Best Novels About Teachers
Every year in the fall, Jackie and I start thinking about back-to-school books. This year, we were shocked that we had not made a list of the best novels about teachers, and knew we had to give you a list of our favorites.
This list of books about teachers is a list of books for adults. There are so many fantastic books for elementary school and middle grade about teachers, but we wanted a list of books for adults. We have some great fiction, classics, thrillers, and romances. If you are looking for fantasy, Jackie has a list of Books Like Ninth House that you will love.
The Best Novels About Teachers
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
Best Fiction Book About Teachers
Faculty Lounge by Jennier Matthieu- Jump to Section
Best Classic Novel About Teachers
Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery- Jump to Section
Best Romance Book About Teachers
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood- Jump to Section
Best Mystery About Teachers
The Examiner by Janice Hallett- Jump to Section
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Fiction Novels About Teachers
The Faculty Lounge
Author: Jennifer Mathieu
Year: 2024
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
More info: National Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This delightful story follows a set of teachers across an academic year – each narrating a different story as the year progresses. It opens with a first-year teacher finding a substitute teacher dead of old age in the faculty lounge.
From meddling PTA moms to personal issues impacting faculty performance, from district overstepping to parents challenging curriculum, this story truly covers all the highs and lows of being a teacher in the world today.
Why Kirsten loves it
Both hilarious and poignant, this story reminds me of Abbott Elementary in the best way. I felt deeply for the teachers and their struggles while laughing along with their missteps and flaws. #Gifted by Dutton
Find this book in: Best Contemporary Fiction 2024 / Books Set in High School
Vladimir
Author: Julia May Jonas
Year: 2022
Genre: Literary Fiction
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
When it comes to books with stalkers, this literary fiction has a vibe of its own. Vladimir is the hot new professor at a rural college. A recent literary success, he quickly becomes the obsession of a 58-year-old tenured female professor at the same school.
Said professor is our narrator and her inner dialogue was expertly crafted. She’s on the edge of scandal after her husband is accused of multiple affairs with students before those types of relationships are banned. She knew about these affairs and even had some of her own, but she didn’t want to be caught up in the fallout. Instead, she fixates on Vladimir, a man 20 years her junior.
Why Kirsten loves it
The subjects this novel explores are expertly navigated by Jonas, whose gifts as a writer shines in this debut. I would love to discuss this pick with my book club!
Find this book in: Books with Stalkers / Dark Academia Books / Beach Reads 2022 / Best Books Set in College
The Housekeeper and the Professor
Author: Yoko Ogawa
Year: 2009
Genre: Fiction
More info: Translated by Stephan Snyder
Age Range: 14+
Plot
The Housekeeper and the Professor is a lovely story about a retired mathematics professor who has amnesia and can only remember the last 80 minutes.
He hires a housekeeper who must introduce herself to him every day. When the professor finds out that her son must be home without her after school, the professor immediately insists that the son come to his house every day and thus begins a beautiful relationship.
Why Jackie loves it
This is a beautifully written contemporary fiction book and an absolute must-read for anyone wanting to read about Japan. But even more, this is a story about love, family, friendship, and kindness. It is finding the unexpected and making it into something more.
Find this book in: Amnesia Books / Books Set in Japan / Best Books in Translation
True Biz
Author: Sara Nović
Year: 2022
Genre: Literary Fiction
More info: April 2022 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
True Biz is an eye-opening look at the life of deaf high schoolers in boarding school. The ins and outs of deaf society are fascinating and made me realize I knew so little about the deaf community.
Set at River Valley School for the Deaf, the story revolves around 2 students, Austin and Charlie, as well as their headmistress, February who is fighting to keep the school open for the students who desperately need it.
Trigger Warnings
Ableism, Death of a Parent, Medical Trauma
Why Kirsten loves it
I learned about the ASL vs hearing aids debate. I learned about the politics and drama that go into running a deaf school. I learned that there is a black version of ASL and it’s possible to be racist when signing. And of course, I fell for the romantic entanglements and blooming friendships between the students.
Find this book in: Coming-of-Age Books for Teens / Books set in High School / Best Reese Witherspoon Books / Reese Witherspoon Book Club List 2022
The Secret History
Author: Donna Tartt
Year: 1992
Genre: Literary Fiction
More info: December 2022 Read with Jenna Book Pick
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Richard is one of a select group of six students who have been hand-picked to work under the guidance of a classics teacher named Julian Morrow. Richard is narrating the story and he begins by telling about the death of one of the students named Bunny.
As the story progresses, it is clear that this secret society of students rides the line of morality. The strained friendships and sexual tensions continue to push the edge until Bunny is killed.
Trigger Warnings
Murder, Alcoholism, Suicide
Why Jackie likes it
This is one of the books about secret societies that was deeply disturbing and difficult to read. It certainly earns its place on our list of dark academia books and books about cults! And as with most books set in college, this one is a perfect book for fall.
