As you know by now, I bring a batch of advance reader copies to Slog Happy for everyone to enjoy, with the caveat that the person who reads (or tries to read) the book has to review it for all of us here on Slog.

Today’s reviewer is Renee. Renee is reviewing Ms. Hempel Chronicles, by Sarah Sarah Shun-lien Bynum, a novel about an elementary school teacher. I passionately loved this book. Let's see what Renee thinks. Anything you don’t like about this review no doubt is due to the editing process and not at all Renee’s fault and you should blame the editor. I am the editor.

This short novel is a story of sparse, elegant detail that will almost certainly charm those who read it.

It snagged my attention immediately when, “she…clapped her hands rapturously against her thighs, as though her shorts had caught fire.” I’m always a sucker for the neat turn of phrase, particularly one that can include humor and a unique viewpoint. From this first page, I had immediate high hopes. Luckily I was not disappointed nor do I think you will be. I dog-eared my copy no less than 26 times.

The book also shares some resonant life commentary. One such illustration is the premise that, “when you are in school, your talents are without number, and your promise is boundless…and you are everything at once: actor, astronomer, gymnast, star. But at a certain point, you begin to feel your talents dropping away, like feathers from a molting bird.” I hadn’t directly thought about it before I read this book, but I realize it’s an idea that’s lurked in my subconscious for quite some time.

The narrative skips in and out of Ms. Hempel’s life at various significant intervals. We aren't omniscient as readers, but not knowing all of the details of her life leave us knowing her more like we would a friend in real life. It’s an organic relationship that shares its trials and tribulations and skates on awkward and improper secretive thoughts. We are drawn in and pushed out at the same time. Additionally, this upheaval seems a reflection on Ms. Hempel’s thought and emotional processes. It’s genius, really.

There is only one disjointed portion of the book and it’s the first transition in which we realize this is not a thorough or simple linear narrative. Once you’ve realized that and move past you wait for the next puzzle pieces to drop in or mysteriously vanish with anticipation.

I’m fairly confident the majority of you will like or love this book; it’s small, it’s charming and it’s a thought provoking read. The only people I don’t whole-heartedly recommend this book to are those who have to know all the details. Then I say, read it anyway, at worst you’ll have spent two or three hours of your life that you probably wouldn’t have done anything productive with anyway.

Many thanks to Renee. To those of you who have taken books at past Slogs Happy, please make sure to write a report and send it along to me at pconstant@thestranger.com.