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The Path of the Wind
Miles Foster is a newly minted teacher who dreams of getting a teaching job in the highly respected and financially stable Portland, Oregon school system where everything is available, and where he and his wife call home. But the only opening for his talents is in a remote lumber mill town in central Oregon, two hundred miles away.
It is a poor school with forty students, and is controlled by a jealous superintendent and school board who tolerate no thinking outside the box and who conspire to destroy his teaching career.
Miles must find a way to educate students who have been passed along regardless of what they learned, and defeat the damaging control of the school board and superintendent without losing his marriage or his job, or both.
It is a poor school with forty students, and is controlled by a jealous superintendent and school board who tolerate no thinking outside the box and who conspire to destroy his teaching career.
Miles must find a way to educate students who have been passed along regardless of what they learned, and defeat the damaging control of the school board and superintendent without losing his marriage or his job, or both.
304 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2017
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224 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 1, 2017
A very enjoyable read on many levels. For one, dramatic tension. It was hard to put down. Also, it was a view into 1957 America, a hamlet in central Oregon that depended on logging and is hanging on by its fingernails. In Path of the Wind, we see the world as viewed from the eyes of an idealistic young schoolteacher who wants to educate (as opposed to teach) and is thwarted by the Old Guard. Misko writes from the heart, which is never more evident than in his soaring descriptions of the magic wrought by a little high school band. This story brought tears to my eyes more than once. Reminded me of The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig. A delightful read.
February 1, 2025
First-year teacher Miles Foster seems to do everything he can to get fired, but also everything in his power to educate his students to live successful lives after high school graduation and to bring spirit to the town as well.
The story is entertaining, fraught with the dangers of teaching under the eagle eye of a stalwart principal and in the midst of students with varying needs and proficiencies. At least, in the mid 1950s cell phones in the classroom are not one of the problems. The school district and lumber mill town are declining in rural Prineville, Oregon. What is the future for all, including Miles and his wife with their first baby on the way?
The characters, town, and the wind-swept environment come to life as this story spins with all the right words told exactly right.
The story is entertaining, fraught with the dangers of teaching under the eagle eye of a stalwart principal and in the midst of students with varying needs and proficiencies. At least, in the mid 1950s cell phones in the classroom are not one of the problems. The school district and lumber mill town are declining in rural Prineville, Oregon. What is the future for all, including Miles and his wife with their first baby on the way?
The characters, town, and the wind-swept environment come to life as this story spins with all the right words told exactly right.
September 6, 2018
First readers impressions.
"End Impression…First thought, I want another 300 pages (Right Now)
I was hooked from page one, enjoyed the hours reading until 2 AM in the morning not wanting to put it down.
One Damn fine book.
Explaining how much I liked the book is like trying to describe the feelings in watching a most fantastic sunrise or sunset. A short period of time, but the memories live forever. And it would make a great movie." Ray H. Oregon City, OR
"Just finished Path of the Wind and it was great." Anne S. Central City, NE
"Excellent read." Danny W. New Mexico
"Your book is awesome" Gail W. Portland, OR
"End Impression…First thought, I want another 300 pages (Right Now)
I was hooked from page one, enjoyed the hours reading until 2 AM in the morning not wanting to put it down.
One Damn fine book.
Explaining how much I liked the book is like trying to describe the feelings in watching a most fantastic sunrise or sunset. A short period of time, but the memories live forever. And it would make a great movie." Ray H. Oregon City, OR
"Just finished Path of the Wind and it was great." Anne S. Central City, NE
"Excellent read." Danny W. New Mexico
"Your book is awesome" Gail W. Portland, OR
May 6, 2017
The story wasn't over the top, outstanding, jaw dropping, or otherwise beyond remarkable...but it was MEMORABLE for many other reasons.
The way it's told is almost like an oral history being collected. The facts are there with some flourish but only just. We don't get into a lot of the nitty gritty details that could have weighed it down from its ultimate point.
It's a true celebration of the power of educators. Those who take that extra step to not simply impart the knowledge on the syllabus, but to connect with their students, make the experience personal, and indelibly mark them as having been one of their own as they continue their march forward in life.
In the end, it's a journey from school days to...well, days in school, but on the other side of the desk. It'll give you a new perspective from which to view their sacrifices and renew your respect for the calling they followed...while smiling at the exchanges (most often between Miles and Ele) that make this hidden gem sparkle and shine.
