Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Mr. Wackenteach Teaches 5th Grade: The Wackenteach Series is a children's educational adventure novel written by JCM. Well, once again, it's the last day of summer, and the Specialists are looking forward to another year with Mr. Wackenteach. They're in their fifth year now at Pagic Elementary, and they know that Mr. Wackenteach has gotten more and more wacky as they've been growing up. The Specialists are surprised to learn that their parents also had Mr. Wackenteach for a teacher when they were in school. Their parents are happy knowing that the Specialists are in for an exciting fifth year. And once again, the Specialists go off to bed and wake up, suddenly, outside the door to their fifth year classroom. There’s a Do Not Disturb sign hanging on the door, and they can hear Beethoven's Fifth playing inside, but the Specialists know better than to just stand there. They want to start their classes and probably have to wake Mr. Wackenteach up -- and, sure enough, there's the sound of loud snoring coming from inside the room, and they can see their teacher curled up underneath his desk.

JCM's mysterious educational book for children, Mr. Wackenteach Teaches 5th Grade, is the sixth book in The Wackenteach Series. Some parents may marvel at the depth and complexity of some of the concepts presented in this book, but the Specialists are more than capable of absorbing every new and complicated concept thrown at them. They are, after all, Specialists, and they've been trained by the best. Mr. Wackenteach seems to have a somewhat melancholy and bittersweet air about him as he proudly and affectionately surveys his new fifth year class. He's seen them grow and develop into first-rate Specialists, and he's very aware that he'll have only one more year with them after this.

JCM's weird and wonderful teacher has arranged a magical fifth year indeed for his Specialists, complete with philosophical discussions on life, strong and weak drugs, study habits, journals, the environment, and giving back to others. There's even a marvelous fishing trip courtesy of Grandpa Wackenteach, a new addition to the series, which gives the added dimension of the teacher as a person. I've read each of the preceding stories in this series, and they are all marvelous. As the Specialists progress through their schooling, the sense that they're poised on the brink of a grand adventure intensifies as these highly trained, competent, and curious Specialists tackle the challenges of their next to last year with Mr. Wackenteach. What awaits them in the sixth grade? I'm just about as eager to find out as they are. Mr. Wackenteach Teaches 5th Grade: The Wackenteach Series is most highly recommended for Specialists, their parents, and educators at all levels.