Overview

Inspired by a dead man, his 8th grade English teacher, and the school librarian, Luke Collins, gets involved in a research project which puts his reputation as a slacker at risk, draws him closer to a girl he has long admired, and to his astonishment, generates excitement that reverberates far beyond his school and community. When Luke is assigned an I-Search paper at Palm Ridge Middle school, he tries to take the easy way out and write about a subject he's used twice before-manatees. However, his English teacher and the school librarian push him to choose a more challenging subject. As Luke reluctantly starts his research, he becomes engaged in a way that shocks his friends and ultimately changes his attitude toward both school and life. Not only does Bubble Sheet Blues take a critical look at the use of high-stakes standardized testing in schools, but it also explores a range of important themes including censorship/banned books, the effects of divorce on kids, and what makes an effective teacher (and librarian). As a bonus, the book introduces a supporting cast of colorful student characters, incompetent administrators, and a soccer coach with an affinity for philosophy. But the strongest element of all in Bubble Sheet Blues is its humor.

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9798999796301

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Reviews

""I give William Durbin's Bubble Sheet Blues an A+."" Margi Preus, Newberry Honor winning author of Heart of a Samurai. ""I read the introduction to Bubble Sheet Blues, ""Why I Wrote this Book,"" and it brought me to tears. As an educator in a highly tested area (I teach primarily math), it is incomprehensible what we put kids through with standardized tests. Hoping your book opens people's eyes!"" Amber Bakken, Waconia Middle School. ""Everyone needs to read this book. Not just kids!!!"" Eva Apelqvist, Printz Honor-winning translator of Fire from the Sky. ""There isn't a standardized test on earth that can measure innovation, invention, creativity, tenacity, or kindness. There isn't a standardized test on earth that can measure how well a teacher teaches or how well a student learns."" Kelly Barnhill, Newberry Award-winning author. ""At one time, the purpose of the public schools, at least theoretically, was to educate children; now it is to produce higher FCAT scores, by whatever means necessary. If school officials believed that ingesting lizard meat improved FCAT performance, the cafeterias would be serving gecko nuggets."" Dave Barry, renowned humorist. ""Teaching has become a soulless industrial education complex where the administration cares more about test scores than their faculty or students. I have loved teaching many of you. But it is time to ride into the sunset and find happiness again."" Jonathon Carrol, a Florida teacher, explaining to his students why he resigned. ""Under Gov. Jeb Bush, the FCAT program morphed into a monster that punishes struggling schools and, by default, the students who attend them. Bonuses offered to better-scoring schools and their staffs have perverted the test into a cash grab for grown-ups, with mixed results for the kids."" Carl Haissen, Newberry Honor-winning author of Hoot.

""I give William Durbin's Bubble Sheet Blues an A+"" Margi Preus

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