From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026…

Ms. Bixby's Last Day

John David Anderson

Discussion: Book of the Month - 2017

Why we're reading this: This book has everything. Humor with the perfect balance of heart and characters you can't stop thinking …more
[close] This book has everything. Humor with the perfect balance of heart and characters you can't stop thinking about for days and weeks after reading. I really felt like this book had everything I wanted in a middle grade read. It's already garnered a number of starred reviews as well and think it should certainly be considered.

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Book of the Month - 2017

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By Kristen · 60 posts · 320 views

last updated Feb 27, 2017 02:27PM

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last updated Feb 23, 2017 12:30PM

What Members Thought

Dec 26, 2016 Megan rated it really liked it

Shelves: listened-to, juvenile-fiction, bookbattlecontender, realistic-children-s

Story was fantastic! Audio was horrible.

2 likes · Like · see review

Sep 30, 2016 Becky Barrier Nelson rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-alouds, guys, realistic-fiction, newbery-candidate-2017

Topher (short for Christopher, but DON”T call him that!) describes his version of the six different kinds of teachers in the world (Zombies, Caff-Adds, Dungeon Masters, Speilbergs, Noobs--all hilariously accurate), but the sixth category he calls the Good Ones. Topher and his best friends, Brand and Steve, all agree that Ms. Bixby, their sixth grade language arts teacher, is a Good One--one you don’t want to disappoint. Early in the story--so this is NOT a spoiler--Ms. Bixby lets the class know Topher (short for Christopher, but DON”T call him that!) describes his version of the six different kinds of teachers in the world (Zombies, Caff-Adds, Dungeon Masters, Speilbergs, Noobs--all hilariously accurate), but the sixth category he calls the Good Ones. Topher and his best friends, Brand and Steve, all agree that Ms. Bixby, their sixth grade language arts teacher, is a Good One--one you don’t want to disappoint. Early in the story--so this is NOT a spoiler--Ms. Bixby lets the class know that she, at 35-years-old, had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The boys are devastated! The class decides to plan a party for that last day, but when Ms. Bixby has to leave suddenly, five days before she planned, the party is canceled, but the guys are determined to see her once again for a special “last day” that they have planned meticulously according to what Ms. Bixby told them would be her ideal last day on Earth (something to do with cheesecake, McDonald’s fries, and Beethoven). The three skip school, taking the bus to the Woodfield Shopping Center to begin The Plan which will end at the local hospital where they will highjack Ms. Bixby, if they can escape the formidable Nurse Georgia.

As the boys make their way across town toward the hospital, they encounter all kinds of obstacles--some scary, most hilarious. The story is told by the alternating voices of Topher (a talented artist & fan of superheroes), Steve (with military-style helicopter parents), and Brand (forced to take charge at home). Through their voices (so spot-on for 6th grade guys), the reader learns about each of these characters and the challenges they bear, and the reasons that Ms. Bixby is so special to each of them that they risk many consequences to give her a perfect last day and to say goodbye. As they let you in on the small, but incredibly important gestures (and Bixbyisms) she makes to them, you are aware that she, a GOOD one, surely treats not just them, but every student in her class in this way.

This book is an homage to the great heart of young boys and the huge difference that a caring teacher can make in the lives of her students. It’s sad and funny and ultimately affirming of the small ways we can make huge differences in the lives of others. I recommend this novel to all students (especially guys) from 5th through 7 grade and to all teachers everywhere. It’s on my Newbery Short List! ...more

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Aug 20, 2016 Susan Dunn rated it really liked it

Shelves: audio-books, j-fiction

Ms. Bixby is the coolest teacher around. She has a pink streak in her blond hair, jokes about having a tattoo (she really doesn't), and makes her students, particularly Steve, Topher and Brand, feel special. When she tells her class that she has cancer and must leave before the school year ends to begin treatment, they are all in shock. Upset at missing their chance to tell her how much she means to them, the boys skip school to go visit her in the hospital and bring her some of her favorite thi ...more

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Aug 08, 2016 Kyla rated it really liked it

Shelves: children-s-lit

Sweet and touching! I feel like kids who love realistic fiction and love to connect with teachers would love this book!

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Apr 14, 2017 Karen Gibson added it

Shelves: realistic-fiction, 2017-117-book-project, pisd-workshop

Beautiful story of the impact a teacher can have on her students.
Great story of 3 very different boys who are friends and plan an adventure to surprise their teacher.

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Dec 08, 2016 Shari (Shira) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: childrensbooks

I can't write. I'm crying too hard. If you choose to read this, have tissue. I'm glad I had a new box. ...more

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Aug 25, 2016 Sara rated it really liked it

Still crying at the close. Read this aloud with Brennan and will treasure that part of it. What a genuine and lovely book. We both grew. NO bigger complement than that.

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