THE FLUNKING OF JOSHUA T. BATES

by Susan Shreve ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 15, 1984

Because just about nothing worse can happen when you're nine than to have to repeat third grade (family disasters barely excepted), Shreve has a pregnant situation here; and she does set it up in all its horror, with a smug big sister and taunting schoolmates. Josh himself is a figure of excruciating, rebellious shame. But since very few kids in such a predicament will find themselves with a third-grade-repeat teacher like Mrs. Goodwin, who instantly takes it upon herself to tutor Josh after school, the situation forfeits credibility halfway through. She is a fellow-sufferer, moreover: near-elderly Mr. and Mrs. G. are separating. And with a ""plan of action"" outlined, with a flash-forward to printed words falling into place ""like magic,"" there's no question of Josh's in-school exoneration/revenge. (His parents haven't been unsupportive.) The balance is, if anything, more dubiously rigged. Mrs. Goodwin, paralleling friend Andrew's shaky support against tormentor Tommy with Mr. Goodwin's defection, says: ""Sometimes the only one you can really count on is yourself."" Then she detains Tommy in the third grade class one day, tells him she's holding him back, and humiliates him. (Hardly ethical, the problem-solving paychology apart.) Come November, Josh whizzes through the fourth grade reading test-with properly mixed feelings of regret and rejoicing. We've also gotten the idea that (in Josh's words) ""it's just as difficult to be a grownup as to be a child""--plus a reminder (from Mrs. G.) that ""there's all kinds of flunking."" And because Shreve is an accomplished storyteller, it all goes down effortlessly. Given a little serious thought, though, only flunkee Josh's misery rings wholly true.

Pub Date: April 15, 1984

ISBN: 0812442504

Page Count: -

Publisher: Knopf

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1984

Categories: FICTION