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

October Read - The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog
By Kristen · 35 posts · 227 views

last updated Feb 23, 2017 12:30PM

What Members Thought

Jul 15, 2016 Donalyn rated it really liked it

Shelves: children-s-realistic-fiction, 2016-nerdy-book-club-awards

Incredible moving. Hits all the right notes--funny, tender, and thoughtful.

35 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 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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Feb 19, 2017 Bev rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 17-mg-ya

A must read. Tugs at the heart; so well-written. For all those teachers - the "good ones" ...more

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Nov 24, 2016 Sarah rated it it was amazing

Definitely one of my favorite books of the year!

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Jan 09, 2017 Natalie Harvey rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, school, friendship, death, middle-grade, alternating-perspectives, male-perspective, cancer, quest

It took me a long time to get into this book, but I stuck with it and flew through the last third of the book in an hour. The alternating perspectives were confusing at first, not really knowing who these boys were, but served to dig deeper into each character's backstory near the end of the book. I didn't love it like some people did, but I appreciate a good ending. ...more

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