I am not a teacher, but this book gave me a personal view of some of the atrocities and injustices of (some) public school systems, the struggles of some students, the unique struggles of the teachers, and the love and support between some teachers and some students and how vital that is.

It's uniquely written as mostly dialogue, but in most places it's not difficult to follow. It makes me laugh and cry. I'm having difficulty describing it, so maybe you should read what other reviewers have to say!

I love it.

The semi-fictitous Sylvia Barrett is newly arrived at a New York City public school, unaware of the mayhem that greets her. First, are the physical problems: inadequate books, broken equipment and the fact that she must "float," that is use a different classroom for each class. Then, there are the students themselves: loud, opinionated, grievance-carrying, illiterate, poverty-stricken, pregnant, etc., etc. Next are the teachers and staff themselves, some idealistic, but some cynical and worn out. And finally, there are Ms. Barrett's understandable and alas, justified doubts about her ability to reach these young people, without going insane in the process.

How Ms. Barrett manages to survive her first year teaching, make a difference in the lives of her students, and how she eventually comes to prefer the school she's in to the idyllic one of her grad school imagination is the story of "Up the Down Staircase." The setting may be specific, but the problems and challenges she encounters could take place in any real-life school.

I first read this book back in the 1960s before I entered the teaching profession. I have read it several times since. Having just retired from teaching after 34 years, I can say that kids are still basically the same as described in this book. They may have laptop computers now, but their personalities are the same. We still have the teacher pleasers, the lovesick girls, the politicians, the misfits, the loners, and all the rest. My mind has gone back to this book many times as I encountered situations similar to those that faced Miss Barrett. As a matter of fact, as English Department chairman, I often quoted her boss, Mr. Bester: Let it be a challenge to you. I recommend this book to all who would venture into the exciting and wonderful world of the school teacher.

My high school drama class is doing this play and I just got the part of one of the students, Harry, (but changed to Harriet) of course I am very excited and I hope this play will be very good!

I am preparing for my first year as a teacher. I came across this book in my searches for more serious texts. I remembered hearing the title so picked it up even though it was 40 years old. I loved it. It is amazing how little some things change over time, such as battles with administrators, etc. Highly entertaining, with good insight into education.