Book Review of Crazy
is Normal
Sponsored by Virtual Book Tours
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Blurb:
Publisher:
Three Clover Press (June 14, 2014)
ISBN: 978-0986032851
Category: Biographies and Memoirs, Educators
Tour Date: October, 2014
Available in: Print & ebook, 386 Pages
ISBN: 978-0986032851
Category: Biographies and Memoirs, Educators
Tour Date: October, 2014
Available in: Print & ebook, 386 Pages
Multi award winning author, Lloyd Lofthouse kept a daily journal
for one-full school year and that journal became the primary source of this
teacher’s memoir.
“Readers who envision eager students lapping up learning led by
a Tiger Teacher will be disappointed. Lofthouse presents us with grungy
classrooms, kids who don’t want to be in school, and the consequences of
growing up in a hardscrabble world. While some parents support his efforts,
many sabotage them—and isolated administrators make the work of Lofthouse and
his peers even more difficult.
Throughout this memoir, though, Lofthouse seems able to keep the
hope alive that there’s a future for each student that doesn’t include
jail—thanks in large part to his sixth period journalism class and its
incredible editor, Amanda.” – Bruce Reeves
Praise for ‘Crazy is Normal’:
“Lloyd has written an honest and fascinating story of a year in
the working life of a dedicated California public school teacher. This is a
must read for those thinking of becoming a teacher, is a public school teacher
or administrator, or has children in the public school system.
What works most effectively is how Lloyd shows the contrast
between the two student extremes – the top achievers who take what Lloyd offers
and learns how to conquer the world, and the many slackers who appear determine
to sabotage their teacher’s best efforts to teach them the skills they need for
a successful future.”-Tim M,
Amazon Reviewer
“Lots of teachers I know wish they had kept a daily journal as
detailed as Lofthouse’s; you forget so much. He’s done old teachers a favor, and
will have them nodding their heads — “yes, that’s the way it was.” Parents and
teachers who live in lusher locations may turn their nose up at his toughness
and military approach to classroom rules, but in the long run it’s the students
who profited. Someday maybe someone will keep a similar journal and write a
parallel account of life in a “nice” school classroom. A great read that
gradually moves the reader from a sense of “crazy” to a sense of “maybe there’s
hope.”-Unhirsute,
Amazon Reviewer
“Lloyd Lofthouse has written a powerful memoir in Crazy Normal
that took me back to time we shared at Nogales High School. His reflections and
anecdotes based on his daily journal brought so many memories of my own
teaching experiences there. This is not fiction, but retelling of events that
might give insight for many into the challenges a teacher faces every day.
Lofthouse’s journal shows a later picture of the community. The
kids who populate the pages of his memoir don’t have dirt floors, but many of
them are still new to the country and the language. Some are headed to colleges
and universities while others, if they graduate from high school, might be the
first of their families to achieve that diploma.
I had to take breaks from reading when Lloyd described the grueling and frustrating teachers’ meetings. These were not times I wanted to revisit now that I have retired after thirty-seven years of teaching. But like Lloyd, my good memories are of the students who walked through my doors every day. I revel in their accomplishments and their ability to overcome huge societal obstacles in order to succeed. Nogales is a place like many other American high schools where crazy is normal.
I had to take breaks from reading when Lloyd described the grueling and frustrating teachers’ meetings. These were not times I wanted to revisit now that I have retired after thirty-seven years of teaching. But like Lloyd, my good memories are of the students who walked through my doors every day. I revel in their accomplishments and their ability to overcome huge societal obstacles in order to succeed. Nogales is a place like many other American high schools where crazy is normal.
I applaud Lloyd Lofthouse for his dedication and hard work on
behalf of kids who needed someone who cared enough to help his students learn and grow. His
story is worth telling—and worth the read.”- GailtheReader, Amazon Reviewer
Author Information:
Little did Lloyd Lofthouse know in 1999, when he married
Anchee Min, that he was beginning a journey of discovery. His first trip to The
Middle Kingdom was on the honeymoon with his bride, who introduced him to China
and Robert Hart (1835-1911), the main characters in Lloyd’s first two novels, My Splendid Concubine and Our Hart. The next decade was
a journey of discovery. Lloyd now lives near San Francisco with his wife–with a
second home in Shanghai, China.
Lloyd earned a BA in journalism in 1973
after fighting in Vietnam as a U.S. Marine. While working days as an English
teacher, he enjoyed a second job as a maitre d’ in a multimillion-dollar
nightclub. His short story,A Night at the ‘Well of Purity’ was named as a finalist for the 2007
Chicago Literary Awards.
Lloyd has won 15 awards for My Splendid Concubine and 5 awards for Running With the Enemy.
Contacts:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lflwriter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lloyd-Lofthouse/168775989838050
Google+: https://plus.google.com/116728680363586998839/posts
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lloyd-Lofthouse/168775989838050
Google+: https://plus.google.com/116728680363586998839/posts
BUY ‘CRAZY IS NORMAL':
Giveaway:
There is a giveaway for this book, open internationally however
only the U.S. and Canada qualify for print. An international winner will
receive ebook. This giveaway ends on November 12, 2014. Please go
to Teddy Rose Book Reviews to enter.
Crazy Is Normal Web Tour
Schedule
Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus
Oct. 1 Review & Giveaway
Inspire to Read
Oct.
2 Guest Post & Excerpt
Cassandra M's Place
Oct. 6 Review & Giveaway
Pinky's Favorite Reads
Interview
& Excerpt
Being Tillys Mummy
Oct
9 Guest Post & Excerpt
Manic Mama of 2 Nov.
6 Review & Excerpt
Deal Sharing Aunt
Nov
7 Review, Interview, & Excerpt
Review:
Let
me start by saying that I give this book 4 out of 5 clouds. It is well written by a man clearly
passionate about the subject. The writing
contains humor, objective information, and passion. It is also often negative and opinionated.
I
have been a public school English teacher and I am a parent of two
children. I agree that it is unfair to
hold teachers accountable for student’ lack of work. Many students have backgrounds that make
school challenging. Some student’s only
eat when school is in session because there is not enough food at home and some
come from truly horrific backgrounds that result in school being the least of
their worries. That said some teachers
are incompetent or lazy and unwilling to work with any student, particularly one
who has special needs.
My
son is on the autistic spectrum and my daughter is not. BOTH of my children could be considered “difficult”
children at times. And I am definitely a
difficult parent….I have highly active in my children’s education but I do not
always take the teacher’s word for it because I have had teachers who didn’t
like my child and made their life difficult.
That said, I also expect the highest standards from my children. I found the negativity toward parents to be
off-putting. Parents were almost uniformly presented in a negative light which
was disappointing. Parents and teachers
must work together and support one another…and I come from a family of
educators so I know it is possible.
This
book is a clear look into the education system with all its foibles, but has
the potential to bring many emotions to the surface. Definitely worth the read.
This
product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my
opinions or reviews.
Thank you for your honest review of my memoir. I would appreciate it if you also posted your review on Amazon.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking part in the tour. I'm so glad you enjoyed 'Crazy Is Normal'!
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