A Trip Down Memory Lane

Silent Night: The Alternative School Logbook by Jack Sheffield is a delightfully fun and light-hearted read that I loved and read in just one sitting. It is the eighth book in the Teacher series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The reader follows the primary school at Ragley in North Yorkshire through an eventful school year 1984-1985. At the time the novel is set, I was finishing my degree so I am old enough to remember all the cultural references. It was a most charming trip down memory lane.

The school is at the heart of the village. “Our school was a focal point of the village, a centre of the community.” As a small rural school head, Mr Sheffield knows each one of his pupils. He takes an interest in their lives, nurturing the minds of the future. “All children have talent… It is up to you to identify that talent and nurture it.” Mr Sheffield brings out the best in the children as he makes learning fun.

Young children are absolutely hilarious with their observations. “What do you call someone who keeps on talking when other people aren’t listening?” asks the teacher of a pupil. The pupil’s reply, “A teacher.”

The dead pan humor of the young and old alike causes much hilarity as the reader works through the book. “The optician pointed… ‘And can you read this line?’ she asked, ‘Yes, thank you,’ said Zoe politely.”

We drop in on the lives of others in the village who also provide moments of humor.

All the characters are a delightful, fun bunch who take up residence in the reader’s heart. There is much kindness. I love the definition of love: “Love is not finding someone you want to live with… love is finding someone you can’t live without.”

Silent Night is a very charming glimpse into a school year. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can highly recommend it.

JULIA WILSON