Find this book in: Books set in College / Books about Cults / Books about Secret Societies / Best Fall Books / Dark Academia Books / Books Set in the 80s / Books With Secret in the Title / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2022
Classic Books about Teachers
Plot
Jane Eyre is the classic story of a young woman sent to be a governess and teacher to a wealthy man’s daughter out in the countryside at Thornfield Hall. An orphan with a rough upbringing, she is overwhelmed by the rules and customs of Thornfield Hall and her mercurial employer, Rochester.
This novel was revolutionary at the time because it was written in first person – one of the first books to do so.
Trigger Warnings
Child Abuse, Mental Illness
Kirsten’s Thoughts
I have a love-hate relationship with this story. When I was younger, I saw the original broadway musical production of it and while the rest of my family hated it, I bought the CD and listened to it on repeat. (Ask me if I just put it on while writing this review)
However, when I recently reread this book as a woman in a healthy marriage all I saw were red flags! I wanted to scream at Jane and tell her to run far, far away from Rochester.
Anne of Avonlea
Author: L. M. Montgomery
Year: 1909
Genre: Classic
More info: Anne of Green Gables #2
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Anne is now a young woman and the local school teacher in Avonlea, but she’s still up to some crazy antics with her new neighbor, the orphan twins who’ve come to live at Green Gables, and her old pals Gilbert and Diana.
Why Kirsten loves it
I ADORE seeing Anne grow into her own as a school teacher, but I especially love how she navigates Green Gables and the twins now that she is older. It’s fun to see her relationship with Marilla change as well.
Plot
The classic story by Alcott has survived for generations for a reason, the way she wonderfully encapsulates what it’s like to be in a family. The highs and lows of the personal and collective lives of Beth, Jo, Amy, and Meg are an endearing testimony to the bonds of sisters.
Why Jackie loves it
I remember reading this coming-of-age novel with my grandmother when I was young. It features a family of four girls who are trying to support each other and their mother while their father is away at war.
Find this book in: Best Classic Novels / Coming-of-Age Books for Teens / Fun Books for Teens / Best Books About Siblings
Romance Books About Teachers
Getting Schooled
Author: Emma Chase
Year: 2018
Genre: Romance
More info: Getting Some #1
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
As the football coach and the coolest teacher in school, Garrett is feeling like life is pretty good, until his high school sweetheart, Callie, suddenly waltzes back into their hometown – as a substitute teacher where he works! This is a fast, funny read about two high school sweethearts who get a second chance at love.
Why Kirsten loves it
If you know me, you know I am a terrible traveler. I must arrive at the airport 2 hours early. I must check for my ticket every 10 minutes. I must have a contemporary rom-com book that will suck me in, have me laughing, and keep me from concentrating on turbulence.
Enter Emma Chase and her book, Getting Schooled. I’m a huge fan of Emma’s because she has not let me down on a plane yet and this one got me through it!
Love, Theoretically
Author: Ali Hazelwood
Year:
Genre: Romance
More info:
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Elsie has learned to live two lives; an adjunct professor in theoretical physicist by day and a fake girlfriend the rest of the time (to make ends meet). She has also learned to read people and become the Elsie that they want her to be.
When she interviews for her dream job as a theoretical physics professor at MIT, her two worlds collide. How? I don’t want to ruin the surprise. Elsie learns what she really wants an how to ask for it in a delightful and charming way.
Trigger Warnings
Strong sexual content
Why Jackie loves it
Any romance novel by Ali Hazelwood has become a must-read so, it is no surprise that I jumped at the chance to read her newest STEMinist romcom!
Find this book in: Ali Hazelwood Books Ranked / Books Like the Kiss Quotient/ Ultimate Beach Reads 2023
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Author: Graeme Simsion
Year: 2013
Genre: Fiction
More info: International Sensation
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
You know how this book is going to end even before you start reading it. However, that does not make the journey any less enjoyable. I found it to be cute and endearing.
Don Tillman is the autistic narrator. We listen to every unfiltered thought in his quest to find a wife. His scientific approach to this endeavor was simultaneously endearing and unromantic, but right on par with the way Don thinks.
At the beginning of the book, I wasn’t sure if Don actually cared but soon discovered that he cared deeply, he just expresses that in a different way
Why Jackie loves it
This is one of the first books I read with an autistic character and I think it opened up the possibility of writing about neurodivergent people as main characters in the story as opposed to supporting characters.
Why Kirsten loves it
I loved watching Don as he continued along his journey to find love and find a wife.
Find this book in: Books Like The Love Hypothesis / Books Like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine / Books With Neurodivergent Characters
Plot
Emily lost her job and her boyfriend at the same time that her big sister broke her leg. Emily decides to move to Willow Creek to help her sister care for 14-year-old April, where she is promptly tricked into volunteering for the local Renaissance Faire run by Simon.
