The World of Cornelius Magee

These unforgettable short stories of a ghetto school in NYC interspersed with the sadness of the characters such as little Rachel caught in her mother's divorce and ludicrous romance with fellow teacher, idiotic Mel. It's about the absurdities of the school life, of the young psychiatrist, Dr. Fallek, terribly shocked and astounded at the goings on his arrival at the school. About the handsome black student, Donald, a self-styled Picasso, always incorrigible, taking bets with his buddy, Carlos on Rodney's survival from Sickle cell anemia. The general tone of the School and its madness was always seen as sane. The absurdities of the school described in the book live alongside the magical qualities of Cornelius and his fantastic world. Cornelius was a magnet who attracted all the children around him. Read the hilarious chapter, "Sex on the Staircase." About Mr. Stone, an Assistant Principal, the nemesis of Donald and Carlos. He is terribly distressed by their antics, and by the immoral action called, "Unsupervised Sex Activity" defaming the school. He observed sex in the wardrobe as truly a most horrible act and quite unbelievable. But unfortunately for Mr. Stone it was true. We experienced its madness, the wild fornication took place in Mel's classroom wardrobe and he was threatened with the loss of his job. Poor Mel. And above all Cornelius was real and he returned with his world and left when the school finally closed. He is a character you will never forget and his magic will rub off on you.