BOOK REVIEW: Minor Dramas and Other Catastrophes by Kathleen West @berkleypub @kwestbooks #minordramasandothercatastrophes

A mother who lives her life for her children finds herself on the outs when her helicopter parenting lands her in hot water with the other affluent mothers. Meanwhile, a teacher who truly believes in opening her students up to diverse perspectives may be no match for the affluent private school moms on facebook. Two women who have completely opposite objectives may find one another to be the key to climbing back on top. Funny, sweet, and engaging!

About the Book

Perfect for fans of Where’d You Go, Bernadette and Small Admissions, a wry and cleverly observed debut novel about the privileged bubble that is Liston Heights High–the micro-managing parents, the overworked teachers, and the students caught in the middle–and the fallout for each of them when the bubble finally bursts.

Isobel Johnson knows helicopter parents like Julia Abbott–a stage mom whose world revolves around interfering in her children’s lives–come with the territory. Julia resents teachers like Isobel, who effortlessly bond with students, including Julia’s own teenagers, who have started pulling further away from her.

Isobel has spent her teaching career in Liston Heights side-stepping the community’s high-powered families. But when she receives a threatening voicemail accusing her of Anti-Americanism and a “blatant liberal agenda,” she realizes she’s squarely in the fray. Rather than cowering, Isobel doubles down on her social-justice ideals. Meanwhile, Julia, obsessed with the casting of the high school’s winter musical, inadvertently shoves the female student lead after sneaking onto the school campus. The damning video footage goes viral and has far-reaching consequences for Julia and her entire family.

With nothing to unite them beyond the sting of humiliation from public meltdowns, Isobel and Julia will find common ground where they least expect it, confronting a secret Facebook gossip site that’s stirring up more trouble for this tumultuous, fractured school community.

Reflection

I absolutely loved this book! Having gone to private school myself, I totally understand the dynamics and Kathleen West’s Minor Drama and Other Catastrophes captures the essence of that sort of life perfectly. From the mothers who, though well-intentioned, are way too involved in their children’s lives, to the faculty who fear the wrath of the parents if they step out of line, to the administrators who will do anything to keep the school successful, even if it means lowering the quality of education—this book nailed it!

Julia is a mom to two high school kids. Her daughter is bright and engaged in school, and her son is a shy aspiring actor. Julia considers her position on the board for the high school drama program to be prestigious. And her son did work so hard all summer taking lessons so he might be cast in the spring play. It doesn’t hurt that Julia and her husband donated a brand new costume shop (even if she did have to track down size 11 sparkling shoes for the leading lady against her preferences). So on the day the cast list is to be posted, Julia can’t help but sneak in to view it right away. She’s just excited!

But when she accidentally punches the leading lady in the production during her victory celebration and it is caught on tape, Julia soon finds herself banished from the drama committee and shunned by the other moms.

This scene truly made me laugh! Julia is an interesting character. The more I learned about her, the more I understood her. She is a woman full of brains and ambition, who let her goals slip away when she became a mother. Now, she finds so much of her self-worth tied up in her children, that when they turn their anger on her she feels lost and betrayed. The book tells the story of Julia learning and growing.

The other main storyline in the book centers around Isobel—an English teacher who passionately makes it her mission to constantly push her students and colleagues beyond the approved curriculum, and to consider other voices and point of views in classic literature. Most student’s love Isobel, but the parents have a different take. Rather than appreciating the top quality education that Isobel provides, they worry that she pushes her agenda into their kids’ minds.

Meanwhile, a mommy facebook group begins to spiral out of control. What started as a way for parents to engage around their children’s school has quickly turned into the school gossip rag. And worse, someone seems to be sharing private information about the teachers that becomes fodder for angry parents.

Soon, Isobel herself is on the outs. And ironically enough, these two women who started as opposition may find one another to be the key to resolving their situations.

Funny, heat-warming, and full of fascinating characters—I loved this book!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.