by
Robert Storms
Retired educator Robert Storms provides a heartfelt and often humorous collection of “snapshots” from a forty-year career in public school music education. Primarily set in Ferndale, Washington, beginning in 1962, the book chronicles Storms’ experiences teaching band and choir at Alexander Junior High, Custer School, and Vista Middle School. Patterned after weekly newspaper columns, these vignettes capture the unpredictable, messy, and deeply rewarding nature of working with middle school students.
The synopsis follows Storms from his early days in Cle Elum to his long tenure in Ferndale. The narrative is structured as a series of brief anecdotes ranging from comical parade disasters—such as a confrontation with a “Goliath” car driver—to poignant moments in the classroom. Storms recounts “The Rite of Spring” being mistaken for the Star Wars soundtrack and the “phantom” disruptions of falling music stands during quiet concert sections. Central to the book is the author’s “Music for Every Child” philosophy, highlighted by his creative efforts to help students with physical disabilities participate in the band program.
Storms’ prose is the book’s greatest strength; it is warm, unpolished, and refreshingly devoid of bitterness. He writes with the authentic voice of a storyteller sharing memories over coffee, making the text highly accessible to teachers, former “band kids,” and general readers alike. The inclusion of Mark Kelly’s whimsical illustrations adds a charming visual dimension that complements the “folksy” tone of the stories. Furthermore, the book serves as a valuable historical archive of mid-to-late 20th-century school life, documenting the transition to “open-concept” schools and the impact of the 1970s oil crisis on teacher carpools.
Overall, School Stories is a comforting, personality-driven memoir that successfully illustrates the enduring impact of a dedicated teacher.
– The Moving Words Review
Official Entry: The Most Moving Book Award, Jan. 6, 2027
