P.S. You're Not Listening

by Eleanor Craig

How do you teach long division to a child who believes the banana in his lunchbox is alive and trying to escape? How do you maintain control when one of your students has locked you in a closet? How do you convince a child that people are not for hurting when he is constantly battered and rejected at home?

Five children, five universes, five enemies - and Eleanor Craig, teacher extraordinaire, who battled to make them face the real world and survive.

Genres: Nonfiction, Education, Memoir, Biography, Mental Health, Teaching, Adult

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Educators and reforms for education have come a long way since this book was written. I cannot believe that those parents were not arrested for all the abuse they caused their children. It was so obvious that the parents were the reason those children were so mentally and emotionally unstable. As a teacher I have that responsibility to report abuse and it amazes me that Mrs. Craig never reported any of the abuse that the children told her about. She saw all those bruises on Eddie and nothing was done for him but to put him in an institution. However, Mrs. Craig did have great successes. What an interesting read.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was incredibly depressing. This is one year of a teacher's life in her class of children with mental and behavioral issues the first year of the program. It's depressing because those five children were, without a doubt, there mostly because their parents were abusive verbally, mentally, emotionally, physically or not even present. Some of the parents weren't even AWARE of the mental, emotional, etc abuse and some didn't care.

Basically, if those kids had had parents who cared and didn't have issues of their own, the kids would have been fine. The sins of the father indeed. So it is depressing to realize how badly parents can mess up their kids and then the kids pass those issues onto others around them.

The book was also heartening, because the school was implementing a program to help the worst of these kids and this book is the story of the first year of that program. The teacher, principal, guidance counselor and the board all seemed to genuinely care about the kids and wanted what was best for them. So there was hope. And by the end, two of the five were able to be mainstreamed and one seemed to be well on his way. One had to go to a more intensive school, because his home life was working against what the school was trying to do. One just disappeared due to his horrible home life and we don't know if he ever got the help he needed.

Well, the book ends after the one year, so we don't know what happened to any of the kids after it is over, but there is hope for three out of the five. The one who went to the boarding school, well, that school was really harsh and I think it kind of just re-inforced what the poor kid got at home, but I'm not a professional in the field, so that is just my lay-person's thoughts on the matter.

I don't think having a bad childhood excuses someone for poor behavior as a child or an adult, though it does help to explain it, one does not have to give in to the bad around one, but children are vulnerable and this book broke my heart on more than one occasion.

I give the adults at the school credit, those children were a handful. Incredibly violent or manipulative, a lesser person or one without a team of support would have given up. I know I would have. I have nothing but respect for those who choose working with troubled children as their vocation. It is not for the faint of heart.

4, disturbing but hopeful, stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and Endeavour Press for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

[Megalion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this was quite a read.

As the synopsis says, it's about the first year of an experimental program to try and work with troubled students with the goal to reintegrating into mainstream classes.

But for this book, it's extremely important to keep in mind the context: This happened in the 70s. Probably the most jolting reminder is the frequent use of the word "retarded".

I wonder how much different it is now in England for these kind of students. Especially for the amount of violence perpetrated by some of the students. Biting, throwing chairs and other heavy and or sharp objects at the teacher and other students.

I don't think it's useful for any insight to contemporary practices. However for gaining historical perspective, this will be an invaluable read.

I'm not involved in the education field. I chose to read this because I enjoy experiencing vicariously all kinds of situations outside my own experience. That it's mainly a historical context didn't matter. Always good to know where we've been so we can see how far we've come (or regressed).

Recommended for anyone with an interest in education or the teacher experience.

Thanks to the publisher for the free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing true account of a teacher in the early 1970s, chosen to pilot her state's very first "transitional" class for emotionally disturbed children. These kids aren't mentally retarded, nor are they socially adjusted enough to remain in "normal" classes. The first year of this brand-new program is chronicled by the author (who was the teacher) and is both inspiring and humbling.

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although PS YOU’RE NOT LISTENING is extremely dated, I enjoyed rereading this book from my childhood.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a general rule, I avoid what I term "teacher saves the day" stories, but that's another discussion. Thankfully, this book didn't really feel typical/ignores so many factors "teacher saves the day" to me. It was more like long, daily small group therapy sessions for young children during school hours (with some writing and math time)---this lady only had one class of five. Anyway, though I wouldn't say the writing is excellent, I think this is a thought provoking read and even a page turner. I found myself interested in these kids---Douglas is particularly appealing. The book got me thinking about children against whom the deck is stacked. I'm pretty sure our public education system seldom funds this sort of thing (five to one student to teacher ratio w/ social worker and psychiatrist involvement). It's unfortunate that we can't seem to make the transition of putting our money into programs like this earlier and saving on what we later spend on police, lawyers, prisons, lives etc. At least I think we prosecute obvious, severe, physical child abuse now, which, based on what I read in this book, they didn't in the 70s. It would be nice if teachers had the luxury of this kind of focus. However, as I think this book also illustrates, sometimes, by school age, it's already too late to salvage much, but sometimes it's not. I think this is worth reading, but not quite up to the four star level for me.

[Julia Zhu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was caught by this book's title when perusing the library and found the premise promising enough to take with me, though arrogantly didn't expect much until settled and reading the first paragraph...

The author brilliantly draws you in with her own character and knack for descriptive story-telling, while the kids, the main act, keep the pages turning. Finished this book within 2 days. This is a true narration of a very fascinating chain of events: it is about the work of the healing of hearts, the desire to care for (in a world that doesn't) and what this looks like from all different angles, as well as the unassuming titles of "teacher" and "social work" it hides under.

