This was such an enjoyable read that brings back the nostalgia of school days. I loved the characters, the writing.
It was very simple but very endearing. Would definitely recommend it.

Thanks a lot to NG and the publisher for this copy.

Jack’s teaching career starts with an appointment to a school in a valley, shrouded by hills. He is jubilant when he leaves college and hears he has a job as a probationary teacher at to Heather View Primary in the Yorkshire Dales. In fact he cannot wait for the new term to start. It’s 1969 and I was in my second year of teacher training in rural Staffordshire. Like Jack I was appointed to a school in my probationary year in 1971 and it sounds very similar to the area Jack was sent to. The children I taught were lovely, mainly migrants from the north whose fathers came to the area as displaced miners or to work at one of the two power stations. Jack’s school served a rundown estate where poverty was an everyday struggle.
I have read and loved all of Jack’s novels mainly because they provoke memories of those halcyon days of his and my dreams of being a teacher. He is not only a brilliant storyteller, but he includes facts about the times that are so amusing as well as factual information. I can actually relate to his stories immediately and I appreciate that my memories have been reawakened. I can visualise the cranky photocopier, the flash cards and the whole caboodle.
Heather View Primary School is not aptly named as Jack finds out immediately he sees the school. The Headteacher is a bully, unafraid of using his authority and administering corporal punishment. He is behind the times and a stickler for routine and unfashionable methodology. He is not welcoming; he is a rude bully and certainly not a ‘people person’ or a good mentor for the two newly qualified teachers that have been appointed to his school. His ethos is ‘sink or swim’, not gentle guidance, praise and encouragement. However, Jack settles into his role as an upper junior teacher under the keen and excellent tutelage of the Deputy Headteacher and an amazing, supportive, eclectic staff. He soon makes good friendships with his colleagues and has a vibrant social life with them and also his rugby team fellow sportsmen.
What is so lovely about this new novel is that it is so uplifting and joyous. Jack is a gifted and natural teacher. He is modern in his approach and believes in giving the children a wide variety of experiences. He initiates interest in his lessons and encourages the wonder of discovery. His class enjoy their final year in Primary School and carry forward their skills into the Secondary sector. They were very lucky to have him as their final year teacher.
This work of Adult Historical Fiction is exactly how it was in those times and this is why I requested this novel for review. I knew Jack’s work and was confident that I would have an excellent reading experience. I received this book through my membership of NetGalley and from publisher Transworld Digital in return for an honest review. Thank you most sincerely for my copy. It’s a definite and confident thumbs up from me as I really enjoyed returning to the days of my Probationary year, with things as they were then: magical times, the joy of sharing literature, warm and exciting discoveries in the classroom, using common sense and discretion and most of all being good role models for the youngsters by setting a sterling example.

A thoroughly enjoyable read!
This is a work of fiction, but it's very obviously based on some of the many characters that have passed through Mr Sheffield's class over the years! The book is set in 1969/1970 and captures the social changes & everyday challenges of those times through the daily lives and interactions of the close knit staff at the pleasantly named but less pleasant in reality, Heather View Primary School in Yorkshire. Anyone who was at school, or worked in a school at this time will recognise so much. The writing is excellent & the descriptions of the ordinary are so vivid that you would swear that Mr Sheffield knew your street/corner shop/ local pub etc.

Early in the book, when discussing the tree in the playground, he says "I recall this incident having a considerable effect on me. It was the beginning of the time when I learned how to teach children form some of the most challenging home backgrounds. Those who arrived at school hungry, unloved and occasionally firghtened needed empathy, not anger"

There is a perfect smattering of humour, mixed with affection for his young pupils who hadn't had the best starts in life. The stories about the children are balanced by the strengthening bond that is developing between the 6 teachers & the school secretary - though the less said about the headmaster & the caretaker the better! From Railway enthusiast Travis to rebellious Connie, the small cast of characters are so well described that you really feel that you know them.

Disclosure: I received an advance copy of this book free from the publisher via NetGalley. Whilst thanks go to the publisher & author for the opportunity to read it, all opinions are my own.

Enjoyable read. Would recommend to friends and family. I could sympathise with characters (important for any fiction novel!) and looked forward to picking it up and reading the next few chapters! Interesting plot line and a good ending. Will look out for more novels by the author. Thank you.

I felt I was transported back in time. This was a joy to read bringing back memories of my school days, books I used to read and songs I used to sing. This is like a time capsule of information I highly recommend this book.

Such a pleasant book to read. I enjoyed meeting and understanding the different members of staff in the school. The pupils were interesting with their different backgrounds and upbringing. I would recommend this book for anyone wanting to go back in time and enjoy the simplicity of life back then.

Well this was a first for me. By chapter 3 I loved this book so much that I ordered two other titles by this author! I hadn’t previously been aware of Jack Sheffield, but this book brought back so many memories for me of my life and education in the late 1960s that I just had to read more! It has been the perfect way to transport me back to happier times. Even if you weren’t a child of the 60s and 70s though this author paints with words such a gentle, detailed picture of those times that you will find it an absorbing distraction from the worries of the current situation. Jack Sheffield describes life teaching at a junior school in Yorkshire so well that you really feel you are there. It is lighthearted with gentle humour as well as making you aware of the social changes and challenges of those times. All in all an excellent read!

Such a nice read. Love his books - they are an escape from the worries of the world. An enjoyable relaxing read