Recently I was asked to review a book, something that I typically don’t do, but when I saw the title of this book I knew that I had to read it and I am glad I did!

My son is in the 3rd grade and just spending a few hours on a field trip with his class has left me with stories enough so I could only imagine how many stories a 20+ year veteran teacher would have!?! And I was right.

Stories about field trips, loosing teeth at school, writing Valentines, learning cursive, writing stories, and playground behavior. Comparisons of how teaching and students have changed and stayed the same over the years. Stories from his own childhood to things he has learned over the years.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD GRADE KIND
By Phillip Done

A twenty-year veteran of the classroom, elementary school teacher Phillip Done takes readers through a lively and hilarious year in the classroom. Starting with the relative calm before the storm of buying school supplies and posting class lists, he shares the distinct personalities of grades K-4, what he learned from two professional trick or treating 8-year-old boys, the art of learning cursive and letter-writing, how kindergartners try to trap leprechauns, and what every child should experience before he or she grows up.

These charming, sweet, and funny tales of Mr. Done’s trials and triumphs as an award-winning schoolteacher will touch readers’ hearts and remind them of the true joys of childhood. We all have that one special, favorite grade school teacher whom we fondly remember throughout our adult lives – and every teacher also has students whom they will never forget. This is the perfect book for teachers, parents, and anyone else who is looking for a lighthearted, nostalgic read.

I don’t think funny fully captures Mr. Done’s stories, they are more like laugh-out-loud hilarious (which I found myself doing, on more than one occasion, and a couple of times in public.) I passed my copy onto my son’s teacher who told me that she alternated between laughing aloud and nodding her head in agreement.

You know the saying about real life being funnier than anything you can make-up….that saying definitely holds true for the stories in this book.

From kids funny misspellings, to mug week (known to non-teachers as the week before Christmas), to him freezing a tie that he thought was a box of chocolates because it was wrapped in a Sees candy box. The funny stories just kept coming!

I think one of my favorite parts of the whole book was when Mr. Done was talking about a box that his mother had recently given him that contained letters he had written as a child. He opened the box and said, “Where did you get these?” (another time that I laughed aloud, luckily this time I was at home)

Close Encounters of the 3rd Grade Kind also contains many touching stories. Stories of children overcoming obstacles, of ways that he was able to get through to a child, of touching moments between children. Stories that bring a tear to your eye.

This book was very easy to read. Mr Done’s writing style is short, sweet, and to the point. The short chapters are broken down according to the school year and the topic of the month; Aug , Cursive, Dec, Tooth Fairy, Smiles, etc and each starts with an inspirational quote.

I took the book along with me wherever I went, just in case I had a few minutes of waiting time I needed to fill.

This is a book that parents and teachers alike would enjoy this book.