An comic and unsettling look at adult behavior in the name of motherhood. Julia is an over the-top helicopter parent .who wants the best for two children, but insists on relentlessly enmeshing herself in every waking moment of their lives. Isobel is a teacher at the prestigious school Julia's children attend, striving to give her students the best, well-rounded education. Told from multiple POVs, the story-line flowed seamlessly, making it easy to keep up with the differing perspectives. I loved this satirical and well-written debut!

FULL REVIEW ON FRESH FICTION
Just as captivating as Big Little Lies, MINOR DRAMAS AND OTHER CATASTROPHES by Kathleen West is snappy, nuanced, and fun. West’s look at helicopter parents, the teachers and school administrators they nitpick over, and the growing pains of adolescence all come together in a satisfying story. Julia and Isobel’s journeys are intrinsically linked throughout this book, and the results are hilarious, heartfelt, and sharply witty. It’s easy to understand where so many of the characters are coming from, but it’s also just as simple to pass judgment on them – similar to how they are doing to one another. As the story moves to its conclusion, a few more cringeworthy moments take place, making readers question if anyone has really changed over the course of the novel, but there are comeuppances on all sides, and all of the storylines come to smart conclusions. Fans of “suburban lit,” like that of Liane Moriarty and Maria Semple, will find much to love in MINOR DRAMAS AND OTHER CATASTROPHES by Katheleen West.

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.

I'm a sucker for a book that captures the emotional roller coaster of being upper middle class where characters are constantly falling prey to "catastrophes" completely of their own making. This was funny, honest, and had commentary on social issues of our time. Will gladly recommend.

A hilarious and honest look at over-zealous parents and elite schools. As a former high school teacher, I loved it, in particular the redemption of some characters.

I great book depicting the catastrophes of social media and helicopter parents! As they always say - don’t put anything out there that you wouldn’t want your mother to see!

Do mean girls ever grow up? I guess they do. They grow up and become mean parents, teachers, neighbors. This book was good

Pretty decent book

The last thing Julia expects when she sneaks into her children’s high school to see if her son has made the musical cast list is that video footage of her will go viral. Meanwhile, her daughter’s favourite teacher, Isobel, is creating waves with her progressive American Literature lessons, and a secret Facebook page set up for parents is rife with rumours and mud-raking. 
This entertaining debut shines a light on schoolground politics and tells the story from the viewpoints of numerous characters including the pushy stage mother, the dedicated teacher and the kids caught in the middle. It offers a wryly humorous take on power struggles, social media abuse and helicopter parenting.

This book was entertaining but just wasn't for me. It was a little too much drama for me and was a bit too over the top. I appreciate being given the opportunity to read it.

Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes held my interest from the beginning.  I believe that high school teenagers will enjoy this book as well as adults.  West keeps the tension building.  It is amazing to see how powerful social media can be for good . . . and for bad.

This book was so fun and funny, and incredibly cringeworthy at times to think about these things happening to me or people around me in real life. Anybody who grew up in or has ever lived in a small community where everybody knows everybody will see a bit of their own lives in this book. Some of the characters were truly appalling — helicopter parenting is rough to witness, even when fictional! — but it definitely rang true at moments, even when it was difficult to read. All in all, an enjoyable read!

This definitely had its funny moments, but I just could not get invested in what were truly "minor" catastrophes...perhaps because reading it in the middle of a global pandemic put it into perspective.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

I ADORED this book! A friend from work recommended it and I am bowled over by the plot.

This is a story of a high school in a small upper class community. This is the story of a mom who oversteps her bounds and becomes increasingly judgmental and petty. This is the story of a teacher who thinks she's doing the right thing but has her own political agenda. This is the story of people trying to get ahead and bending the rules to get there.

Every rumor, event, and happening in this book is framed by social media--the posts, groups, and supposedly private comments. Embarrassing things are recorded and shared, baseless criticisms are aired publicly and as cruelly as possible, and identities are obscured. I am a mom who connects with other moms on social media and this book left me shook! I try not to belittle others and air private grievances online and BOY did this book remind me why that's important. I'm also reminded why it's important not to fight all my kid's battles for them, why it's important to sometimes let them struggle through and let the struggle strengthen them.

If you are a modern day parent, this is a must read.

***Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

Very entertaining, but cringe worthy to think about the social media aspect and the helicopter parents.

As a parent of a high schooler involved in local theater, this work of fiction certainly rings true. Our small community is echoed in the school community portrayed in this humorous story of helicopter parents, viral moments and gossip run amuck. 
Of course a book about theater kids will bring the drama, but it's the parents who show the real antics in Kathleen West's well written novel. A delightful and insightful read.

I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this book alright. It was super interesting but there was a ton I had a bit of dislike for. I didn't like the helicopter parenting. I felt super bad for the teacher in this book. It was a good and interesting read. 

Thank you kindly to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this review copy.

Isobel Johnson is a progressive teacher at Liston Heights High School.  As she teaches her English classes, she challenges her students to think outside the box and make their own evaluations and assessments.  Isobel loves her job but, after eight years of teaching at Liston, she begins to receive anonymous complaints.  

Meanwhile, a parent, Julia Abbott, is obsessed with her son’s success and will do almost anything to assure that he will have a prominent role in the winter production in the drama department.  When both women become targets on social media, they struggle to regain their positions at the high school.  Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes is told from multiple perspectives and this adds interesting insights to the issues and problems that develop. 

After reading this book I’m not sure if it was appalling or entertaining.  Helicopter parents, teachers who really want to teach, social media, gossip - all of this comes into play.  In the end, this book is entertaining but it also provides a sobering message for parents who try to manipulate their child’s education.  While support is important, interference is not.  This sparkling debut by Kathleen West is insightful, entertaining, and clever, not to mention well-written and timely. 

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

What an incredibly timely book! As a mother,  I remind myself almost constantly to be aware of what I  post,  and I remind my teenage daughter to do the same.  In this digital world,  it's so ridiculously important to remember that.... besides being a warning,  this book is highly entertaining.  Nothing like parents behaving badly and karma exacting its sweet revenge. I was not sure if I would like this one at first,  but I was pleasantly surprised.  I absolutely recommend this to parents and non parents alike. You won't regret reading it! 4.5 stars,  rounded up to 5 for NetGalley's rating system.

Anyone who uses social media should read this book to see how one post can affect people’s lives. I enjoyed reading each chapter from another person’s perspective.  A lot of what happened is happening today on social media. Watch what you post.

3.5 stars

Welcome to Liston Heights High School. The place where rich parents NEED to make sure their precious children make it to that bestest college. In their off time they one up each other on who is the most wonderful of all.
 

ESPECIALLY theatre mom Julia Abbott. 
 

She gets really into making sure her little precious gets the part in the school play. To the point where she goes to make sure he is on the cast list and gets a bit excited then ends up punching a student in the stomach. Of course someone just happens to have their phone handy and it's all plastered online for the world to judge.

The fall out from this one incident just keeps spiraling and shows you the true power of social media. It scares the crap outta me. 
This book wasn't bad. It kept me entertained by these hot messes of characters. The only things that I didn't care for were the incessant brand name dropping and the fact that it became almost too much. Too many points of view and way too many dramas. I still couldn't look away though because I totally have a fascination with helicopter mom drama.