Synopsis (from Netgalley, the provider of the book for me to review.)
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By the acclaimed author of Moxie, a funny, bighearted adult debut that is at once an ode to educators, a timely glimpse at today’s pressing school issues, and a tender character study, following a sprawling cast of teachers, administrators, and staff at a Texas high school

With its ensemble of warm and unforgettable characters, The Faculty Lounge shows readers a different side of school life. It all starts when an elderly substitute teacher at Baldwin High School is found dead in the faculty lounge. After a bit of a stir, life quickly returns to normal—it’s not like it’s the worst (or even most interesting) thing that has happened within the building’s walls. But when, a week later, the spontaneous scattering of his ashes on the school grounds catches the attention of some busybody parents, it sets in motion a year that can only be described as wild, bizarre, tragic, mundane, beautiful, and humorous all at once.

Amid the ensuing hysteria and threats of disciplinary action, the novel peeks into the lives of the implicated adults who, it turns out, actually have first names and continue to exist when the school day is done. We meet: a former punk band frontman, now a middle-aged principal who must battle it out with the school board to keep his job; a no-nonsense school nurse willing to break the rules, despite the close watch on their campus, when a student arrives at her office with a dilemma; and a disgruntled English instructor who finds himself embroiled in even more controversy when he misfires a snarky email. During a lockdown, there’s also a teacher make-out session in a supply closet.

As these people continue to manage the messiness of this school year, there is the looming threat of what will become of their beloved Baldwin High. Ultimately, at the heart of this unconventional workplace novel is a story of the power of human connection and of the joy of finding purpose in what it is we do every day.

Oh, what a delicious book from the view of this (former) school librarian who knew how twisted her former co-workers were and looked forward to comparing them to this book. (Trust me, this is not weird and you should see what I run into at the public library board!!!) The book is well crafted and utterly readable - I have already recommended it to all of my teacher friends to see if they can identify with any of the stories involved...but it comes out NEXT SUMMER so I feel slightly pregnant with a really enjoyable book.

#shortbutsweetreviews

"The Faculty Lounge" by Jennifer Mathieu is a funny and bighearted adult debut that offers readers an insightful glimpse into the lives of educators while addressing pressing issues within the educational system. Set in Baldwin High School in Texas, the novel follows a diverse cast of teachers, administrators, and staff members as they navigate a school year that turns out to be wild, bizarre, tragic, mundane, beautiful, and humorous all at once.

The story kicks off with the death of an elderly substitute teacher, whose ashes are spontaneously scattered on the school grounds. This seemingly innocuous act sparks a chain of events that captures the attention of parents and sets the stage for a year filled with unexpected twists and turns.

The novel explores the lives of the implicated adults beyond the school day, providing a nuanced and humanizing perspective on their personalities and struggles. From a former punk band frontman turned middle-aged principal fighting to keep his job to a no-nonsense school nurse willing to break the rules for a student in need, and a disgruntled English instructor caught in controversy, the characters reveal themselves to be more than just their roles within the educational system.

Amidst the chaos and threats of disciplinary action, "The Faculty Lounge" delves into the messiness of the school year, portraying the interconnected lives of the characters. As they grapple with challenges, the novel emphasizes the power of human connection and finding purpose in the everyday tasks that define their roles in the school community.

With warmth and humor, Jennifer Mathieu crafts a tender character study that sheds light on the realities of the education system, celebrating the dedication and humanity of the individuals working within it.