Kathleen West's upcoming novel, Minor Dramas and Other Catastrophes, tells the story of teachers, admin, parents and students at privileged Liston Heights High. The characters start as stereotypes -- the crazed theater mom with a not-terribly-talented son, the liberal English teacher, the naive and overworked new teacher, the dully officious admin, the teenage girl following her Feminism 101 checklist -- but soon the interlocking stories pull you in.

The setting is great, and while the characters are set in conflict with each other, pseudo-voluntary educational dumbfuckery is the real enemy here. It's not enough for teachers to teach well and be liked by students, they also need to make a certain number of positive phone calls to students' parents and be well-liked by helicopter mom brigade. It's not enough for students to go to class and do their homework, they also need to be busy filling their future college app with sports, arts and community service. And, not everyone can be the lead in the school play (or the captain of the sportsball thingy), and that's where high-strung helicopter moms come in. A college-prep high school is full of conflict and drama, and the story takes us through all different aspects.

There are too many moments when the characters are Just Too Much for me. The English teacher is just a little too amazing, and that made it hard to empathize with her. (All her lesson plans are tops and she has time to mentor a new teacher? Sounds fake, but ok.) Some of the backstories were way too much, so it felt less like a slice-of-life novel about real humans at a real school, and more like a morality play about the dangers of helicopter parenting and the stress of high school.

I really enjoyed reading about the differences in how different generations approach social media and how it has become such a big part of our lives and how we move in the world. The involved mom was a little over the top but I know people who are in a similar place.

A humourous and interesting read, for fans of contemporary literature and issues. Set in suburban Minneapolis, "Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes" by Kathleen West interweaves the stories surrounding teachers, parents and students at a high pressure college prep high school. AThe two main story lines revolve around liberal English teacher, Isobel Johnson, and helicopter parent Julia Abbott. Each becomes targeted within the community for poor dexicions and personality differences, and the ramifications ripple through their lives and those of their families, coworkers, and friends. An engaging read, will suit fans of Maria Semple and Jennifer Weiner.

Reading this story took me back to the days when my children were in high school. As I watched Julia navigate and manipulate her way through her kids' high school years, my sense of doom just kept growing. No way was Julia going to be able to make it out of this one without some major burns. Kathleen West does an excellent job telling the (sometimes heartbreaking) stories of two very interesting women; one, a passionate high school English teacher who wholeheartedly believes in teaching her students of a private, competitive high school how to learn to see life from others' points of view, even though she can't seem to stop herself from judging others if they don't agree with her, and the other, a bright woman who is living her life through her childrens' triumphs, who is so heavily invested in their success that she has lost all sense of perspective and self-preservation.

MINOR DRAMAS... is a compelling read, because the characters are so relateable, and that's not necessarilya good thing. Well written, well developed characters, I was hooked from the very first page, and winced my way through the very end!

I found this truly frightening , especially for teachers who must navigate this minefield every day. I'm hoping the author exaggerated for comic effect, but I'm inclined to think that this is the world we live in. Probably I'm in the wrong demographic.

As a former classroom teacher AND parent, I can truly relate to both sides of the narrative. I wouldn't necessarily call myself a helicopter parent, but when you are a parent, you want only the best for your child - at all cost. I have to say I am truly glad I am no longer in the classroom or have a child in school I think it would be difficult to be in either situation, especially with society always having a microscope on teachers, but not truly appreciating the time, effort, and patience that goes into actually teaching.

I must start by saying, BEEN THERE, DONE THAT! As a classroom teacher for many years, I felt West managed to capture the politics of teaching in today’s world. It is the story of the well-meaning, super teacher, Isobel Johnson who gets caught in the web of political manipulation of school administrators, parents and other teachers.

The main culprit is the parent of 2 of her students, a truly hideous helicopter parent. Julia Abbott managed to stir up a wasp’s nest of negative feelings toward Isabel because she felt jealous of her daughter’s admiration for her teacher.

All this cruelty and anger is broadcast to the school community by a FACEBOOK group, mysteriously full of details and accusations which almost ended in disaster for Isobel.

I really enjoyed this book. I am adding it to the reading list I give my student teachers. I hope to prepare them for the political intrigues of dealing with administrators, parents and colleagues.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this delicious book. I know that reading groups will enjoy discussing it and connecting it to their own experiences in schools.