So now Emily is a wench…Simon is a Pirate…and obviously, we know where this story is going in this grumpy sunshine book. It’s the journey on this one, guys. It’s filled with feels, cute scenes, and romance. I couldn’t put it down.
Why Kirsten loves it
I’m pretty sure hearts actually came out of my eyes at multiple points while reading this enemies-to-lovers story. I loved it so much!!! This book gives me total modern-day Pride and Prejudice vibes and it is such a fun addition to our enemies-to-lovers books
Why Jackie loves it
Sometimes you read a book and you just want to go back and read it again. I loved Well Met!!! I never thought I would be interested in a renaissance fair but this book gave me all the feels.
Find this book in: Grumpy Sunshine Romance Tropes / Enemies to Lovers Books
My Oxford Year
Author: Julia Whelan
Year: 2018
Genre: Fiction
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Ella has moved to Oxford to study for one year before heading back to America to work on a political campaign, fulfilling a lifelong dream to study in the famed English school. But then she falls for her professor and must decide what she wants from the future.
Trigger Warnings
Cancer
Why Kirsten loves it
I picked up this contemporary fiction book to help combat my Royal Wedding withdrawal. I assumed it was going to be a light and fluffy romance — I had no idea I was going to be sobbing my eyes out with what is essentially the newest JoJo Moyes.
Adaptation Information
Sophie Carson, Corey Mylchreest, Dougray Scott, and Catherine McCormack star in the Netflix adaptation of this book.
Find this book in: Books Set in College / Best Contemporary Fiction / British Romance Novels / British Books
Mystery & Thriller Novels About Teachers
The Examiner
Author: Janice Hallett
Year: 2024
Genre: Mystery
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Age Range: 16+
Plot
In the quintessential Hallett style, this story is told in emails and texts. Gela Nathaniel must find six students for her Multicultural Art program or risk losing her funding. But the students give her trouble from the start. Some don’t come regularly, some are very stuck in their ways, and supplies are going missing.
When the examiner for the course starts looking through emails and texts of the students and Gela, he realizes someone is in danger. The question is whether they are dead already.
Why Jackie loves it
I listened to this book #gifted and loved every minute. I immediately got a sense of all the characters and their quirks. I quickly loved and hated them simultaneously. I was never sure exactly what was going on, in the best possible way.
Find this book in: Best New Mystery Books of 2024 / Janice Hallett Books in Order
The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair
Author: Joel Dicker
Year: 2014
Genre: Mystery
More info: Instant New York Times Bestseller
Age Range: 16+
Plot
The story of Marcus Goldman and his quest to learn what really happened between his mentor Harry Quebert and 15-year-old Nola Kellergan.
Did Harry commit the murder he is now being accused of? Will Marcus write the great American novel? Well, you’ll just have to read it to find out!
Why Kirsten loves it
This book was heavily hyped when it first came out but having just had a baby I was not interested in reading this whopper of a book. Then in 2018, Patrick Dempsey started in a TV mini-series based on the novel. I finally decided to pick it up.
Find this book in: Best Long Books / Mystery and Thriller Novels About Writers
Symphony of Secrets
Author: Brendan Slocumb
Year:2023
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Bestselling author of The Violin Conspiracy, a GMA Book Club Pick.
Age Range:16+
Plot
When a Professor is researching a newly discovered song from a famous American composer, he finds a connection between the composer and a black woman named Josephine Reed. As he digs further into the past, he will not stop until he uncovers the truth about Josephine.
Trigger Warnings
Racism, Murder
Why Kirsten loves it
Flashing between the present day and the 1920s, this story is a character-driven slow-burn until the 60% mark, when it turns into a heart-pounding thriller. I loved this summer book about music and I think you will too.
Find this book in: Books With Secret in the Title / Historical Thrillers/ Ultimate Beach Reads / Novels about Music
More Novels About Teachers
Expert Tip
These are not books about how to teach. Rather, these are fictional books where the teachers are the main characters in the book. Need help picking a book you will love?
- Have a look at Jackie’s and my descriptions of the books. We have read all of them!
- Pick a book from your favorite category. Do you love a great romance? Maybe you want literary fiction. Do not worry, I have you covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are your favorite characters that are teachers in works of fiction?
There are so many great fictional teachers in books. Teachers like Miss Honey in Matilda are so memorable. Adult novels about teachers do not feature teachers in the same light as children’s books or tween books. These books about teachers focus more on the teachers as people, with the ins and outs of the job.
What is the best novel about teachers?
We here at Beyond the Bookends think that Faculty Lounge by Jennifer Mattieu is the best book about teachers.
Related Content
Epilogue
What is your favorite book about teachers? Are there more books I forgot to add to this list?
