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Post by virgoscorpio on Dec 21, 2012 23:24:06 GMT -5
^ I agree that I felt bad for Mr. Trout in this book. I guess I assumed for the best that he got a job in computer programming or something. Although, that brings up the question for me -- is it that easy to get a job in a new field? In my experience, it's not that easy... but in Stoneybrook ... who knows! I just see Trout as a character more behind the scenes than in front of the classroom.
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starrynight
Sitting For The Kuhns
The Royal Diner of Pizza Express
Posts: 4,004
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Post by starrynight on Dec 28, 2012 1:05:56 GMT -5
^ I guess it would depend on what kind of education and previous experience he had. Did the book go into that at all? I haven't read it in awhile....
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Post by anzuhana on Aug 16, 2014 10:12:06 GMT -5
Reading about the kids in Mr. Trout's class misbehaving was uncomfortable. I wonder how long it was going on. Like everyone else wrote, it's for the best that Mr. Trout got himself another job.
I did like the BSC Follies since it was in good fun.
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LadyDru
Sitter-In-Training
Posts: 373
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Post by LadyDru on Feb 19, 2020 12:56:26 GMT -5
Parts of this book really made me laugh, the BSC Follie's skit and how Jessi was talking about what it was like being in Mr. Trout's class. I felt she should not have caved in to the peer pressure, but my heart went to her feeling guilty. I especially liked when she confided to her parents, one of the Dollies and the principal, how they reassured her. Loved it when Mr. Bellafato was letting the students know he wouldn't be taking any crap from them.
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Post by merrymelody on Jun 11, 2020 12:10:39 GMT -5
This one's painful to read, I know the guy shouldn't have gone into teaching and I'm sure I was in classes as rotten in high school; but it definitely has that BSC tone that sometimes you have to tolerate bullying.
Like they always make a point out of how Jessi and her family 'stuck out' the racism directed at them; or how the sitters reinforce the bullying Norman Hill gets by 'gently' suggesting it will stop if he loses weight. Or the BSC encouraging Andrew and Charlotte to perform onstage when they're petrified to. Let people be different!
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jessi82
New To Stoneybrook
Posts: 15
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Post by jessi82 on Sept 21, 2020 20:54:37 GMT -5
This one's painful to read, I know the guy shouldn't have gone into teaching and I'm sure I was in classes as rotten in high school; but it definitely has that BSC tone that sometimes you have to tolerate bullying. Like they always make a point out of how Jessi and her family 'stuck out' the racism directed at them; or how the sitters reinforce the bullying Norman Hill gets by 'gently' suggesting it will stop if he loses weight. Or the BSC encouraging Andrew and Charlotte to perform onstage when they're petrified to. Let people be different!
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jessi82
New To Stoneybrook
Posts: 15
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Post by jessi82 on Sept 21, 2020 21:34:04 GMT -5
This one's painful to read, I know the guy shouldn't have gone into teaching and I'm sure I was in classes as rotten in high school; but it definitely has that BSC tone that sometimes you have to tolerate bullying. Like they always make a point out of how Jessi and her family 'stuck out' the racism directed at them; or how the sitters reinforce the bullying Norman Hill gets by 'gently' suggesting it will stop if he loses weight. Or the BSC encouraging Andrew and Charlotte to perform onstage when they're petrified to. Let people be different! This is Gold. I have just finished reading this book and the victim blaming gets me. Yes he wasn't suited for teaching and did not stick up for himself but that didn't excuse his treatment. Mind you I was also a brat to relief teachers like him but I knew that other adults would punish me if I did. In this book it is like he deserved it. As for the follies it is a case by case thing. If it is done in fun and the target and the audience can enjoy then good. In this case it was done to humiliate and it is obvious that the target would not like it so I'm not a fan.
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Post by CharlotteTJohanssen on Sept 21, 2020 23:11:20 GMT -5
OH gosh, this book it just takes me back to my high school where I had a teacher that was bullied like Mr. Trout, he even quit at the end of the school year. Which was sad because I really liked the guy. Except that he got hired at another school.
The students in this book just disgusts me, I can't imagine just picking on him so much. He did not deserve that even if he wasn't the teacher type. I don't see the appeal of a follies to be honest.
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livvy
Sitter-In-Training
Posts: 394
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Post by livvy on May 10, 2022 0:02:30 GMT -5
I found this one too mean and painful to read. I'm shocked most of you find it funny. Why?? Those kids in her class were brats. Mr Trout did not deserved to be bullied by those brats. But what can you expect from a bunch of 11 year olds? Jessi was a bit OOC and I don't see the point of it. I always skip it on my rereads.
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Post by oldmeanie on Dec 7, 2022 15:29:33 GMT -5
This one just isn't my favorite. I don't like the way Lerangis writes Jessi and I can't really put my finger on why. She just seems so... different from other books. Anybody feel like this or is it just me?
This book isn't boring, but I guess it feels sort of... pointless? Like, you could totally skip this book and not miss anything. I guess in some ways it's an example of Jessi trying to fit in, but meh... idk. I also find it uncomfortable because I just feel so bad for Mr. Trout. I agree he shouldn't have been teaching, but those kids were CRUEL.
And maybe I just don't have much of a sense of humor, but I just didn't really find this book funny at all (even the BSC Follies, which I was looking forward to). I don't find much appeal in the Follies. Also, for some reason, there are a TON of small editing mistakes in the last chapter, so much is distracting.
Lots of stuff like this: "On Friday morning, I brought it to Mr. Kingbridge. He seemed a little surprised, but he agreed to sent it." Incorrect tenses and all that. Also, in an earlier chapter, Ms. Bernhardt is referred to as Mr. Bernhardt and is still "she." Oy. The book just feels messy and poorly written, like it didn't make it to editing.
I do like that Jessi finally remembers that she's supposed to be funny (this hasn't really been acknowledged since Secret Language). I wish this had remained a consistent character trait, to give her something besides being a ballerina. Much of the time, she's kind of... dull, I hate to say it. I do like her family, though, especially her parents. Omg she actually comes to her parents with problems!
I like that she wrote Mr. Trout an apology and thought her letter was really sweet. Early on in the series, she describes herself as a "terrible letter-writer," but maybe that's only because people can't read her handwriting (I luckily don't really have much trouble with it). I think she's actually great at writing letters. She writes another really sweet one to Dawn in #88. Just something I've noticed.
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