Story Time

Written by Edward Bloor

Narrated by Julie Dretzin

George and Kate enter Whittaker Magnet School via the "Leave No High-Scoring Child Behind" program. They quickly learn that all Whittaker students do is practice taking tests. Higher scores bring more students-and more tax money! And as if Whittaker isn't strange enough, there may be a demon roaming the halls. Acclaimed author Edward Bloor's Story Time is a darkly hilarious spoof on modern education.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 11, 2008
• ISBN: 9781440797231

Edward Bloor

Edward Bloor is the author many acclaimed novels, including Tangerine, Crusader, and Story Time. A former high school teacher, he lives near Orlando, Florida. edwardbloor.net

Reviews for Story Time

[carolvanbrocklin · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Very disappointing. After reading and loving Tangerine, I wanted to see how Bloor would tackle standardized testing. The way he did it was to do a bunch of political stumping about everything from how awful old presidents were to require them, and how wonderful new presidents are. We had to hear about how books were totally censored out because no book was allowed that had anything to do with witches or ghosts, however for some weird reason there are demons that have taken over a copy of nursery rhymes. Little of this made sense to me and since it was written for a more juvenile audience, I have a feeling a good portion of it would go right over their heads also. The lady who spoke in nursery rhymes is especially confusing. While there are some valid points about about the idea that if you dont' pass these tests you are going to be a failure in society, this is not a book that I would recommend.

[librarybrandy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This struck me as what would happen if Lemony Snicket wrote a book with a more realistic setting and plot. And, um, with demons. And standardized testing. And superweapons. So I guess it's maybe not so realistic at all. But it still had a certain Lemony Snicket-esque vibe in the wordplay and the sarcasm.

Ah, hell. I can't be articulate. I liked it. It was good.

[tammyphillips · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I thought this was a great satire of the public education system in America, today. The story was full of intelligent humor, mocking many of the mandates of our educational system. I especially liked the incorporation of the ghost story...subtly hinting at how spooky the "demons" of the library and free-thought can be. Loved it! This story has much to offer to the reader who likes to dig into the deeper thoughts revealed in a good satire.

[lizzybeth23 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Storyline Is kinda hard to follow. Not my favorite and hard to get through.

[jayde1599_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Synopsis: Popular 8th grader Kate, and her brainiac 6h grade Uncle George are accepted to the new Whittaker Magnet School, which boasts the highest standardized test scores in the nation. The school is run by Dr. Austin and his wife Cornelia Whittaker-Austin. Classes are held in the basement of the Whittaker Library and the students are fed protein shakes and forced to exercise on treadmills to improve their test performance. The hauntings seem to have begun again as staff and students appear to be possessed by a murderous demon. Kate and George, who right away realize that they do not belong at the school, try to solve the mystery of the ghostly demons. Pros & Cons: This YA book is a satire of our nation's obsession with standardized tests, that any adult can crack a smirk over. However, I think much of the satire is above the targeted audience of the book - middle schoolers. The author puts "tween" references and dialogue in throughout the book, but they seem awkward. I enjoyed Bloor's Tangerine, but this book does not compare. I don't know if it is the attempt to combine realism with fantasy - but it just didn't work. I did enjoy the first 3/4th of the book and the mystery began to pull me in. The last quarter of the book and the ending just did not satisfy me. Overall, OK book (2 1/2 stars), but not highly recommended.

[wittyreaderli · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Story Time, by Edward Bloor features the extremely odd Whittaker Magnet School. Kate Peters and her uncle George Melvil, who is two years younger than her are forced to go to this school where the students take standardized tests all day and the teachers have no names, and are simply refered to by their subject and grade level. But things aren't just strange in the methods of teaching: the school has a ghost, and it has the habit of posessing people! By the end of the book, several characters will die, relationships will change, and you will most likely be very entertained!