Perfect chick lit! I loved the premise and the characters were well developed! I recommend this for anyone looking for a light and fun read!

The Very Principled Maggie Mayfield by Kathy Cooperman
Source: NetGalley
My Rating: 4/5 stars

Maggie Mayfield has only ever wanted the very best for her kids. Over the long years of her tenure as principal of an elementary school, Maggie has helped hundreds and hundreds of children, seen the school’s fortunes rise and fall (mostly fall), and worked herself to exhaustion in an effort to keep the ship afloat. With every new school year come the cuts, the lessening of her student’s opportunities, and more guilt over not being able to provide adequately for her kids.

This year, however . . . . .

With a bit of luck and a great deal of campaigning, Maggie’s kids are going to have every opportunity, every beloved teacher, and all they must do in exchange is beta test a new Math program. In exchange for just ten minutes a day, the school gets a huge influx of cash and enough stock to keep the school more than afloat for many, many years to come. However, the payoff over the years is only going to come through if the Math program is a success and, from day one, Maggie has her doubts.

Maggie’s doubts only increase as she tests the program herself and begins to get some feedback from the kids. The program is a huge bust, but Maggie is being pressured from above and below to make the program seem a success. Her idiot boss is insistent on the use of the program and the program developer, the utterly irresistible Danny Z is willing to do anything to make the program a success. While Maggie has her doubts, they are pushed aside as she and Danny Z become more than just colleagues.

For much of the school year, Maggie shoves her Math program concerns to the back of her mind as she deals with the day to day issues found in every elementary school and her smoking hot personal life. Her kids are amazing (seriously, the Wong and Klemper girls!) and Danny Z is the kindest, sweetest man Maggie has ever met and she is able to ignore her misgivings right up to the moment her conscious will no longer allow the ignorance.

The Bottom Line: I liked this book through the first two-thirds and then, in the last third, I REALLY liked it. For the most part, there isn’t anything new or exciting in the first part of this book, but the resolution is all kinds of crazy fun. Maggie and her BFF are bold, a little crazy, and hell bent on doing what is right even if it means a most uncertain future for the two of them. With a scheme, one faked-voice phone call, and a ridiculous exit plan the two women follow their conscious through to the very end. With more than a few tears shed, some outrageous laughs, and their ducks all lined up in a row Maggie and her BFF end up in a place neither ever thought possible. I think most will find this book, as I did, to be a light, easy read. It has some fun moments, some sad moments, some good and bad characters, and makes for a fine weekend read.

I liked most of this book very much. As a former teacher, I can honestly say that the author was spot on with a lot of descriptions, bringing back some fond (and not so fond) memories. Maggie’s description of child’s mind being like a mansion is so accurate. The best moments were the teacher/student interactions. The scenes with Miss Pearl/Rachel and Mr. Baran/Connor perfectly encapsulated what teaching should be all about: reaching a child in a manner that they can relate to and grow with. On the flip side, in my experiences, district administration definitely looks a lot like Arlene; it’s all about climbing the educational ladder without paying dues, and then making decisions without any consideration for the classroom. The struggle with having to develop engaging curriculum only to have it pushed aside for standardized testing also is real. My only criticism was that the end seemed to veer off from reality a little bit too much. While some of it certainly seemed plausible, there were a few details that were too over the top for me. All in all, however, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good story, but especially to teachers. Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and the author for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Maggie Mayfield is the school principal at a small elementary school outside of San Diego, unfortunately with a lack of funding, Maggie is forced into a piloting a MathPal tech company program to obtain money to keep her STEAM curriculum. Throughout the novel you see Maggie both struggle and enjoy the perks of MathPal.. You also get a glimpse into her personal life and her best friend Diana, who also works at the school. I enjoyed this book and felt that the book was not too far fetched. It shows the struggles our teachers have to face in order to provide our students the best education.

This ARC was available to me through NetGalley in exchange for a review.

This was the first novel that I have read by Kathy Cooperman. I really liked the author's writing style and character and plot development.

If I had to choose something that I didn't like about the book, it was the ending. It felt a little rushed to me. I would have preferred a sequel.

