Title: Taking the Short Bus: Teacher, I Need You
Author: Bruce Beryl Fisher
Publisher: Palmetto Publishing
ISBN: 979-8885903110
Pages: 292
Genre: Historical Drama
Reviewed by: Lily Amanda

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“The only disability in life is a bad attitude.”- Scott Hamilton.

Taking the Short Bus: Teacher, I Need You is an illuminating drama/comedy book based on true events by Bruce Beryl Fisher. In its stirring preface, the author raises a strong case against the biased and discriminating American public school system, which he feels doesn’t give much concern or dedication to education development in students, especially those suffering from learning disabilities. He also feels that greed for funds has made learning institutions produce incompetent students while neglecting the very essence of education which is developing knowledge as well as character.

Passionate to inspire, motivate and mobilize, Fisher sets the ball rolling by introducing the protagonist, Erick Blum, a special-needs eighteen-year-old student who suffers from Dyslexia, a brain-based type of learning impairment that specifically detects a person’s ability to read, spell and write. Like any other dyslexic child, Erick suffers from poor self-image and a lack of confidence. Through constant help from his history teacher Carole, Erick can rise above this challenge.

However, in a jaw-dropping twist and plot, Erick develops a deep longing and liking for the compassionate, adaptive, and flexible history teacher. He sees Carole as a rare gem at Noah Webster Preparatory.  She is an attractive and kind woman, whose career is geared towards building wholesome growth in special-needs students.  She has gone out of her way many times to help Erick. However, not all students welcome her kindness. For example, Erick’s colleague Tony utilizes every opportune moment to create a difficult teaching environment for her.

Though remarkably sharp, Tony’s character conduct is unexpectedly becoming worse. Readers can’t help but wonder whether he is taking advantage of his condition, Tourette syndrome, whose effect makes one have repetitive movements or unwanted sounds. Carole is expected to tolerate his rowdy and insubordinate habit, but how much can she take in before reaching her breaking point?

Readers are taken on an intriguing journey of character development, tolerance, exposition, and resolution, in excellent storytelling and drama. The author expertly incorporates humor into the drama, giving it a touch of frivolity that naturally sparks a smile on the readers’ faces. In a rich display of aptitude and proficiency, Fisher employs clever and engrossing dialogues among the characters, in a way that advances the plot while adding a sense of realism to it.

Taking the Short Bus: Teacher, I Need You by Bruce Beryl Fisher is an illuminating and cogent yarn that offers a systematic exposition of the effort, resilience, and hard work displayed by special needs teachers as well as reminding them they are not alone, while at the same time showcasing the benefits of students’ accountability, responsibility, and discipline about a solid education system. Its resounding message seeks to transform, apprise and encourage much necessary discussions among education stakeholders and relevant people.