Nottinghamshire teacher’s debut novel exposes the ‘chaos, comedy, and compassion’ of classroom life

A teacher has released his debut novel — taking a humorous look at life in the classroom.

Under the pen name J.B. Harper, the Nottinghamshire teacher has released his novel 21 Questions, drawing on his own years of teaching experience.

The diary-style comedy’s take on school life blends chaos, comedy, and compassion — and a fair bit of football.

It follows a year in the life of religious studies teacher Eric Hall, a teacher with high hopes, low patience, and an uncanny knack for getting himself into awkward situations.

He juggles a busy schedule, over-enthusiastic students, an ambitious plan to land the head of department job, his turbulent love life, and the ‘constant disappointment of supporting Sunderland AFC’.

Through 21 chapters the tale explores questions that crop up year after year in the classroom — from “Can God change time, so I can do better in my mock exams?” to “Will my pet tarantula go to heaven?” — and the chaos and compassion of school life.

J.B. Harper has lived and worked in Nottinghamshire for over 21 years, and said: “I wanted to write something that was honest, relatable and yet makes you laugh.

“There is never a dull day in teaching and I hope readers — whether they’re in education or just remember their own school days — find something that rings true.”

21 Questions is available in paperback and eBook formats from Amazon.