Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind

"The great strength behind Mr. Done's adventures and his unique storytelling style is that he never just celebrates how great the teacher is--he celebrates how great the children are. Joyful, honest work that will fortify both the veteran and novice educator."

"There isn't a story Phillip Done tells that we cannot all relate to that validates our profession. You will laugh yourself silly and concomitantly be proud that you are a teacher. This is a must read book."

"More important than knowing how the curriculum works or how the testing works, after 25 years in the elementary classroom Phillip Done knows how kids work. Not only will this enlighten beginning teachers, it will open more than a few parents' eyes as well."

"Phillip Done gets it--he gets how kids think, he gets how kids learn, and he gets how to inspire them to do both. His comical, warm, and insightful memoir brings you right into the classroom, following his incredibly colorful class of characters through an entire school year, capturing the magic and wonder of being a kid."

"Done shares his unique, joyful view of childhood with gentle humor and penetrating insight. Going through the school year month by month, Done offers humorous vignettes, student profiles and phenomena unique to the third grade, peppered with memories of Done's own childhood, which only get better as the book goes on. Done's style is straightforward and fast-paced, expertly recreating his adventures....Alongside dry wit, Done also delivers heartbreak and wisdom relevant to anyone with memories of a childhood classroom."