Historical Fiction & Avi rpikk on 13 Jul 2005
The Secret School
Fourteen year old Ida has always wanted to become a teacher. But when Ida’s own teacher leaves and is not replaced, Ida has no chance of passing 8th grade and being accepted into high school. Without further education, she can’t become a teacher. So Ida takes it upon herself to finish her eighth grade year as both a student and the teacher in her one-room school house.
Ida’s job as a one-room school teacher was my dream for many years. Realistically speaking though, I’m not sure I would have gone to the lengths that Ida did to secure her education and that of her fellow students. While the premise of the book seems a bit far-fetched to me, it may well have been possible in the early 1900’s.