“A powerful, realistic portrayal of life in the American public education system.”

Chanko juggles the presentation of all these characters and their issues with immense skill. Because the novel focuses on a different character in each chapter, it effectively presents a prism of perspectives as each of the characters struggle with their own unique challenges over the course of the story. The author combines realistic dialogue, complex contemporary social issues, and characters to root for in this narrative. The result is a masterful tapestry of strife and resiliency.

Rarely is a school days chronicle so beautifully and carefully constructed, exploring the struggles, mini-betrayals, heartaches, hopes, and dreams of its characters within the diverse--and often troubled--microcosm of a contemporary public school setting. The novel also examines larger questions of loss and hopelessness with a tenderness that's both heartbreaking and beautiful.

Chanko delivers an authentic portrait of the classroom, capturing both the healing power of writing and the risks of blurred boundaries. As a school social worker, I found Exit Tickets to be both inspiring and cautionary—a story that will resonate with anyone who has taught or cared for vulnerable youth.