr. Kermit to the Unteachables.

The Unteachables never thought they’d find a teacher who had a worse attitude than they did. And Mr. Kermit never thought he would actually care about teaching again. Over the course of a school year, though, room 117 will experience mayhem, destruction—and maybe even a shot at redemption.

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My Review:
The Unteachables is a modern day, middle school version of The Breakfast Club. It depicts a random group of kids that they school system has given up on, unteachable. However, it’s quickly revealed that not all methods work for the same kids. I found the story to be highly relatable from both the kids of room SCS – 8 and Mr. Kermit’s perspective.

Korman paints a funny, well-written story that is expertly told through multiple points of view. There aren’t too many principle characters and each voice is distinct and likable.

I enjoyed reading this book and got through it fairly quickly. There’s a lesson in it for all, especially through all the hilarious, memorable antics. Korman accurately depicts middle school life from the top to the bottom.