I’ve read so many novels about student/teacher relationships, so I was a little skeptical about this one, but I just after the first chapter, I knew it was going to be different.

The entire story is told through Carolina‘s, or Nine as she’s nicknamed, point of view. She’s probably one of the most unique and different characters I’ve ever read. Her thoughts aren’t ever really focused on one thing. She’s what you call a scatter-brain, but it works very well. Her story is full of completely off-topic ramblings, but it only makes her character much more entertaining to read.

It was one of those stories where I got so wrapped up that I’d actually start to feel. For example, when Mr. Mann, Nine’s dreamy new poetry teacher, breaks up with her out of the blue, my chest literally throbbed for Nine. Another reason Nine was so different to read about- she didn’t sit down and take it. After awhile, Nine’s love and heartbreak for Mr. Mann turned into a full obsession. He hadn’t given her an excuse for breaking her heart, and she won’t stop until she gets one.

This isn’t the story of a student/teacher relationship and how it came to be. This is a story about the aftermath of such. Though I felt some negativity towards both of the main characters, Nine and Mr. Mann, the book left me in a content with them, and their relationship.

It’s not recent, and you’d probably have to do some online shopping or library browsing for it- but I definitely recommend it. I can guarantee you that it’s the most diverse student/teacher story you’ll ever read about, and it’ll probably become your favorite as well! ( )

The dense, poetic language got to be a bit wearing, but was very effective in smaller doses. Gripping storyline (teacher and student romance). Will keep in mind for a good girl high-low title. ( )

High school senior Nine (short for Carolina) is too smart for her own good. An overachieving intellectual snob, she is restless in her small town Alabama life. Relief comes in the form of poetry, and her teacher Mr. Mann. The two begin a passionate, if clandestine, affair. However, soon after their relationship is consummated, Mr. Mann ends it, with no explanation. Worse yet, he quickly marries. Nine is sent into a tailspin, and becomes obsessed with revenge.

The language in this book is striking. Nine's internal monologue is beautiful and sparse. However, Nelson can't seem to make up her mind about Mr. Mann. Is he a predator? An eternal slacker? A obsessive? The cop out ending that paints him as a hero only adds to the ambiguity. His reasons for ending his relationship with Nine, and his actions after the fact drag this story into the area of soap opera melodrama. (cross-posted from MeriJenBen) ( )

High school senior Nine (short for Carolina) is too smart for her own good. An overachieving intellectual snob, she is restless in her small town Alabama life. Relief comes in the form of poetry, and her teacher Mr. Mann. The two begin a passionate, if clandestine, affair. However, soon after their relationship is consummated, Mr. Mann ends it, with no explanation. Worse yet, he quickly marries. Nine is sent into a tailspin, and becomes obsessed with revenge.

The language in this book is striking. Nine's internal monologue is beautiful and sparse. However, Nelson can't seem to make up her mind about Mr. Mann. Is he a predator? An eternal slacker? A obsessive? The cop out ending that paints him as a hero only adds to the ambiguity. His reasons for ending his relationship with Nine, and his actions after the fact drag this story into the area of soap opera melodrama. ( )

Love, obsession, and revenge all come together in this dizzying and sensuous tale. In her senior year of high school, Carolina “Nine” Livingston falls hard for her new English teacher, the beautiful, poetry-loving Mr. Mann, who quotes Emily Dickinson all the time. Mr. Mann makes Nine feel things she didn’t even know she could feel, and she believes that the two of them will one day live together, marry, and go on their dream honeymoon.

Then a sudden announcement from Mr. Mann changes everything. Nine is left floundering in a world that’s suddenly too big and too small at the same time. Her emotions spiral out of control and she can hardly control them, eventually endangering the lives of Mr. Mann, her best friend, and even herself. When will she learn to stop just doing and to start thinking?

TEACH ME is poetic and scary and reminds me a lot of Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak. The characters stayed with me long after I had put down the book. Everything in Nine’s world feels eerily real; you will feel like screaming at her for her actions while at the same time feeling her hurt. The author has done a beautiful, near-perfect job of portraying a devastating affair between student and teacher. If you are not faint-hearted, then pick this book up. ( )