Once again, NetGalley has helped me to find a new author who will likely become one of my "must-read" authors. I strongly recommend that you pick up this title on October 23, 2018!

Thank you to the publisher and, of course, the author for this well-written and entertaining novel!

Unfortunately, this book is just not for me. I can see how many educators will find enjoyment in this book, but I had a hard time feeling connected.

A treat. I want a friend like Diane. A woman who keeps a menagerie of her dead husband's odd pets, works at a school, and runs a prepper blog. I actually liked her more than Maggie, the main character of this interesting novel about a school, an entrepreneur, and ethics. Maggie's an interesting woman- and so is her ex-husband btw. She's determined to do the best by the kids at her school even if it means using a tech tool in order to get the needed funds for, among other things, an art teacher. Danny, the entrepreneur, well, he's not as principled as Maggie. There's a few nice vignettes with students- Lucy and Rachel in particular - and you will likely recognize some of the others from your own life. This one was surprising in spots and none more so than the end. I hated the end. Thanks to net galley for the ARC. This is a good read and you, unlike me, might think the end is perfect and then give it five stars.

Maggie Mayfield is the principal of a very lucky elementary school. She tries without success to find funding for the STEAM teachers. She is approached by her boss with a great plan. A startup tech company will provide funding is they can put their MathPal into the hands of her students. Hilarity and poor choices ensue.

I have to admit to laughing out loud on a number of occasions. This is a light read that still emphasizes the pitfalls of putting too much reliance on technology. The idea that we should check things out before diving in head first (in more ways than one) is evident.

I loved Maggie and her assistant, Diane. She could have been describing my assistant an I. What a hoot! I love the differences that were played up with the students: Lucy, the whiz kid; Rachel, the heavy, artistic kid that nobody speaks to, Connor, the child with too much energy, etc.

I agree with others that all of the characters are likeable. Even the ones you want to dislike. Since the story was designed to be an easy read, it didn’t bother me. This book was exactly what I expected from it. A nice, fun beach or vacation read.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for this Kindle ARC copy of "The Very Principled Maggie Mayfield." What a great surprise this book was! When I began reading the story, I wasn't sure I would be able to get into it enough to finish it, but suddenly, the characters and story took off and I was hooked. Maggie Mayfield is the principal of a small elementary school that is desperate for funding to keep much needed programs and subjects for the students. Maggie has nothing but concern and love for her students, as does her "side-kick" at the school and friend, Diane. When the head of the district, Arlene, informs Maggie that they will be starting a new math trial program with a tech company, Maggie is excited at first. The school is guaranteed funding for a year to start and for many more if the new MathTek works. The handsome and brazen Danny is the head of MathTek and he is a smooth smoothie, but Maggie falls for him and buys his sales pitch. Hilarity ensues and Kathy Cooperman handles the subject matter of schools, funding, teaching and a bad romance deftly. The story is a serious subject matter but handled with a lot of light-hearted humor. I look forward to reading Ms. Cooperman's next book. A great read for any teacher, educator or anyone who wonders what its like to work in the education system.

I requested a copy of this book on net galley and mostly enjoyed it. It describes the hilarious circumstances in which elementary principal Maggie Mayfield unwittingly finds herself in. My reason for an average rating however is that the book read a little disjointedly to me. Like the book had ADD. There were narratives from different kids, teachers, boyfriends. It was like a collection of short stories. Hilarious al beit and one of my favorites was the story of Lucy which rang so true to me. I think I just like a bit more flow to my books. An entertaining read nonetheless.

I almost did not finish this book, but I can’t, in good conscience, review a book that I have not completed. The second half was better than the first because it moved more quickly. The elementary school setting was familiar because my kids went to public schools and I did a lot of volunteer work. There are many similarities between the characters and real-life people I’ve known. The people in this book are interesting and well thought out, but not the main ones. The gym teacher and his wife were hilarious. However, I really did not care for the main character. Although she was trying to do the right thing for her students and school in the beginning, as the story progressed things “went off the rails” so to speak and not in a good way. It is difficult to believe that a school principal could be so naïve, even in fiction. The ending was predictable. I enjoyed Ms. Cooperman’s “Crimes Against a Book Club” so much more.

