Book Review: The Teacher's Secret - Suzanne Leal 

I've heard so many good things about The Teacher's Secret, and now that I've finished it, I have to say that the praise is very well deserved!


At the beginning of the first term, (the book is divided into the 4 Terms of the school year), we are introduced to Terry Pritchard, who is a teacher and assistant principal at Brindle Public Primary School. He is well-liked and popular amongst both staff and students.
We are also introduced to various teachers, as well as Laurie Mathews, who is the fill-in principal for the year.
Laurie is all business, and immediately sets about changing the school in ways that none of the staff see coming. 

By Term 2, Laurie's incessant digging into the members of staff's business (both past and present),  unravels something that sees Terry immediately terminated from the school. 
He is replaced by Nina, a teacher who is going through a stressful relationship breakdown. 
She does her best to fill Terry's shoes, but the students are hurt and confused by Terry's sudden departure, and don't make it easy for her initially.

The chapters are told from the perspectives of different characters; mainly Terry, Nina, and a few others, including Mel, a local cleaner who enjoys photography, and whose children attend Brindle Public.

The 'secret' regarding Terry's termination isn't uncovered until quite late into the story, but there are hints along the way until it is revealed. 

The Teacher's Secret is fantastic and I think that the author, Suzanne Leal, has done such a great job portraying the characters. 
They are so authentic and with the exception of Laurie, they are all quite lovely. 
The Brindle residents add a lot of heart to the story, and make you realise the importance of the valuable relationships that are formed within communities.
It certainly is a book that I would recommend because I really enjoyed it. 

Have you read The Teacher's Secret yet? What did you think of it?