Book excerpt: TALES OUT OF SCHOOL features Sandra Scott, a first year English teacher in search of self and love in an unclear world. She faces the challenge of teaching reading, writing, and respect to a hundred fifty marginally receptive teenagers beset with issues of drugs, personal relations, and domestic abuse. She has a passionate relationship with her wealthy, sexy boyfriend, a Ph.D. candidate in biochemistry at Boston University. The intimacy they enjoy is precious and beautiful, yet fraught with many tensions as well. She has a very ill father and an opinionated mother. By teaching others Sandy learns to deal with her insecurity, her career, and the people in her life. Follow her through her tales of joy, misery, confusion, and adventure both in and out of school.