Academy X
by Andrew Trees
Buy book: $16.05

In this devilish satire of the culture of power and privilege at a New York City private school, English teacher John Spencer is drowning in a sea of academic intrigue. Pushy parents demanding higher grades lurk behind every corner and with each bumbling effort to keep everyone happy--and get his girl--John digs himself deeper into trouble.

I like the book so far. It does remind me of the book "Momzillas" by Jill Kargman.

So far Academy X is a very readable and truthful account of NY private schools. For many years I taught students very much like the ones Andrew Tees depicts. They were in my AP English class, extraordinarily grade conscious (on a par with their parents). When I look back over the "best" of my 25 years of h.s. teaching, I remember with most fondness, those of average ability with an honest conern to put forth the effort to maintain a decent (not spectacular) grade point average. I doubt that they entered the ivies, but I am sure that their thoughtful, respectful natures and hard work will get them farther in life than all the money, grooming, coaching, private lessons, etc. supplied by overanxious parents of the so called privileged students. I will put this book on reserve in my library, as I am anxious to see how it ends.

Okay, I tried for 3 reads - but no more - started out thinking it was a tongue in cheek humorous, but then decided it was just plain b o r i n g - so from me this one gets a definite thumbs down - apparently I am not alone judging from the lack of responses -

I'm enjoying the sarcasm and self-deprecation of the narrator, but wondered if this was a book that would appeal mostly to teachers. From the previous comments, perhaps that is true.

Of course no one would really want a teacher like this in a classroom, or to be in front of a classroom of students like this, but it makes for entertaining reading, in my opinion.

Thought the writing was a little inconsistent at the beginning, but it's improved and am enjoying his observations and dark humor quite a bit now. My wife is a teacher, so it probably makes the book a bit more interesting to me than others. I would think anyone who is a parent with children under 18 would find it of interest as well to get a perspective on how teachers view some parents. I plan to get a copy from my library to finish it.