**copy received for review
The way it's told is almost like an oral history being collected. The facts are there with some flourish but only just. We don't get into a lot of the nitty gritty details that could have weighed it down from its ultimate point.
It's a true celebration of the power of educators. Those who take that extra step to not simply impart the knowledge on the syllabus, but to connect with their students, make the experience personal, and indelibly mark them as having been one of their own as they continue their march forward in life.
In the end, it's a journey from school days to...well, days in school, but on the other side of the desk. It'll give you a new perspective from which to view their sacrifices and renew your respect for the calling they followed...while smiling at the exchanges (most often between Miles and Ele) that make this hidden gem sparkle and shine.
**copy received for review
April 13, 2018
The Path of the Wind is an excellent highly descriptive easy read novel by James A Misko
Miles Foster and his lovely wife hoped to live in Portland, Oregon but instead Miles was offered a teaching job in a very small remote mill town on the verge of collapsing. There were 40 uninterested ill-taught students and a deeply mired establishment principal and school board devoid of creative ideas and lacking the mental resources or flexibility to keep the small town and school from closing down. Despite the dysfunctional cloud around him, Miles perseveres with endless hours of work, caring, and genuine love for these young people, and he triumphs. Appreciation is not his reward for extraordinary teaching, but the self assurance and group success behind the smiling eyes of his beloved students is. Irma C
Miles Foster and his lovely wife hoped to live in Portland, Oregon but instead Miles was offered a teaching job in a very small remote mill town on the verge of collapsing. There were 40 uninterested ill-taught students and a deeply mired establishment principal and school board devoid of creative ideas and lacking the mental resources or flexibility to keep the small town and school from closing down. Despite the dysfunctional cloud around him, Miles perseveres with endless hours of work, caring, and genuine love for these young people, and he triumphs. Appreciation is not his reward for extraordinary teaching, but the self assurance and group success behind the smiling eyes of his beloved students is. Irma C
June 25, 2019
The Path of the Wind
: James A. Misko
A book looking at education in 1957 Oregon. A first year teacher bucks the system to try and "educate" the kids in a back water mill town. It seems like things have come full circle, maybe not in the same state, but school re-design is working. I was hooked from the start and when I got to the end, I wanted more!!!
The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. Edison McDaniels brought this to life.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
: James A. Misko
A book looking at education in 1957 Oregon. A first year teacher bucks the system to try and "educate" the kids in a back water mill town. It seems like things have come full circle, maybe not in the same state, but school re-design is working. I was hooked from the start and when I got to the end, I wanted more!!!
The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. Edison McDaniels brought this to life.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
June 26, 2017
Most of my family have been or are teachers so this wonderful book is greatly treasured. Beautifully written, describing a small struggling mill town and a new young and inspired teacher endeavoring to educate his students under a rigid system. The soon to be retired "old school" Principle fights him all the way. You won't be able to put the book down until you find out the outcome.
September 6, 2018
The Path of the Wind is an excellent book, well-written and a definite page-turner. Misko was once a teacher and knows what makes a good one. This book is about a young teacher in Oregon, fighting to give his students a chance at a real education and working with them to get it done. Great reading. - Tom Brennan, author of Dead Man's Dancer and other books.
August 1, 2024
His books aren't necessarily exciting but they are good
July 17, 2019
This was definitely a character-driven story with some fairly well developed characters, although I had a little trouble relating to them. They all seemed just a little too superficial. The story moved slowly but steadily towards a satisfactory conclusion.
Edison McDaniels performed well, giving distinctive and appropriate voices to the characters. His narration suited the story.
Note: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Edison McDaniels performed well, giving distinctive and appropriate voices to the characters. His narration suited the story.
Note: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
November 10, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book, The Path of the Wind by James A Misko. I felt like I knew the characters as well as the town they lived in. It was well written and immediately captivated my attention. It accurately depicted the split between rules and creativity. I look forward to reading more of James books.
Want to read
July 27, 2018The Path of the Wind is the fifth novel from award-winning storyteller, Jim Misko. Again, the reader will feel at home with Jim's heartfelt portrayal of ordinary people overcoming extraordinary circumstances. Jim has a poet's eye for describing America's heartland and the homespun people who call it home. Another must read for those who appreciate a tightly-woven story. Its plain-spoken characters will remain long after the last page is turned.
Gordon Davis
Gordon Davis
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews