Our Teacher Is a Vampire and Other (Not) True Stories

Gr 3–5—When Alexander H. Gory discovers evidence that his teacher, Mrs. Penrose, is a vampire, he records his observations in a notebook and shares it with his classmates. His friends add their opinions, until Mrs. Penrose finds the notebook and debunks the theory with the truth: she's pregnant. The teacher allows her class to continue writing, as long as they do it only during free time and include everyone. This work is told through letters, jokes, poems, and short stories. The students express their inner feelings, particularly when they receive a no-nonsense substitute teacher. The class has a mix of relatable characters, from prankster Alexander to shy new kid Harrison to resident brain Omar. The students' personalities shine through their writing, and the different writing abilities and corrected mistakes will inspire and encourage fledgling writers. The classmates deal with modern-day troubles most students can relate to, including arguing with one another, not coping well with change, and having trouble getting motivated. Though slow-paced at times, this is an amusing read that most elementary students will enjoy.