Ms. Bixby’s Last Day

“There are six kinds of teachers in the world. Zombies, Caff-adds, Dungeon Masters, Spielbergs, Noobs, and the Good Ones.” Ms. Bixby is one of the Good-Ones

Ms. Bixby is one of the Good-Ones. “She was strict when she needed to be and sweet when she wanted to be and kind of a smart aleck all the times in between.” The top reason that made her one of the Good-Ones was that she listened with full attention. She was a constant, something that was always there, but also taken for granted.

Told in first person perspective from three individual students, Topher, Brand, and Steve share their memories, their admiration, and their love for Ms. Bixby. The boys share the difference one teacher made in their lives and how, although they are on twelve, they each had to do a little growing up. Each boy faces realistic social pressures and familial problems. “Troubles are like your shadow: You can’t always see them, but you can’t run from them either.” These young men are developed with expertise, with a reality that makes each character believable and extremely lovable.

Topher is the dreamer artist who is full of ideas, wit, and charm. Everyday activities become an adventure. While facing the reality about his dear Ms. Bixby’s health, he is reminded that “sometimes it’s better to believe in the impossible. To believe you are a secret agent or a private detective or a superhero and not just a kid with freckled cheeks and gangly arms who is too clumsy to leap a tipped-over garbage can in a single bound.”

Brand is mysterious, deep, and moody. His skill is creating new words for things; such as Bixbyisms and fritzled. However, Ms. Bixby teaches him he has more important skills than that. Sometimes he struggles to put one foot in front of the other and press through his challenging life. Ms. Bixby gives him courage and hope. She was there for him when he needed someone’s help and she was there to remind him when he needed to help himself.

Steve is the brains of the three musketeers, or as he reminds the friendship, there were four musketeers. He is a follower, which tends to get him in all sorts of trouble. Topher has been his best friend since kindergarten and he doesn’t like that Brand has come between them and thrown off the perfect balance of their relationship.

All readers will fall in love with Ms. Bixby and wish she were their sixth-grade teacher. Even as a fictional character, she is inspiring. But, this story isn’t just about a great teacher and the impact one has on young people. It is about friendship, courage, and believing in yourself. “The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it.”