Empty Desk

On her last day as a high school English teacher, Deann Nelson retrieves the things she has hidden in the secret drawer beneath her desk. The contents unleash a host of funny and painful memories. As she examines each item, she contemplates the realities of public school and the remarkable young people whose lives had intersected with hers. She reveals hilarious tales of teenage recklessness as well as the dark and dangerous secrets she has kept over the years. The triumphs and tragedies of some of her most memorable students are powerful testaments to the resilience of the human spirit, but no secret is more intriguing than that of Jordan Michaels, one unforgettable and heroic student.In an era of increasing scrutiny of public education and a growing emphasis on test results and statistics, Empty Desk is a book that captures the vulnerability of students and their teachers. It is about telling their stories, hearing the voices of others, surviving against all odds, and discovering ourselves.

Janet Call graduated from Western Michigan University and earned a Master of Arts in communications from the University of Northern Colorado. She taught for over forty years in high school and college settings, and currently lives in Granville, Ohio. This is her first novel.