As for the writing, I enjoyed it, the chaotic substance was well-tempered and this was sustained throughout the entire book.

Read if you have a tender heart.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made a profound impact on my career and shaped the way I looked at my students. I don't know what it was about it, but way the children are portrayed helped me learn what really would work and see where things could go wrong.

[Nancy Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

What makes this book a good read is that I didn’t know,that schools,even thought of these programs back then....

[Angela McVay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. An interesting read about 5 emotionally disturbed children in a "transitional class" in school from about 40 years ago. The first third of the book, it was hard for me to read because it started slow. Mostly, I had so many questions. I found myself wanting to know more about Mrs. Craig's educational background and if she had any experience in dealing with troubled children. I was surprised by the lack of discipline used in the classroom and how these young kids cussed like sailors and were physically abusive of their classmates without consequences. By half way through the book, I was more engaged into the lives of these 5 children and saw progress in their academic and emotional behavior. I just kept reminding myself this was the first time a class of this nature was formed at the time and that the educational system has come a long way since then. I also wanted to know more information about the parents of these children and how these children were able to remain at home is beyond me. They were clearly unfit parents.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a scary book about a woman teaching a group of disturbed young people. It's been eight or nine years since I read it, but I remember it being impossible to take a break from. There were very few moments when a poorly behaved child wasn't doing something horrifying. The one detail that always stayed with me was a moment when the teacher discovered one of the students contendedly chopping up a struggling goldfish with his ruler.

Yet another of the many factors that, despite a major that allows for little else, have convinced me not to become a teacher, along with my dad telling me "Don't teach, it's horrible."

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been on my shelves since the '70's, when I was planning to become a child psychologist. I just reread it, and was shocked to realize how much things have changed. Many of the events in the book are now recognized as child abuse and neglect, and the parents would immediately be reported to CPS. In addition, the blatant sexism of some of the administrators, the language used to describe the special needs children and even the casual revelation of the expectations placed on the author by her husband, really bring home the fact that times have changed. I enjoyed reading the book again after so long and am glad that things are a little better.

[Bev]

Eleanor Craig's account of how she spent a year teaching 5 emotionally damaged children is very interesting but upsetting at times. The ways these kids suffer in their home lives are terrible and it's no surprise that they have problems in a classic school environment and cannot interact with others. I found the terminology used quite shocking - throughout the book children with special educational needs are referred to as 'retards' - but this is typical of the time when the book was written and shows that we have evolved somewhat since then.

[Cathy Beyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this book was written many years ago, working with difficult children has not changed. It remains a challenge, especially when you want them to be integrated into a classroom.. Some of the things that went on in this book would be unthinkable nowadays. The author describes vividly the emotional and physical abuse going on in children's homes and the difficult road she had to follow to find the way to their hearts. It's especially a good read for educators so we can remember things have changes and children can always be saved.

[Najiyah Diana]

Grippingly written - I started yesterday and will finish today, insha'Allah. Lots of insight about children and relationships in general as well as the emotionally disturbed. Doesn't avoid the guilt and "taffy syndrome" of a working mother who cares about her children and her students and always feels inadequate in some way in both arenas. I picked up on/reviewed lots of good behavior management strategies for the classroom.

[M. P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say... As someone who grew up spending loads of time with a mentally disabled cousin with a hearing defect, I found this book very touching and somewhat personal. That's the primary reason I enjoyed it as much as I did. There were some minor things I didn't like, such as just how all around nice Mrs. Craig painted herself, but I can forgive that for the book's message is beautiful, inspiring, and somewhat 'umbling.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

[The review I previously posted for this book was posted in error. I had written a review for To Sir with Love and mistakenly posted it for this book.]
I did like this book very much especially because of the compassion the teacher/author had for her students. I'm sure her approach would not work with many students, but she worked wonders with one child who had been difficult to reach.

[Joanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in junior high and then again in my early 20s. It's the true account of a teacher working in a new classroom for students with emotional distrubances. She tries to help them but ends up learning that she needs to listen to what they're saying and not just do things by the book. It's pretty dated but still a good read.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

As it is now 40 years after this book was written it is interesting to read. Having spent 25 years teaching, I'm well aware of the changes in teaching methods. Methods that Eleanor Craig tried worked as evidence that 4 of the 5 original children were advanced to regular classrooms. However, today many of the methods used in her classroom would get a teacher in trouble.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

the kids in this book are just constantly entertaining. This short book has its moments of sadness, anger, hilarity, and thoughtfulness. Not at the top of a recommendation list, but definitely worth the read

[Anya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I was in high-school, I don't remember the book at all at this point except for the fact that I loved it. I'll try to reread it just to see if it's still as impact-full when I'm an adult.

[Oriyah N · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a lot more pleasant than another one of her books that I'd read. She comes off as appropriately humble and unsure, yet kind and determined. A warm and fuzzy story about reaching out to troubled kids.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this book twice, and really enjoyed it both times. If all our educators could care as much as this woman, the world would be a good place.

[Brenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty outdated, but I enjoyed this book.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every teacher should read this.

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting and Doug is really funny. Major lesson is be a good parent, damn some of these assholes really screwed up their kids.

[Tfalcone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite being a teacher, I would not have lasted a day in that classroom. Encouraging - the kids maybe have a chance for better, but also discouraging - how do we get there to begin with?

[michelle Simons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very interested in reading this book, as I have a disabled child myself. I found the characters, whilst difficult personality wise, engaging and in parts funny. Well worth a read in my opinion.

[Cindy Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A special interest of mine is learning how the teachers of special ed help their students.

[Sharon Zink · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a special ed. teacher and her group of special ed. elementary-aged students.