Ms. Bixby's Last Day - by John David Anderson (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice

A funny, heartwarming, and heartbreaking contemporary story about three boys, one teacher, and a day none of them will ever forget.

"Kids won't just love this book. They need it." --Soman Chainani, New York Times bestselling author of The School for Good and Evil

"Each page crackles as we embark on the greatest adventure of all." --Gary D. Schmidt, Newbery Honor winner and author of Okay for Now

Everyone knows there are different kinds of teachers. The boring ones, the mean ones, the ones who try too hard, the ones who stopped trying long ago. The ones you'll never remember, and the ones you want to forget. Ms. Bixby is none of these. She's the sort of teacher who makes you feel like school is somehow worthwhile. Who recognizes something in you that sometimes you don't even see in yourself. Who you never want to disappoint. What Ms. Bixby is, is one-of-a-kind.

Topher, Brand, and Steve know this better than anyone. And so when Ms. Bixby unexpectedly announces that she won't be able to finish the school year, they come up with a risky plan, more of a quest, really, to give Ms. Bixby the last day she deserves. Through the three very different stories they tell, we begin to understand what Ms. Bixby means to each of them--and what the three of them mean to each other.

From the Back Cover

Everyone knows there are different kinds of teachers. The good ones. The not-so-good ones. The boring ones, the mean ones, the ones who try too hard. The ones you'll never remember, and the ones you want to forget. But Ms. Bixby is none of these. She's the sort of teacher who makes you feel like the indignity of school is worthwhile. Who makes the idea of growing up less terrifying. Who you never want to disappoint. What Ms. Bixby is, is one of a kind.

Topher, Brand, and Steve know this better than anyone. And so when Ms. Bixby unexpectedly announces that she is very sick and won't be able to finish the school year, they come up with a plan. Through the three very different stories they tell, we begin to understand just what Ms. Bixby means to Topher, Brand, and Steve--and what they are willing to go to such great lengths to tell her.

John David Anderson, the acclaimed author of Sidekicked, returns with a story of three kids, a very special teacher, and one day that none of them will ever forget.

Review Quotes

Praise for THE DUNGEONEERS: "In a delightful deconstruction of role-playing clichés, Anderson gives D&D-style dungeon-delving the Harry Potter approach." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Forget the dragons. Forget the swords and shields. Here is the true quest: to face the unendurable, knowing defeat is inevitable, and yet continuing with dignity and honor and purpose and, even, joy. Each page crackles as we embark on the greatest adventure of all." - Gary D. Schmidt, Newbery Honor winner and author of Okay For Now

"A story of that one teacher we all have who we'll never forget, told with laugh-out-loud humor and oh, so much heart." - Gordon Korman, New York Times-bestselling author of Ungifted

"Brand, Steve and Topher are a comic, lovable crew, and wise, pink-haired Ms. Bixby is the teacher every child deserves. This is a touching, often hilarious story of endings, beginnings, and self-discovery. As Brand would say, frawesome!" - Tricia Springstubb, author of Moonpenny Island

"This surprising, inspiring, and relatable book is perfect for boys and girls who loved Wonder and will make you fondly remember your favorite teacher." - Brightly

Praise for MINION: "One of the pleasures of superhero stories is guessing what's coming next, but the joy here is that most of the time readers will guess wrong. Michael is as complex as the best Marvel and DC characters, and his dialogue is just as funny." - Kirkus Reviews

Praise for SIDEKICKED: "From memorable characters to a complex yet accessible plot, this is a superhero story that any comics fan will enjoy." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"As riveting a rendition of superdom as even Superman's creator, Jerry Siegel, could have pulled off." - New York Times Book Review

"Anderson skillfully balances realism and comic exaggeration in an emotionally rich tale that holds no miracles, other than the small human kind." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"What a beautiful book--a full-hearted and emotional exploration of friendship, grief, imagination, and the inner life of boys. But most of all, it reminds us about the power of the "Good Ones" those once-in-a-lifetime teachers who not only saved us, but also became a part of us, long after they're gone. Kids won't just love this book. They need it." - Soman Chainani, New York Times-bestselling author of The School for Good and Evil

"Kids won't just love this book. They need it." - Soman Chainani, New York Times-bestselling author of The School for Good and Evil