Just how principled is Principal Maggie Mayfield ?

I guess that depends on one’s definition of principled. Certainly this particular principal, beloved by students and staff, is the pal of her school, but as she gets sucked into using a computer program designed to improve students’ math skills, she enters a vortex of shady deals that threaten to undermine her strong principles in order to keep STEM and art programs alive in her school.

When she falls in love with the computer designer, all signs point to a happily ever after future for Maggie, until she realizes that her principles have been compromised.

Maggie Mayfield and all the characters in this book, good guys and bad guys alike, are delightful. This is certainly not deep literature, nor is it intended to be, but it sends the message about the need for STEM and enrichment programs in education today, all the while being a totally delightful book. It’s a quick and enjoyable read.

I received this book as an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley.

This was an entertaining book. Maggie, an elementary school principal, agrees to let the students beta-test a math software program in exchange for enough funding to keep her art, science and PE teachers. As the year progresses things take some unexpected turns. I enjoyed this book and would read other books by this author.

I received The Very Principled Maggie Mayfield as an ARC from NetGalley. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought it was a fun read. I've not read any other books by Kathy Cooperman but I'll definitely put them on my TBR list. My kids are in college now but this book brought me back to the fun times in their elementary years.

I loved past Kathy Cooperman books and her latest is just adorable as well. Now that my only is off at college, reading this took me back to the elementary school right down the street and the fundraising, alpha moms, blatant requests for money, tiger moms, and constant requests for donations.

I really don't miss those days.

But this book .....its so fricken funny. I love Diane. I love Maggie. I love Lars, Since I really can't get a sequel, is it too much to ask for a prequel of Diane's life? I laughed and snickered out loud while reading multiple times as I grew to completely understand Maggie - except for her total and complete naivete about the world of business.

Predictable in some parts... random characters in other (the gym teacher and his Judge wife? Rachael and Lucy's friendship?) but a fun fluffy school time read.

Overall Grade: B

"The Very Principled Maggie Mayfield" was truly fun to read, and it left me laughing quite a bit.

Maggie Mayfield is the school principal at an upper end elementary school. She spends most of her time dreaming up ways to find the financial resources to keep their school funded without shutting down any programs. When given a chance to test new software in exchange for a stock option in a Silicon Valley tech company, they jump on the bandwagon. When the software turns out to be a bust, Maggie has to decide whether to take the money and let school children suffer intellectually or find another way to make some money for the school.

Each character in this book was well thought out and truly seemed like real people we all know and love-or not. Smaller characters as well as the Main Characters were given a lot of thought and care in the author's development process.. As a result, I found myself cheering for Maggie and getting deeply involved in the story.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, but felt that the book wrapped up a little faster than it should have. The ending wasn't completely ridiculous, and I didn't feel "cheated" - but I did think a little more time could have been spent closing this story out. I think Maggie and her crew deserved it.

Thanks so much for the advance reader copy of this novel. This novel will appeal to school employees and PTO moms--I am both. There were great laufh out loud moments in this book that centered on a school principal struggling to make right a wrong decision. I want to read the authors first work now.

I was pleasantly surprised that the book was entertaining and somewhat well-written as I don't usually choose this type of fiction.(I don’t particularly like 3rd person) You can read a summary of the plot elsewhere, so I will say that the story is certainly unique, and the characters are believable for fiction. The reader will have to suspend disbelief to some degree in order to accept many of the events that occur. I
Like that each chapter had a heading of what it would entail; some element that was comparable to a character's dilemma or a plot point. If you're looking for a quick, entertaining read, this one will fit the bill.

I received this ARC for a honest review.

I really wanted to like this title, but it was a DNF for me. I just could not get into the story at all. I didn't care for- or about- any of the characters. They were all pretty flat and blah. Huge parts of the story felt rushed to me and I found myself having to slog through the story. Maybe I'll try it again in actual book form, but the digital copy was a very hard read for me.

This was adorable and touched my teacher-heart! I love how accurately the author depicted educators and the current battles of the educational system. Maggie and her staff were truly lovable characters.


I received this ARC as a courtesy from NetGalley & the publisher in exchange for an honest review.